I Am Not A Snob -

[Squidgy]

I think it is important to remember that there are good and bad breeders of pedigree, cross- breeds and mutts.

To me all dogs are equal and they all deserve an equal chance in life.

I agree. I think this debate can swing both ways really. Some (not all) crossbreed or mutt owners may look down their nose at pedigree dogs for a reason whilst some pedigree owners will look down their noses at pound, byb and petshop dogs for their stated reasons. Everyone is different and everyone has the right to purchase their dogs where they want. I think there probably always has and always will be stereotypes about these things and nothing much will change that.

myself and my family have nearly always had pedigree ankc dogs except for the few mutts and mongrels here and there that made us melt lol

I don't believe necessarily that one dog bred is another one killed so to speak either as people choose dogs for a certain reason or lifestyle not every pound dog is going to be saved even if they put a stop on all dog breeding it just doesnt work that way im afraid. Its organisations like that , that turn people off rescueing and adopting

I know that rescues have to be placed in a good home etc etc but the interogation that some places give people is shocking

[RuralPug]

All good points Liz T.

I think there's another dynamic at play too - most average families these days desex their pets - that message is getting through. So the days of getting a pup from your neighbour down the street and from a bitch you probably knew are gone.

So with pups, the sources are now the breeders for profit, the irresponsible/negilent, rescue (but not that many baby puppies are around) and ANKC breeders. And no folks, I don't think that they are three distinct and non-overlapping groups.

So if a responsibly bred, carefully raised pup is what you are after then the sources of those pups are narrowing constantly and generally in the direction of the ANKC.

Rescue is a good source of adult dogs but pups, not as much, particularly if you don't fancy making up for lost time, careless breeding and poor nuturing.

The money argument largely doesn't wash with me. Its a matter of priorities for many folk. I don't have a McMansion, Foxtel, a play station, a brand new car or go on expensive holidays. I've seen plenty of "just a dog" buyers who quibble over purchase prices on pups but don't stint on themselves.

All good points in this response post too, HW.

Geez I think I'll have to move to ACT if the average family there desexes their pets. First state in Australia to have the message sunk in widely then ... hope the others follow soon. Rescues there must have very low vet costs if they rarely need to desex o wouldn't it be luvverly...

Personally I don't consider myself a snob for owning and showing pedigrees, especially since pet shop mutts can cost thousands more than thoughtfully bred pedigreed dogs. And rather than thinking any other group of dog owners is not up to par (e.g. those who buy from puppy farmers or pet shops) I prefer to think that they just need educating ... I don't really care whether they want purebred, cross or mutt I just care that they don't end up funding pfs and BYBs who breed for $$$ only without health care etc.

Most of my rescues are mutts BTW.

[nawnim]

Until about four years ago I always owned purbred dogs (boxers), but then when my beautiful old dog died from cancer I was looking for another dog. I decided against a boxer because of the health issues and their size and I did research for a breed that would meet my needs and I couldn't find one. I wanted a short haired small to medium dog suitable for a suburban block, and with a golden retriever temperament. I couldn't find anything suitable. Perhaps this is why oodles are so popular because people are looking for a smaller labrador or a more robust family orientated poodle. Time for another breed?

I ended up with what I refer to as an RSPCA special which I fell in love with the moment our eyes met. :laugh: So much for my research. She has long hair and health issues.

Edited to add I think the breed of dog that people choose tells a lot about their personalities and some people are snobs and they will choose dogs for this reason.

Also people who have been around dogs for a long time become connoisseurs of dogs and only a finely bred dog will come up to their standards.

Edited May 18, 2012 by padraic

[m-sass]

I think the strongest snobbery will probably reflect in those that feel the need to have the latest of whatever is new and trendy be it an Ipad or dare I say it "Labradoodle", "Cavoodle" or 'rare blue' breed.

I have found the "greatest" snobbery comes from owners of unrecognised breeds like the "oodles" etc and some farm brew working dogs also where they think what they have by breed mix is special where in reality they are just another BYB mutt. :laugh: I know someone who has 2 Golden Retriever x Standard Poodles who thinks the breed mix is special in a snobbery fashion which is a joke really, her dogs look "nothing" alike where the breed mix is so special in consistancy from a visual appearance it's hard to see much resemblence between the 2 dogs, one is also quite drivey the other quite flat, in this instance, what does this breed mix offer in terms of appearance and drive level........who knows??

