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Original poster

To wish the fashion to own working breed dogs would pass?

151 replies

PlayOnWurtz · 08/01/2017 17:17

My local rescues seem to be full of collies, huskies, corgi's and spitz breeds of around 2 years of age. These are the current dogs of the day because they are extremely cute and handsome dogs however it seems people buy them without realising how much effort is required to own them.

I'm in no way having a dig at responsible owners at all. More the ones who love a meme and an instagram post without thinking of the consequences.

OP posts:
Birdsgottafly · 08/01/2017 17:59

Re Pugs and other such breeds, I'm sick of seeing the status's on FB about the surgery that "Mummy's baby" has been put through, just so they can breathe., or walk.

How is that having a love of a breed?

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 08/01/2017 18:00

Play I agree with you. I think it's because of the 'I want it now' culture we have in this country. People don't research the breed they're buying & are then shocked when their under excercised & under stimulated collie/husky/mal/lab etc eats through the wall.

LumelaMme · 08/01/2017 18:01

So many of them end up in Rescues and pounds
Or digging up the kitchen floor, eating doors and destroying the garden.

We were warned of these things before we got our dog, and even though he can be a pita, he gets adequate exercise and, apart from a bit of chewing and flowerbed-digging in puppyhood, has never been destructive.

SquatBetty · 08/01/2017 18:02

Boogers - visit the Kennel Club website, all info you want on Pugs should be there including the health issues surrounding them.

GinIsIn · 08/01/2017 18:02

Boogers I warned my friend about the prevalence of health issues in pugs, which are sadly the unhealthiest of all breeds due to being hopelessly overbred to the point of deformity. She didn't listen. Her pug is 2 now, and to date has cost about £7000 in vets bills for hereditary and genetic problems.

Pugs' faces are now so squashed that the majority of them can't breathe properly, causing facial and respiratory issues.

Additionally, that cute 'bug-eyed' look leaves their eyes prone to corneal tears, infections and blindness.

And that's just for starters!

SparkleShinyGlitter · 08/01/2017 18:02

I know many people that have working dogs breed and give them good lives because they are r responsible people but the neighbour here has a German Shepard and it never goes for a walk and the garden here and absouletly tiny! You see it just laying in the garden looking bored shitless. If you aren't going to bother walking the poor thing why bother getting it at all?

cornflowerblu · 08/01/2017 18:03

I don't know anyone with those dogs here they're all identikit cavapoos with a couple of mini schnauzers and Shitzu's thrown in. I can't imagine having one of those dogs if you Aren't in the countryside

Birdsgottafly · 08/01/2017 18:04

Around my way it's Dogue de Bordeauxs and still Rottweilers.

They breed them in combinations, to look like something out of the bronx.

Motorheadmum · 08/01/2017 18:05

I agree, I have huskies myself and I foster for rescues. The amount being relinquished is awful. Some of the excuses people give are terrible. A lot seem not to be trained or socialised at all. People don't research the breed or give them a chance to settle in properly.

NoncommittalToSparkleMotion · 08/01/2017 18:05

I agree. I love huskies and in a dream world I'd have one or six. But there is no way I could give them the stimulation they require.

Mil has an Australian Shepherd in a condo and it gets 1 15 minute walk a day and it's destroyed the house and is crazy with DD. It's sad and scary to watch.

Zaphodsotherhead · 08/01/2017 18:06

Pair of terriers owned here - we're very rural so most people work their dogs, but I have had a lot of people stop me when i go into town and ask about my young dog (Patterdale. Pretty, looks cute. Absolute stone-cold killer). I usually refer them to Google as a first resort. Wonder how many listen and how many go off and buy something that's going to kill their cats, hens and bite their family because they equate small dog with 'not needing much exercise'...

ThymeLord · 08/01/2017 18:07

I agree OP and I fully agree with the point about pugs being so fashionable right now. People just do not think and animals are highly disposable to most.

DJBaggySmalls · 08/01/2017 18:09

I think Collies and Huskies are the two big problem breeds. There was a fad for the Ovhcarka on the local estates, then the last 2 years the free ads were full of people trying to sell the adult dogs.

TheMortificadosDragon · 08/01/2017 18:10

The other currently-fashionable short-nosed breed is French Bulldog - the one which lived next door to us till recently had to be hosed down a few times last summer due to overheating. She was well looked after (the teenager walked her faithfully every morning before school, rain or shine) and a lovely little dog in most ways but there are plenty of nice little dogs which have a properly proportioned nose ti choose from.

I'm worrying that the recent surge in popularity of dachshunds will lead to badly bred ones - they should be fit and active and not 'exaggerated' and overlong, but I bet there will be a resurgence of back problems.

