Common dog misconceptions

[BLUEsNewSpringWatch]

I'm getting so fed up of people thinking Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are just a low energy/ lazy lap dogs. So I thought a kind of dog myth busters thread would be good. Please add whatever you can think of.
Starting myths:

1. cavaliers aren't like other spaniels and are just a low energy/ lazy lap dog - FALSE - Cavaliers, whilst they do love being on your lap, are supposed to be like other spaniels - high energy dogs that run through undergrowth (and bring half a hedge home in their fur) and can keep going all day, if you do. Unfortunately many are kept seriously overweight and never allowed off lead, so people get the wrong idea about Cavaliers.
   
   
2. poodles are poncy and are only good for prancing around a show ring and crossing with more interesting/fun breeds for their non-moulting fur - FALSE - Poodles are energetic, extremely intelligent, trick dogs. They look very much like a lot of their crosses when given a basic, rather than show clip. They make energetic, fun, engaging/interesting and highly trainable pets.

[LaurieFairyCake]

1. Terriers are snappy and make bad family pets

FALSE - they're as intelligent and loyal as other breeds and no more prone to snappiness than other dogs

[Flippetydip]

Greyhounds need a lot of exercise. No, just no. They need a sofa.

re. poodles - I always think with these poodle crosses - if you want a poodle get a bloody poodle. I would love one.

[Hoppinggreen]

Golden Retrievers are just like big teddy bears
No, they aren't and it's only thanks to bloody hard work that ours won't take your fingers off if you go near him when he's got a chew any more!!

[tabulahrasa]

1. That puppies are a safer bet than an adult rescue with children...
   

To start with, puppies are bitey little gits, but mostly a puppy is to a certain extent a gamble, that it's going to grow up displaying breed traits, that nothing will happen that causes issues, that you'll successfully train in the behaviours you want. An adult rescue is a known quantity, it's already got its adult personality and traits.

1. That poodle crosses don't shed...
   

They only definitely won't if they're crossed with another non shedding breed, crossed with any other type of coat and they come out with any possible variety of coat and you can't tell until they're adults whether they'll shed or not.

1. That allergies are linked to shedding coats...
   

Dog allergies are more usually an allergy to their dander or saliva, which all dogs have.

1. That KC registered dogs mean it's a reputable breeder...
   

There's no good reason to not register pedigree puppies, but, it means nothing other than that the dog is of that breed and is eligible for registration because it's parents are registered, it's the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to looking for a dog.

[dotdotdot3]

I hate it when people say 'what breed should I get?' as if they are buying a uniform product like a car. Sure, breeds have tendencies and should look at common breed characteristics before they buy to check they can cope with all the possible behaviours which might occur.

But to think that dog breeds are just a list of 'lifestyle requirements' is quite wrong. Dogs are individuals and there are no guarantees that any given dog will fulfil breed expectations. And there is no dog breed that is suited to an entirely urban, couch potato, crated, left-for-eight-hours-a-day life. They are dogs. Let them be dogs.

[RockinSushi]

"It's all in how you bring them up/treat them"

It is NOT.

Nurture has a part to play but genetics play a HUGE part. Unfortunately however much you love a dog and however kindly you treat it, and however well you socialise it, if it is badly bred you may need to manage your expectations for your own and the dogs sake.

[bready31]

Cavapoos/Cockapoos/Labradoodles are the cutest, best family pets.

I am deeply worried about this new 'fashion trend'. I know many, many families who have in the past few years, bought one of these dogs.

Equally, I know many of these dogs who are out of control, as they are untained, not walked and shut in crates all day.

These dogs are of course great family pets, if they are properly cared for.

People should realise that a lot of the time, it is better to wait to get a dog when your children are older and have more of an understanding of responsibility. The perfect mum, dad, two kids and a dog situation might sound perfect but only if you have the time and dedicaton to give your dog as much care as you give your children.

[AuntMatilda]

Dogs bark.

Yes , yes they do. But they also make a myriad of other weird and wonderful noises some of which I really would love to know how and what they mean!
Very good thread. I'll try to think of a more 'serious' contribution.

[ToothTrauma]

Labradors are sad if you don't give them a treat.

NO, Labradors are sad if they get too fat to run and play. Those are just their eyebrows, the manipulative beggars

[bulldogmum]

Bulldogs are aggressive. "Aren't they used to fighting bulls?"
Um no they are gentle sweet dogs who adore people. My dog is scared of leaves blowing behind him in the wind!

Bulldogs are lazy! Etc my boy could walk miles and miles per day and over short distances can outrun labradors, terriers etc.

Ditto - puppies are best for families, not a rescue adult dog. Lots of gorgeous adult dogs looking for homes with lovely temperaments. Puppies can mouth which isn't always great for kids.

[SparklingRaspberry]

"I love my cockapoo/any other designer breed"

Not really a misconception but it annoys the hell out of me! You do not have a 'cockapoo' you have a spaniel x poodle!!!

