[lauren001]

I think a lot of dogs end up in rescue, apart from those where personal circumstances dictate, because
a) the owner liked the look rather than researching the breed
or
b) the breeder liked the money rather than breeding a stable pet.

I am sure once these dogs hit the streets in any numbers they will end up in rescue as well.

 

[Lily's Mum]

Because a celebrity hasn't got one maybe. Lurchers are the sighthound/collie mixes right? Bred for speed and intelligence I have no problems with that juts throwing random breeds together isn't a good idea.

Lurcher - Crossbred Sighthound. *
Between a Greyhound, Whippet, Deerhound or a Saluki AND a Terrier (usually a Bedlington or a Border) or a border Collie or a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
*

 

[Guest]

I think a lot of dogs end up in rescue, apart from those where personal circumstances dictate, because
a) the owner liked the look rather than researching the breed
or
b) the breeder liked the money rather than breeding a stable pet.

I am sure once these dogs hit the streets in any numbers they will end up in rescue as well.

I think it is largely because people don't chose the right dog for their lifestyle. It is up to breeders to properly screen their puppy buyers, and it is up to breeders to be responsible for what they bred by taking back any pup of theirs that needs rehoming.

If breeders screened their puppy buyers carefully they would be able to weed out the ones who are not the right fit for their dogs. They should take the lead from the ethical pedigree breeders who also have contracts puppy buyers sign that stipulate that, if at any time in the dog's life, it needs to be rehomed, it MUST come back to the breeder - not the pound or a rescue group.

We'd have a lot less dogs in shelters if breeders were responsible for what they bred and screened their puppy buyers properly.

 

[lauren001]

We'd have a lot less dogs in shelters if breeders were responsible for what they bred and screened their puppy buyers properly.

Very true.
Though, some buyers despite signing contracts will not contact the breeder when they need to rehome, the breeder finds out through third parties.

 

[Guest]

Very true.
Though, some buyers despite signing contracts will not contact the breeder when they need to rehome, the breeder finds out through third parties.

Yes it's very unfortunate when that happens, although many breeders I know keep in contact with their puppy buyers.

But that is why I believe it should be mandatory that breeders contact details be listed on the dog's microchips, as well as their owners. That way, if they are handed into rescue or pounds the breeders are easily contactable.

 

[Linny Buffy & Spike]

You do post quite a few DDs available for rescue on your crossbreed forum though, Linny!

The majority of dogs in shelters ARE crossbreeds, they may not be the cute fluffies you prefer to deal with, but that's not to say they weren't bred solely for the pet market. What else would crossbreeds be bred for? Not that many are bred for working purposes, let's be honest, the majority are slapped together to breed pets.

I don't really understand your point about purebreds - most are kept as pets, first and foremost, even those who compete in dog sports like showing, or ones who are bred from. The point is that they were originally bred to fulfill a purpose, and that is what the breed standard was developed around and why they have the traits they have today. It is that breed standard and those traits that help us, the pet buyers, chose what breed is best suited to our lifestyle.

We rehome maybe one or two "Designer Dogs" dogs a month, Smeagle, and that's for the whole of Australia. Many of those are being rehomed because their owners are going into retirement homes etc, and other people-related reasons - nothing to do with the dogs themselves, nor with their temperament.

Most of the crossbreds that do end up in shelters are not "Designer Dogs", ie purpose-bred crossbreeds. The ones we see are mainly cattle dog, terrier or bull breed crosses, usually from accidental matings, and from people who either can't be bothered getting their dogs desexed, or think it's "unnatural" or "unmanly", but then don't want to waste their precious time finding homes for the pups.

The vast majority of people today don't work their dogs. Their dog's sole function is to be simply a friend and companion - ie a pet. That's probably one of the most important "jobs" a dog can do. I think there's is a very good argument to be made for people who want a dog as a pet to choose one that is primarily bred for that very purpose. There are many vets, geneticists, and others working in animal welfare who agree.

Best wishes,
Linny

 

[Guest]

We rehome maybe one or two "Designer Dogs" dogs a month, Smeagle, and that's for the whole of Australia. Many of those are being rehomed because their owners are going into retirement homes etc, and other people-related reasons - nothing to do with the dogs themselves, nor with their temperament.

The majority of crossbreds that do end up in shelters are not "Designer Dogs", ie purpose-bred crossbreeds. The ones we see are mainly cattle dog, terrier or bull breed crosses, usually from accidental matings, and from people who either can't be bothered getting their dogs desexed, or think it's "unnatural" or "unmanly", but then don't want to waste their precious time finding homes for the pups.