BastardBloodAndSand · 08/01/2017 18:13

A lady I know has money spinners pugs.

Her females eyes popped out, literally rolled out and had to have an op at the vets to be put back in. It's a genetic floor apparently. Along with the shorticulture urinary tract or whatever it is that makes her piss everywhere.

The male suffers from a skin complaint.

Did it stop her from breeding from them ?? Did it hell.

ZippyNeedsFeeding · 08/01/2017 18:14

I've kept Border Collies for well over 20 years now and I love them, but they are hard work and a bored one will eat your whole house! Ours work, but even then it can be hard to keep them occupied. We only have one at the moment and he has plenty of space and exercise so he is well behaved but he is getting on a bit and I know that soon I will have to train another one and my heart sinks a bit.

My sister lives in a tiny council house with a tiny garden and has just got a Springer Spaniel puppy. I appreciate that she needs company but given her sedentary lifestyle and lack of knowledge/space, I really think she'd have done better with a cat. I fully expect that within a year, the dog will be put down for being vicious and destructive, when the real problems are that she has form for teasing dogs until they bite and she is too lazy to walk a dog. I love Springers, but I wouldn't take one on purely because I know how draining it can be to train one and how much exercise they need.

ShinyMoonFace · 08/01/2017 18:15

I agree with you 100%.

we know someone who keeps two setters in a one bed flat above a chinese restaurant in London. He works full time.

Apparently a jaunt around the local (teeny) park twice a day is enough.

TrionicLettuce · 08/01/2017 18:18

Sadly I think the issues are already firmly entrenched in the Dachshund, though the fashion for smaller and more exaggerated ones will no doubt make the situation worse.

You've only got to compare a proper working Dachshund with a pet or show bred one to see the state the breed is already in.

To wish the fashion to own working breed dogs would pass?
To wish the fashion to own working breed dogs would pass?
Wolfiefan · 08/01/2017 18:19

I would have huskies if I wanted to sledge race.
Collies for flyball or agility.
I've actually got an Irish wolfhound pup. She's a people doggy. She is a massive lap hound. Obviously she needs a chance to run too.
I spent nearly two years researching the breed. Meeting owners and breeders as well as reading up on them. It's all well and good to like the look of a breed but does your lifestyle suit the dog. What breed traits could be an issue? What health problems are known in the breed?

MrsHathaway · 08/01/2017 18:22

My grandparents had working border collies on their farm when I was growing up. They'd often need a walk even after a day's work. Gorgeous dogs and very trainable but they need a professional.

I'm far, far too lazy for even daily long walks. So we don't have dogs. The end.

paulapantsdown · 08/01/2017 18:26

I love collies, they are such amazing dogs. I spent many happy holidays as a child in Ireland on my uncles sheep farm, watching him win prizes with his dogs at sheep dog trials and watching those dogs work.

I will never have one though as I don't live in the country. Farm/working/country dogs should not be in towns.

1horatio · 08/01/2017 18:26

I don't disagree.
But I still want a Pomeranian or a laphund (my Swedish grandma used to breed those.) but there's no way we'd have the time for a laphund. Even though our yard is quite big (by London standards) it's just not going to happen. Sigh.

They're just the most handsome and perfect breed of dog (character and health wise, imo). Also good for families etc... grumble.

To wish the fashion to own working breed dogs would pass?
Prompto · 08/01/2017 18:26

Around here it seems to be a mix of working dogs, properly cared for (semi-rural area with a lot of open countryside and beaches for walking), shifty designer breeds (what the fuck is a 'jorkie'!?) and staffies.

I'd love a springer spaniel but my DC are too young at the moment, it would be irresponsible to get one because I wouldn't have the time to devote to it. Once they're all in full time school then we'll think about it but only if we're in this same area so it can get out for the exercise it needs.

honeyroar · 08/01/2017 18:28

People seem to see it as even more impressive if their expensive pedigree is a working dog, for some weird reason. It's it like saying your Discovery is the sports version or something?? And yes a lot of people are of the "I want it so I'm having it" type nowadays.

One of my labs is a working type. He was a rescue. He'd had 4 homes before us and was only a year old. He was beautiful but bonkers. Had so much energy. It took five years before he even remotely mellowed. He's seven now and occasionally we see evidence of a chilled dog.

I've been involved with rescues for a few years. I despair of people when I see what they've put dogs through because they're too stupid or selfish (usually both) to admit they're doing the wrong thing in getting a dog.

AcrossthePond55 · 08/01/2017 18:29

Trionic You've got that right! Our Dachsie is a rescue and of the hunting type. We love him but he's a LOT of work and needs stimulation and a lot of 'tasks' to perform to keep him happy.