All right all you dog people...choosing a breed

[Lute]

Why not take your cousin to the humane society and have her pick out the rescue dog that speaks to her?

I've done that with all my dogs and wouldn't trade any of them for the world.

 

[Squawkbox]

This. Why go out and buy a mutt when there are endless amounts waiting for homes (many that are puppies) ? I don't get it but to each his own.

Why not take your cousin to the humane society and have her pick out the rescue dog that speaks to her?

 

[EweSheep]

Why not take your cousin to the humane society and have her pick out the rescue dog that speaks to her?

I've done that with all my dogs and wouldn't trade any of them for the world.

I would have adopted a greyhound from the shelter but they put so much restrictions on the contract that it was in the point of being ridiculous. It was so overunned by pits and agressive or unsuitable breeds. So I bought ALL my animals from breeders and have not been disappointed in the quality, temperment and what my lifestyle required/matched with the animals.

 

[Jakl]

Here's my .02 I have always has "Cowboy" dogs. (Heeler, Catahoula, border collie, etc) They tore things up, had to have something to do all the time, every second, or they were awful.

About 4 years ago, we got our first standard poodle. (I take offense to the yappy thing, btw, it's allot more about how the dog is raised, our toy is less barky than some of our big dogs.) They are definitely a sporting breed, they can be kept in a sporting, or "doodle" clip, they look really stupid in the AKC conformation ring. AKC's required show clips for poodles are gross overstatement of an actual working clip designed to protect the dog in cold weather/water hunting conditions. (My Grandad made fun of one that I had in a working Continental, until I was there one day when he unloaded his shorthairs after a day of hunting. His dogs were wearing vests to keep them warm and protected, boot/leg shields, and antennas with a flag to keep track of them. My dog grew his own vest/boots/leg shields, and a brightly colors ribbon on his head told me where he was out in the field... Whose dog looked silly no, the one with clothing, or the one with his own hair???)

My opinion on any designer dog (any dog not recognized by a reputable breed organization), is if you want a MUTT go to the pound. Any one breeding mutt dogs is out for money, not breed improvement. (Mixing breeds/colors in edible animals is fine by me, the mistakes can be eaten, mixed breeding of pets is unacceptable, visit any shelter to see why.)

Our Standard poodles have learned to herd goats, love rally, obedience, and agility. They are wonderful to play fetch with, and love long walks, they even go out on the trails with us when we ride our horses. They do not shed. I have 4 dogs and 3 people in my house, and vacuum up people hair, not dog hair. Labs, and Labradoodles shed. (I am a groomer, I know).

A poodle's primary goal in life is to please their person, that's what makes them happy. Most dogs do this because you make them.

 

[redhen]

I have a goldendoodle,...shes soooo smart and has the sweetest, most gentle disposition..
Shes just a love bug..
But man,...she sheds like CRAZY!!

Oh, and there's NO WAY I'd get a dog from a shelter

 

[redhen]

 I would have adopted a greyhound from the shelter but they put so much restrictions on the contract that it was in the point of being ridiculous. It was so overunned by pits and agressive or unsuitable breeds. So I bought ALL my animals from breeders and have not been disappointed in the quality, temperment and what my lifestyle required/matched with the animals.

Yep...

 

[BrainyChick]

Being raised around all types of dogs and knowing how many dogs have to be euthenized each year due to growing numbers, I'd really root for a "mutt". Have your cousin look at the local shelters, online, etc, and find one they loves for it's own personality. You can raise any dog to behave and put up with minimal shedding. You have to agree that you'd take an ugly loveable behaved "mutt" from a pound, over a beautiful but terrorizing pure bred from an overly priced breeder. Please realize I'm not bashing on pure breeds, I love my AKC registered championship line Maltese, but don't ignore the under dog

Also: If you do end up going with a breeder, unless you're planning to show the dog, you can often find dogs with "imperfections". I got my Maltese from a breeder who took a substantial amount of the price off due to the fact he has an underbite and too big of a frame to be considered "showing" material.
Good Luck, I can't wait to find out what you choose

 

[ProudK911]

