Obsessing about dog breed

[Flatbread]

There seem to be a lot of posters asking what 'breed' of dog to get. It is not just, 'I want a dog, decide on whether a pup or adult and get one from a shelter or someone whose dog has just had pups.'

No, it is about agonising about breed, what will fit the 'lifestyle', going to a breeder with the correct 'documentation' and 'credentials' (what ever that might be) and then parting with huge sums of money.

Why is this obsession with pure breeds and designer dogs? Are people aware that most dog breeds are a result of Victorian era dog-eugenics, which has been discredited? There are loads of articles and blogs out there (some examples below), so why are we still mired in this Victorian-era thinking?

bipedsandbrutes.wordpress.com/2011/08/23/breaking-the-mold-the-eugenics-of-dog-breeding/
www.terrierman.com/inbredthinking.htm
www.stayfreemagazine.org/archives/22/james-serpell-dog-breeding.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purebred_(dog)

I feel very strongly about the small gene pool, having been loved by an otterhound for the last 18 months. It's common misconceptions that have been spouted about the breed by people who frankly haven't got a clue what they're talking about, that led to a lack of demand. Why breed if you can't guarantee a home for the litter? Hence the small gene pool
and the endangered status, as responsible breeders won't breed if there's no demand. I'm not sure if I'm getting my point across, as am on baby arrival tenterhooks so brain is mush!

I would like the fit for historical purpose aspect of the breed regulations tightened up. I do think it woud stop the severe extremes that have been bred for the show ring looks wise that have gone onto cause serious health problems.

e.g Bulldogs who now can't give birth naturally anymore
Banana backed GSD's that are fook all use to the police as they aren't fit enough
There was a nasty strain of labs with a rep for biting humans that arose because of one mean tempered champion show sire. As he looked good he was allowed to sire waaaay too many litters - passing on a mean temperment in a breed not previously known for it.

I'd also like to see the odd non-kc reg but great breed example with the constitution of an ox and great temperment allowed to pollute the KC register more often. Also a wee bit more outbreeding to diversify SOME breed's gene pools in cases where there is high incidenc. of genetic problems. Dog breeding for healthy examples does seem to be hitting an all-time low in the UK and imho the KC has not done nearly enough to prevent this, by allowing the show ring to dominate all other factors for too long.

I've noticed that I seem to favour those breeds where the "working" aspect of the breed has not completely died out and part of this is because the "working lines" do seem to be hardier, healthier canines generally iyswim.

Our dog is a whippet - non-KC reg, cos tbh I'm less than impressed with the kennel club's whole dog snobbery thang. She was also a rescue cos for the life of me I can't see the point in parting with £700 for a posh puppy when £100 for a rescue will do the trick. (I also never bought into the Nike trainers or the premium for kelogs cereas either lol!) We walk the dog, not the paperwork.

The best poodle studs are not used for the whole "doodle" phenomena as their owners won't allow it, so that particular "designer cross" is almost doomed to have health issues now sadly.

She was chosen to be a therapy dog for my ASD son - so I had VERY specific temperment requirements that meant she was not the first example of her breed I looked at before we chose her, though I knew I'd find the animal I was looking for from within that breed. Not every heinz 57 could do that job.

Not al "pets" are the same - people do have different requirements from their canine companions to fit in with the huge diversity of famiy types and lifestyles - to pretend otherwise is very disingeneous.

This is a very good article:
www.naiaonline.org/articles/article/guilt-purebred-dog-owners-can-play

If it doesn't already ( and I couldn't see anything on it's website ) the Kennel Club could collect health outcomes of puppies to go with breeding lines. With the details verified by vets. So incidents of problems such as hip dysplasia could be flagged up and the dame/ sire/ combination, perhaps loosing KC registration.
I've recently seen a purebreed pup from an Accredited Breeder with totally fucked hips. Breeder didn't want to know, but warning potential customers away from this "proper looking" set up seems impossible.

Am I right in thinking that in the unlikely event of this fucked up pup breeding, it's offspring would still qualify as KC registered?

I think only if dame and sire owners agreed to have litter registered. But I would have thought there were steps in place to ensure that such a dog couldn't be bred from and have offspring registered.

I take in rescue pups all the time and find that the designer breeds are just as likely to be dumped as the cross breeds. The type of people who want a cute accessory are going to struggle with the reality of wee, poo and chewing whether it is a Chihuahua or a Lurcher. I do understand why people want a certain breed and try not to judge as long as they actually want a dog and not a toy then it is up to them. Puppy farms are horrid though, I am sure UK shelters are just as full of designer dogs as where I am. Maybe you could always try the specific rescue first, the experienced staff are expert at making good matches between dogs and families and the support is better as well.

but the ugly mixes make great pets too. A dog doesn't have to be a "breed" to be a loyal family pet.

I sort of see where you are going with this argument , but people do it all the time with horses and no-one bats an eye about it . I personally wouldnt have a collie because i know we cannot offer it the right sort of home , same goes with most of the terrier breeds . I also wouldnt have most of the large breed dogs ie mastiff or rotweiller simply because we dont have room and i am not sure i could afford to feed one properly. I am not keen on toy dogs and would prefer something a little bigger . So you see i can whittle down whole lists of dogs without much effort .

I would always reccommend that someone contact a breed specific rescue if they have their heart set on a specific breed as these people will know and love their breed warts and all and would be an excellent starting point for people interested in a breed .

I do think it is safe to say that there is a real fashion at the moment for toy dogs, big dogs and unusual dogs to be desirable. I am not talking about the working dogs, or even people who grew up with a Lab and now want one for their family. Open the pages of any celeb magazine or watch reality TV. I live in qatar so it's a bit different I know but after 9 years in the ME, we all know what next years stray crosses will be according to this year's fashion. Huskies, GSD, Pug and now Chihuahua have all been highly desirable and then the fashion has changed. Surely the amount of Staffies and Staffie Xs in shelters in the UK proves that point.

Not sure I agree with people getting together to breed more dogs, wherever they are and whatever the temperament. There are enough dogs out there looking for homes and plenty of backyard and legitimate breeders supplying the need.

I often hear people say it's cruel not to let a female have a litter, morally I disagree as I know that demand for puppies outstrips the supply but I would be very interested to hear from anyone knowledgeable if this is true. Are there really health benefits to allowing a female to have a litter? does it really "calm the mother down?"

This website www.infodogs.co.uk/ is advertised in Closeer magazine as a good website for breed advice.
Great to see a site devoted to pure bred Akitas, Australian Cattle dogs, American Bulldogs and Malamutes being promoted as desirable breeds.
All perfectly acceptable dogs for experienced owners but maybe not ideal examples of "popular dog breeds" as they are promoted here. It is a UK site as well.

theodorakis - I have just had a look at that website. It may be hosted in the UK but the English is awful - it reads as if it was translated from another language!

Whoever is behind it, they are stupid! And shame on Closer magazine.