designer dogs...yuk!
Posted by Anonymous on Feb 04, 2007 · Member since Dec 1969 · 11789 posts
Think of all the dogs in shelters that need a home... that are killed everyday...and people continue to breed. It's actually getting worse, not better.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/magazine/04dogs.t.html?ref=magazine
I love the French rescue system that is in place at their shelters. You are interviewed before you are allowed to adopt, to try to match you with the type of dog/cat you can best take care of...and if they think you're really not ready to take on the responsibility they will tell you so, no gloves on. They do their best to match you with an animal whose temperament, size etc will be compatible to your lifestyle and personality. They also require proof of residence (a bill or some such that proves you live where you say you do) and all your stats, Because (and this is the part I love) over the next year you will recieve 3 random, unannounced visits to make sure that you haven't dumped the animal and are looking after it decently. If it's gone, you are fined heavily. If it's in bad shape, they take it back...and you're fined heavily. In either case, they put the word about to other shelters, and you will not be allowed to adopt another for several years. If it doesn't work out for the two of you, they take the animal back, no questions asked--they'll even come and pick it up at a time that suits you.
Really nice that the government supports that. :o
The shelter owners that I know of would love for that to be in place.
Hell, they'd love to be able to do that themselves if they could but they are usually over-taxed with taking care of
the shelter residents and trying to work their own jobs to pay for the shelter. :(
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Mahatma Gandhi:
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
sisca called atleast 2 times a yr the first couple of yrs we had norman. i made one of the ladies that called laugh b/c i told her that our cat frisky would bat at his snout and he would lunge at frisky playfully. i miss both of them. mom put norm down b/c he was in pain from a hernia that grew to a softball size. the vet said they couldnt do anything about it. with frisky hes down in florida with my brother along with my brother's cat smudge.
I saw this article and had the same reaction as you, Davedrum. Yuck >:( And I just went and looked at your photo gallery with the many pics of your beautiful dogs and want to tell you that you're my hero. All I want out of life is to adopt and foster dogs... My partner is insanely allergic to cats, dogs, etc., however, which is a pretty big tragedy, but what can he/we do? Maybe someday when I have the yard/space I can rescue a pig...
Anyway, more on topic, I have done my share of shelter volunteering, and both my family's dogs were strays, one of whom my mom put in a shelter to see whether someone else would take her, given that she was purebred Dalmatian, but when no one did, my mom returned for her so that she wasn't euthanized and she's been with us ever since... So, I know from firsthand experience that there are sometimes purebred dogs languishing in shelters... Although I know it isn't always the people who pay for purebred animals from breeders whose animals wind up in shelters, there are so many gorgeous gorgeous GORGEOUS non-purebred animals in shelters that it makes me absolutely crazy that people pay money for purebreds when these beautiful animals need homes in order to not be euthanized. Apart from allergy considerations (which I understand, having, as I said, a super allergic partner) I don't understand why people want/need a purebred animal anyway, when "mutts" are so much healthier and happier, generally...
This is an issue that's really close to my heart, so I've gotten really vocal about talking to people in public when I'm petting their purebred dog about whether they got it from a breeder (or, god forbid, a pet shop), and if so, whether they might consider adopting their next animal from a shelter. If you're friendly about it, people are generally pretty receptive... Maybe it's different in other parts of the country, but in Southern California it is definitely the norm to buy a dog from a breeder. It literally doesn't occur to most people to go to shelters (although the internet/pet finder.com are starting to change that)... So, it isn't a small handful of responsible people getting their animals this way, it's pretty much everyone buying their status dogs to trot out Paris Hilton style to prove their affluence... Usually, this motivation is pretty unconscious, I think, but there nonetheless... When you talk to them about shelters and pet overpopulation, you can see wheels starting to turn... Just gotta educate one person at a time, right?
Hey Ladydragonfly1!
As far as a dog that fills all of those requirements, I would really look at your local shelter or on www.petfinder.com and check out the description of each dog. They try to list if a dog is good with kids, other pets, etc. As far as a good dog that does all those things you require for a pet, he or she is out there. I found a dog Cricket last year around the corner from where I live....same spot that I found 3 other dogs.....oddly enough ALL PURE BREEDS! It's a road that is a feeder road to the local highway...I guess just very convenient for someone to drive up from Atlanta...come to the country, and dump a dog (how could they?....but they do)! Cricket was a full Australian Shepherd (I should say IS, she has a great new home). She was probably the smartest dog I ever met. She was great with kids, other animals, had a short coat, was protective, only barked if someone rang the bell, etc. She just did not work well with my pack, because she actually kept trying to herd them in the yard! It only happened outside, but a few of them really had a problem with that. There are Australian Shepherd rescue groups, just do a google search for your state.
