Home Blog Random Friday Thoughts: 8/27/10

Random Friday Thoughts: 8/27/10

Written on August 27, 2010 at 2:01 am, by Eric Cressey

I didn’t do a “random thoughts” feature last week, so I’ll have to be extra random this week to make up for it.

1.  Bam!

guyswalksintoabar

You weren’t expecting me to come out with such amazing humor, were you?  Let that be a lesson to you; nobody is more random than EC (and nobody pulls off referring to himself in the third person better, either).

2. We all know that warm-ups are importance for enhancing power output, grooving appropriate neural patterns, and avoiding injury.  Here is some cool research that demonstrates how much more effective an active warm-up is than a passive warm-up when it comes to metabolic responses to exercise.  Namely, those who undergo an active warm-up demonstrate increased oxygen uptake and lower heart rate at a given workload than those participating in a passive warm-up (or no warm-up at all).

Anecdotally, I can tell you that there have been some days where I have felt like there was lead in my shoes and that there was no way I could get any interval training in on a day I’d planned to do so.  However, after a good dynamic flexibility warm-up, things “miraculously” got a lot easier.

3. A big congratulations go out to CP baseball athletes Jordan Cote, who committed to Coastal Carolina, and Joe Napolitano, who committed to Wake Forest. Both made their decisions last week and were featured at ESPN Boston.  We’re proud of our boys!

4. Likewise, I’ve got to give a congratulations to CP athlete and Lincoln-Sudbury All-American soccer player Cole DeNormandie, who became the second CP athlete featured on the cover of ESPN Rise Magazine in just the past few months (he joins Vanderbilt-bound pitcher Tyler Beede):

cole-espn-rise

5. Mike Robertson published a three part series on Knee Pain Basics this past week; it is absolutely fantastic and I’d strongly encourage you to check it out.  Here are the links:

Part 1 – Philosophy
Part 2 – Programming
Part 3 – Coaching

Along these same lines, if you haven’t checked out Mike’s Bulletproof Knees Manual yet, I’d strongly encourage you to do so; it’s an excellent resource.

bpk

6. Greg Robins recently came down to spend some time observing the madness at Cressey Performance, and wrote up a detailed review of his experience; check it out: Science and Attitude: My Trip to Cressey Performance.

7. Here is a link to a great blog from Bret Contreras; it’s definitely worth a read: Sprint Research, Biomechanics, and Practical Implications – An Interview with Matt Brughelli.

8. I need some advice from the dog lovers out there.  Both my fiancee and I grew up with dogs and are thinking about getting a puppy after our wedding (less than six weeks away right now).  We both agree that we want something small – but at the same time, I’d like something that doesn’t make me want to instantly turn in my man card, like the silky poo for which she is currently pushing:

silkypoo-450x300

I actually really like bulldogs, but that’s going to be a tough sell for her unless it’s a “hybrid” where you can’t see a whole lot of bulldog.  Plus, I know a lot of people have said that they have a higher propensity for health issues.  I like puggles, mini pincers, and a few others, but what do those of you in-the-know suggest?  Thanks for any help you can offer!


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31 Responses to “Random Friday Thoughts: 8/27/10”

  1. Mark Says:

    This site is awesome. It succeeds in being informative, interesting, and funny at the same time. Really, great job.

    Anyway, I found this site that could be useful: http://www.dogguide.net/small-dogs.php

    It has a bunch of different dog breeds with a picture and if you click on the name, it’ll give you some general info on the breed.

  2. Jim Says:

    EC,
    Having a pup in the house is awesome, but please, rescue, don’t buy.

  3. Leon Says:

    German Shepard’s make good pets.

  4. J.B. Says:

    Go to a shelter, and see what kind of small mutts they have. They make better pets, and less heath issues.. that whole ‘genetic diversity’ thing working for them and all.
    Congratulations on the upcoming wedding. Make sure you set aside some time on your wedding day (after the ceremony, but before the end of the night) to be alone with your gal. It goes by really fast, and is very chaotic.. you’ll be glad you did.

  5. James Says:

    We have a miniature schnauzer in our house–plenty of attitude to keep up with the 3 boys, and plenty of snuggle for the wife. We got the runt of the litter, which seems to have made a big difference–we hear his litter mates are a handful.

  6. Jake Says:

    Boston Terriers are cool & most chicks dig them.

  7. Dr.Tim Says:

    I’m very partial to Jack Russel terriers.
    I’ve had 3 since 1986,this last one I got as a puppy-he’s the best of all of them.
    They are also known as Parson Russel terriers(AKC).

