ClarePhD

Clare, you ask why people choose breeds. How can you quantify someone's heart? ETA on 'designer' animals, please put that in parentheses. There is no design to sticking two unsuitable dog breeds together other than the desire to make money. Hi there, so far in my reading and research I have found that while a number of people do select dogs based on loving the breed or feelings that as you say they cannot quantify, that other factors also come into consideration. For example their living arrangements, family status, work commitments and so forth. Therefore that is the reason why I have asked the question in the survey. I hope that answers your question. As for your comment of designer animals, there are a number of perspectives that my research will seek to gather and present, hence why I am seeking the perspective of pedigree owners and breeders to balance out the debate. My survey is also being directed at people with designer animals to canvas the reasons why they selected these particular combinations. I have no interests or opinion on the matter outside of pure scientific curiosity, hence why I am conducting research on this topic. I hope that covers everything for you, and thanks for your contribution. Thanks for your replies, I on one hand was concerned my suspicions may have offended you, but on the other hand know from experience nothing offends a peta advocate. You will I suspect tend to find older generations are more than a bit gun-shy as they have seen this stealth campaign from its beginnings to today. the complete lack of compassion for those who love and have pets is bad enough but their record of destruction of any animals they get hold of let alone the plans for all breeds and species of animals in their sights is the scariest part. it is as if they not only detest their own species who have pets but any domesticated species as well. as for so called 'designer breeds', they are x breds there is no 'design' to be found in crossing some breeds, feel sorry in particular for so many of the poor oodles. they need the same grooming and care as a purebred poodle , except many lack the correct poodle single coat of the purebred, the correct coat and texture is quite resistant to matting, many tend to have to also inherited the soft fluffy undercoat as well and suffer the resulting matting and horrific felting so loved by the publications for shocking the general public. a friend come home with the cutest boxer x kelpie, if the breeder thought that design was a good one I knew without even asking this cutie was going to grow into and incredibly active perpetual puppy with a strength no kelpie ever had and a tail that could kneecap an adult. lovable absolutely. kids flying like tenpins? absolutely. not a plant left in the yard? absolutely. the first 2 years were a nightmare but unlike many owners of such a high energy behemoth they stuck it out, many pups aren't so lucky and end up dumped or surrendered. she was lucky. as well the whole idea of the non shedding coat is lost in the next cross, well unless the other parent is again a purebred poodle, a percentage shed anyway and as for crossing the resulting oodles even if neither oodle parent sheds 2/3rds of the puppies will miss out on the non shedding gene and oops will not be any use in preventing allergic reactions to those who need a non shedding pet. as Rob Zammit pointed out so long ago as he had that cute little Malti tzu or was it malti oodle? any way it had inherited a combination of structural faults from its contributing parents. designer parents need to be conformation sound too or the puppies still inherit malaccluded teeth, navel and or inguinal hernias, luxating patella, hip displacia, even deafness and dry eye to name a few of the bonus genes that can come if the parents arent checked for freedom for these just as thoughly as any potential parent of any breed or cross. Hi there, no you have not offended me at all. I am happy to answer any concerns or queries anyone may have, it is a key part of my job as researcher. Let me just reiterate again though that I am in no way, shape or form associated with PETA or any other animal rights groups. I love dogs. I have had dogs my whole life, I have dogs currently and I hope to share my life with many more wonderful dogs in the future. This research is in no way intended to alter the current state of pet ownership in this country. Rather, I am interested in how our lifestyles and the changes in our urban environment may be altering the human and dog relationship on a mirco level and how we as humans can ensure we are providing adequate care and welfare for our animals. I hope this work could one day have positive outcomes for dogs and dog owners as well as councils who manage domestic pets and State and Federal Governments. At this stage I can of course not predict the outcomes of the data, however let me reassure you all it will in no way be used to suggest that pets are something that human beings should not continue to have. On the matter of designer dogs or cross breeds, thankyou for your input and ideas. These are exactly the perspectives I am interested in hearing about so they are extremely valuable to my research. This is exactly why I had decided to post on this forum, to hear a range of opinions about these changes in breeding. So thankyou once again. If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to ask. I hope we can all have an open and transparent dialogue about these issues. Apologies for the very long quote. Where do you stand on dog breeding? An abrupt question but an important one. Sorry I don't think I replied to this correctly the first time, I will just re-post the response: Hi there, thank you for your question, it is a very important one. As a researcher, I am expected to stay as neutral as possible on a number of issues, to let my research speak for itself. This includes not jumping to conclusions on certain issues. However, on a personal level I am definitely not anti-dog breeding, but like many others, I believe there are ways to improve the practice in the best interests of the health and well-being of dogs as well as educating the public on the right and wrong places to purchase young puppies. I am also a great believer in rescuing dogs when and where possible, which I'm sure is also supported within the breeding community, as I am sure we are all concerned about the welfare of the most vulnerable dogs in the community. I hope this answers your question.