Ungreen,
I too have that argument with people that buy pure breeds, and don't consider shelters. I try not to be "rude" in anyway, I feel some just need to be educated. I have been told (more then once) by people that...."those dogs in shelters are there because they all have serious problems"! My answer is ALWAYS that, yes you are right, they had PEOPLE problems....the PEOPLE that dropped them off, were the only problem they had. When I rescued Sheeba and Kara, I was told that they were not house broken and had to live outside. Well they have always lived in my house and have never had an accident in the house, and have never chewed anything. Too bad they were labled like that. They probably did that in the first house they had, because the owner was abusive to them, or just never let them in.
I'm sorry you can't have a dog because of your partner's allergic reaction. (A pig would be great)! One day when I buy a ranch somewhere so I can start saving farm animals, I'll go to the "slaughter auctions" and buy and save pigs (and cows, goats, etc.). Being that you can not take a dog home, I think the best thing you could do is continue to volunteer. I know it's heart breaking, but it is rewarding and the dogs and cats really appreciate every second of attention you give them. That in itself makes it worth it. Maybe you can buy your partner an Astronaut's Space Suit on Ebay for his next birthday, and take a few dogs home!! ;) :D (Oh...BTW....trust me .....I'm no hero...I just have a heart....guess that's why I'm vegan). :)
Having been in the dog community (on line and off line) for many years I've seen these "designer" breed articles before..it is disgusting..people are paying $600+ for mutts..I guess stupid is as stupid does....Education is the best way..another thing that can help is when you see an article/tv show touting these mutts...call them, write them..give the media a bit of information of WHY designer breeds are a bad idea!
..I support COE breeders..breeders that chose their mates carefully, do health clearances, title their dogs and breed only a few litters in their (the person's) lifetimes. The dogs from these litters will never see a shelter..these breeders will ALWAYS take their dogs back no matter what.
I also support shelters and rescues.
I find it very disheartening when people buy a dog as a status symbol. It's like they forget it is a living, breathing creature. Dogs don't care if they are purebred or a mutt, why should people? Ungreen, I love your approach to educating people about shelters. I will have to try it! People should understand that by buying a dog from a pet store or breeder does not guarantee what type of dog it is. (I say this because I have heard people say they bought from a breeder as opposed to a shelter because they wanted a "smart, good dog." ) Whatever! Dogs are full of love, love them back and they are all good dogs!!!
Deuceo,
I agree with you 100%. I also believe that for every dog purchased from a breeder, there will be one less dog rescued from a shelter or rescue group. Maybe we should breed people with only blond hair and blue eyes.....I think that was Hitler's plan....that worked out well, did it not? Not for the unlucky un-blonds and those born to the so-called wrong religions...they were "put down". Innocent victims, not unlike the innocent victims in the shelters that are facing that very same fate.....today.
This thread reminds me of a friend of mine who lived in China years ago. She bought a puppy at a butchers market, who would have otherwise ended up in someone's stir-fry. Anyway, he was half shar-pei and half chow, and he was the coolest dog. He looked worried all the time :-\. He's what started me to thinking about being vegetarian; I wouldn't have gotten to know such a cool dog if it wasn't for my friend saving him from being butchered. I really have no idea if he was bred like that on purpose or what; maybe that mix makes some tasty meat.....ick, that grosses me out just thinking about those poor little puppies being eaten.
Maybe we should breed people with only blond hair and blue eyes.....I think that was Hitler's plan....that worked out well, did it not? Not for the unlucky un-blonds and those born to the so-called wrong religions...they were "put down".
And young Adolf himself was small and dark...dramatic irony bites like a rabid monkey...they should have euthanised him first...end of problem.
I'm sorry but putting COE Breeders on the same level as Hitler is ABSURD. Instead of wasting your breath trying to spread the word that all breeders are Hitler, you should expend your energy on spreading the word about spay/neuter, bybs, puppymillers and hobby breeders...THEY are the true problems.
If ALL breeders were COE (Code of Ethics for those who don't know) there would be fewer dogs in shelters and rescues. COE breeders only sell their dogs to the finest of homes,will take back any dog they sell for any reason...which is MORE than what I can say about my local shelter who will adopt to ANYONE with $105...
Oh, and by the way..the breeders that I know personally do not sell their dogs for any profit...any breeder who sells their dogs at a profit is NOT a COE breeder. COE breeders DO NOT breed for profit, they breed for betterment of the breed.