  8. Mike Says:

    EC, please rescue! there are tons of amazing dogs in shelters. and adopting an adult is easier/more manageable than buying a puppy who’s temperment has yet to be determined.

  9. mike Says:

    i would not recommend a mini pincer…they are incredibly annoying and you will have to turn in your man card if you get one…pugs are pretty rad dogs…and yes, i agree you should rescue…also, mixes tend to be much less apt to have health problems

  10. Yoni Says:

    Hey EC,

    I recommend a Jack Russell Terrier-Poodle cross. It is a small dog that thinks it’s a big dog. My wife and I have one and it is feisty, energetic, and very smart, but is able to calm down instantly when you pet it. It’s the fastest small dog you will see because it has the longish poodle legs with the Jack Russell speed.

  11. Sy Says:

    Definitely go to a shelter. We adopted our dog which is a Great Dane/German Shepherd, and he is great. Minature Australian Shepherds are great small-medium dogs. They are a little wild at times, but you can keep them inside. Get a Cesar Milan DVD while you are at it!

  12. Rich Says:

    We have a 7 lb Maltese in dire need of some accumulation but my wife won’t hear of it. They don’t shed so no dog hair is a big plus!

  13. Sam Says:

    The current state of literature tells us that for optimal life efficiency, if we are to have dog(s), we must get two types:

    1. A tiny lap dog like chiwawa, yorksheir terrior, etc. so they can go everywhere with you and be your “road dog” so to speak.

    2. A massive sized beast of a dog like great dane, rottweiler, german shepard, or husky simply because they are good wrestling partners.

    This way you have the best of both worlds, just like S&C and PT. Hope that helps 🙂

  14. Lindsay Says:

    Miniature Schnauzers are AWESOME! We have an all white one. We adopted him from an Amish family. His ears aren’t cropped so he looks like a male version of Dumbo. They’re very loyal dogs and VERY easy to train. They’ll snort at ya for attention and pick up beer bottle caps and toss them at ya (well, that’s what ours does anyways).

  15. deb roby Says:

    Eric,

    You can’t sell her on a French Bulldog? Cause damn those little things are cute. If you go for any kind of full-breed, you may get health problems.

    When you decide on a breed find that breed’s rescue society and please acquire a dog that way. Also check through PetFinders -it’s a national association of rescue organizations that will hook you up with a great dog.

  16. David Jensen Says:

    Aussie Teeriers; they are small lap dogs, but bread to hunt rats. So, they have more attitude & energy than dogs twice their size. Corgis are the same way. There are plenty of pure-bred dogs in the shelter that need a home. have been forclosed on because their owners had to move into apartments

  17. MR Says:

    What about a Miniature Bull Terrier? They are small, extremely loyal, obedient, and definitely and man’s dog.

  18. Kyle Simpson Says:

    English bulldog boston terrier mix. Great looking dogs, very very smart, plus they are lovers which I am sure your wife would like :-). You surely will not need to give up your man card for this dog.

  19. Anthony Lopez Says:

    Hey Eric on the topic of dogs I’d recommend a beagle that’s what I plan to do when I get married next year to my fiance. Solid 25lbs, can smell like you wouldn’t believe, good energy not a push over of a breed. and you can’t be turning in that man card when they have the wildest howl I’ve ever heard. And who knows take the dog out and hunt for ducks. Plus who doesn’t like beagles their cute as hell oops just turned in my man card…

  20. Anna Says:

    As many others have said, go to a rescue shelter! They put the dogs down if they can’t find an owner. The dogs have also been vaccinated and their temperament checked to see what kind of family they’d be most suited to live with. Consider saving a dog, and definitely do not support pet shops.

  21. Dave Says:

    Good advice all around up above, especially regarding shelter dogs.

    Things to consider:

    – how long will the dog be left alone per day?
    – who is going to train it and play/exercise with i?
    – how high an energy do you want?

    You will get a lot more freedom with your choice (as well as ease of socialization & exercise) if this is going to be a dog that is allowed to come to the gym with you. If not, and it’s going to be home most of the day 5-6 days a week, you want something with lower energy.

    In that case, the bigger the better. A lot of larger dogs are lower energy dogs. They’re often easier to train too (though if you’re not a strong leader, then they’re much more difficult to manage due to the size/power). Plus they can hold it a lot longer, bathroom-wise. If you’re looking to stay small, though, you have to really study the breeds to learn which will fit properly with your lifestyle.

