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...

It's Sausage dogs, french bulldogs and pugs round here!

@pangolina

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.

@pangolina you are also stopping perfectly good dog owners from getting a rescue. as I said above because myself and DH both work and have smaller children visiting and live near a busy road we were turned down for rescue. We have since bought a dog, we have negotiated our hours to WFH two days a week each which means our dog goes to a proper daycare for the day we will work and we have already been sending him x2 days a week during lockdown so he is settled in for when we do go back into the office. He is walked on lots of nice countryside walks and has family to care for him when we go on holidays on a farm with loads of space. We also have the backup of him being able to board at his daycare if it didn’t suit family to take them. He has a spacious garden for his size out there back of our house and a lovely indoor kennel for a large dog even though he is medium sized. He is fed a special diet of proper nutritionally balanced food that we order for him tailored to his weight and eating tastes and he has full pet insurance and regular visits to the vet for working and flea treatment. He has done several online training sessions and is well trained and excellent with both children and adults.

We knew we would be good dog owners but rescue thought they knew better.

Interesting! I’ve got a golden retriever, what class am I? I’ve always wanted to know

. Maybe they were wrong I your case Epiphany but the standards rescues set are based on working in rescue for years. Dogs do need excluded gardens and shouldn’t be left more than 4 hours a day - and that’s secure adult dogs, not rescues just placed, or puppies.
Many poodle crosses are lovable dogs but they’re usually high energy and need good training.
They aren’t hypoallergenic, they love mud and water. If the have two working breeds like lab and standard poodle, they’re likely to have a high prey urge.

Cockerpoo from mini poodle and red cocker spaniels (popular apricot) my be highly strung

PIL live in a posh rural village with lots of horsey types, I see mainly black and chocolate labs, whippets, a few beagles, a few spaniels and one couple with basset hounds. The cockapoos and cavachons, pugs, French bulldogs, plus dogs that fit in handbags are much more common where we live in Essex, where people might have money but are definitely not posh.

I had a pretty much middle class childhood in the 80s

We had a cocker spaniel.

Lots of retired people where we are with rescue greyhounds.
Can never get my head around how such muscular dogs actually need little exercise.

Greyhounds are a sprint animal. Think of Usain bolt's physique.

I've got two Dalmatians, not seen them mentioned once on here. Only ever see the odd one, they need a LOT of exercise. I get so sad when I see Huskies, how can they ever get enough exercise. I know there will be the odd exception but...

@Sixdegreesofseparation

I've got two Dalmatians, not seen them mentioned once on here. Only ever see the odd one, they need a LOT of exercise. I get so sad when I see Huskies, how can they ever get enough exercise. I know there will be the odd exception but...

They are quite rare, though, aren't they? I've never actually seen one and I live in London. Beautiful dogs.

I'm in London Zone 2 and I see a few Dalmatians around. There's one person I see regularly walking a pair of them. They are in the minority though.

Dalmatians are beautiful dogs

I watched a greyhound type dog sprint in the park the other day. Incredible to see with the head movements and dynamic movements

I really appreciate the differences but I’m not so partial to some breeds

Spaniels and cavapoos are out around here and it’s now all Vizslas and Dachshunds

@MishaHarrow

Staffordshire bull terrier or similar also tends to be associated with a particular class of owner.

The class of people that want a lovely tempered dog that they can trust around their children? Okay.

The thing is every dog is different! My sister has a Dalmatian @Sixdegreesofseparation and it spends most of its day snoozing in front of the fire! On a rainy day he has zero interest in a walk and she can barely get him outside to go to the toilet! We had one growing up too and she was similar temperament. Happy to potter but no interest in long walks.

@Sixdegreesofseparation

I've got two Dalmatians, not seen them mentioned once on here. Only ever see the odd one, they need a LOT of exercise. I get so sad when I see Huskies, how can they ever get enough exercise. I know there will be the odd exception but...

We had the most beautiful Dalmatian, he was nothing to do with class and everything to do with lifestyle. Dalmatians run, and run they don't get distracted from running by pheasants (as setters and spaniels do) so keep on in a straight line. He was a brilliant running companion for my husband, he was fabulous for running beside our boat or between two bicycles.

@Giggorata

Totally agree with the overbreeding. It's been covered enough - hip problems in GSDs and retrievers, breathing problem in pugs and other flat faced dogs, brain problems for Cavalier KCs as they bred for small heads. The KC still IMHO don't police this enough and Crufts IHMO were culpable. All pain and early death for the dogs.

And show dogs can't be dogs. A rural terrier breeder who I otherwise admired kept his show dog on the lead at all times in case it broke its teeth worrying roots etc etc.

EpiphanySoul1 really? Bless him how funny!

LemonRoses yes you are so right! I run ultra marathons and my dogs are training companions extraordinare! They frequently do 20 miles with me, such wonderful dogs and yet classless indicators I would guess?

@PamDemic

Dogs were always a class identifier, there's nothing new about that.

This.

The dogs you mentioned are mongrels 😂

So many people jumping up and down to call dogs mongrels like it is an insult. It just means they are less inbred.
And as for using the phrase neaveau riche like it is embarrassing to have money when your family haven't always just had it!
What a thread!
I think most people probably get the type of dog they like. Looking after a dog for 15 years is a big commitment and not one many are likely to undertake because it might make the silly snob down the street think they are gentry.

The poodle mixes are less a class identifier, and more a fashion identifier.

We have friends with a spoodle, and one with a cavoodle.

As with all small dogs, my worry would always be yappyness. The cavoodle is super yappy.

There’s a difference between a cross-breed where you know the two breeds, and a ‘mongrel’ where you have no - or only a vague - idea.

Cross breeds are not for the upper classes, more the lower middle.

Masses of greyhounds, lurchers and whippets around here, which is a pleasant change. 15 years ago it was wall to wall staffies.