Apologies for the very long quote. Where do you stand on dog breeding? An abrupt question but an important one. Hi there, thank you for your question, it is a very important one. As a researcher, I am expected to stay as neutral as possible on a number of issues, to let my research speak for itself. This includes not jumping to conclusions on certain issues. However, on a personal level I am definitely not anti-dog breeding, but like many others, I believe there are ways to improve the practice in the best interests of the health and well-being of dogs as well as educating the public on the right and wrong places to purchase young puppies. I am also a great believer in rescuing dogs when and where possible, which I'm sure is also supported within the breeding community, as I am sure we are all concerned about the welfare of the most vulnerable dogs in the community. I hope this answers your question.

Hi there, and thankyou for your comment. I completely understand your concern, and this is a problem that many researchers in many fields experience when their work is taken out of context by a external party. It can be unfortunately, something that is unavoidable when academic research is placed in the public domain. In saying that, I am hoping, without assuming of course, that my research will highlight the inseparable relationship humans have with dogs, which would undermine any claim they could make based off my research. I hope this answers your question.

Thank you very much for taking part! Your input will be extremely beneficial :)

Clare, you ask why people choose breeds. How can you quantify someone's heart? ETA on 'designer' animals, please put that in parentheses. There is no design to sticking two unsuitable dog breeds together other than the desire to make money. Hi there, so far in my reading and research I have found that while a number of people do select dogs based on loving the breed or feelings that as you say they cannot quantify, that other factors also come into consideration. For example their living arrangements, family status, work commitments and so forth. Therefore that is the reason why I have asked the question in the survey. I hope that answers your question. As for your comment of designer animals, there are a number of perspectives that my research will seek to gather and present, hence why I am seeking the perspective of pedigree owners and breeders to balance out the debate. My survey is also being directed at people with designer animals to canvas the reasons why they selected these particular combinations. I have no interests or opinion on the matter outside of pure scientific curiosity, hence why I am conducting research on this topic. I hope that covers everything for you, and thanks for your contribution. Thanks for your replies, I on one hand was concerned my suspicions may have offended you, but on the other hand know from experience nothing offends a peta advocate. You will I suspect tend to find older generations are more than a bit gun-shy as they have seen this stealth campaign from its beginnings to today. the complete lack of compassion for those who love and have pets is bad enough but their record of destruction of any animals they get hold of let alone the plans for all breeds and species of animals in their sights is the scariest part. it is as if they not only detest their own species who have pets but any domesticated species as well. as for so called 'designer breeds', they are x breds there is no 'design' to be found in crossing some breeds, feel sorry in particular for so many of the poor oodles. they need the same grooming and care as a purebred poodle , except many lack the correct poodle single coat of the purebred, the correct coat and texture is quite resistant to matting, many tend to have to also inherited the soft fluffy undercoat as well and suffer the resulting matting and horrific felting so loved by the publications for shocking the general public. a friend come home with the cutest boxer x kelpie, if the breeder thought that design was a good one I knew without even asking this cutie was going to grow into and incredibly active perpetual puppy with a strength no kelpie ever had and a tail that could kneecap an adult. lovable absolutely. kids flying like tenpins? absolutely. not a plant left in the yard? absolutely. the first 2 years were a nightmare but unlike many owners of such a high energy behemoth they stuck it out, many pups aren't so lucky and end up dumped or surrendered. she was lucky. as well the whole idea of the non shedding coat is lost in the next cross, well unless the other parent is again a purebred poodle, a percentage shed anyway and as for crossing the resulting oodles even if neither oodle parent sheds 2/3rds of the puppies will miss out on the non shedding gene and oops will not be any use in preventing allergic reactions to those who need a non shedding pet. as Rob Zammit pointed out so long ago as he had that cute little Malti tzu or was it malti oodle? any way it had inherited a combination of structural faults from its contributing parents. designer parents need to be conformation sound too or the puppies still inherit malaccluded teeth, navel and or inguinal hernias, luxating patella, hip displacia, even deafness and dry eye to name a few of the bonus genes that can come if the parents arent checked for freedom for these just as thoughly as any potential parent of any breed or cross. Hi there, no you have not offended me at all. I am happy to answer any concerns or queries anyone may have, it is a key part of my job as researcher. Let me just reiterate again though that I am in no way, shape or form associated with PETA or any other animal rights groups. I love dogs. I have had dogs my whole life, I have dogs currently and I hope to share my life with many more wonderful dogs in the future. This research is in no way intended to alter the current state of pet ownership in this country. Rather, I am interested in how our lifestyles and the changes in our urban environment may be altering the human and dog relationship on a mirco level and how we as humans can ensure we are providing adequate care and welfare for our animals. I hope this work could one day have positive outcomes for dogs and dog owners as well as councils who manage domestic pets and State and Federal Governments. At this stage I can of course not predict the outcomes of the data, however let me reassure you all it will in no way be used to suggest that pets are something that human beings should not continue to have. On the matter of designer dogs or cross breeds, thankyou for your input and ideas. These are exactly the perspectives I am interested in hearing about so they are extremely valuable to my research. This is exactly why I had decided to post on this forum, to hear a range of opinions about these changes in breeding. So thankyou once again. If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to ask. I hope we can all have an open and transparent dialogue about these issues.

