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...

Well the wannabe middle classes seem to love anything mixed with a poodle here.

Yep, particular dog breeds have always been associated with certain classes and no doubt will continue to. I do think the lines are becoming more blurred though with the trend for the many doodle / poodle crosses. I noticed the other day how rare it is now to see a range of pedigree standard breeds - boxers, GSD's, Dally's, Ridgebacks. Every other dog seems to be a doodle cross or dachshund.

And the drug dealers must be raking it in through lockdown because they have taken a liking to bulldogs, French bulldogs and shar peis instead of staffies.

Not sure what your question is? Would you feel better if the dogs you were seeing were "normal" types that one would expect to see anywhere? or a Prep school? Or are you disappointed that the people seemingly owning these dogs are "posh"? Would it matter if these "post" people turned up with no dogs at all or if maybe seemingly not so wealthy people owned these new breeds of dog? My point is, why are people in England always trying to link irrelevant things to class / wealth / status? I don't get it.

I cant bloody stand little dogs especially the bloody designer breeds! Yappy, scared and nippy they are! But that's why I have a bullmastiff I didnt want a small dog that would be potentially sat on by my 4dc or me tripping over them and squashing them! that's why when me and dh chose our family dog we chose a larger breed who wasnt going to be a walk over, but also a breed that dint scare easily and is as soft as shit!

Where do I stand with a lurcher? The original cross breed. We call him the Big Issue dog.

@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...

Cockatoos and cavachons are mongrels . They aren’t purebred dogs . They are however very expensive but I don’t think it’s a matter of class , they are the latest fashion and lots of people are buying them from all walks of life.

so many french bull dogs and other bull dog types

Why the need to identify your child’s school as a “prep”, op?
This says more about your class aspirations than your dog, tbh.
Not the prep itself, the shoehorning it in where it’s not especially relevant.

@Hanywany Yappy little dogs just make me think of this cartoon!

We have a rather scruffy deerhound and I match him pretty well. He's never met a human he didn't like. We live just off a common and have a small garden. He prefers to lie inside on his single mattress.

@thenightsky I think lurchers are great. Ours was a Kelpie/ Greyhound and he was simply THE most obedient dog we’ve ever owned! On a class scale I wouldn’t have a clue.

Cockapoos not cockatoos 😂

It's an interesting question.

I think to some extent, they always have been - different groups have had different dogs.

At the moment designer breeds are in style, 30 years ago it was purebreds. But basically they are the same thing, people breeding very specific and expensive dogs for people with extra cash who want pets.

What's different is that the kids of working dogs, and mongrels, which were also common in the past, have largely disappeared. Which is too bad as overall those are the healthiest sorts of dogs.

Let’s face it, they are all just dogs. If I got the sense from someone that they only wanted a certain breed to ‘look’ right, I would immediately think what a prat.

I have a Cockapoo she is the sweetest most loving happy little dog that is adored by the whole family. She fits into our family perfectly can’t believe we managed without her. We ensure that she is well behaved and keep her under control as we appreciate not everyone loves her like we do.
I picked a mongrel as I felt the inbreeding of my last dog (kc registered pedigree Newfoundland) caused a lot of health issues despite the 2 years researching breeders. She was 11 when her back legs gave up and I was devastated as she was one of the family and loved regardless of her bald patches, sticky eyes, drool, casting (all treated by the vet btw) I couldn’t care less what she looked like I just wanted her to be happy.
Despite working from home (pre Covid) I wasn’t suitable for any rescue dog as I god forbid had kids.
If I am a working class wannabe, posh or designer dog advocate then so be it, I’ll wear that badge with pride as everyday with my wee ball of fluff is a joy and a pleasure.

@ERFFER

If you have a french bull dog, sorry, but I immediately assume your home is full of mirrored furniture, a grey crushed velvet sleigh bed and that you take selfies for Instagram wearing matching jumpers....

Omg , there is someone else out there with my sense of humour 😂. That did make me laugh !

Doodleville and dachshunds here. Lots and lots of them. Mostly with trendy young owners clutching takeaway coffee and chatting, or looking at their phones and generally not taking much notice of the dog.

@ERFFER

If you have a french bull dog, sorry, but I immediately assume your home is full of mirrored furniture, a grey crushed velvet sleigh bed and that you take selfies for Instagram wearing matching jumpers....

😂😂😂

The best dog from my childhood was a poodle cross shih zu that was a rescue, he had the very best temperament, was the perfect size, didn't shed, was never ill. Fast forward too many years and due to family allergies we have a similar poodle cross, suits our family, paid handsomely for him and don't regret it. We weren't trying to make a statement by getting the dog we have, just wanted the dog best suited to our circumstances.

@pucelleauxblanchesmains lol yea exactly, my mum has a chinese Crest and it always looks like its plotting things in its head when I look at it! Now I know what, its also has bee known to bite my childrens ankles!

Been not bee

@Middersweekly We think this lurcher is greyhound/Bedlington or greyhound/wheaten terrier.

He's the best dog we've ever had.

I work in rescue. Where maybe 6 or 8 years ago our kennels were 80% full of bull breeds we are now 80% full of “designer crossbreeds”
People seem to take them on without thinking about how difficult coat care and grooming is. I have lost count of the amount I have had to completely shave off in the last 12 months because they are so badly matted. Most of the ones we are have had little socialisation or training and they are difficult to deal with. I miss hull breeds!