As far as rescues and BYB's go, many owners I know of these types of dogs assume I am a snob owning purebreeds because of the cost difference to buy them, many rescue and BYB owners over the years have called me a fool for paying $1000+ for a dog when I can get one for a fraction of the cost from rescue or the Trading Post?. Whilst cost is not the determining factor for everyone who chooses rescue or BYB, cost has been the primary factor for most I know personally who don't buy pure breed dogs where $1000+ is too much outlay for "just a dog", even though many I know can easily afford it, they just won't pay the amount of money required for a good pedigree breeding

Edited May 19, 2012 by m-sass

[mita]

If you've got good objective reasons why you own a purebred .....then it's not snobbery. It's all about the dog.

Snobbery is when you feel it makes you more special than others...because you own this dog. It's all about you.

Edited May 19, 2012 by mita

[raineth]

Bit OT: there are usually puppies in the pound where we live.

I myself have fostered I *think* five puppies from the pound.

I worked really hard to socialise them really well (neutral and positive values to the appropriate things), and they had wonderful temperaments. And no I'm not exaggerating. They were lovely confident and even-tempered puppies that took to all their new experiences like ducks to water.

I have had really positive feedback from their owners. So it is possible to get a puppy from rescue that isn't carrying a temperament/socialisation burden from its dodgy origins.

Just wanted to get it out there in case people are interested in adopting puppies from rescue.

[HazyWal]

If you've got good objective reasons why you own a purebred .....then it's not snobbery. It's all about the dog.

Snobbery is when you feel it makes you more special than others...because you own this dog. It's all about you.

Great post Mita.I have two purebred dogs that are looked poorly at by the general public. Beleive me walking them is a constant battle of ill informed people who say the most hideous things about my greyhounds.I am the furtherest thing from a snob even though I own one of the purest breeds.

[Salukifan]

Bit OT: there are usually puppies in the pound where we live.

I myself have fostered I *think* five puppies from the pound.

I worked really hard to socialise them really well (neutral and positive values to the appropriate things), and they had wonderful temperaments. And no I'm not exaggerating. They were lovely confident and even-tempered puppies that took to all their new experiences like ducks to water.

I have had really positive feedback from their owners. So it is possible to get a puppy from rescue that isn't carrying a temperament/socialisation burden from its dodgy origins.

Just wanted to get it out there in case people are interested in adopting puppies from rescue.

Point taken.

But I REFUSE to buy a pup that's been desexed already. It may be in the best interests of dog welfare generally but in my view it is NOT in the best interests of the individual dogs

[raineth]

Bit OT: there are usually puppies in the pound where we live.

I myself have fostered I *think* five puppies from the pound.

I worked really hard to socialise them really well (neutral and positive values to the appropriate things), and they had wonderful temperaments. And no I'm not exaggerating. They were lovely confident and even-tempered puppies that took to all their new experiences like ducks to water.

I have had really positive feedback from their owners. So it is possible to get a puppy from rescue that isn't carrying a temperament/socialisation burden from its dodgy origins.

Just wanted to get it out there in case people are interested in adopting puppies from rescue.

Point taken.

But I REFUSE to buy a pup that's been desexed already. It may be in the best interests of dog welfare generally but in my view it is NOT in the best interests of the individual dogs

I really do understand where you're coming from about that. I guess sometimes there is just no perfect solution.

and I don't at all have a problem with people preferring pedigree over rescue or vice versa :) I'm honestly just so happy when anyone makes the choice to either go resposnible rescue or responsible breeder!

[voloclydes]

i do in a way agree that the pure bred dog owners can be snobie... because you have a very rigid mind set on what makes a responsible owner. as applied to enquiring puppie owners...

i found in my personal experience... there were about 100 boxes to tick and one or two non ticks are all you needed to count you out.

as some one who came from farming back ground where breeding working dogs are part of life, who's family took care of any unwanted puppies personally to be labeled a nasty byb... who should be throw out is a bit harsh... for a dog forum. where not one of you know me persoally.

[WExtremeG]

I think I may fall into the snob catorgory... I prefer my animals to be from reputable registered breeders, than some byb wanker out to make some quick sad cash...

Edit* with that said, I don't qualify farmers as bybs as they breed to deliver a purpose....though they, like others, breed first for themselves, and then for others.

Edited May 20, 2012 by F11

[moosmum]

i do in a way agree that the pure bred dog owners can be snobie... because you have a very rigid mind set on what makes a responsible owner. as applied to enquiring puppie owners...

i found in my personal experience... there were about 100 boxes to tick and one or two non ticks are all you needed to count you out.

as some one who came from farming back ground where breeding working dogs are part of life, who's family took care of any unwanted puppies personally to be labeled a nasty byb... who should be throw out is a bit harsh... for a dog forum. where not one of you know me persoally.

This. Stereo typing and generalisation works both ways.

