How Do We Go About Changing Perception?

[Pretty Miss Emma]

A friend asked me the other day for recommendations of breeders to speak to in regards to her boyfriend getting a new pup. The boyfriend is the one contacting the breeders recommended and doing a bit of homework. But she said something when we were talking about this that made me wonder about the perceptions people have of breeders of pedigree dogs and what can be done to change the perception. The thing she said was "but he just wants a pet, he doesn't want to show it or breed or anything". And it just made me think about how people looking for a pet percieve the pedigree dog world.

How do we change the perception that pedigree dogs are "show dogs"? This friend is quite well educated and I believe she is quite sensible, and she has this perception (and she knows I have pedigree dogs who are primarily pets). It did make me wonder if this is why some people turn to other avenues to get puppies, because they don't want a show dog.

[Dame Aussie]

I'd agree that this is very common. I'm not sure how we go about changing perceptions though, other than educating people we know.

[mita]

Yes, I've heard it so many times. Many pet people think that 'show' breeders only sell puppies to other 'show' people. They're surprised to find out it's not so.

[kelpiecuddles]

I always thought that if you could get some responsible breeders in cahoots with pet supply stores that don't sell animals and have some video running of their recent litters and a little blurb from the breeder talking about what sort of people their breed suits, etc, etc and have fliers available for various breed groups and canine council, etc that could make them feel more accessible. It wouldn't change anything from the breeders end, potential owners would still be vetted the same, etc but it would make the registered breeder seem more aproachable than many people currently feel they are. Even better if you could get some sort of system going where rescues can use the service as well, it would tackle the problem from multiple angles then. Multiple screens maybe or a selectable touch screen with links to clips from registered breeders of many breeds so people could use breed selector tools and then learn a bit more about possible fits from the people that know the breed best.

[W Sibs]

It's interesting because most breeders I've spoken too rather sell pups to pet homes than show homes...

[Christina]

It is a common perception & the RSPCA advice sheet on pedigree dogs is devastating & would put anyone off buying a pedigree or purebred dog. I was shocked when someone told me to look at it. Its a place many people would check too or google for info.

The canine associations need to be more active promoting dogs like the cat associations.

Here in SA the cat fancy have an ad in the Sunday paper giving the where, times & days of shows & their own phone number for people to call for info & advice on pedigree cats. It would be nice if the dog fancy would do the same. An ad is only about $18.

[Alkhe]

I used to be in this camp too, despite our first two family pets having been pedigree dogs. I had never met any other pedigree dogs, so it never occurred to me that they weren't NOT show dogs - and one friend's attempt to convince me that it was terrible to have gone to a backyard breeder was completely futile, because continually using the term "backyard breeder" to someone who has no idea what that is, and why it's bad, is about as beneficial as telling someone they shouldn't have bought a red car because it's "red!!! Don't you see? Your car is red!! You should've got blue, why'd you get red?". It's kind of meaningless if you can't explain WHY.

I have certainly convinced a few people to go to registered breeders by showing the difference between registered breeders' attitudes to their dogs, than other websites etc that disguise what can only be breeding factories or random matings to sell to online buyers. As individuals, word of mouth and actually speaking to people, using your own dogs as ambassadors for their breed and registered breeders over BYBs is the best thing, imo.

I'm not sure that I have much faith in canine associations' capacity to change this, because if people aren't aware them or don't care, and don't care about dog showing or breeding, representatives of those things aren't going to mean anything to them. That may change, but by and large, people respect and seek out the opinions of people and organisations whose opinions they respect and value. If you're coming from a low base or are an organisation that isn't even on the radar for most people, representing something they have no interest in or experience with, you're at an immediate disadvantage.

Edited July 26, 2013 by Alkhe

[Trisven13]

I've had a recent puppy enquiry from someone who was really concerned that if they got a pup from me they would be expected to show it. Never occurred to me that people would think that until this enquiry.

[Dogsfevr]

I can honestly say we have never had anyone says this ,the only time the word shows comes up is when they say they just want a family desexed pet .

The biggest issue we have have is how impatient puppy buyers are becoming & them expecting breeders to have pups all the time ready just for them .

We find educating people to buy the right pup for life is often the hardest concept to get through

[kelpiecuddles]

We recently had some labrador pups come through work, twice people asked if they had hip scores, etc and we explained that they were backyard bred and therefore didn't have them. One of the guys actually said, "So how do we get one with scores if we only want a pet then?" Cue explanation that registered breeders sell to pet homes too. Enlightened, he left, hopefully to go and research registered breeders.

I'm sure it's not super common but maybe more common than breeders realise because those people simply never make it to the point of being able to ask the question of the right person who will explain it to them.