    Terriers will pretty much go non-stop. I’ve never met one that didn’t bark a lot either, though maybe that’s just my limited experience. A French Bulldog, like was suggested above, is definitely one to consider. (That kind of bulldog is a bit tougher to find in a shelter, though.)

    Aside from the cost of feeding and possibly stupid rules at a condo/apartmen, I can’t really think of any reason why a small dog would be any better than a large one. Big dogs offer a ton of advantages.

    That said, you can get a shepherd mix or even pit mix that isn’t much more than 35-40 pounds if you look hard enough. Pits are extremely smart and loyal… kind of high energy for a long time though. Shepherds, on the other hand, are about as easy as they come. Mine was done growing and could be trusted in the house without gating/crating at about 8 months. They’re just really mellow and well behaved. (The downside? Shedding. They shed sooooooo much.)

    But if that’s too big, the french bulldog suggestion is a good one. Min Pins are pretty cool too, as are Italian Greyhounds… but again – high energy. I’d stay away from puggles, those tend to give you the worst of both breeds (the farting of a pug and the howling of a beagle). Plus it’s one of those non-breeds that people started breeding and charging purebred prices for. If you’re going to get a mix, rescue one for 50 bucks at a shelter.

    Another one that’d probably be a really easy sell for the fiance would be a Corgi. They’re probably pretty hard to find and expensive though. And that might border on being too cute for a guy to have.

    There are a million different breeds, all with good and not so good attributes. The most important part is knowing the answers to the stuff I mentioned first and then finding a breed that fits into that schedule/lifestyle.

  22. SHane Says:

    She’ll get what she wants anyway. You don’t officially turn in your man card, until she’s made you pose for christmas cards with the puppy. It’s all over then.

  23. Zach Says:

    golden retrievers ftw

  24. daniel silver Says:

    First and foremost. If you want a bigger dog and are failing in the push then you should probably have your wife start making the drive to CP everyday to train athletes while you stay home to knit and cook.
    Secondly. A designer bag is something worth about two dollars which people pay hundreds of dollars for, because of the status symbol attached to these dogs. The dogs bearing the same tag are the exact same thing and should thus, never be bought from a breeder. The only reason to pay money for a purebred dog is because successfully breeding healthy animals which have been heavily inbred and have many genetic problems can be a difficult and costly procedure. To breed to dogs of different breeds together, then act as if it is some new genetically sound dog instead of a good ol’ mutt (which is exactly what they are) not only makes the owner look like a fool, I think it is an immoral practice, namely because there are so many fluffy little mutts at the pound.
    If you need a good compromise I do think the french bulldog is a great one. Little enough for you to snuggle and dress up in sweaters, but still tough enough for the man of the house to wrestle around with.
    Take care in selecting a breeder of any kind of bulldog. These dogs have been heavily inbred from what originated as a genetic mutation (dwarfism) and are thus incredibly unhealthy.

  25. Alex Hoplyakov Says:

    Eric,
    Try the breed that is called schipperke. Not too big, energetic, good response to coaching, not annoying.

  26. Dave Says:

    Westies are another one that is small, adorable to all women, not too hyperactive, and not annoying or overly feminine. They tend to live an amazingly long time too.

  27. Eric Cressey Says:

    Thanks, everyone, for all the awesome suggestions! Lots to mull over – and we’ll certainly take it into account. Again, we appreciate it.

    EC

  28. T Says:

    EC,

    Pugs are wicked annoying. I have a Cairn Terrier, right up your alley, just had ACL surgery. MUCH better than a pug and tough as nails.

    Just looks kinda dainty, but the German panzer of dogs

  29. Trish Says:

    We have 2 mini dachaunds that are manly man dogs! They are snuggly and lovey at night but very good protectors during the day. They are a very stubborn breed though so you do have to have the time to dedicate to training.

  30. Sunshine Gifford Says:

    Good points.

  31. Bonnie Says:

    I have a Cairn Terrier too – he’s really rugged and high energy. I also have a 70-pound bloodhound mix who is beautiful (we always get compliments on her appearance – she looks strong and like a hunting dog), and sweet. She’s as much of a lap dog as the Cairn. Both of our dogs were runts – the Cairn has an underbite that almost caused him to be put down, and our hound was starving from her littermates not letting her at the food dish. We take both of them hiking, running on the beach, etc. My husband is a former infantryman and doesn’t feel like he surrendered his man card for either dog! 🙂

    The Cairn barely sheds, and the hound sheds a bit when she’s nervous, but her hair is short so it’s not a big deal.

    We had good luck at the Sterling Animal Shelter in Sterling, MA. I’ve also heard good things about Buddy Dog in Sudbury, and Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem.


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