What are YOUR experiences on how Dogs have changed??

[coreybee]

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Unfortunately the AKC used to mean more. Now that there are SO MANY registries out there.... it just means someone decided to fork over the cash for an AKC registration. I wish the AKC was associated with quality. Now I do have to say that the AKC does do a good job of educating the public... however most of the public don't necessarily do their research before getting a puppy.

 

[coreybee]

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I could not have said it better! I believe function should be put before beauty. If the dog can't do what it was bred to do.... it should be removed from the gene pool.

 

[carolinagirl58]

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AKC papers are only as good as the breeder who provides them. Most puppy mill dogs are AKC registered! All the papers mean is that the breeder has possession of AKC papers on a male and female and they also CLAIM those two animals are the parents of the litter. So you are putting all of your trust the breeder is telling the truth about who the parents really are. I was doing some investigation work of a local puppy mill and was video taping some stuff (the owner didn't know I was taping). I witnessed a male cocker breeding a female poodle while the breeder was bragging about how ALL of her puppies are AKC registered. I also saw a large pen full of shelties (must have been 15 of them in that pen) and there was an all-out orgy going on. NO way to know which dogs sired which female's litter. It was insane!!

So you have to pick a reputable breeder when you want to be sure of what you are getting. Make sure your breeder does the testing for genetic diseases common to your breed. Make sure your breeder concentrates on not only breeding dogs that look correct, but that retain the working instincts that dog is supposed to have. You will pay more up front, but will end up with a much healthier dog in the long run.

 

[EweSheep]

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I could not have said it better! I believe function should be put before beauty. If the dog can't do what it was bred to do.... it should be removed from the gene pool.

We raised show collies in the 70 and 80's and today's collies are pathetic in the intelligent department. More narrower faces, more "compact", MORE hairs, more silkier in texture instead of coarse. I am certain they bred the brains out of them like they did for the Cocker Spaniels.

 

[EweSheep]

I happened to see a GSD at a show with very loose, twisted and highly animated gait, particuarly the hocks. The judge placed him first!

If the breeders dont get a GRIP, the GSD would have mulitiple problems that would be hard to eliminate out. Hopefully there are breeders that are on the other side of the fence, performance, brains and temperment are very important to them instead of a darn beauty contest of stupid.

 

[carolinagirl58]

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Exactly! The dog of choice for the police departements used to be GSDs and now most of them use Belgian Malinois instead. If GSDs are used, most are imports from working lines. It is a shame what has been done to those dogs.

 

[EweSheep]

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Exactly! The dog of choice for the police departements used to be GSDs and now most of them use Belgian Malinois instead. If GSDs are used, most are imports from working lines. It is a shame what has been done to those dogs.

Yep! I had a GSD from a show breeder that does show in conformation AND brains/work lines and it was the best decision I made at that time. Sadly, she no longer breeds them.

Yes for ANY good GSD breeders, you almost have to import them or look for someone that DOES have imported lines.

 

[sourland]

The grandest dog that I have ever been around was a Belgian strain, long coated GSD male. We got him at 8 weeks old. He was immediately house broken and was born knowing that he had a job-- protecting this home and family. He scared many, but never bit anyone. If he thought someone was too close to the house, he would grab their pants leg (men only) and stand there wagging his tail until I intervened.He was serious and deliberate around all others. The only one he would "let his hair down" with was me. Perceptive to the point that he could instantly read my attitude and emotions and know whether he should play loony tunes or be serious. Compared to todays GSD he would look like a mutt. He was big, blocky and massive-- no overdone slope to his back. He died over 40 years ago and this maudlin old man is tearing up as I type this. The GSD I see today are nothing like him.

We have had 3 goldens as house dogs. Dani our current 'family member' has finally grown out of the teenager phase and is settling down. All have temperment wise basically been clones with the same strong personality traits and also the same drawbacks. She will probably be our last house dog.

Yeah, we said that when Livvie died too. Same breed, same type, same personality spanning a period of 30 years.

Beagles, now, that's what I do. Started with my father's dogs 60+ years ago. Attended my first field trial in '59 and was immediately hooked. My end of the sport has changed radically. We have gone from a fully functional animal to one of questionable value as a hunting dog. Many of the dogs that I finished for their championship in the past would be difficult if not impossible to finish today, and many that I have finished recently would have had problems placing in the past. In our striving for "quality of performance" we have fostered mediocrity. All that having been said, I recently finished a male that truly "suits" me. He placed in 80% + of the field trials that he competed in. Pretty good for a performance test with all the variables involved-- the greatest being judges and preconceived opinions of how a hound should follow the scent trail in pursuit. This dog made everyone look at him. My sport in its many forms is declining. Hunting and outdoor animal related activities seem to be on the way out.

Veterinarians-- where to begin. I go to a great veterinarian. The problem is that he is approaching retirement. There are several other vets in his practice, and none have his common sense. Vets have greater resources at hand for diagnosis, yet many lack the observation and diagnostic skills of the 'old guys.' One thing is consistant across the board. Prices are astronomical. I only go to a vet for situations that I can not handle, and yes, I do know my limitations.

Good thread, Jamie! I have great concerns regarding the future of animal related hobbies. We obedience trialed our last golden and will probably do so with the present dog. We have attended several obedience trials lately, and the numbers and qualiy of dogs competing seems to have declined dramatically. Wish I had the answers for improving things.

 

[EweSheep]

Sourland, I can really relate to you on the dogs and their purpose what the breed has been known for. Vets are HARD to come by that cared greatly about your pets and now it is so expensive that we have to either self medicate in what we know how or self vaccinate except for rabies. Vets nowadays don't want you to treat your animals even you do know how and I got into with one when I got a kitten and he told me I can not give vaccinations to the kitten because those mail ordered vaccinations are "no good". Well I get the same vaccinations as the vet gets his so he lost me as the customer. Never went back to him.

 

[carolinagirl58]

My vet is a gem too. He is an old guy, mostly a farm vet but he does have a regular office too. One sunday, my little 3 pound chihuahua was sick. She was listless, vomiting and getting dehydrated in a hurry. The animal emergency vet would have hospitalized her and run dozens of expensive tests....probably to the tune of $1000 or more. I called Dr. Fulmer and he said for me to meet him at his office. He showed up in his overalls and looked her over. Said it was one of 3 things. Instead of testing, he treated her for all 3, injected a bunch of fluids under her skin and charged me $75. That little dog was back to her old self within hours!! I thought that was a great, common sense approach to whatever problem she had and I bet no other vet in this area would have thought to do it. I dread the day he retires. Most of the vets here are outrageous!!