The "perfect" breed

[EskiLovr]

@Quercus:

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....

I don't disagree with any of what you said here. I believe in preserving dog breeds that have their function and health put first. I was more thinking of breeds like daschunds (who have been bred to be so much longer than they started out to be that it has weakend their spines) etc. I don't think that conformation shows are evil, or that people who show are stupid or anything like that, but there is so much more publicity and backing for those kinds of things than there are for the flyball, and working dogs, etc. And I say "YES YES YES" to the fault of shelters full of dogs being squarely with irresponsible individuals who don't 'get' that pet ownership is a responsibility for LIFE.

I wasn't trying to run anybody down. I just wish there was more PR for the things I was talking about than for 'designer dogs'

[lvoss]

I disagree about there being more publicity for conformation showing than for the events that are open to all dogs such as FlyBall, Frisbee Dog, Agility, Dock Diving. My local morning show highlights those events fairly regularly because they are fun to attend and make feel good news. Every Pet Expo I have been to have demos of these events but rarely, only one that I have attended, has a demo of conformation showing. These events do get alot of attention, but again, it comes down to the individual to pay attention to what is out there. Most people who participate in organized events with their dogs have a level of commitment that you don't usually see with the general public. It is not a lack of activies nor a lack of publicity that is the problem, it is the amount of time the average person is willing to invest in their relationship with their pet.

[Robin_n_Jack]

@MacPack:

The first Labradoodle I saw was brown and gold, with golden eyes, very pretty, and I asked the yuppy-ish owner what it was and when he said Labradoodle, I (never having heard of them) said "oh, isn't it neat how beautiful some accidental mixes turn out". I was INFORMED that Camden was a Purebred Labradoodle, a new breed. Duh, Camden is actually a very nice dog, as are most of the 'doodles' who don't shed. I think that is the main attraction for most people. And (OK, flame me here) but most of the Puggles I know really are cute nice little dogs, the best of both breeds.

I wish I had the url for a site that had about 20 dog photos, in pairs, and the game was to pick which was the designer dog and which was the shelter rescue. I missed three, they all looked so darn much alike!

So you can go to the shelter and still have your Puggle or Doodle-whatever!

As long as you don't mix basenjis and Pit Bulls I'll be happy…that's a combo I don't even want to think about!
Anne in Tampa

When I was looking for my puppy….it was important to me to adopt from a shelter, and I went to the local humane society, and lo and behold they had a brother and sister pair of basenji/pitbull.....at least that was what they thought they were. I didn't get close enough to do any inspecting- a pit bull is much too large a dog for me, and, not having any experience with the breed, I didn't think I would be able to train them properly, so I had to knock them off my list. I have to say though, that going to the humane society is a heartbreaking experience.....all those big brown eyes looking up at you...

[tanza]

@EskiLovr:

I don't disagree with any of what you said here. I believe in preserving dog breeds that have their function and health put first. I was more thinking of breeds like daschunds (who have been bred to be so much longer than they started out to be that it has weakend their spines) etc. I don't think that conformation shows are evil, or that people who show are stupid or anything like that, but there is so much more publicity and backing for those kinds of things than there are for the flyball, and working dogs, etc. And I say "YES YES YES" to the fault of shelters full of dogs being squarely with irresponsible individuals who don't 'get' that pet ownership is a responsibility for LIFE.

I wasn't trying to run anybody down. I just wish there was more PR for the things I was talking about than for 'designer dogs'

I also totally disagree with your statement about "publicity" for conformation shows… to most people they are pretty boring.. and other then maybe once in a blue moon are they given any coverage (obvious exception is Westminster and AKC Euk...) and I also disagree with you about Doxie's... there are always going to be responsible and "not" responsible breeders and the Doxie breeders I know are totally aware of the spine problems (that exisits with any long backed dog... including Bassetts and PVGV... just to name one or two.

[Robin_n_Jack]

@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.

I just wanted to say that I am very proud of my rescue dog. Because of his appearance, the question often comes up, which gives me ample opportunities to extol the virtues of adopting from a shelter. For me, adopting from a shelter was the right thing. My next dog will probably come from BRAT (or a similar rescue group). However, it would make me the happiest person in the world if shelters and rescues were no longer needed and I had to get my next dog from a breeder. Wouldn't that be cool?

