Dog breeds are now a Middle Class indicator?

[Brightonbabe5]

Or at least in my dcs school (private). We thought it was bad in September with all the new puppies on the school run... Mostly the same breeds poodle crosses (cockapoos, labradoodles) bichon friese crosses (cavachons, cavapoos etc)... Insta tells me Christmas has brought a whole new pack of fluffy things.
I said this during the lockdown that these particular breeds are now a status symbol & the new MC accessory. Although DH claims a land-rover is also needed to transport the fluffy dog. Friends agree they are also as these breeds tend to be non shed & hypoallergenic...
DC also want one in the worst way😢 We're refusing based on the fact that we don't want a dog type that's considered a status symbol in our area & they cost a bloody fortune.... They are irrestible though with gorgeous temperaments but out of our range unfortunately

@Shedbuilder

One of my mates is a vet. I won't tell you what vets think when people bring in their bulldogs and pugs and shar peis and dachshunds and all the various other inbred dogs that are born to suffer because they can't breathe properly, are crippled by bad backs or are doomed to years of itching because of skin conditions. If you ever get a weird feeling that your vet despises you it may well be because you chose to give money to a breeder who bred animals to suffer.

A vet friend always gets upset when they see yet another brachycephalic puppy brought in, someone I work with recently bought a bulldog, he is very cute, but the new owners didn’t bother to get an exercise tolerance test or BOAS score from the parents, so its unlikely she will explore these things for her own pup.

@FusionChefGeoff

I would agree that the 'fashionable' cross breeds are more for lower middle or even working class - up there with giant flatscreen tellys

The 'real' higher classes will value a 'real' dog. My friend who is a giant snob very quickly corrects anyone who dares suggest her dog is a cross!!!

Whilst I agree that these cross breeds are not classy but just a way to fool people with more money than sense into paying over the odds for a mongrel (nowt wrong with a mongrel, just paying silly money for it), your comment re TVs made me laugh. It's such a dated comparison. I don't know anyone of any class or income level (and I have a fairly wide ranging circle of acquaintances) who still has a cathode ray tv. They are awful things. Some might have a wee old portable in the guest bedroom but having a flat screen tv is normal now.

Someone with kids at private school complaining about middle class clichés. Oh my.

Anyway:

Corgis - royalty
Gun dogs - upper class
Cavachon - middle middle and lower middle wannabe middle middle
Cockapoo - lower middle and failed middle middle
Bulldog - lower middle, rising working, working
Staffie, husky - chav

Bulldogs are now at a genetic dead end: www.sciencealert.com/english-bulldogs-are-at-a-genetic-tipping-point-study-finds#:~:text=They%20found%20that%20the%20bulldogs,bulldog%20unless%20they%20crossbreed%20them.

Cross breeding them is now the only way back to a healthy dog - so cross breeding DOES have a role to play in long term dog health.

A woman once stopped me on my dog walk to tell me my dogs (the dreaded flat faced breeds) weren’t pets they were accessories. Both are actually rescues from separate homes, probably from the very type of owner she was accusing me of being - silly, rude woman reacting to a snapshot.

@cjpark

I definately wouldn't equate poo/cross breed with middle class. Most poo crosses that I know tend to be owned by people who care more about image than the health of the dog. I cant see why people would pay £2K plus for a crossbreed with no guarantee of health checks, parentage, breed standard traits. Madness. Middle classes tend to have solid, working stock dogs like setters, labs, etc.

Our poodle mix was the second litter of a 6 year old. Puppies were home reared and whilst obviously our dog is a cross breed, both parents had full 5 generation pedigree papers which we have copies of, and DNA clear of various diseases affecting each parent breed (PRA, curly coat, episodic falling off the top of my head) and excellent hipscores. We bought our dog last year. We did not buy a gundog or retriever as we are urban and don't have "land", nor will our dog be a working dog. He does get walked twice a day and around 8-10k daily.

Many MC friends around here also have cross breed dogs, plus I have friends with collies etc. Tbh I judge the border collie owners more- we had border collies as a child, I would never expect one to live in a city and get walked around the local park, it's not enough. I also judge the brachycephalic dog owners: those may be recognised breeds but the breed standard insufficiently prioritises welfare in my opinion. We see a few each day and you can hear them snuffling and panting on their walks, and if they try to chase my cavapoo in a game they give up so fast.

