What are YOUR experiences on how Dogs have changed??

[yinepu]

Quote:
I've had dogs for 51 years

breeds of choice have stayed the same (in no particular order): Standard Poodles, German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, Dobermans, American Eskimos. I cant stand "designer dogs".. nothing but a fancy name for a mixed breed dog in order to command a high price

Veterinary care was better back in the 60's when vets actually cared about the animals.. now (in my opinion) MOST vets don't care like they used to .. they are more for the dollar OR they have been bought out by corporations who are just looking at the bottom line and how much they can charge instead of the well being of the animal.. as an example.. several years ago I found a little stray.. the dog had been involved in an accident (I saw it happen) and had a dislocated eyeball.. i took the dog to my vet at the time (I was living up north).. I explained to them that the dog was not mine and i had no idea who the owner was.. and that I didn't mind helping the dog if it wasn't going to be too expensive and that the dog would have a decent quality of life.. but that if the dog was going to have problems then i would rather that they put it down .. since mainly money was tight and i didn't have much to spend on a dog that wasn't mine.
well... they ended up removing the eye.. charging me just shy of a thousand dollars for a dog that was not mine.. and then told me AFTER the fact that the dog was now having seizures and had suffered brain damage as a result of the accident.. and was in severe pain and would have problems for the rest of it's life .. so here i was with a dog that was missing an eye.. had brain damage.. and who was suffering.. yet they wanted to charge me for everything instead of advising me that the dog was in really bad shape when i took it in knowing when i brought it in that it was a found stray and not even my dog!
My old vet would have given me the bottom line upon examining the dog.. and would have advised that it be euthanized.. but the new vet had been bought out by a corporation and it was their policy to charge for every available procedure that they could charge me for.. I ended up having to make payments on the vet bill... i should have told them togo screw themselves.. but it was my regular vet and the only "decent" vet around as far as skill went (yes.. the other local vets were a lot worse).

and yeah.. the "dog fancy" is headed in a downward spiral.. "designer dogs" being my biggest complaint..

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

I have personally found that dogs have changed a lot in the past 50 years. One reason for the change is how we live our own lives. Another reason is breeding of course. Dogs are have more aggressive outbursts than they used to, and more behavior issues.

 

[mom'sfolly]

When I was a kid in small town Alaska, I knew of only one family who kept their dogs indoors. I know Alaska is an exception, but nobody I knew had indoor dogs. Dogs were pets, but they were outside almost all the time. Ours had houses that they used, with old blankets in them. No one trimmed nails or cleaned teeth. Nobody I knew then would have dreamed of allowing their dog to sleep in their bed or get on the furniture if the dog was allowed in the house. I have a friend who sometimes lets her dog eat off her fork (EWWW) but that simply wouldn't be considered then.

 

[yinepu]

Quote:
oh I agree.. I have 8 dogs right now.. there is never a fight.. they do as they are told.. when my husband and i watch things like the dog whisperer we just shake our heads.. there are people who can't handle one dog and we have a pack that lives together peacefully and have 0 aggression issues with each other or with people.. but it's because of the way ours have been raised and also because i am home with them pretty much 24/7.. the only one we have issues with is a dachshund who likes to chase chickens (but only out in his dog run..he ignores brooder chicks in the house) we understand his high prey drive so we try not to put him into situations where he will go with his instincts to chase birds. Other than that i believe all of ours would have no problem earning the good canine citizen awards or passing any obedience test out there.
Some of ours are purebreds and some are mixed breeds. No designer dogs in the bunch

 

[carolinagirl58]

One thing a lot of people seem to believe is that you can avoid the genetic problems like hip dysplasia if you get a mutt. this is NOT true. Mutts can inherit bad hips from their parents just like purebreds can. I am not saying don't get a mutt, but don't get one and expect to be free of genetic health issues. One thing that really really bug me these days is CKC registration. I am not talking about Canadian Kennel Club, I am talking about the Continental Kennel Club. It used to be that most pups sold were AKC registered. Now if i flip open the classified section of the paper, I bet 90% of the registered dogs offered for sale are CKC registered. And people actually think that CKC registration means something! CKC will register anything if it LOOKS purebred and they will register what they call hybrids, which are mutts. They are encouraging the creation of designer dogs! It angers me so much.

Another thing that bothers me is so much emphasis put on show characteristics only, ignoring function. GSDs are a good example of this. Show-only bloodlines have produces very weak hindquarters and loose hocks in many, many dogs to the point that the working GSD and the show GSD almost look like entirely different breeds. You see this over and over in MANY breeds. The show quality great pyrenees has way too much coat to ever be a good working dog. The show quality collie has too narrow of a head to be intelligent enough to save Timmy from the well (lol). I wish more show breeders would concentrate on working abilities as well as conformation and not just put form over function.

 

[ladyride]

Dog attitudes have changed so much in the last 20 yrs. I am glad vet care has improved. I for 1 beleive if you can't afford a dog don't get 1. They require feeding , vet care, some require grooming, all require training which so many people seem to neglect. An ill behaved dog is like an ill behaved child , both of which really gets on my nerves. Designer dogs WHY ???? this has puppy mills pumping out dogs like crazy with serious health problems , behavior problems. Be reasonable when it is time & your companion who has been there for you is suffering be humane & put it to sleep. To me it does not matter about a mutt or purebred dog they both love you & both are usually really good pets. As for spay & neuter leave the breeding to those breeders who are wanting to improve the line not make money on litter after litter. I'm sorry I have many issues when it comes to having pets taking proper care of them is the biggest & a commitment that when you choose to get one that is lifelong to the animal. All of my pets are rescue mainly because I did not choose to show them & others needed a home . Currently I have a spitz, 3 poms, & a foster poodle. This poodle came from a puppy mill with so many issues & will take so much time to turn into a companion dog. At least he doesn't seem to have health issues just fear & trust issues. Many people who have visited my home have stated your dogs are better behaved than some children. Sorry this is starting to sound like a rant but is just my veiws. Be responsible when you get a pet.