[JazzysMom]

@lvoss:

I disagree about there being more publicity for conformation showing than for the events that are open to all dogs such as FlyBall, Frisbee Dog, Agility, Dock Diving. My local morning show highlights those events fairly regularly because they are fun to attend and make feel good news. Every Pet Expo I have been to have demos of these events but rarely, only one that I have attended, has a demo of conformation showing. These events do get alot of attention, but again, it comes down to the individual to pay attention to what is out there. Most people who participate in organized events with their dogs have a level of commitment that you don't usually see with the general public. It is not a lack of activies nor a lack of publicity that is the problem, it is the amount of time the average person is willing to invest in their relationship with their pet.

Very true.
Your average citizen knows far more about Flyball dogs, Frisbee dogs, Dock dogs, etc. than have a clue about showing – how it's done, what the dogs are like, or even when local shows are held. Any "fun" event is a TV news story while dog shows in town barely get a blurb.

A side note:
I've had people tell me they'd never want a show dog because they want a dog that will be a family pet and be able to play with the kids, go on hikes, etc. One woman even told me she thought it was cruel to have a show dog because she didn't feel it was right to keep dogs crated up all the time. LOL
WHAT????

[tanza]

Yes, there are lots of mis-information about show dogs and showing dogs… My dogs are my pets first... and do coursing at the same time as showing in 99% of the cases... and of course now that they are older and their showing is over, they are totally our pets....

But you know of course, we have "wash" and "wear" show dogs... many people see ones like Poodles that are highly groomed and think they have a horrible existance... when in fact for many of them they love it... while they are being groomed, fluffed, and groomed some more.. they are getting lots of attention... and if you are ever at shows, take note how many are on the grooming tables with no restraints at all... just laying of the table enjoying life...

[sharronhurlbut]

I do see this a mixes not being allowed in activities. I think all dogs should do rally, obedience and lure coursing events…its good for the dog and mostly fun for the whole family.
I see this as Designer dogs mutts given higher status as dogs from shelters.

[sharronhurlbut]

Sorry, I meant to type I don't see this as mixes not being allowed in activities.

[Quercus]

@sharronhurlbut:

I do see this a mixes not being allowed in activities. I think all dogs should do rally, obedience and lure coursing events…its good for the dog and mostly fun for the whole family.
I see this as Designer dogs mutts given higher status as dogs from shelters.

Well, personally, I don't care for the idea of designer dogs, because they are advertised as 'the best of both breeds' and there is no way to tell if you will be the unlucky consumer to get the puppy that gets the worst of both breeds…for instance, and nervous, shedding, giant labradoodle with absolutley no self control (I've seen a few of those).

And I have met more than one puggle, that while adorable, was like a giant nose, an insatiable stomach with an obstinant mind of its own...very hard to get to focus; but still very lovable.

But you still can predict a little more about what you might get with a 'known parentage mix' than you can with a shelter dog where there is completely nothing known about its ancestory.

What I object to the most is people paying insane amounts of money for a designer dog, when there are suitable dogs for their family at the shelter...I guess buying into the hype about designer dogs.

[sharronhurlbut]

Andrea
My heavens..that is exactly what I was trying to say…mostly.
Thank you for putting it in such a smart manner.

You wrote.But you still can predict a little more about what you might get with a 'known parentage mix' than you can with a shelter dog where there is completely nothing known about its ancestory.

Don't you think some mixes show the breed that they come from?
Lab mixes often show a lot of lab, same with GS...
The extra is a question, but as the dogs are older and mostly temperment tested, its not like your getting an unknown personality...

[Quercus]

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[lvoss]

APDT offers rally obedience for all dogs. There are not many trials here on the West Coast but there are more in other parts of the country.

[sharronhurlbut]

The Evergreen basenji club in Seattle has wonderful lure coursing and rally training.
The basenji weekend is Aug is a great way to see b's do all sorts of activities.
The dogs doing rally and lurecoursing are my fav…