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Original poster

Dog breeds are now a Middle Class indicator?

562 replies

Brightonbabe5 · 29/12/2020 10:24

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

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BoogleMcGroogle · 30/12/2020 08:07

In our rural village our community is a mix of born and bred locals ( of all varieties) and city types. I think the range of dog breeds reflects that quite well. It is interesting that the Staffies, terriers and -poo’s seem to stick to the large local park. When we strike out onto the footpaths and over the fields it’s the spaniels, Labradors, Jack Russells and collies that join us.

We have a Labrador who ( despite being a destroyer of furnishings and clearly a bit remedial in his gundog classes) is magnificent. However, I love the rare treat of taking out my parents’ otter hound. Nothing says ‘posh dog lover’ like a conversation with a chap in a shooting jacket about the merits of reviving rare native breeds.

BilboBercow · 30/12/2020 08:23

Irrespective of size no terrier breed is a "silly little dog". Only someone who knows absolutely sod all about dogs would say something so stupid.

midnightstar66 · 30/12/2020 08:36

And this thread is mumsnet at its absolute worst- judgey and rude. Get a dog that fits in with your lifestyle and train it and treat it properly. That’s it.

That's kind of the point. Many people get these dogs because they look fluffy and cute with no understanding that they are a mix of 2 very energetic dogs with high energy and training needs who can often be nervy, the frequently don't fit in with the lifestyles they are purchased for. Not all, but many. My sister has 2 cockapoos. She also has an elderly beagle and a JRT, lives very rurally and is an experienced dog owner of many years and knew exactly what she was getting. The dogs are pretty neurotic though despite careful socialisation and training and the lack of shedding (hers don't but they are more poodle than spaniel) is balanced by that fact that even with a short clip they get absolutely filthy and require a bath after pretty much every walk. Doesn't always fit in well with the expectations in hunch style homes. My smooth coat JRT is like a seal and water and mud just slide off her. She never needs bathed.

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bluebluezoo · 30/12/2020 08:43

That's kind of the point. Many people get these dogs because they look fluffy and cute with no understanding that they are a mix of 2 very energetic dogs with high energy and training needs who can often be nervy, the frequently don't fit in with the lifestyles they are purchased for

This. And that genetics means the actual non-shedding bit is a 1:4 chance. If people actually want a non shedding, hypoallergenic coat they should just get a poodle.

Getting a cross because they don’t want shedding just shows their lack of knowledge and research.

wetotter · 30/12/2020 08:45

@BilboBercow

Irrespective of size no terrier breed is a "silly little dog". Only someone who knows absolutely sod all about dogs would say something so stupid.
Some people really don't like toy breeds, whether terrier or not.

And that's fair enough.

Just like not everyone is dreaming of a leonberger

FestiveSocksRock · 30/12/2020 09:00

And this thread is mumsnet at its absolute worst- judgey and rude

I disagree - I think the vast majority of posts here have been people taking the piss and trying to out-funny each other with their Hyacinth B impressions. Especially the later ones. It's been hilarious!

Anyway, that's easy for me to say. I live rurally and walk a springer. I am TOTALLY in the club. Grin

p.s. I agree about smooth JRTs being like seals. Our last one (recently gone :( ) was called the magic dog because she'd be absolutely filthy after a walk. You'd pop her in the car crate and by the time you took her out back at home, she was magically pristine white again!

bluebluezoo · 30/12/2020 09:01

*Some people really don't like toy breeds, whether terrier or not.

And that's fair enough*

Yep, but no need to call them “silly little dogs” as they quite clearly aren’t.

Same as I wouldn’t call all big dogs “dangerous useless lumps”, just because i think smaller dogs are best :)

Zoflorabore · 30/12/2020 09:13

@Brightonbabe5 thank you Smile he’s amazing. This is my boy 💙

katienana · 30/12/2020 09:15

We have a mini poodle. Paid £1350 in April they are going for £3500 now.
I can't recommend the breed enough if they are all like her! She doesn't shed but needs to brushed and groomed. She toilet trained quickly. She loves cuddles and is affectionate but also likes to chill out alone and can be left (we haven't done longer than 3hrs). She loves a long walk, is friendly to strangers and playful with other dogs. She is very clever and devised her own way of asking to be let outside.
She has the most beautiful red coat and we get stopped by people all the time wanting to say hi. She is also a nice size not tiny but certainly not big and very light so easy to control.

