Aibu that dogs are now a class identifier??

[MammabearX1]

Just that.... Since my dc have returned to school (London prep) the school gates are crowded with little fluffy pups.... All expensive cockapoo or cavachon types... Thorough breds seems to be gone out of fashion & there's not a mongrel in sight... I'm thinking these are a class identifier as those fluffy dogs are so expensive... My husband thinks it's down to the dogs size making them perfect for London living with smaller garden space etc... Is it just our school? When I was young the posh kids had cocker spaniels or some type of working dogs but then I grew up in the country...

Its generally labs and spaniels here. (And an Australian Labradoodle that is like a massive fluffy teddy bear).

More and more people seem to want dogs that look like stuffed toys, so that might explain it.
Apart from the mongrels (and I include Poo crosses in that) there are Labs (mix of older people and families), Staffies (mainly older retired people and their dogs have impeccable manners) and JRT/Patterdale terriers around here.

@MammabearX1

Just that.... Since my dc have returned to school (London prep) the school gates are crowded with little fluffy pups.... All expensive cockapoo or cavachon types... Thorough breds seems to be gone out of fashion & there's not a mongrel in sight... I'm thinking these are a class identifier as those fluffy dogs are so expensive... My husband thinks it's down to the dogs size making them perfect for London living with smaller garden space etc... Is it just our school? When I was young the posh kids had cocker spaniels or some type of working dogs but then I grew up in the country...

You're probably right but I don't see out wrong with it. If I had the money I'd buy a cute toy dog too

Cockapoos aren't 'thorough' (pure) bred dogs so I guess you could say they are mongrels although they are bred intentionally, but people don't like them being called that..

Not a dog breed snob btw, we have a pure bred and mixed breed dog

I live in the country and all the posh people have whippet type things. Lots of labs too but tend to be for the more average income families.

A mongrel is a rare beast round here :)

I think

Where I live it is, but the cockapoo is for the try hards. The ‘posh’ all have rescue dogs.

@MammabearX1 I have one of those breeds. For me it was changing lifestyle factors that motivated the choice. I grew up with labradors and loved them and actually always wanted a golden retriever but when I grew up dogs stayed outside and got on with it but now they can’t be left alone or outside for long periods of time so for me that changed my decision. I’m very house proud and don’t want fur all over the house so I wanted a non shedding dog. I also have a small garden so not good with a larger dog like a retriever so a smaller dog suited better and for me those types are similar in looks and temperament to labs/retrievers (good with children, people etc). They are very cute too so I think that’s behind their rising popularity. They are not necessarily a class identifier. Mine cost 380 and was purchased during lockdown from a breeder who wanted them to go to good homes and maintained prices. Pure Breds can also be very expensive.

Honestly what a horrible thing . I have two rescue dogs and they are the best dogs in the world . Says alot about someone if they have a so called designer dog iyam.

Cross breeds like cavapoos and labradoodles are mongrels.

I swear to god, if people here cared as much about important things like they do about class, all world problems would be bloody solved by now!

Never met I dog I don't like. Saddens me to see the amount of flat faced dogs around. People spend soo much money on them but then can't afford insurance 🤷🏾‍♀️

@MsSavouryPancake I wasn’t allowed a rescue dog. Apparently as my DH and I work and live near a busy road and have young children visiting we weren’t suitable! Rescue would’ve been my first choice but wasn’t willing to quit my job, move and ban my family from my house so designer dog it was! I also don’t like the term designer dog - if any dog is designer surely that’s the pure bred / KC with the labels dogs who are bred to continue lines - not the ones that aren’t even recognised as a proper breed.

I think aslong as they are bred for the benefits of mixing the breed (complimentary traits) it's okay. But crossing a dog with a shit temperament and a flat nose that can't breathe is wrong IMO. I live in the country and it's mainly working golden retrievers, labs and spaniels around here but my in laws have a mongrel and a border terrier.

I saw someone on Facebook the other day advertising their dog as a stud, said he didn't really bother what sort of bitch they bred it with as the puppies would be 'beautiful and clever anyway'. Now that is an idiot of the dog world. Lots of people out to make a quick buck at the moment unfortunately.

Dogs have always been class identifiers.

The flat faced dogs, which were all very expensive in comparison to other breeds pre-lockdown, seem to mostly belong to people who care less about dogs than they do animal welfare.

Those fashionable breeds seem nouveau riche to me.

I realise my post doesn't actually have much to do with class but the issues around breeding and selling dogs just now are massive.

There has always been an element of snobbery, but isn't that the way with everything?
I have both, two proper little cross breeds and a "posh" HPR. I see many dogs in all shapes and sizes and many dog owners in my work. Genuinely there isn't a class divide in dogs although some people like to parade with the latest fashionable breed of dog. I wouldn't pass judgement on anyone who has the best interests in the dog at heart, although I will judge those who buy the latest in brachycephalic dog fashion or keep working dogs without understanding or meeting their needs.

@WhoEatsPopTarts

Where I live it is, but the cockapoo is for the try hards. The ‘posh’ all have rescue dogs.

I do wonder if this is because rescues are so picky about who they will rehome to. I have a rescue and the requirements were daunting - they wouldn't rehome to anyone in a flat, without a secure garden with at least 6' high walls (brick preferred to fencing so they can't dig under), without prior rescue experience, or who worked full-time. They also preferred someone with a holiday home in this country so that the dog would always be able to go with us on holiday, but it wasn't a showstopper if we didn't have one (honest to god they told me this to my face).

I understand why they do it, it must cut down the number of "failed" rescue placements. But it must also drastically cut down the pool of potential rescuers to a small number of people with the space, experience and finances needed to pass their checks - likely to be posh.

Both dogs we have are retriever dogs so we mustn’t be posh

I'd say poodle cross breeds are more nouveau riche tbh. I know a lot of working class people with cash who have them

^than they looking like they have lots of money to spend, even

@MsSavouryPancake

Honestly what a horrible thing . I have two rescue dogs and they are the best dogs in the world . Says alot about someone if they have a so called designer dog iyam.

Yes. Manly it says that they may

• work normal working hours
• work part time hours
• have kids, living or visiting
• have a man/woman in the house
• have a garden that is deemed too small, not safe, regardless of access to public spaces
• live in too urban, or too rural, an area
• have/not have other pets

Basically for about 12 years we tried for a rescue dog and were given a resounding no for any of the above, and a few more besides.

Eventually we realised thatwe would have to buy, so decided to choose a breed we wanted, liked. We chose a breed that suits our home and lifestyle.

I am not saying that some people don't choose a dog for the sake of fashion but similarly some people who have been able to rescue a dog don't realise just how hard that process can be for many perfectly normal families.

God @Xiaoxiong I forgot about the ever ready holiday home and having rescued a dog previously!

Those were the most egregious I think, looking back at it.