Clare, you ask why people choose breeds. How can you quantify someone's heart? ETA on 'designer' animals, please put that in parentheses. There is no design to sticking two unsuitable dog breeds together other than the desire to make money. Hi there, so far in my reading and research I have found that while a number of people do select dogs based on loving the breed or feelings that as you say they cannot quantify, that other factors also come into consideration. For example their living arrangements, family status, work commitments and so forth. Therefore that is the reason why I have asked the question in the survey. I hope that answers your question. As for your comment of designer animals, there are a number of perspectives that my research will seek to gather and present, hence why I am seeking the perspective of pedigree owners and breeders to balance out the debate. My survey is also being directed at people with designer animals to canvas the reasons why they selected these particular combinations. I have no interests or opinion on the matter outside of pure scientific curiosity, hence why I am conducting research on this topic. I hope that covers everything for you, and thanks for your contribution.

Clare, the terms like 'guardian' haven't yet got into the legal system... either in the US or here. But animal rights groups (not animal welfare groups), some with a lot of clout, are advocating for it. And in this age of globalisation, those groups have a presence/influence in Australia, too. I know you're busy with your PhD but take time to just dip into that article on the AVMA website. It will help you tune into the reasons that pet owners are concerned. And, even tho' your study is at the micro-level of care ....& you have strict limitations on what you mean by 'caretakership', there's an understandable concern that the field of study is innocently normalising the term for picking up & use by animal rights groups. Which is why I like the idea of a disclaimer... that it's being used with no connection to pets being property or not. I will most certainly take the time to have a read of that article. Thank you for your suggestion

