@EskiLovr:
When people who own shelter dogs learn to reply to the question "what kind of dog is that" with the answer, "He/she's a RESCUE dog" with pride and dignity, and can get the awe and respect they deserve for giving an orphaned pet a second chance, THAT'S when the status will be placed where it deserves. When there are competitions that allow people and pets to be recognized not for inbreeding to the point of ridiculousness and genetic disease, to preserve some "desired trait" but for the love and devotion in both pet and owners hearts, THAT'S when the situation will be just.I don't see it happening, but I can dream.
huh? there are lots of competitions that allow people and pets to be recognized for all different kinds of things other than what I guess you are describing as conformation shows. How about all the performance events that are available for dogs, both purebred and mixed breed? How about real life working dogs that are both purebred and mixed breed?
If you aren't into the conformation of a dog..fine…but some people are...some people believe that dogs were bred to do certain jobs, and fill certain roles, and they want to preserve that in their chosen breed..fine.
IMO no dog should have more 'status' because of where it came from...that is silly! People should be proud of whatever choice they make in how to add a pet to their family...there is no 'one' right answer.
Now...people on the other hand should gain status based on how they treat their pets....How about we place some blame on the people who get dogs on a whim, and then when they are tired of them dump them at the shelter? Aren't the dogs filling the shelters more the fault of those people, than the people that bred them? I don't, in any way support irresponsible breeding of dogs..but really the animals that are filling the shelters are the fault of people who are not taking the responsibility of pet ownership seriously.....my dream is to address that issue....