"Labradors are the perfect family pet especially if you have kids"

Nope nope nope. Labradors aren't always the greedy soppy dogs we think they are.
Most of the dogs which come into my work with aggression issues are..... LABRADORS!!! Not staffys, labs!

"My dog would never hurt my child"

You can't say that. Nobody can.

"If I come home and my dog has chewed something he knows he's done wrong"

Fuck off does he. He just knows he's in for a telling off but can't connect the reason why. Because he's a dog.

"You have to show him who's the dominant one"

I won't even get started on this one

[MaddeningtheUnhelpful]

I have a cavalier - SHE'S MENTAL. Definatly not a quiet 'low energy' dog at all!
Prior to her I had a staffy and a rottweiler cross german shepherd. People actually crossed the road instead of walking next to them but they were the softest most loving things in the world. I wish people would move away from ridiculous breed stereotypes

[Thewolfsjustapuppy]

Terriers are yappy, prey driven, counter surfers who snap at children.

I have two terriers -
Irish terrier has never yapped, she barks occasionally at potential intruders (I quite approve of this), she has zero prey drive and is not inclined to bite my 7yo DS who generally treats her as his best mate with all the roughened tumble that that entails.She would not dream of stealing food or breaking any rules whites ever.little miss goody two shoes

Mini Yorkshire terrier is very yappy! but she is learning (she is a foster and came to us age 4 so we have a bit of work to do). She is perfectly capable of jumping onto the kitchen counter and staling her own body weight (4kg!!) in food. She love a good lap but also loves hiking for a few miles. She may have a prey drive but she is incapable of doing anything about it as her legs are only 2.5 inches long. She is very patient with children but I wouldn't put it past her to snap.

Both terriers are always walked off lead in fields, beaches and forest. I have never even lost sight of either of them.

[Lotsawobblybits]

Whippets- they need loads of exercise...no much prefer a sofa and a blanket, and no she's not a greyhound.

They are not nervous and shivery either- though they can give a 'worried' look. She is fine with cats (though she is in a long stand off with the garden squirrel )

[Lotsawobblybits]

Thewolfsjustapuppy My DF has an Irish and she is the same as yours- However, she was caught out as the sausage roll thief over the weekend. Utter clown and so gentle.

[Nancy91]

Small dogs need less walking - completely incorrect.

Anything to do with dominance and pack theory - completely incorrect.

[Bubble2bubble]

That "licenced breeder" = "good breeder" when in fact it's more likely to mean puppy farmer.

[TheHodgeoftheHedge]

That just because you've bought a bullshit designer cross breed does not mean it's necessarily healthier than a pedigree dog and buying a cross breed doesn't mean you shouldn't make sure the parents haven't had all the relevant health tests for their respective breed.

[Lucisky]

That anything that looks vaguely poodle like is a 'poo' of some sort. I have mentioned this on here before. A woman the other day saw my dog and said " aah, a cockerpoo, how lovely". Me, miffed, explained that no, it's a toy poodle. She just sniffed and walked away, saying "oh, I only really like cockerpoos". I love poodles, but I have never met anybody else with a purebred on my walks.
That Yorkies are soft lapdogs. All the ones I have had were generally as tough as boots, enjoyed killing small rodents, and one used to come riding with me and could keep up with a cantering horse. I had a Yorkie and a jrt together for 13 years, it was terrier armageddon, nothing smaller than them stood a chance unless you were vigilant.

[FlyingSoloFlyingFree]

English Bull Terriers are aggressive and dangerous - don't have one myself but a friend has and claims they're the most affectionate and soft breed out there.

Thewolfsjustapuppy love your username - Passenger fan by any chance?

[Thewolfsjustapuppy]

lottsa I'm told they are not all softies but the ones I know all are. As for sausage rolls, I bet they were just begging to be stolen, either that or it was definitely the cat .

Flying yes! And I love the sentiment.

[BillyDaveysDaughter]

Thank you Rockinsushi - yep, you can get a puppy at 8 weeks and take it through all avenues of socialisation and puppy training, but if genetics and temperament are poor, or the dog has neurological issues...not even 6 behaviourists over 8 years will make any difference.

[Thewolfsjustapuppy]

Licisky years ago I worked at a stable were they had 4 min daschhounds. They call all keep up on a ten mile hack across country. My mini yorky could, but there is no way she would

[Greyhorses]

4. That puppies are a safer bet than an adult rescue with children..

Could not agree with this more. I learnt the hard way that genetics override training in lots of cases. Most behaviouralist studies have proven time and time again that genetics play a huge part yet people still spout the 'it's how they are raised' crap.

Mine would be that all german shepherds are savage beasts about to tear your arms off police dog style. Mine are all softies that actively avoid confrontation if possible!

[NewBrian]

King Charles cavalier can be energetic but they really aren't like other spaniels!