Thinking of getting a dog...

[raleighnut]

What do you think is actually wrong with mixing traits from different types of dogs to get a so-say desirable mix ? I suggest that all existing breeds have been created by doing exactly that. If you think about what you say logically, anything other than a wolf is a "fashion" breed.

Many, "pure-bred" (scientifically close to a nonsense term anyway), have all sorts of problems because of fashion. Mixing things up genetically is likely a good thing, no ?

It is common in horsey circles to do this - eg 3/4 racehorse and 1/4 irish carthorse or whatever to get a more robust and healthy animal than the more in-bred pure this or that. Why is that wrong with dogs.

For what it's worth I don't have a dog, nor a horse.

They even hybridise Wolves, normally with a GSD or a Husky,

View: https://youtu.be/HKSpg1eJ054

 

[Profpointy]

Likewise the best wines are blends of different grapes rather than single varietals.

But not whisky on the other hand
:-)

 

[Lullabelle]

Why destructive? because they are BORED. Mine wanders about, huffing and puffing and giving me the 'get off your arse and take me out' look when she gets like that.
A neighbour has a large black lab, that while walked regularly is never left off the leash. You can see the frustration in him walking around the edge of the local field, watching other dogs run around and do dog stuff.

They are alone all day and don't get much attention when their owners are around, they haven't been trained in any way so have no boundaries. They are treated as toys to play with when the mood takes. Dogs need stimulation they get very little so they must get really bored being stuck in all day every day.

 

[BSOh]

My dog breed of choice is the border terrier. It's a real terrier with real working dog traits. It's a good mover across terrain, being bred to run with horse and hound. Makes it good for running alongside our bikes on off road routes (incidentally forestry sites with mtb trails and cycling routes don't allow dogs on them with your bike but you can walk with them on those routes).

I have a border terrier, as well as a jack russell x patterdale terrier as mentioned above. Both working breeds, but the border is much more family friendly. She loves kids, people, other animals. Great for being outdoors, and socialising. Although she gives chase to small furries, she doesn't kill them (unless the other terrier is there egging her along). She has a really sunny, friendly disposition, a great companion dog. Also a great house dog, she hears everything outside.

The down side? well she's really not very bright. Instinctive yes. But I think she forgot to get in the queue when they were handing out intelligence. She also stinks. It doesn't matter how much she is bathed and washed, she will stink again within a day or two. And she is very vocal, likes a bark. And she's very greedy, have to be careful I don't overfeed because if it doesn't move she will eat it.

They are great family dogs.

 

[Mrs M]

Well the dog we were going looking at today has been reserved by somebody else, literally minutes before we were about to set off to visit.

The search continues...

Aw, never mind, you’ll get the right one
Would love a dog but not the right time for us.
Have a soft spot for greyhounds and Podencos (Spanish hunting dogs).
Exiting time for you though, can’t wait to see the wee pup

 

[potsy]

Aw, never mind, you’ll get the right one
Would love a dog but not the right time for us.
Have a soft spot for greyhounds and Podencos (Spanish hunting dogs).
Exiting time for you though, can’t wait to see the wee pup

Going to see one tomorrow, not a pup though.

 

[furball]

What do you think is actually wrong with mixing traits from different types of dogs to get a so-say desirable mix ? I suggest that all existing breeds have been created by doing exactly that. If you think about what you say logically, anything other than a wolf is a "fashion" breed.

Many, "pure-bred" (scientifically close to a nonsense term anyway), have all sorts of problems because of fashion. Mixing things up genetically is likely a good thing, no ?

It is common in horsey circles to do this - eg 3/4 racehorse and 1/4 irish carthorse or whatever to get a more robust and healthy animal than the more in-bred pure this or that. Why is that wrong with dogs.

For what it's worth I don't have a dog, nor a horse.

Think you've missed the point.
I'm talking about the unethical production of made up "breeds" to supply an ignorant market.
Where I live we have one of the main ports that is a route into the Uk for puppies raised in Irish puppy farms. Vehicles are regularly raided by the police and hundreds of designer puppies are removed and found to be sick or dead.
It's the demand for these made up breeds that create this disgraceful practice.

 

[furball]

Well the dog we were going looking at today has been reserved by somebody else, literally minutes before we were about to set off to visit.

The search continues...

At least that's one dog that's going to a home where it will be wanted and you will do the same for another lucky dog. I'm sure one will find you.

 

[Profpointy]

Think you've missed the point.
I'm talking about the unethical production of made up "breeds" to supply an ignorant market.
Where I live we have one of the main ports that is a route into the Uk for puppies raised in Irish puppy farms. Vehicles are regularly raided by the police and hundreds of designer puppies are removed and found to be sick or dead.
It's the demand for these made up breeds that create this disgraceful practice.

Yebbut, why is this related to "made up breeds" as opposed to "pukka breeds".
Serious question, not dig

 

[Andy_R]

Think you've missed the point.
I'm talking about the unethical production of made up "breeds" to supply an ignorant market.
Where I live we have one of the main ports that is a route into the Uk for puppies raised in Irish puppy farms. Vehicles are regularly raided by the police and hundreds of designer puppies are removed and found to be sick or dead.
It's the demand for these made up breeds that create this disgraceful practice.

Surely all breeds are "made up" in the first place to satisfy a certain set of arbitary requirements, be it utility, appearance, or temperament?

 

[furball]

Surely all breeds are "made up" in the first place to satisfy a certain set of arbitary requirements, be it utility, appearance, or temperament?

Or

Yebbut, why is this related to "made up breeds" as opposed to "pukka breeds".
Serious question, not dig

It applies to whatever the demand is. Made up breeds with silly names attract the uninitiated.
Don't start me on handbag dogs.

 

[furball]

I don't think so.

I'm not sure what you think I'm assuming.

 

[MarkF]

My mother got lonely and fat when my father died, their dog died a few weeks after my father. I can't stand the things and left home early to get away from them but I knew she needed another. We went to view one she'd seen online at the RSPCA, it bounded into the viewing room and pissed on my leg. It was an old collie called Scrappy, my mother fell in love with it, thought about it for a few days and then rang them up to have him. He'd been taken, that was unlucky as he was a long term resident.

A couple of weeks later they rang her up, he was back, the new owners returned him as he needed walking too much, a collie, who'd have though that? They have been together 5 years now, my mother's diabetes has gone and she is slim, the dog landed right on it's feet and they both have had a great time. He's on his last legs now though.

 

[andabby]

I've a 2 year old Kelpie, its like aa Australian Border Collie on steroids, and we must walk about 5 miles a day everyday, he is the first dog I,ve had and has wrecked my cycling, and the first thing we look at when going on holidays is if they are pet friendly, but wouldnt be without him.
The most expensive thing about having him though is keeping me in walking shoes, decent ones only last 4-6 months

 

[Pale Rider]

even sleeps in our bed under the covers in the winter... works out about £5 per month for flea treatment

A fiver well spent.