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...

Not a mongrel in sight???? What do you think cockapoo or cavachon types are????????????????

*bull breeds obvs!

This is so funny! I have a gorgeous cockapoo and never thought of it as a class identifier. I hadn’t a clue about dogs and did a tick list on the internet to see which would be suitable & a cockapoo was top of the list. She really is perfect for our family.

@dejacqueray

Not a mongrel in sight???? What do you think cockapoo or cavachon types are????????????????

Exactly!

Who gives a sh!t what dog anyone else has got? If you want a dog, do your research to see what breed would suit your lifestyle and stop judging others for their taste in dogs. I'm a recent convert to small dogs, after a lifetime of medium sized ones (whippets) and they are not at all aggressive although they can yap from time to time until told to be quiet. I don't mind them alerting me to strangers though because we've been burgled twice and I'd rather the dogs told me that there was someone outside.

I think those cross breeds make you look like a townie who has no clue how to look after a dog . They are mongrels , just expensive ones !

It's the angle. She's pretty small compared to some pugs 🥰

@Aloethere

I saw the most gorgeous Basset Hound on my walk this morning it made a nice change to all of the crusty-eyed little white dogs that everyone has.

Basset hounds have lots of health issues just like many other purebred breeds. Lots of skin and ear problems, and back problems. All due to exaggeration of the characteristic features of the dog.

This is one of the reasons a lot of people moved away from purebred dogs. They were told for years that casual and accidental litters were a no-no, which includes most mutts with three or more breeds in the background or parentage unknown.

Then they see that flat faced dogs have problems, long backed dogs have problems, dogs with loose skin have problems, cavalier spaniels die early of heart failure and too-small brains that are excruciatingly painful, German shepherds have back and hip issues, Great Danes and Newfoundland dogs die early of heart failure, and even plain old labs have become prone to allergies and need special (expensive) food, plus many other examples.

So they are also pretty suspicious of the claim that purebred dogs from supposedly responsible breeders are the best bet.

Cross-breeds have kind of filled in the gap, and aren't entirely a great solution - too many of the same problems as purebreds. But at least people have broken away from this idea that the best pet dogs will be purebreds.

Crossbreed

A crossbreed comes from two purebred parents of two different dog breeds. Crossbreeds are very popular – examples of these so-called ‘designer dogs’ include:

Yorkie Poo (Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle)
Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel and Poodle)
Labradoodle (Labrador and Poodle

A mongrel is generally a dog of unknown breed, with a mixture of around 3 different breeds. (ie 2 different cross breeds bred together.

We have a Jack Russell and it's Interesting to see that others see Jack Russells as being owned by the upper class . I thought they were a very working class dog .

I see a lot of people round here with husky type dogs , including a family who have 3 of them and they never get off lead exercise or proper long walks .

Technically mongrels are mixed breeds of unknown origin, so if the labradoodle (or whatever) was intentionally bred it's a mixed breed but not a mongrel.

Also, I'm American so I really don't understand your class system ... but I have three Irish Terriers and a (yellow) lab. What does that make me?!

We have a toy poodle and absolutely love her...I am going to let her have her first litter soon (she’s 3) but only with another toy. There are so few pure poodles around and they are the smartest breed I’ve ever owned. Previously had a black lab (felt q posh 😂) who was a gorgeous girl and lived almost 16 years. There are lots of cockapoos where we live (in the countryside) and they are totally the must have accessory. Most seem well cared for but I fear for their loneliness in the coming months when people return to normal and don’t have time to give them. But on the other hand maybe people who are new to dog owning will be hooked on fresh air and daily walks! 🤞

Creating breeds of dog is pretty messed up when you think about it. Imagine a higher order doing that to humans for their own enjoyment and to our own detriment.

I have a flat faced dog, a Frenchie, I took him after his previous owners couldn't be bothered with him, he was only 12 weeks old ! They paid a fortune for him I gave them a token gesture. He is an incredible loving, kid friendly and a very healthy dog. I do worry sometimes that people assume I got him as they were TRENDY, but they couldn't be more wrong

@shinynewapple21

We have a Jack Russell and it's Interesting to see that others see Jack Russells as being owned by the upper class . I thought they were a very working class dog .

I see a lot of people round here with husky type dogs , including a family who have 3 of them and they never get off lead exercise or proper long walks .

I wonder if this is related to changes in where people live?

I think of them being a kind of working rural dog suited to anyone likely to have rodent issues. My farming relatives always have at least one but equally a well off country person might need such a dog.

I was looking for some kind of terrier mix, or even a purebred, recently, for just that reason, and goodness I could not find anything. The same five dogs have been at local rescues for the past year, breeders have waiting lists of over two years. In the end I gambled on a heeler cross where the mother was a useful farm dog, and she seems to be quite interested in rodent control. Though it turns out the father is a giant breed and she may be larger side than JRT!

I don't think dogs have snob value but there are 'fashions' in pets. I'm old enough to remember when Afghan hounds were in vogue. You'd see the most unlikely people walking about with them all over the place.

It's OK as long as the animals are cared for.

What @graciebobcat said.

£1500 is a bargain. They’re going for for up to $7000 here (~ £3500).

i.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/latest/124551823/why-are-sellers-suddenly-charging-6000-for-a-poodle-crossbreed

Although the poodle breeds don’t shed, don’t they need a lot of maintenance? Brushing, grooming, trimming?

I vacuum every day anyway (wooden floors), so find that this is overall easier with our lab, who’s not allowed on furniture.

The 2 breeds you have mentioned are exactly that mongrels. All I see around our way are lockdown spaniel puppies

@LongDistanceClaret

Creating breeds of dog is pretty messed up when you think about it. Imagine a higher order doing that to humans for their own enjoyment and to our own detriment.

I know there’s a few comments re mongrels / mutts from those with pure breeds but yes breeding more and more exaggerated features isn’t really to a higher standard. I think it’s been pulled back a bit with new guidance, but still the idea that it’s better somehow is a bit much.

I have a 2 year old Jack Russell don't know what that says about us. We got him before Covid

Cockapoo's and Cavachon's are mongrels

Having children, even very young ones, living with a man and being next to a road do not exclude you from adopting. You may need to research your rescues thoroughly but they are not automatic no-no's, our lad is a rescue and we foster children. Our rescue rehomed to us even though we have children in the house (and a man) and live on a busy NSL road.

@23PissOffAvenueWF yes I’d agree that there’s a definite trade off with non shedding breeds - with a lab you vacuum everyday but with a poodle you spend that time (and money) on grooming or investing in the kit to DIY. Which is not that easy but I’ve finally mastered keeping our poodle’s coat neat and knot free...if your not careful they turn into a ball of very knotty wool!

There seem to be a lot more huskies around and although I think they look gorgeous and are very entertaining, they seem to be getting a bad rap for biting (and being noisy). They clearly need lots of vigorous exercise, which many don't seem to get. I understand that many people rely on a dog to counter loneliness, but they often can't cope with this kind of breed and this impacts on neighbours etc. Not to mention the streets covered in crap, cities or rural areas, it's the same, it seems.

I wonder how adequate exercise/attention could be made a requirement for dog owners?