We’re excited to announce a new series here on cedarvalleycanine.com: Q&As with our CVC family! First up are the McAvoys. This wonderful family has two CVC pups, a black lab named Patton and a German Shepherd named Flo.

Learn more about these two inseparable dogs, and don’t forget to follow them on Instagram at @pattonandflo! And be on the lookout for more stories from our CVC family coming soon.

1) Though y'all are perhaps the only family to own one of our GSD and one of our labs... What drew you to the German Shepherd breed? How did you end up with a lab as well or was that planned?

We have always loved German Shepherds. Our Mom grew up with a German Shepherd named Footie so you might say it was in our DNA to be GSD owners. Lizzy was spending more time on her own and began considering getting a dog for companionship and protection. What better fit for those roles than a GSD!

A friend of Lizzy’s, Andrew Dorff, got two dogs from Cedar Valley Canine and spoke highly of Betsy and Dave. We scheduled a visit to CVC. We started chatting with Dave about the labs we had growing up, Cleo and Caesar: how much we loved them, how hard it was to even consider getting a new dog. He asked if we’d ever consider getting another lab because coincidentally he had one puppy left. Right on cue, this chunky black lab, chased by his sister, comes running around the corner of the house. He rolled right off the front porch and into our hearts. There was no going back at that point. We went to CVC to meet a GSD, instead we met General George Patton.

One month after we got Patton, a German Shepherd puppy from Luna’s litter came home with us, Florence “Flo” Nightingale. Patton and Flo met for the first time at Cedar Valley, it wasn’t only love at first sight for us, it was for them too.

2) What is your favorite thing to do with your dog?

We love going on vacations with our dogs. It opens up a wide variety of different activities and places when traveling with two dogs. We spend more time outdoors, exploring hiking trails, going to the water and pet friendly towns.

Our favorite thing to do with Patton is snuggle. He is a first rate cuddle buddy and loves to sleep in. We love playing in the backyard with him throwing the ball.

Our favorite thing to do with Flo is teach her new things. Right now, she is learning “search”. She is very goal oriented and loves to have a task. We also love playing ball with her and watching her try new foods. She is very expressive and opinionated when trying new things.

3) Y'all seem to take your dogs with you when you travel, what are the best travel tips you can offer us?

This might be a silly travel tip, but definitely one that is the most important… Don’t forget to pack water and a bowl. Our pups love to drink lots of water on road trips. We’ll remember to pack the emergency meds kit, leashes, food, treats, toys, crates, poop bags, back up treats; but somehow almost forget the water!

The Dolly Parton of our family… Miss Flo!

If you have a GSD, don’t be alarmed if they decide to get chatty during the trip. Flo enjoys critiquing our driving by occasionally howling in the backseat :).

4 ) If your dog(s) was someone famous, who would they be and why?

If Patton were famous, we think he would be John Candy. Lovable, funny, foodie (Lay Off Me I’m Starving) and a total teddy bear.

If Flo were famous, we think she would be Dolly Parton. Smart, witty, lots of sass, incredibly lovable, constantly vocalizing and well… large chested!

5) What are the main differences between a GSD and a Lab?

How long can our list of differences be between a GSD and a Lab? While both dogs are driven, smart and lovable, they are completely different breeds, personalities and spirits.

Flo , our GSD, is freakishly smart. She will sit and listen to you talk as though she is part of the conversation. If you get up to go anywhere in the house, she must follow you. She loves to live up to her name Shep”herd” and is constantly herding our cats and guests around the house. You only have to tell Flo something once and she will remember. Flo is intuitive to people’s emotions and great with kids. She needs to be doing something at all times, an activity, a job, I believe even when she is sleeping it’s one eye open in case she is needed. Flo is available to assess any possible dangers in the house, including but not limited too, the dust broom, the robot vacuum and the squirrels on the outside feeder. Don’t be deceived by Flo’s independent and intimidating demeanor, she is very goofy, playful and loving.

Mr. FOMO… Patton can never be TOO close to us :)!

Patton is everything you’d expect from a lab. A complete goofball, could sleep all day and lives for food. His favorite sleeping position is upside down, belly in the air, feet reached to the sky. He is friends to all and provides kisses to anyone. He enjoys playing outside with his ball, but then lays down in the yard abruptly when he’s just too exhausted to go on. He has major FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and must be around a human at all times; mostly touching the human. Patton hasn’t met a food he didn’t like, even fresh lettuce, and he loves when you vacuum his face with the bristle attachment.

Even though both dogs are very different, they have some wonderful similarities. Patton and Flo are amazing cuddlers and caring. They are great listeners and very well behaved dogs. They are so lovable and fiercely loyal. Patton and Flo are protective of their family and their home. They are goofy and have large personalities that they are not afraid to show to all. They are both incredibly photogenic. Even though they are both almost 80lbs, Patton and Flo believe they are about the size of shih tzu.

6) You got Flo for protection, what is an example of her protection skills?

When Flo was about 6 months old, we had a hot water line break in the ceiling of our basement in the middle of the night. Lizzy was asleep, when Flo started crying and barking at Lizzy to get up. Lizzy got up with her and went downstairs to notice a strange noise coming from the basement. Flo afforded Lizzy the opportunity to wake the rest of the family up before the smoke detectors went off. We were able to get our cats and pups gathered up safely and get out of the house before the fire department arrived.

Flo and Patton have alerted us to suspicious cars in the neighborhood and attempted car break ins in the middle of the night.

Family Matters: Meet the McAvoys!