My poodle mix is bright, swift (he is only ever caught up with in chase games by sighthounds), fit, healthy and he is great. If he is marking me out as a chav or nouveau riche if any of the other silly stuff in this thread then we have fallen terribly as I come from landed gentry :D you can't stick a golden retriever in a small house and walk it round the park twice a day. It's about lifestyle not class.

Friend has a "schnokerpoo" he's a nightmare, won't go out in the rain, attacks other small dogs, pesters and mithers constantly, can't be near livestock, and won't be left for more than 20 minutes. I love animals but due to his aggressive nature struggle to like him.

Where do boxers come in the class rankings?
Our next dog will either be a lab or a boxer

@Polkadotties

Where do boxers come in the class rankings? Our next dog will either be a lab or a boxer

Boxers always look like then would be brilliant to have a good wrestle with on the floor.

Middle and wannabe middle.

@Brightonbabe5

Totally agree it's horrible & wanky to get a breed to keep up with the joneses... Am I the only one who's noticed the trend? We have applied to local rescues & our application was rejected as dc were too young (need to be over 8) Also as we would be first time dog owners... We were told they prefer dogs to go to homes with experience unless they were young puppies which are very hard to come by but we're on a waiting file 🤞

And that's why people pursue puppies in the private market?

Rescues: Never owned a dog? No, you can't have one.
Rescues: You have young children? No, you can't have one.
Rescues: Want a puppy? We'll put you on a very long list but you'll never hear from us again.

We have an OES and an elderly JRT. What does that say about us I wonder?!
A friend bought one of those poo Cross dogs, she wasn't happy when DH told her it was a mongrel in actuality.

@LizDiz

I'd say a private school is more of a status symbol than a dog breed.

This.

@Lifeofftheedge

I really do wish people would understand the term 'Mongrel' before using it, you just look a bit thick using it in this way, and at best snobby.

A Mongrel is a dog no a dog of no definable type or breed and isn't intentionally bred. If a Poodle and a Spaniel have been intentionally bred, no matter the twee name given it's not a mongrel. It's also got quite an offensive connotation so you're both rude, and wrong, and lots of people believe they're using it correctly because there are some 'experts' who use it, but it is designed to be impactful and offensive and suggests that a dog which is not purebreed is inferior, when this simply isn't the case.

For example, I do a lot with Guide Dogs for the Blind, and a large portion of the dogs they breed, are not pure labradors or pure golden retrievers, but a cross between a Labrador and a golden retriever to give the best mix of traits to make suitable guide dogs. They offer more information about the breeds they use, the way they are mixed and why on their website if you're interested www.guidedogs.org.uk/about-us/national-breeding-centre/what-the-national-breeding-centre-does/our-breeds Crossing breeds is a legitimate way to breed dogs with specific traits and done responsibly isn't a problem, and isn't a mongrel either.

Don't judge people for buying a mixed breed dog that will fit into their lifestyle well. Judge the people who are buying dogs with breathing difficulties or who are abandoning their dogs as strays or selling them on for profit when they realise dogs are actually quite hard work. Spend your time worried about that instead, it's more useful than calling people's much loves family pets mongrels.

Personally, I have 3 pure breed snow dogs (not huskies though) who all perfect examples of the breed. Extremely stubborn, stupid and do not listen to a word I say. Not sure what class that makes me though.

Definition of mongrel 1: an individual resulting from the interbreeding of diverse breeds (see BREED entry 2 sense 1) or strains (see STRAIN entry 1 sense 1) especially : one of unknown ancestry She owns several dogs, one of which is a mongrel. 2: a cross between types of persons or things the cinema is … a mongrel of virtually all the other arts — Gerald Mast

@Lifeofftheedge

I really do wish people would understand the term 'Mongrel' before using it, you just look a bit thick using it in this way, and at best snobby.

A Mongrel is a dog no a dog of no definable type or breed and isn't intentionally bred. If a Poodle and a Spaniel have been intentionally bred, no matter the twee name given it's not a mongrel. It's also got quite an offensive connotation so you're both rude, and wrong, and lots of people believe they're using it correctly because there are some 'experts' who use it, but it is designed to be impactful and offensive and suggests that a dog which is not purebreed is inferior, when this simply isn't the case.