The vast majority of people today don't work their dogs. Their dog's sole function is to be simply a friend and companion - ie a pet. That's probably one of the most important "jobs" a dog can do. I think there's is a very good argument to be made for people who want a dog as a pet to choose one that is primarily bred for that very purpose. There are many vets, geneticists, and others working in animal welfare who agree.

Best wishes,
Linny

So your opinion is that purebred dogs aren't bred as pets? Do people who breed or show their dogs, or work them or compete in dog sports, not consider their dogs pets, too? :confused5:

I think it's a bit of a stretch to say all or most of the 1000s of crossbreeds in shelters were from accidental matings. Is it really that unbelievable that backyards breeders purposely breed crossbreeds, for a variety of reasons?

ETA: I will have to tell my two purebred dogs to get working, they thought after all these years that they were pets... PMSL.

 

[noushka05]

i think a big concern is that so many are now being bred pretty soon there will be an epidemic in rescues, as is the case for most really popular breeds.

 

[Guest]

I think there is some confusion over the term "designer dog". It is often used as a derogatory term to mean either A) a purposely 'designed' dog created from mating two different breeds or B) a 'designer' dog as in 'designer' jeans, expensive, fashionable, the in thing.

I find it strange that all crossbreeds/mongrels are lumped under the term "designer dog" when arguing a negative case against them. To me, not so long ago the pure bred Chihuahua was the latest designer dog, seen peeking out from Paris Hilton's designer handbag. Some of us simply own mongrels because we choose to, not because we like to have them as a fashion accessory.

 

[Guest]

i think a big concern is that so many are now being bred pretty soon there will be an epidemic in rescues, as is the case for most really popular breeds.

They already are, Noushka. The vast majority of dogs in rescues and pounds are crossbreeds.

I find it strange that all crossbreeds/mongrels are lumped under the term "designer dog" when arguing a negative case against them. To me, not so long ago the pure bred Chihuahua was the latest designer dog, seen peeking out from Paris Hilton's designer handbag. Some of us simply own mongrels because we choose to, not because we like to have them as a fashion accessory.

LOL Louise - purebreds, the original designer dogs

I have no problem if people chose to own a crossbreed. If I wanted one I'd pop down to the local pound and get an adult that I felt best suited me.

 

[Linny Buffy & Spike]

So your opinion is that purebred dogs aren't bred as pets? Do people who breed or show their dogs, or work them or compete in dog sports, not consider their dogs pets, too? :confused5:

Not at all. You seemed to be saying that dogs bred as pets have no purpose. What I am saying is that the job of being "just a pet" is equally (and perhaps more) important as being bred to hunt, or to herd, or to race etc.

Best wishes,
Linny

 

[Linny Buffy & Spike]

i think a big concern is that so many are now being bred pretty soon there will be an epidemic in rescues, as is the case for most really popular breeds.

Good point, Noushka. There aren't that many Puggles, Cockapoos etc turning up in shelters yet, but if their popularity continues to increase, and more puppy mills jump on the bandwagon, it won't be long before there will be. Exactly the same thing has happened with popular purebreds in the past.

Best wishes,
Linny

 

[Guest]

Not at all. You seemed to be saying that dogs bred as pets have no purpose. What I am saying is that the job of being "just a pet" is equally (and perhaps more) important as being bred to hunt, or to herd, or to race etc.

Best wishes,
Linny

I don't understand breeding dogs 'just because'. I also don't understand what you are inferring by this comment:

I think there's is a very good argument to be made for people who want a dog as a pet to choose one that is primarily bred for that very purpose.

So because purebred dogs were developed for a specific purpose they aren't pets? Or we need to breed crossbreeds because they fill a gap that purebred can't fill?

Purebred dogs were developed for a purpose, and that purpose is what has led to the character and traits that make up the breed standard, the reason they still breed predictably even centuries later. Today, there are many reasons why purebred dogs continue to be bred, quite a few are still bred primarily for working ability. Many are bred for a combination of traits, and I don't know a single breed where breeders breed without aiming for the dog to be a suitable pet for the right person.

That's the great thing about purebred dogs, they fill a variety of purposes and tasks, including making great pets

 

[noushka05]

Good point, Noushka. There aren't that many Puggles, Cockapoos etc turning up in shelters yet, but if their popularity continues to increase, and more puppy mills jump on the bandwagon, it won't be long before there will be. Exactly the same thing has happened with popular purebreds in the past.

Best wishes,
Linny

yes this is the problem, as it is for my own breed as they too become more popular

 

[Linny Buffy & Spike]

I don't understand breeding dogs 'just because'. I also don't understand what you are inferring by this comment:

So because purebred dogs were developed for a specific purpose they aren't pets? Or we need to breed crossbreeds because they fill a gap that purebred can't fill?