TarnishedSilver · 30/12/2020 09:36

I disagree - I think the vast majority of posts here have been people taking the piss and trying to out-funny each other with their Hyacinth B impressions. Especially the later ones. It's been hilarious!
This has been in part of funny thread - but there has been a significant amount of superiority and snobbish nastiness - but also have images of Hyacinth when reading these posts but I don't think they intended to come across that way.

Blackberrycream · 30/12/2020 09:40

I think there has definitely been a bit of unintentional comedy.

Gotaprettypup · 30/12/2020 09:50

Round here a lot of French Bulldogs and Pugs. People I know have chosen mainly Spaniels. Is it a class thing? No, I dont think so, more fashion trend in the same was SBT were very popular then filled rescues! There was a 'poo x 'at a dog class, the owner announced she was going to 'show' her and was very put out when she was told that 'prettiest pup' was about the limit, that crossbreeds aren't 'shown' Grin and it was a very cute dog.

I have a large fur ball, we got her through rescue as a puppy, only scant details on parentage, we met the mum dog so I could see that side. Father, unknown. Turns out he was at least part or whole akita...Shock She is lovely natured with a sunny disposition. I am spending a small fortune on training and am selective when/where I let her off.
Wouldn't swop her for the world, love her.

TokyoSushi · 30/12/2020 09:54

We have one (poodle cross, bred by a friends brother so not farmed) he is beyond any doubt the most fabulous dog in the world, I can see why they're very popular!

MacDuffsMuff · 30/12/2020 09:59

I don't understand some of the posters on this thread. Their comments suggest that they don't really like dogs, just their dog, which begs the question why did they get one in the first place. I prefer some types of dog over others of course, but if it's got fur and barks it's good with me. People refering to 'silly little dogs' etc is rude. I love big dogs, have always had big dogs etc but I wouldn't dream of slagging off someone else's. Dogs are the best in all their shapes and sizes.

Original poster
Brightonbabe5 · 30/12/2020 10:00

Zoflorebore, he is gorgeous! Lovely peaceful little face. So cute!

OP posts:
MacDuffsMuff · 30/12/2020 10:09

Though as an aside, it makes me grit my teeth when I see owners refer to their dogs as a cockerpoo rather than a cockapoo. Has nothing to do with me but god it annoys me. Grin

FestiveSocksRock · 30/12/2020 10:14

@MacDuffsMuff

Though as an aside, it makes me grit my teeth when I see owners refer to their dogs as a cockerpoo rather than a cockapoo. Has nothing to do with me but god it annoys me. Grin
Surely it should be cockerpoo? As in, cocker and poodle? Smile
IrmaFayLear · 30/12/2020 10:16

The problem with dog snobbery, is what if your dog suddenly becomes popular and - gasp - common ?

What if the masses all get gundogs? the cognoscenti will have to dump their black labs and hotfoot it to designer breeders to bag themselves a teacup dog to stay ahead of the game.

MacDuffsMuff · 30/12/2020 10:27

Surely it should be cockerpoo? As in, cocker and poodle?

@FestiveSocksRock Maybe it should but it's really cockapoo. I don't know why though. 😊

Graciebobcat · 30/12/2020 10:29

The masses have got gundogs, at least near me anyway. They are still more popular than thingapoos.

Randomtasks · 30/12/2020 10:31

@Zoflorabore he looks so content, what a handsome boy!!

bluebluezoo · 30/12/2020 10:40

Maybe it should but it's really cockapoo. I don't know why though. 😊

Why is it really cockapoo? It’s a made up word/name so who decides the spelling?

Graciebobcat · 30/12/2020 10:40

@LobotheBotanist I love lurchers and all sighthounds. I understand lurchers are traditionally associated with poachers because at one time only the lords and ladies were allowed to have pure bred greyhounds and the like for legal hunting. So I laughed at the picture painted upthread of upper middle class types with their lurchers.

Graciebobcat · 30/12/2020 10:42

It's definitely cockerpoo, cockapoo is nonsensical and even more stupid and annoying.

bluebluezoo · 30/12/2020 10:44

I love greyhounds and whippets.

Slightly put off by lurchers after a neighbour had one in the 80’s which would frequently escape and kill any small furry it could find. Cats, chickens, small dogs. It got ours but we managed to get it off before it shook him to death.

They had to put it down in the end. I am very careful around sighthounds when out walking as their prey drive can be so strong.

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