Criteria to get a dog

[decisionsdecision]

I've seen quite a few threads the last couple of weeks with OPs talking about their search for a dog or wanting to discuss dog ownership to be met with hostility on their threads. It makes me genuinely curious about what MN views as the criteria to own a dog?
So far it seems you can't get a mixed breed
You can't get a pedigree
You can't work
You can't have any other animals
You can't adopt
You can't get a puppy
You can't have a child
You can't live anywhere other than countryside with acres of land

This doesn't leave a lot to work with really so what is the suggestion from those that hold these views?

I get annoyed when people make sweeping statements about a breed. Clumping then all behavioural wise together.

I had a springer. I cannot tell u the behaviour problems we had. Even a vet and a behaviourist couldn’t help him. I also personally know two cockerpoos. Both of which were a bit bonkers when they were growing up. But now both one and are both really lovely and calm.
Saying you want a certain breed because if it’s traits is ridiculous.

My annoyance with my post the other day about training was being told that it all sounded dodgy.
I will literally be there when the puppies are born. In a proper home. With two well breed parents. And even then I was told it was dodgy.

You can’t win on here. Personally I love cockerpoos. And am aware of at least two proper breeders out there. They are around.

Thanks Sit, I didn't know that.

@tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz

Breed choice is most important if you’re getting a puppy because breed is really all you have to go on as an idea of how they’ll be, but with an older rescue, you can see what they’re actually like, so then yes you can just go... this is the lifestyle we’re offering, which individual dog might be suitable? Because they could have a dog that isn’t typical for breed traits.

So I’m registered with a lot of general rescues without specifying breed as looking for an active dog that’ll want lots of exercise and enjoy training and doing things like scentwork - and needs to be cat friendly, I’d be fairly surprised if they then offered me a sighthound for example, but, if they did because it fit that description I’d not narrow my choices down just because they’re not usually like that.

But, I’m also registered with some breed specific rescues of breeds that I know would suit me and that I’d like.

So... thinking about breed is useful a bit in that there are breed specific rescues I’d just never apply to because I know they’re fairly unlikely to have a dog I want so it’s a bit of a waste of their time, but, if I happened to come across one of those breeds I wouldn’t rule it out just on breed.

Bit vague and waffly, lol, but hope that makes sense?

"Saying you want a breed because of its traits is ridiculous?"

Errr, what now?

What other criteria are you choosing by?

Ahhh thanks tabuhla not waffly at all, actually very helpful.

Saying you want a breed because if it's traits is ridiculous
I have to disagree there. You can't guarantee breed traits, but you can up your odds of certain traits by getting a well bred puppy from a likely breed rather than Buster from the dogs home down the road.

The odd Springer is an aggressive little fucker (I know one, but he's unfulfilled and probably bored and frustrated), but the vast majority are jolly, a bit manic, prey driven, energetic and eminently trainable.

We went for the breed we have due to its health, appearance, intelligence and general attitude to life.

@tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz

I've a question as we're thinking of getting a dog later this year (been wanting one forever and it feels like our life may now be right to work round a pooch) ... with the working out which breed us best, we're going to look for a rescue so when we go to RSPCA or Dogs Trust for example and they have X dogs available of differing breeds, will they have the knowledge of breeds to match one to us once they've(quite rightly) grilled us to establish if we're right? Or should we research, have an ideal shortlist of breeds and see what the have and would be willing to let us have?

Also, is it cruel to put pooch in kennels (we'd do our homework to find a good one, regardless of £) twice a year for a week each time?

I hope my questions don't sound ignorant, I want to do this right (which is why we haven't done in until now) and I'm bracing myself that there's every chance we would be turned down.

Thanks 🐶

I think with rescue dogs, it's often best to think about what traits you would like, and anything you couldn't live with. For instance

• if you have a cat you need a cat-tested dog
• I wouldn't have a large breed as I'm petite and could easily find myself in a situation where I couldn't control a large dog
• you may be child-free, and be perfectly happy with a dog that's not child-friendly
• you may live in a very rural area and readily be able to take a dog that needs to be walked away from strangers and other dogs (I live in a city, so that's a big no-no for me!)

The rescue should have a good idea of the individual temperaments of the dogs in their care. While breed (nature) does have a significant impact, the nurture will also be important and there are plenty of dogs that are atypical in one or more ways for the breed (e.g. terriers with no prey drive). There's also plenty of mutts in rescue who may fit the bill. I'd talk about characteristics and your lifestyle rather than specific breeds; it's quite common to find a dog that fits in an unexpected package! If you do have your heart set on a specific breed(s) then try the breed rescue organisation

Many dogs that have been through rescue kennels find being boarded in kennels quite stressful. I would consider finding a home boarder who will look after your dog in their own home, or a house sitter who will look after your dog (and plants etc.) in your home.

Thanks Avo and that's a good point about kennels.

Can I just say you lot are a right helpful bunch ... I may be back with more questions

If you get any mixed breed you are evil and should never own a dog.

I don't think there is anything wrong with a mixed breed - but the proliferation of 'poos and 'doodles result in a proliferation of puppy farmers and people who think that these mixed breeds have definite breed characteristics, when in reality they could have a variety of breed characteristics and not necessarily the ones you want.
rescue dogs are unpredictable but buying a puppy is frowned upon
But puppies are also unpredictable, and you've no idea what they will grow into and a lot of people want a cute puppy without the work or the training or the teenage years of torture.
so what are you supposed to do
Look at what is good for the dog not you, and find the dog best suits your situation. Shift the focus to the dog.

The reality is people would not puppy farm if there wasn't a profit in it. People puppy farm cute puppies with a cute portmanteau name because that's what people want to buy. The problem is that in that equation they are not considering the dog and are not centering the dog in the discussion.

I strongly feel that councils and regulatory bodies have a lot to answer for to the fact these things still exist and really should be regularly investigating and prosecuting. I'm sure that's fodder for another thread entirely though.

They exist because there is a market and people need to take personal responsibility for being that market.

As long as people keep buying from puppy farms they will still exist. The simple solution is not to buy from them.

@Sitdowncupoftea

As long as people keep buying from puppy farms they will still exist. The simple solution is not to buy from them.

Unfortunately you nor I can control everyone else, there will always be people who don't realise/care/research and there will always be demand.

I just wish more was done than the legislation in April that was passed to make tougher regulations. Although it's one small step in the right direction.