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...

I have a yorkie, who was rescued - he'd been bred for stud but had crooked back legs so wasn't suitable. We got him when he was 9 weeks old. He's 8 now, still has crooked legs but is a brilliant little dog, full of character. Recently a friend became seriously unwell, and I offered to look after her dog alongside mine. He's a chihuahua crossed with a corgi so a Mexican Welshman. He is great mates with my dog and I've got a dual lead for taking them out on walks.

I don't really think that the type of dog you own depicts what class you are, it's all a bit daft really. I love all dogs, they all have their own personalities.

Dogs aren't bad but some owners are.

Just because something is expensive does NOT signify class OP 🙄

@MisfitNotMissFit what breed is your dog?

Am always at the vitriol and judgment on threads about dog breeds.

@MisfitNotMissFit

There's all sorts in my street, whippets(mine), GSDs, Huskies, cross breeds, terriers. I love them all. I'm not sure there's a class identifier where we are (it's fairly posh), I've only seen one or two Frenchies and that was at the vet.

I bred one of my bitches during lockdown, as I wanted one of her pups, and no better time to do it. It's hard work doing it properly- like HARD work and we were all dead on feet for the first couple of weeks. I took four reservations whilst she was pregnant as I didn't want to over subscribe and have three birches left, whose owners will be vetted thoroughly. I've turned more than a few away - questions such as "what do the pups eat?" at one week old didn't fill me with confidence or "will she get carsick?" And "how will she get on with my cat?"😂

I'd say asking what they are being weaned on is a fair enough question. What breed is your dog?

It wasn't 'what are they being weaned on' it was 'what are they eating at one week'? Wouldn't fill me with confidence either.

It's not a class thing, it's more that some people treat dogs as an accessory (hence the 'designer' cross breeds) and others are serious dog owners / dog enthusiasts

@ultragroupie She’s an utter nutcase and has so much energy! She’s a massive softie as well and such lovely temperament too.

@MsSavouryPancake.
Couldn't agree more. Rescue dogs are the best.

I have two spaniels as I love the breed and grew up with spaniels. We weren’t wealthy land owners sadly but just your average family same as now. I can honestly say I have never looked at peoples dogs and put breed with class. I just love dogs we live rurally and there are many different breeds from Cockerpoo, lab, collie, Rottweiler, Vizla, Jack Russell to Romanian rescue mongrels never given a thought to the owners class just a shared love of talking about our dogs.

Surely it’s about lifestyle. There are clearly some socioeconomic impacts and some people are more drawn to certain breeds. A handbag type dog, little Yorkers, chihuahuas or a Maltese just wouldn’t happen around here. Neither would very decorative accessory type dogs. It’s far more usual to have sensible dogs that suit the environment and who can work, if necessary.
Labs, working cockers, collies on the farms, our setter, a couple of JRs. There are a couple of mongrel cocker crosses and a very striking Weimaraner pair.

I live rurally. I have a staffie cross. She's the only staffie round here. Lots is spaniels and labs instead.

Part whippet rescue dog here, saved from a bin as a pup 😪(we're not in the U.K.)

Also when I set about getting a dog I knew I wanted to try and adopt a rescue, and it just so happens that there are lots of staffies waiting for loving homes in our rescue centres. 😔

It is true there are stereotypes and likely owners.

I live very rurally. Everyone here has a gun dog/ working breed. Black lab, Springer, cocker, pointer. All are well trained, not overweight, walk to heel.

I think cockerpoo, pugs, french bull dogs tend to be the upper working class that want a designer dog. Often a few naughty behaviours. Where it's cute for them to bark, jump about etc.

Very working class are Staffies, Akita, anything that looks a bit intimidating. Also a tendency for dogs to be overweight and underwalked.

I think it's taking your kids to a 'London prep' that's the main class identifier here

I live in a posh rural area. There are masses of Spaniels and black labs. Not many yellow labs about. Masses of terriers as well JRTs and Borders mainly. A few sight hounds.

It's the ones that live on the modern box like estates that have the fluffy poo dogs. (And grey interior design)

So I think, around here, the fluffy dogs are a sign of being in the lower classes.

It’s all XL Bullie types round here. The owners get extra points if they’ve mutilated their dogs ears.

@SemperIdem

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.

I agree. The amount of flat faced dogs around now is just a fashion statement. Lots of their owners probably have no idea about the health issues associated with these types of dogs. I hate to see dogs that are dressed up in coats and clothes. It says a lot about their owners own emotional needs. A dog is an animal not a doll that needs regular walks outside in all weather conditions. I think the media and celebrities have illustrated the trend on miniature dogs. I also disagree with the over breeding of “poo” type dogs to try and create the “perfect” dog. Unfortunately again there are a lot of health issues with these dogs. Let dogs be dogs and treat them with respect.

Dogs have always been a class identifier - it's just that which breeds identify which class has changed with the fashions.

It makes me so cross when I see people with huskies that complain about them pulling on the lead. No shit Sherlock .

As someone who works in animal rescue I do have to speak up on their behalf and say that the reason they are so specific about their requirements for rehome is because they see the horrific fallout of well meaning people failing to meet the needs of the pet.
I have heard countless times "well you're forcing me to buy from a breeder/ pet shop" when I'm actually just pointing out to someone that their setup and circumstances don't indicate the best environment. They always think they know better than the rescues just because they want an animal that they might not be in the best postition to give a home to.

@B33Fr33

Just a sign that the dogs homes will soon be overcrowded. Keeping a dog in London is barking!

There's nothing wrong with keeping a dog in London. When I lived there with DDog (zone 2, so quite central) we were within walking distance of lots of lovely parks - including Hampstead Heath, which is 800 acres of parkland, forestry and ponds.

Now we've moved to a city that's not London, we've actually got access to less green space within walking distance.

DDog was also perfectly happy on the tube and trains, and not a huge fan of cars - I presume his first owners didn't drive, and nor did I when I lived there.

@Zoorhik

It makes me so cross when I see people with huskies that complain about them pulling on the lead. No shit Sherlock .

Exactly. Or complaining a working breed left for nine hours in a small terraced house is ‘destructive’.

@Zoorhik

It makes me so cross when I see people with huskies that complain about them pulling on the lead. No shit Sherlock .

😂😂😂