To: Ilaine who wrote (33693 ) 4/5/1999 7:21:00 AM From: nihil Read Replies (3) | Respond to
I think in most cultures most male relationships -- friendship, marriage, partnership are a kind of power struggle -- that's the way we are programmed physiologically. Going back to the dogs, the only thing really important in most solitary unneutered males' lives is establishing dominance over other dogs. When a male dog accepts a less than alpha role his testosterone level plummets, he carries his tale low, and often becomes neurotic and sick. I believe the same thing happens to a man who is not dominant and not even trying to be, who is henpecked at home, or has no mate at all. I would be surprised if premenopausal dominant women did not have elevated androgen levels, although I know of no research. Male men and dogs, I believe, are bred for dominance. When women seeks dominance in a couple setting, they need to be subtle and discreet. A man is easily managed by one he loves, but he is happier if he thinks he's dominant. Of course, there surely are some remarkable men intrinsically just and kind who can live in perfect harmony with a strong assertive woman. No one comes to mind at the moment, and I be careful about calling them "Shirley."bordercollie.org . This is the USBCC devoted to preserving the working breed worldwide. Avoid like a plague AKC dogs bred for show, unless you want to show. There are available at any time 50 to 60 free border collies in the rescue program. People take them from dissatisfied owners (ranch dogs that wont learn to herd, city dogs that insist on herding). These are not sick dogs, but frequenly mismatches rescued by experts who love the breed and train their rescued dogs. Follow up leads on the web, and don't take a BC (or Sheltie (almost as good and much smaller) unless you are willing to spend time every day working them. They demand direction, and are most obedient. Ignored or left alone, they can pluck themselves bare and go ape. The most devoted dog owners I have ever met (except hunters) dote on Border Collies. The most devoted hunters I have ever known dote on German Short-haired pointers and labs (not so good for upland game but better as retrievers.)