Clare, thank you for posting to clarify your position. You are right that the first thing for any academic paper, is to define the terms which will be used. And it is customary to link those terms/definitions with what is commonly used in that particular field of study. You appear to be using 'caretakership' to cover whatever someone who has an animal in their care (for whatever reason) does, to care for that animal's health & welfare. However, in another field, the legal system, the terms used for 'pets' have huge significance in what determines who has the power to intervene in their care. Read the link to the article by the counsel for the US Animal Health Institute which is endorsed by the American Veterinary Medicine Association. Any terms that appear to leap over 'ownership' raise alarm bells for both pet owners & veterinarians. Which has happened in this thread. (BTW I have no problem with the term 'companion dog' to describe the role that dog plays in people's lives. It's on a par with 'working dog' IMO. It's benign in suggesting anything about 'ownership' or 'guardianship' or 'caretakership'.) I'd say (just my opinion) that an academic survey which is looking at the relationship of people with their pet dogs, cannot overlook the fact that a significant part of that relationship is how the person sees they 'own' that dog. With a huge sense of personal responsibility coming from that. So how the terms are defined in the legal process are of great significance to pet dog owners. While 'caretakership' in one academic discipline, might just be concerned with actual caring actions.... in the legal system, it can say something else of great importance about the relationship between pets & people. Best wishes with your study. Excellent point. Certainly many people would see themselves as caretakers AND owners in the sense that they both own and care for their pets, but the terminology here is important because, as we have seen, when viewed through the perspective of animal rights, the term has a completely different implication, given the long term plan for PETA is the elimination of all human-animal relationships it is no real surprise that people here are loathe to associate themselves with it. I'm not really sure why the term pet has gone out of fashion, I think the term companion animal originally was coined to differentiate a pet from a working animal or livestock, probably as mita says, for legal reasons and to perhaps give them more weight/value. And certainly it is easy to see how the term caretaker has come about as not all people who care for animals are the owners, for example agistment and kennel owners care for animals and have obligations under the law regarding that so that is why the term more broadly applies to those who care for animals and is appropriate in an academic context, doesn't negate the social and philosophical context though. Might be easier to just chuck in every term and cover all bases although it's not very scientific :laugh: Thank you both for your contribution. I will certainly be mindful of the terminological distinctions in a legalistic sense when conducting my research. It might even be a possible avenue of exploration in and of itself. However, my research is drawing upon a particular disciplinary perspective that uses the term caretakership. Whilst in a strict legalistic sense there might be differences in the United States in terms of intervention powers, my research is specifically focused on micro human/dog relationships in a changing socio-economic world. I certainly respect your perspective, however, and really value your contribution towards this discussion.

Hello everyone, Just to clarify a few things to those who may have concerns about this research and the terminology used in the title of the survey. Firstly, the term animal caretaker or animal caretakership is one that has become broadly used in animal studies and anthrozoological based literature, as well as the term animal companion as opposed to pet. The term has not been used in this instance to suggest you do not legally own your dog or to delegitimize the relationship you have with your dog. I understand that everyone prefers different terms to describe the human dog relationship, however either way, both terms place obligations on the owners or caretakers to take responsibility to care for their dog and satisfy their needs Secondly, I am not in any way either personally or professionally associated with PETA or any other animal rights based organisation. As a researcher it is my job to be impartial and explore and consider a range of viewpoints on this issue. Thirdly, to clarify the purpose of the survey and the broader research, perhaps I should have gone into more depth before posting and in the Participant Information Statement. I am conducting my doctoral thesis at La Trobe University in Melbourne and the survey data will exclusively be used by myself in my thesis, within conferences and journal articles. It will not be sourced to any other external organisation. The overall purpose of my research is to explore if, how and why human and dog relations may be changing in contemporary Victoria. I am focusing on things such as changes in humans lifestyles and how this may be contributing to what dogs we select to be our companions. I will be analysing the greater emphasis on animal adoption, changes in breed popularity and the emergence of designer animals, amongst other things. This survey and this post was, and is in no way meant to offend anyone or cause any mistrust or anger. Dogs are something I too am very passionate about which is why I have decided to dedicate my thesis to this topic. I hope this has given you some greater clarity on my work. Thanks for your time and to those who may have already completed the survey.

Hello Members of Dogz Online! I would like to invite members located in Victoria to participate in a research survey concerning human/dog relations in Urban Victoria. Do have one or more companion dogs? Do you love telling people all about your dog? Do you live in Metropolitan Melbourne and are over the age of 18? Yes, yes and yes! Then this is the survey for you! Your participation in this survey will contribute to a study being undertaken within La Trobe University’s Social Sciences Department about dog caretakership in urban Victoria. This survey features questions about the type of dog or dogs you own, where you acquired them and how they fit in with your lifestyle. The survey should take around fifteen to twenty minutes to complete and will contribute to a broader study surrounding issues regarding companion dog breeding, adoption and welfare in the state. Follow the link below and please share with all of your dog loving friends! https://qtrial2016q2.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3BNimsNgyZVKNnv