For example, I do a lot with Guide Dogs for the Blind, and a large portion of the dogs they breed, are not pure labradors or pure golden retrievers, but a cross between a Labrador and a golden retriever to give the best mix of traits to make suitable guide dogs. They offer more information about the breeds they use, the way they are mixed and why on their website if you're interested www.guidedogs.org.uk/about-us/national-breeding-centre/what-the-national-breeding-centre-does/our-breeds Crossing breeds is a legitimate way to breed dogs with specific traits and done responsibly isn't a problem, and isn't a mongrel either.

Don't judge people for buying a mixed breed dog that will fit into their lifestyle well. Judge the people who are buying dogs with breathing difficulties or who are abandoning their dogs as strays or selling them on for profit when they realise dogs are actually quite hard work. Spend your time worried about that instead, it's more useful than calling people's much loves family pets mongrels.

Personally, I have 3 pure breed snow dogs (not huskies though) who all perfect examples of the breed. Extremely stubborn, stupid and do not listen to a word I say. Not sure what class that makes me though.

Definition of mongrel 1: an individual resulting from the interbreeding of diverse breeds (see BREED entry 2 sense 1) or strains (see STRAIN entry 1 sense 1) especially : one of unknown ancestry She owns several dogs, one of which is a mongrel. 2: a cross between types of persons or things the cinema is … a mongrel of virtually all the other arts — Gerald Mast

I have wanted a dog my whole life. I spent years (genuinely, about 5 years) researching different breeds online, reading books and asking people I knew with dogs which breeds would be best for our family. After drawing up a ‘short list’ of breeds, I waited. About a year or so later, a friend of a friend had a litter of working cocker spaniels. We decided to go for it, and have loved every minute with our dog since.

When I took our dog for the first set of vaccines, the vet said most people seemed to decide they want a dog, then go out and buy one based on looks. She said she wished people would think about it more. Two of the vets that we’ve met also have working cockers.

I have lots of friends who decided they wanted a dog on a whim, and went out and got one a matter of days later.

I’m glad we took our time and didn’t get sucked into buying a dog for it’s looks.

Oops, multiple posts. Anyway, Merriam Webster says mongrels are any cross, so stop being snooty about people describing 'designer' crosses as mongrels. That's what they are! And there's no shame in it.

The poshest couple I have known (Manor House, lots of land, lots of horses etc) had seven dogs: a black Labrador, a German pointer, a bearded collie cross, a border collie, a German Shepherd cross, a lurcher and a spaniel x poodle (basically a 'cockapoo', though they weren't known as that then).

@Lisibeth81

If you truly cannot find a fit at a rescue centre, get on gumtree or pre loved and have a trial run with one someone is getting rid of.

A trial run of a dog? Seriously?

OP, If you think the dogs are adorable, and actually want a dog, but won't get certain breeds because they are a 'status symbol' then you are as bad as those you are sniping at. You are actually just as bad judging by your 'reverse snobbery' attitude!

Other than working dogs, why would anyone want to buy a pedigree? Most of them are just inbred and have health problems. People who buy breeds like pugs are just bloody cruel - these dogs can hardly breathe and have been bred to be disabled. I always get a rescue - there are loads of lovely dogs in rescue and it is such a nice thing to do as well rather than lining the pockets of unscrupulous breeders.

I would never think of certain dog breeds being attached to the middle class. I love dogs but hubby is allergic so I'd have no choice but try to go down the hypoallergenic route!

It's not that crosses are mongrels, it's that often people fail to recognise what they actually are. In the case of a cockerpoo that is a mix of standard poodle and cocker, it's an actual gun dog, with all the gun dogs traits. Not some magical 3rd breed with new traits.

I think people reject cockers and poodles for being hard work but then choose a cockerpoo that they expect to be, magically, easier.

There needs to be greater understanding that a cockerpoo may be the "worst" of the poodle and cocker ingredients. When choosing a cross, you should be doubling the research because now you have two breeds to understand and consider if they would fit what you want.

I feel like often people don't do that.

Get a Jack Russel if outclassing is your thing!

I really hope the Kennel Club stand firm and do not allowed mixed breeds to become officially recognised.
My sister has a goldendoodle, he’s second generation with goldendoodle parents.
Still a mongrel in my eyes.