I was not trying to "flame" you in any way Majicka414! But I have to say.....ANYONE that breeds dogs can not promise that the dogs they breed will not end up "dumped", or end up in a shelter one day. If you want me to post pictures of all the "purebred" dogs I have saved that were "dumped", I will be more then happy to do so. Get the dogs out of the shelters first! I think that what has happened with dogs being "bred" for profit (COE included)....the sheer numbers...has added to to the amount of dogs killed everyday in our country. It has not helped....that's for sure........And yes, I do consider what happens to the dogs being killed today in shelters JUST as bad as what Hitler did. I myself, personally do. A human's life is worth no more than ANY life on this planet...not mine...not yours...even a dog's. Just my opinion. Oh BTW your quote: which is MORE than what I can say about my local shelter who will adopt to ANYONE with $105...
If nobody bred ANY dogs, would they have to adopt a dog for $105? The rescue groups I deal with are so demanding to a home, that they turn down probably over 75% of the applications they receive. Dogs are bred for one reason...profit....COE included. Better to spend your time at a "kill shelter" one day and see the COE dogs that end up there...they do. Trust me....i cry everyday about it...they do end up there when they chew up the couch....the "owner's just don't call the breeder to tell them! Every good rescue group, takes back a dog....no questions asked. Let me just add....the breeding of dogs...ANY dogs...COE, or puppy mills...does not help the dogs being put down everyday (over 11,000 per day in the U.S. alone)...it only hurts.....and to me...it hurts really bad.....
I wasn't trying to flame anyone on here either. I'm just disgusted that people pay $1,000 or more for these designer dogs and then treat them like an acessory to their outfit. For a long time, these "designer dogs" have been at local shelters but no one wanted them until celebrities started paying outrageous prices for them. Now people are paying for dogs that they could rescue. There are so many dogs (purebreds and mutts) wanting a good home at shelters. That's my point.
Your right..NO ONE can promise that their litters will not end up in shelters..THe breeders i know have their litters chipped/tattooed..When the chip is read the breeder is called...they will make arrangements to get their dogs...BUT they screen their applicants with such a fine toothed comb that the chances of their litters ending up in a shelter is very small..again there's no guarantee that they wont..
IMHO, spaying, neutering, educating about BYBs, hobby breeders and puppy millers will save WAY more shelter dogs than "Getting Rid of COE Breeders".
I work with quite a few rottweiler rescues and shelters and have seen some pretty disgusting abuse/neglect cases...and yes I have been to a kill shelter (one of my dogs is adopted from one). I see what goes on there..but the sad truth once again is if everyone spayed/neutered their animals, stopped going to BYBs/hobby breeders/puppy mills..the shelters wouldn't be overflowing.
Just to make myself clear..I DO NOT support breeding DESIGNER DOGS. I am talking about COE breeders who breed PUREBREEDS.
Again Dave..we will have to agree to disagree.
Yes we will (agree to not disagree)...for every dog purchased....another one dies...it's that simple..... :-X
yep, sometimes I wish I could be Paris Hiltons little chihuahua for one day so I could bite her nose off!!!! :P
I just had to add....it's only ABSURD when one feels human life is more important than an animal's life....it's just the way I think.....but...I'm an idiot! (and it's why I'm vegan....and you)?
I also feel that there are many here on VegWeb that agree with the way I personally think when it comes to buying a dog vs. rescuing one...maybe it's just me....but I don't think I'm the only one here that thinks the way I do here.......I think most here would pay $1000.00 to take a dog off of death row, than buy a dog for even $1.00 from a COE breeder....actually...I'm positive of it.
Agreed Davedrum. Sadly, there will always be somebody to buy the breeder dog. Where as you might be the only chance the rescue dog has.
Well you know what Dave..the beauty of living in this world is we are entitled to our own opinions, our own beliefs and our own ways of living..you continue your efforts to rescue dogs..I will continue mine to educate people about spay/neutering, educating them about the importance of going to a good COE breeder if they are chosing to go purebreed, staying away from BYBs, puppy mills and pet stores...as well as informing them there are some nice whatever breeds in rescues looking for home..AND if the only reason they are going for a purebreed to compete in AKC sporting (non-conformation) events they can get an ILP number on a rescue/shelter dog provided they look to be purebred. Oh and let me add my continuing work against BSL, un-chaining dogs etc etc etc.
Apparently I'm in league with Hitler. I support my friends who are COE breeders, I'm a member of an AKC/UKC Kennel Klub, I participate in AKC/UKC events with my Rottweiler and I'm on a list for a rottweiler puppy in the future so I can compete in AKC conformation.
Heil.
What if a COE breeder made a "designer" dog? Would that be ok?
What's a BYB? Have pity a poor foreigner...the only anagram I know of this is Bring Your (own) Bottle...
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