Purebred dogs were developed for a purpose, and that purpose is what has led to the character and traits that make up the breed standard, the reason they still breed predictably even centuries later. Today, there are many reasons why purebred dogs continue to be bred, quite a few are still bred primarily for working ability. Many are bred for a combination of traits, and I don't know a single breed where breeders breed without aiming for the dog to be a suitable pet for the right person.

That's the great thing about purebred dogs, they fill a variety of purposes and tasks, including making great pets

I think we are perhaps talking at cross-purposes. By all means, working dogs can make great pets. I've owned and loved them myself.

What I am saying is that people who want a dog as "just a pet" should be able to choose a dog that is bred to be "just a pet". Being a friend and companion is every bit as important, and they don't necessarily have to have some additional "job" or "higher purpose" to give them a reason to exist

Best wishes,
Linny

 

[Guest]

I think we are perhaps talking at cross-purposes. By all means, working dogs can make great pets. I've owned and loved them myself.

What I am saying is that dogs that people that want a dog as "just a pet" should be able to choose a dog that is bred to be "just a pet". Being a pet is just as important, and they don't necessarily have to have some additional "job" or "higher purpose" to give them a reason to exist

Neither of my current dogs were bred as working dogs - my Siberian's breeders do recreational sledding but it's just another type of dog sport. The same way that I run my beagle at lurecoursing, it tests her original purpose, but it does not make her a working dog. Unless you consider dogs who compete in sports like the ones mentioned above or shows, obedience etc working dogs?

Both of my dogs were bought as pets. I did not buy my beagle with the intention of competing in obedience (and how many people would chose a beagle for this purpose, lol) but here we are, looking a trialling later in the year.

Purebred dogs are bred to be pet dogs, they just so happen to be bred for other purposes too.

 

[clueless]

I just keeping asking myself Why they are all different.
The first step in creating a new breed involves a definite vision of what the breed will look like and the writing of a breed standard to describe it. For example, what characteristics must a Yorkie-Poo have in order for it to be considered a Yorkie-Poo? What is a Puggle or a Labradoodle supposed to look and act like? To date, no breeders of these “new” breeds have even taken that first step. Yes The Labradoodle has a Standard seemingly but it is so wide that it could actually describe a few Breeds.
There has been no agreement among breeders even as to what a Puggle is supposed to be other than a cross between a Beagle and a Pug. After years of mixing these breeds, no two Puggles look anything alike imo; neither are any Yorkiepoos or Labradoodles similar to one another. There has not been any serious effort at all to create a distinct breed that the KC would recognize after all the years since these Designer Dogs arrived

 

[clueless]

We rehome maybe one or two "Designer Dogs" dogs a month, Smeagle, and that's for the whole of Australia. Many of those are being rehomed because their owners are going into retirement homes etc, and other people-related reasons - nothing to do with the dogs themselves, nor with their temperament.

Most of the crossbreds that do end up in shelters are not "Designer Dogs", ie purpose-bred crossbreeds. The ones we see are mainly cattle dog, terrier or bull breed crosses, usually from accidental matings, and from people who either can't be bothered getting their dogs desexed, or think it's "unnatural" or "unmanly", but then don't want to waste their precious time finding homes for the pups.

The vast majority of people today don't work their dogs. Their dog's sole function is to be simply a friend and companion - ie a pet. That's probably one of the most important "jobs" a dog can do. I think there's is a very good argument to be made for people who want a dog as a pet to choose one that is primarily bred for that very purpose. There are many vets, geneticists, and others working in animal welfare who agree.

Best wishes,
Linny

This is from 2007 so IMO thinks will be a lot worse now
AdelaideNow... Designer dog breeding disaster

 

[lauren001]

Great post and link Clueless.

 

[Linny Buffy & Spike]

I just keeping asking myself Why they are all different.
The first step in creating a new breed involves a definite vision of what the breed will look like and the writing of a breed standard to describe it. For example, what characteristics must a Yorkie-Poo have in order for it to be considered a Yorkie-Poo? What is a Puggle or a Labradoodle supposed to look and act like? To date, no breeders of these "new" breeds have even taken that first step. Yes The Labradoodle has a Standard seemingly but it is so wide that it could actually describe a few Breeds.
There has been no agreement among breeders even as to what a Puggle is supposed to be other than a cross between a Beagle and a Pug. After years of mixing these breeds, no two Puggles look anything alike imo; neither are any Yorkiepoos or Labradoodles similar to one another. There has not been any serious effort at all to create a distinct breed that the KC would recognize after all the years since these Designer Dogs arrived

I'm not that big fan of creating new "breeds" myself, Clueless. But if you have your heart set on it, by all means go for it. I'll just stick to my crossbreeds, thanks

Best wishes,
Linny