'Designer Dogs'-mix breeds with a BIG pricetag
nova_gw
17 years ago
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buyorsell888
17 years agolast modified: 9 years agoquirkyquercus
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Toygors and other foolishness
Comments (24)How is breeding a CKCS or a Doberman or a Golden Retriever any different than breeding for a cat that looks like a tiger? It is okay if it was done 50 to 100 years ago, but not now? The difference is that historically dogs were bred for a purpose and the breed evolved from that, not vice versa. Specific conditions in a particular country or area required a specific set of attributes for a dog to perform as a hunter in assisting his master in putting food on the table. For many people in many places the help of a good servicable hunting dog very often made the difference between a family having food or starving. A dog that helped hunt rabbits in a flat wooded terrain required a different structure than a dog that hunted badgers on rocky hillsides. Dogs that were physically better built for their specific task and terrain meant dogs that could hunt longer, faster, and with fewer injuries. Other breeds evolved from being bred to protect flock animals from very specific predators- yet others were developed specifically to perform a certain task like wagon pulling which requires a specific conformation. Many breeds were used to rid populated areas from human predators like wolves- a dog not physically suited to the task just wouldn't last long with such a powerful adversary- they needed special skills. And so on. Dogs around the world performed many different tasks for many different reasons, but in almost all cases they served to benefit mankind and make our lives easier for centuries long before being classified as a "breed". The Toy breeds in most cases are downsized versions of these older breeds- folks just chose the smaller ones as house pets and the breed evolved from that. Now once a breed wass established and we fast forward to current times, of course aesthetic considerations began to apply more and more. But for a dedicated breeder concerned only with further improving the breed, it is not pure aesthetics at all. It is a method of preserving those characteristics- both innate and external- that make a beloved breed what it is. If not for dedicated breeders many old breeds whose functions are no longer required in a modern society would have died out long ago, and many many of them have temperaments so special that losing them would have been a great shame. Cats are very different- they are bred purely for aesthetics, and with very few exceptions have not been developed to suit any purpose. Breeds are developed more with an eye towards commercial acceptance- something that looks odd or distinctive will sell better in a niche market than something that looks like an every day street cat. So I would say the largest distinction between cat breeds and dog breeds is that most dogs breeds were developed, or more correctly- evolved, to fill a need, while most cats breeds were developed more as whimsy. I see nothing particularly wrong with someone occasionally breeding a breed of cats that they love as long as homes are thoroughly screened and all pets spayed and neutered before leaving the breeder. I do draw a HUGE distinction between breeding to advance your breeding program via rigorous selection processes and selling the pets as opposed to breeding purely to sell kittens. Breeding for dollars is vile. With the state of shelters in this country I would expect anyone breeding anything to take a real and substantial interest in caring for the less fortunate animals. So in my view any cat breeder should also be heavily involved in trap and release programs, shelter support, public education and so on, just as I expect purebred dog breeders to be active in their own respective breed rescue programs....See MoreLet's play a game.....Give me 5!
Comments (114)Because it's fun! Because last year we had a Storyline thread going, where we made up a story. There were regular contributors on that one. To see what people know. (I was stuck on the museums) To see how long we run out of ideas to ask. Oh, oh, I did. To see if we can always come up with 5 answers. Name 5 places you've LIVED....See MoreDoes having a pet mean a smelly home?
Comments (74)I have two largish dogs (a mixed breed and a golden) and, yes, I do think my house sometimes smells like I have dogs. I clean, I wash linens and dog beds, use scents and odor neutralizers, have air purifiers (for allergies, really) etc., but at some point I think it's kind of inevitable. Like the tumbleweeds of golden retriever hair all over my house in the spring. ;) I also wanted to chime in and say that, when it comes to your home, there's more than just the potential for smell that you have to consider. For example, one of mine just broke a window jumping up and barking at a dog walking by on the sidewalk. The other recently put a big dent in the wall (with her hip) while wrestling with her "brother." These are kind of extreme examples (and I have young, high energy dogs), but, at least in my experience, it's inevitable that a pet will barf on your expensive rug or a dog will randomly decide to "dig" your new sofa, etc. (And yes, of course training is important, but they're still dogs and will sometimes act like it.) If you and your husband aren't prepared to let these things kind of roll off your back -- and it would be understandable if you weren't! -- I'm not sure a pet, dog or cat, is a good idea. Most of us make adjustments in our lives, one way or another, for our pets, and you'd have to figure out whether that's something you're interested in doing. A friend of mine has a really lovely standard poodle (from a great breeder), who doesn't shed. I don't want to get into the "designer dog" drama but I would strongly suggest that you do a lot of research before buying a purposely bred mixed breed dog (or buying any dog from anyone!). I have a rescue and a purebred from a fantastic breeder, and don't think either choice is right or wrong. Just be honest with yourself about your family's wants, needs and limitations are....See MoreCan you/the average person tell a puppy mill from a good breeder?
Comments (48)I came across this message board when I saw the reference to Mustardseed Ranch Doodles. I have no personal affiliation with them other than being an owner of one of their dogs, a beautiful 9 1/2 year old F1B Goldendoodle who is a healthy sweet dog who we treasure. I had researched breeders back in 2010 when we lost a Goldendoodle at the young age of 3 1/2 from a sudden heart problem which had not been identified by our vet. We had purchased it from a breeder who we later discovered was running a puppy mill. After that tragedy, we sought out a reputable breeder who was concerned with heart, hip and eye health and we discovered Mustard Seed. I put down a deposit in January 2011 when the litter was born and I was in touch with the owner, Wendi through the weeks of development. She sent us photos of the litter, each identified by collar color, a description of their temperaments (which pups played well with others, which were more dominant, which gravitated toward her own children, etc.). She sent us links to youtube videos on a special channel of the pups at play. We drove to Ohio from New York to pick out our pup at 5 weeks and the dog actually picked my son out, climbing up his leg, pushing the others away. We saw the home (lovely and clean), the larger pen set up in the house and had a wonderful visit. We arranged a delivery with a retired couple who drove our dog home to us at 8 weeks complete with a toy with the essence of the litter, a personalized blanket, food, treats, chip info, and complete vet and genealogy documents. Before they sent the dog to us, they had worked on housebreaking and they were very successful. Cassidy was and is a truly remarkable dog with the most gentle temperament and personality. As a F1B she doesn't shed but does need proper grooming every 4 to 6 weeks to keep an immaculate coat, free of matting. I loved our experiences with Mustard Seed and thank them for giving us the perfect dog!...See Morepkguy
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