This. Why go out and buy a mutt when there are endless amounts waiting for homes (many that are puppies) ? I don't get it but to each his own.

agreed! Many females are brought into shelters pregnant, she'll whelp her litter, and both pups & mom go up for adoption- an 8 week pup for a nominal free that usually includes vaccinations & altering (spay or neuter). Many of those are surrendered because she's a PB and the owners were careless and don't want to deal with the probability of half-breed puppies! Just think that's one person's answer, while another's is to charge buku bucks for their irresponsibility, and the consumer gets less than if they went to the shelter- a puppy who needs all their shots, their altering *that is, if the pet owner is responsible- most realize that the F2s will not be anything like the parents!*... all for full price, too. So they'll get a $1-200. puppy (cost for shots/altering really) for $1500. purchase price *yes that much for a Labradoodle and MORE- I've seen it with my own eyes* and around another $4-500 for the first year's veterinary care (which will get the puppy combo shot/boosters, rabies, and to be altered)= $2000,
Dumb consumers that will pay 10 times what the dog could possibly be worth in property (which is legally what a dog is, no matter how much we care to anthromorphize it) value !!! Validity for the statement, "There's a sucker born every minute"...

Jen P & the Pack, the Flock & the Peeps all shaking their heads in wonder/disgust/disallusionment

 

[ProudK911]

I would have adopted a greyhound from the shelter but they put so much restrictions on the contract that it was in the point of being ridiculous. It was so overunned by pits and agressive or unsuitable breeds. So I bought ALL my animals from breeders and have not been disappointed in the quality, temperment and what my lifestyle required/matched with the animals.

Yes, there are some private organizations who are on the extreme side. All the ARO wakos, PeTA, HSUS, all want to be leftist-extreme and place "guardianship" over what is legally property. I mean, yes, I adore my dogs- every dog I have ever owned has been my house pet. I don't keep a kennel- I have a little house and a big yard! They choose where they want to be by the means of a dog door. I show my dogs, I am a hobbyist breeder, and champion for the breed. I am dedicated to my dogs. BUT- the bottom line is, they are MY dogs. My property. Some shelters want to restrict how you walk your dog or how much fence you have, or if you choose to crate or not *my dogs voluntarily go to their crates, but their "boxes" are a pleasant, private place for my dogs to get away, sleep, sit in while we're at a dog show. But, my dogs are properly trained to them. Many owners don't, or they'll use the crate as punishment, so other people will say, "crates are bad". ALL RESCUES SHOULD REQUIRE A DOG TO BE ALTERED, NO MATTER WHAT!!! **that's the idea of rescue, to pick up the pieces of other people's problems and prevent more**

Now- "EweSheep"-- you then chose another responsible move after finding the rescue wasn't suitable: you went to a BREEDER to find your PB dog. I'm sure you took time to get acquainted with them, as you knew what to expect for quality, temperament, & how they'd fit in. Many people forget so very much about the last part of that (and your) statement!!!!! *there'd be no shelters if everyone getting a dog thought about that one thing alone!!!! I know more vicious Chihuauas that GSDs! But, of course, since they're little & can only scratch your ankles mostly, noone does anything...* Kudos to you. Now, if we could only have talked this other family into such wisdom...
Sorry for ya Cuz... you're auntie & uncle & cousin are surely to suffer for their lack of discretion.

Jen P & the Pack, the Flock & da Peeps

 

[punk-a-doodle]

In most states I've lived in, unborn dog and cat litters are euthanized/aborted when received by shelters. That was the case with our adopted cattle dog (aka the best dog in the world), who looked something like the mother of Romulus and Remus when adopted. At our current shelter, it is actually quite rare to see a puppy (which is fine for me personally as I prefer buying adults in most cases). This is fairly common in city shelters where they actually have a demand for shelter animals and import animals from other areas. We always have a ton of chihuahuas at my local shelter, many coming in from L.A. (our shelter actually has an agreement with LA shelters) as we have a demand for them, and they have a surplus. Basically, if you want a kitten, we have them during "stray kitten season", but a puppy, any puppy, may actually require a breeder.