 

[chickadiddle]

I have always had mutt hound mixes and I love them - we adopted a GSD/rottie mix and I am now forever in live with the GSD - I don't think the dogs have changed, but I for one, have now become a better,more experienced dog handler inhow I train my pups. I used to think it was the breed - I now kNOW it is how the dog is trained. Not that I am a GREAT trainer, I am not, but after taking obedience classes with my last rescued GSD, I see my mistakes and hopefulyl have learned frmo them

Also, my mutt had hip dysplasia in BOTH hips, talk about EXPENSIVE - carolinagirl, you are correct

 

[twistedwire]

Quote:
Kinda like kids in school!

 

[teach1rusl]

I don't KNOW for certain (because we only kept mutts when I was growing up), but didn't AKC once mean more than it does now?? My poorly bred golden retriever (mercy purchase

that I regret due to supporting that bad breeder) is AKC, which tells me AKC doesn't actually mean anything. I didn't even bother with the paperwork on my dane (whom I do consider well bred) because what does it matter??
Rabies and distemper were the only two vaccines that were pushed in "the old days." Now heartworm testing, Heartguard, Frontline Plus, bordatello, lepto, etc. are pretty standardly pushed as well. I spend more on my animals medically (annually) than I do on my own medical issues.

 

[coreybee]

My breed of Choice is Rhodesian Ridgebacks. I researched extensively before delving into this breed. I wanted the right dog to match up with my personality, and activity level. I wanted a protective breed, and a short haired breed. I wanted an intelligent dog who didn't need constant coddling and could think for itself. I am involved in the breed club, the fancy, and performance events. Although I have only been involved in the breed for 7 years or so; I have also been involved in breed rescue. I attend breeding and health seminars to better educate myself, and so I can have the most up to date information. I read a lot about genetics and health, and breeding , and and and.... etc.

As far as the breed itself goes (Rhodesian Ridgeback)... I think overall it is healthy. However I wish more breeders were honest with their health test results. Unfortunately OFA does not make you post your results if they are not ideal. The only way to help a breed is through truthful breeding and health testing results that are shared. I know that the Ridgeback breed is not the only one who has fallen victim to this practice. Also we are seeing a lot of careless breeding of Ridgebacks. Particularly in Texas and the Mid-West. There are several kennels that have no business breeding dogs. They are not health testing, or temperament testing. They are poorly placing their puppies and not following through. They are trying to make a buck.... how do I know this? Because the puppy owners are contacting me, when their puppy is several months old and bouncing off the walls, unhealthy, biting, untrained, and poorly matched up with the home. The Ridgeback breed is not for everyone, and they need a lot of mental and physical stimulation along with socialization. I believe the breed is also being bred TOO BIG. The original founders of the breed wanted it to be a medium sized dog; for the agility and speed. I can tell you it is no longer that way. Those smaller dogs can't win in the ring because they are surrounded by Daneish sized Ridgebacks who make them look tiny. It is sad.

As far as vet care goes... I think there are some very good vets out there, and some that are trying to make a buck. I have been through about 6 vets in 2 years trying to find the right one. I think I have finally found the one I like.

I raw feed my dogs (have for 5 years), and I spay/neuter late (18-24 months). I do minimal vaccines, and I titer. These are the most common reasons why I had such a hard time finding the right vet for me. Also cost was a contributor as well. I health test breeding stock, and need a vet who is OFA certified (not all are). I also wanted a vet somewhat familiar with the breed, or at least hounds in general.

I think a lot of vets that are reccomending early spay and neuter need to reevaluate their procedures. According to several universities, and studies, this is the wrong practice for the health and longevity of the dog. Especially medium/large breeds. They are causing more harm than good, and I have been witness to this. I also wish more vets would research vaccines and their causitive reactions. I had a vet dose my puppy with prednisone, for a vaccine reaction to hives. Also when it comes to diet and feeding, they need MORE education. They are recommending Iams, and Science diet, which are big no-nos! Especially with the amount of grains and fillers in them. More dogs are having allergic reactions because what the vets are suggesting for food. When the owners come back, they treat the problem, and not the cause... and the animal is suffering in the interim.

My opinion on crossbreds being healthier is plain and simple. Who health tests their crossbreeds? And I mean really health tests.... Thyroid, CERF, BAER, DM, Hips, Elbows, Cardiac, and any other testing available. No One does... and this is what feeds the illusion that mix breeds are healthier. Mixed breeds carry the same genes as purebred dogs, and since they are a combination of more than one breed I guarantee that they have more health problems than the average purebred. The fact that they are not health tested contributes to the results and illusion that they are healthier, when in fact they have just as many if not more problems than purebreds. Go sit in a breeding and health seminar at any veterinary College or University and you will hear the same thing. I strongly believe that mixed breeds should not be bred, and dogs should not be bred outside of their breed unless it is in a controlled situation where all dogs are health tested, and it is done to improve a specific health related issue. The history of both sides of the pedigree should be deeply researched, and the liklihood of any genetic issue being brought forward should be avoided.

There are some breeds I feel that have been completely destroyed by controlled breeding, and I hope that the Ridgeback can stand the test of time, and not go the way of those breeds.