I produce working dogs.Cross bred and unregistered.Many are excelling in their field,which is one neglected by many breeders and I know of no other specialising for their qualities.

I breed for a demand,not often.I have a waiting list for pups,many repeat buyers and often those willing to take older dogs.I do things to ensure the best of homes that many registered breeders only pay lip service to.I have great admiration for pedigree breeders who work towards producing the best dogs possible,but they aren't able to produce dogs that will do the job my own can,with the degree of reliability my own can.If they did,I would not be doing this.

I hardly think all pedigree breeders are snobs.I would have prefered to be among their ranks,or just able to reliably buy from them.Instead,there is a lot of vilification and broad generalised false hoods tolerated or encouraged on DOL that reinforces the idea of pedigree breeders being snobs.Usually from just a few but when no defence is tolerated or even permitted,your going to get fall out.

[Greytmate]

i do in a way agree that the pure bred dog owners can be snobie... because you have a very rigid mind set on what makes a responsible owner. as applied to enquiring puppie owners...

That's not being snobby. It's doing what you can to reduce the chances of a dog you sell being amongst the thousands of dogs dumped every year in Australia.

It is risk management. Studies have been done as to why people dump dogs, and so those reasons are analysed and taken into account by many breeders/rescuers when they decide who to sell to. When breeders/rescuers are discerning about where they place dogs, it isn't really about superiority, it is about dog welfare.

Being rigid about it means that a breeder is at least being consistent, and is considering the dog instead of being swayed by personality of potential owner. If they are choosing new owners purely based on personality and appearances instead of having a criteria, then they could be accused of snobbiness. But what you describe is a technique used to avoid problems, and not used to judge people.

[Salukifan]

Doesn't matter how many ways you present a stick on this forum. There will always be some who grab the wrong end, impale themselves and blame you for it. I started this thread to express my frustration at being written off as sone kind of social climber because I choose to own pedigreed dogs. How that has been interpreted as an indictment of working dog breeders or indeed of any breeder here beats me.

I give up

Edited May 20, 2012 by Haredown Whippets

[Alyosha]

HW would you like a lend of my portable brick wall? It comes in very handy for banging one's head against.

[Salukifan]

HW would you like a lend of my portable brick wall? It comes in very handy for banging one's head against.

I think Espinay needs it over in the FIFO worker thread first.

[espinay2]

HW would you like a lend of my portable brick wall? It comes in very handy for banging one's head against.

I think Espinay needs it over in the FIFO worker thread first.

I am sure there will be room for both of us.....

[tdierikx]

Doesn't matter how many ways you present a stick on this forum. There will always be some who grab the wrong end, impale themselves and blame you for it. I started this thread to express my frustration at being written off as sone kind of social climber because I choose to own pedigreed dogs. How that has been interpreted as an indictment of working dog breeders or indeed of any breeder here beats me.

I give up

Unfortunately there will always be others who may have differing opinions to what is posted to start a thread on an internet forum - and by starting that thread, you are (maybe not consciously) inviting them to espouse said opinions... then of course, like all great forum threads, there will be the inevitable sidetracks and derailings... *grin*

T.

[Kajtek]

Let's look at the definition (dictionary.com):

"a person who strives to associate with those of higher social status and who behaves condescendingly to others"

I think the bolded part says it all.

[mita]

I started this thread to express my frustration at being written off as sone kind of social climber because I choose to own pedigreed dogs.

The people who think you're a snob , or a social climber, for owning a pedigree dog, often have wrong ideas about pedigree dogs. Like, the purebreds must be some kind of 'trophy' item, which costs more....and you own one so you'll look more special than other less-discerning folk.

In other words....they know nothing about the objective reasons why you choose purebred dogs. So they go straight to the misconceptions about 'social status'.

As many people have posted....most owners of purebreds can list valid reasons about the dogs that led to their choice. These reasons have been listed in posts, up to now. So it'd be boring to repeat them.

But those reasons should be told to folk who have the wrong idea that purebred dog ownership must be about social status....& one means by which some people can look down on others. Like the prestige car or the designer handbag.

The answer is better public relations about purebred dogs and their ownership. Lots of us do that, in everyday life, as we meet people in public with our purebreds.

I've often posted that I'm forever meeting people who don't even know that 'pet people' can buy dogs from breeders who 'show'. They believe that these purebreds are for 'show' purposes only. Bit like a designer handbag with prestigious label 'on show'. Kind of belonging to the richer and more famous. :)

Which couldn't be further from the truth. It's not just the 'appearance' of purebreds that's a factor in choice, but also the welfare benefits to the dogs....when experienced registered breeders follow 'good' practices relating to health, temperament, socialisation and homing support.

Edited May 20, 2012 by mita