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

Sorry I’m working class and we have a poodle cross 😂

We’ve had him for years now though and paid hundreds rather than the multiple thousands breeders are asking for now.

They’re not always an easy option due to usually being a mix of two working dogs (intelligent and highly energetic). Knows what your asking him to do but won’t do it if he doesn’t want to. Loves a good roll in fox poo to mask his scent.

Think there’s always been a connection between dog breeds and class in the UK.

IMO, in my area (London commuterbelt) having any dog at all has elements of being a status thing.

Until lockdown most acquaintances with dogs had a SAHM at home to walk and care for it. Now, lots more people I know where both parents both work FT have bought dogs, presumably on the assumption of permanent remote working much of the time.

I have a mongrel rescue from Europe @AwaAnBileYerHeid

Omg this thread is incredibly judgmental. I’m eye rolling at some of these comments.

I used to have an old money dog. But I now have two of those “breeds” albeit one is a pure breed. They suit my lifestyle. Ie chronically ill and disabled. Ffs not everyone has the health to look after a working dog or hoover up tons of dog hair on a daily basis. What should people like me do, not have dogs?

And for your information whoever mentioned bichon frise, they were the dogs favoured in France by the french royalty / aristocracy. Patriarchy at its best, only considering what the menz like(d) and ignoring all of the lap dog breeds such as pugs, Shih Tzus also favoured in the past by royalty and predominantly bred for the ladies. 🙄

When we go to the nice posh park we mainly see spaniels, poodles and poodle crosses.

When we go to the park that isn’t in such a nice area we see more heinz 57 looking dogs, small terriers etc.

We have a Shiba Inu, there are a few round here and two Shiba Inu at doggy daycare, but is a ‘gay approved’ breed, so no surprise there.

@midnightstar66

How often do you walk around the parks in working class or poverty stricken areas?

All the time. I live in a city where extreme wealth and extreme deprivation coexist just a street away from each other in many parts. We go to all the parks. I also work in a school in one of the very most deprived areas in the country and can assure you there are very different dogs at those gates compared to at my dc's naice school. (The ones at my work school gates are almost without exception better behaved and actually on leads fwiw) You can try and pretend this sort of thing doesn't exist all you like but doesn't make it untrue.

But hasn't it occurred to you that many people don't take their dogs on the school run so you'll be seeing a very small amount of family dogs?

You can try and pretend this sort of thing doesn't exist all you like but doesn't make it untrue.

I don't need to 'pretend'. Again, I live in one of the poorest boroughs in London and the parks are full of these dogs.

Going out on a limb here but I would imagine the group of people who can afford private schools fees may frequently overlap with the group of people who have found their mostly office based jobs now being done from home.... hence perfect time to be able to invest in a family dog where it may not have been an option previously?

The breed choice likely to be a result of first time purchases asking for family suitable recommendations - sheer popularity/fashionability of xxxxx-a-poos means they are likely to be recommended.

Cost of puppies then goes through the roof due to market forces.

Don’t believe it comes down to people “buying fashion statements”. And as you have found, if you have a young family or cats or other pets, it’s very difficult to rehome

Out here in the sticks the posh dog of choice is a working lab or cocker, but plenty of collies too. Dogs with purpose not pets

@MadameBlobby

Oh and also those horrible looking things with the sticky up ears? French bulldogs?

Pugs don’t seem to be as common these days round here.

Our neighbour has a French Bulldog, he is incredibly cute.

@HmmSureJan

They are irrestible though with gorgeous temperaments

I've met three poodle mixes over lockdown. All three are stressed, excitable and heightened at all times that I have seen. They are not quite as perfect as people seem to think, pretty hit and miss in fact. Not a mix I would ever recommend.

I agree idea that you mix the traits of a poodle and the traits of a cocker spaniel is the issue. Both are breeds that require a good bit of training. Mixed together they don't make a relaxed family dog. They just look cute.

The poshest families I know have whippets and labs. Where I live, most of the cross-poo dogs are owned by lower m-c/w-c families. Some of the poo owners also have DC at local private schools.....but seem quite status conscious about it.

Here the dogs you’ve mentioned would not be a marker of being middle class I think. Either Labradors or real mongrels oh and Boston terriers for some reason ! Maybe ?

Even the chap who invented the first of these breeds now says it’s his life’s regret.
My regret

They aren’t standardised, you cross two breeds & you have no idea what’s going to turn up in each litter, some like one parent, some the other & everything in between, coat wise, temperament, everything.

Meanwhile these breeds are becoming more & more popular, mostly bred by people who know little at most about dog genetics but are rubbing their hands with glee at the ludicrous amounts people will pay, while breeds like mine that Ive been breeding & showing for years, to preserve & improve the breed, are on the At Risk Native British Breeds.
One year the litter that I bred was the only litter registered that year they are becoming so rare. Out for walks people admire them but 99% of the time ask what breed they are as they haven’t a clue. They are Skye Terriers.

Those breeds are just mongrels🤷🏻‍♀️, and if I were going to get a mongrel I certainly wouldn't be paying hundreds upon hundreds of pounds for it!

I get that there are trends of certain breeds among certain 'types' of people, but on the whole you can't judge a person's class by their dog's breed.

French bulldogs...most definitely w-c in our area. I like to be classless and stick to a cat!

Oh I think they’re horrible @SimonJT someone on my fb bought one in lockdown, it’s truly hideous.

Says Ms World here

Probably only middle class staus symbols because only middle class people can afford them
Absolutely ridiculous and exorbitant prices
Before lockdown the dogs now costing £1000s would cost about £300-£500
I bet half of those poor dogs were only someones pet and they decided to make money from them,
Iam sure most of them are not registered breeders, and I think all dogs used for breeding should be registered and have licences,and tax paid on the amount of money being raked in,
These dogs are often bred in Outhouses and sheds.not socialised or part of the family
Makes me sick when I see ads for puppies with them laid on newspapers in sheds etc
Also dogs and puppies stolen from outside kennels, not surprising

@Darklane what a beautiful dog

I have never considered what people think of me walking my german shepherd... I suppose dogs do give off connotations.

But hasn't it occurred to you that many people don't take their dogs on the school run so you'll be seeing a very small amount of family dogs?

I just gave the school run as one example. I have my own dog who I walk in a different place up to 3 times a day. My life also crosses the two very different worlds of inner city life and rural/horse sports. It's there to see if you look. Not saying I have a problem with it. People in different circumstances want different dogs for different reasons and as I said in a previous post, it wouldn't put me off getting a dog I wanted, but it is the reality in many areas. Yours may well be different. I can't say as I'm not there.

Is this thread a wind up?

Just get a dog that suits your lifestyle so you can do the best by the dog. We live rurally and have retrievers. Perfect for the way we live and the terrain we walk on.

I'd say that traditionally the 'posh' dogs are ones which the adjectives large, working or gun apply, or if very posh that your ancestor introduced to Britain

It's a standing joke that every young officer is issued with a black Labrador on passing out from Sandhurst

Take it all with a large pinch of salt!

Dog theft is rife in my area. We are rural and there are a lot of dog owners around here. Most are responsible and pick up after them.

Where I live, it’s mainly French Bull dogs! What does that say?

People with no breeding try to disguise their insecurities with designer labels, designer dogs and buying a better accent for their children.