[Guest donatella]

I have a friend who wants a cross breed because that way she gets the best of 2 breeds in one dog. I'm working on her lol

[Kirislin]

Or often they think their dog is extra special because its parents have got Australian champion on their pedigree. There's a woman at the park with a big rambuctious Golden Retriever that she refuses to desex because she believes he's a valuable stud dog, because his parents were Australian Champions. She doesn't show, but seems to think that he is better than all the other dogs at the park because he's a pedigree.

I often talk to pet people who waffle on about their dogs' parents being "show dogs"

My whippets have Australian, US, UK and European Champions all through their pedigrees, but they're all still just pets.

[tdierikx]

If we have any pure dogs/pups in our rescue, it's amazing how many enquiries we get for them. People DO want purebreeds... but some are of the perception that breeders "charge too much"...

It's amazing how many times we'll be asked if our rescue dogs have testing scores for whatever is tested for in that breed - and we usually point those people towards registered breeders to source a pet from, explaining that rescue dogs are generally what you see is what you get, but registered breeders can give many more guarantees about long term health and temperament because they actually carefully select their breeding lines for those specific traits. We have convinced quite a few people that the price of a registered pedigree dog/pup is a very worthwhile "investment" when factoring in possible long term costs - and you know EXACTLY what you are getting from them.

What really gets my goat is those from either "camp" (pure or mixed) that slag off the other's dogs as being "inferior"... many people have mixed breed dogs that don't have any health or temperament issues, and there are those who have purebreeds that do have issues. Carefully selecting the individual dog for your family/lifestyle is more likely to land you a great family pet - regardless where you source it from.

That said, I'm very naughty when it comes to pet shops and seeing people considering buying anything from a glass enclosure - I quietly let them know the possible conditions those pups were born in, lack of proper socialisation from spending their critical learning periods being tapped at through the glass, the fact that they only come with their first shot (regardless of age at time of sale), etc... glad to say that I haven't seen anyone I've spoken to actually go in and buy a pup... *grin*

T.

[D'smum]

It cant be the price difference putting people off. I've met clients that have spent $1400 on a "purebred" schnoodle from pets parasites. And the backyarders are calling themselves "registered" breeders because the dogs are registered with council. I think it confuses a lot of people.

[Kirislin]

I think sometimes it's a form of snobbery. Some pet people who buy pedigree dogs think that their dogs are better than non peds, and often the people who buy non peds also think, I only want a pet, only people who are "up themselves" buy pedigrees.

[Sue & Waldo]

I have used the concept of understanding a dog's genetic history rather than "pedigree" with a couple people recently and they both grasped it clearly. Neither are considering doodles now.

[dragonwoman]

I have used the concept of understanding a dog's genetic history rather than "pedigree" with a couple people recently and they both grasped it clearly. Neither are considering doodles now.

Yes, you "know where it's come from"

[Adnil444]

This is in interesting topic. When my family purchased our great danes and mini schnauzer over the years, we advised the breeder that we were after a pet and we were not going to show or breed, and advised the breeders to pick out a puppy that was suitable for our situation.

I don't regard breeders as you only go to one if you want a show dog. I look at (responsible) breeders as a place to get the type of dog that will fit your situation pet or show knowing that all health checks have been done and all the other things that you would expect from a responsible breeder.

There is not enough information out there in general public land about using a registered responsible breeder for a pet dog. Many people decide on a breed and then go through pet shops or ads like gumtree and end up with a byb puppy.

More needs to be done to advertise what a registered breeder can do and does do - but I'm not sure how to get that info out. I always advise people who are after a puppy to do the research and find a registered breeder. Some listen and others don't and get a puppy from the classifieds or from a pet shop.

Let's face it, "pet" dogs are the majority of dogs and generally the ones that cause the problems in the community - so we need to somehow get info across about the benefits of using a responsible, registered breeder.

[espinay2]

I try to explain it as pet owners deserve to have a well bred and healthy dog which care has gone into producing. There is no 'just' in pet. Just like there is no 'just' in family car. You still want something that is well engineered even though you will never take it on the racetrack.

[RiverStar-Aura]

I still maintain that the attitude towards breeders by the general public is still based on past ideals. The breeding world used to be quite elitist, so of course those wanting pet dogs would steer clear. This elitist, exclusive and even snobbish idea has long since vanished and the public need to move with the times.

I let my breeders know if I'm after a pet only because I feel as a buyer, it's relevant to the breeder. That way, if they have a family waiting on their list for a show prospective pup, everyone will be allocated a pup best suited to their needs.

I do feel it sad that going to breeders for pets is way down the list with pet shops still probably sitting at the top and pounds/rescues and GT following close behind. I have nothing against rescues, they do awesome work, but I feel rescues of breeders should be first port of call for the future buyer.

The Veruca Salt mentality also has to stop. Puppies are not an 'I want it now' thing and take careful planning and consideration. Choose wisely and your dog will be so much more than 'just a pet'; they'll be family!!!