Disappointed/disgusted/irritated

Comments

• Kaddy

  October 2008 edited November -1

  I'm glad you spoke up about it. Hopefully something can be done!
• Nekopan

  October 2008 edited November -1

  This doesn't have to do with designer breeds or BYBs specifically, because I don't think there's anything else that I can say that hasn't already been said. Instead, here is an article I found, on the UKC website no less, that disappointed me. Link
  
  The article basically says that pet overpopulation is a myth invented by spay/neuter advocates trying to scare people into passing mandatory spay/neuter laws. The author states that the numbers referenced by the Humane Society and others are simply made up. But here's the paragraph that got me truly angry:
  
  "What is the truth about pet overpopulation? How can we find it and, more importantly, how can we use it to our advantage? Dr. Al Stinson, Legislative Director of the Michigan Association for Purebred Dogs and the Michigan Hunting Dog Federation, has come up with a solution that has worked very well in his home state. More than ten years ago, he lobbied successfully for a state law that required every animal shelter to report to the state Department of Agriculture the intake and disposition of unwanted pets. Two years ago, Dr. Stinson hired a veterinarian to review the figures for a three-year period. To our delight (and, I confess, our surprise), the number of dogs euthanized had declined each of the three years. While nearly half of the dogs entering shelters were euthanized, that number (about 50,000 dogs) represents just over two percent of the Michigan dog population."
  
  I believe that any unwanted animal is pet overpopulation. No one should cite "only 50,000 dogs were euthanized" as proof overpopulation is a myth. Imagine if someone said, "HIV/AIDS should not be considered an epidemic because it only killed 2 million people in 2007 - that's only 0.03% of the world's population!" If you ask me, this is a very dangerous thing to be posting on a kennel club website.
• dlroberts

  October 2008 edited November -1

  Kyla, you are absolutely right. Perhaps you should start a web petition to get them to remove that article from their site? I would sign it. You could also write and distribute a letter that people can endorse and send individually to the club's administrators.
• lindsayt

  October 2008 edited November -1

  Exactly, if pet overpopulation is a myth, why are there so many animal shelters and humane societies? Also, the Kennel clubs/avid breeders are one extreme view against mandatory spay/neuter laws for obvious self interest purposes and certain animal rights advocacy groups lay at the other extreme so there is a lot of mud slinging and fact distortion on both sides. However, these voices are often the loudest but may not be solely for the interest of the animals.
• Nekopan

  October 2008 edited November -1

  I also think that the number of animals in shelters and euthanization are decreasing because rescues and shelters make an attempt to spay or neuter every animal they receive.
  
  Dave, I think that's a good idea, but I don't feel entirely comfortable with doing so as I don't actually have first-hand knowledge of the amount of animals in shelters. Perhaps members involved with rescue (Brandon, Jessica, Jen) can provide some stats to help out?
• JessicaRabbit

  October 2008 edited November -1

  I think you will see an increase in the number of homeless animals as well as in the number of shelter animals euthanized this year and in the next couple years. With people losing their homes, and rentals less tolerant of pets we (at least in my shelter) are being flooded with animals. I am also seeing a huge increase in dumped older and sick dogs. I think people are deciding that taking care of their needy animal is in some way not preferred way to spend their money. It scares me to say that, and frankly I have been extra fried at the shelter lately because no matter how hard I try I cannot find deserving homes for some really really sweet dogs.
• santuzza

  October 2008 edited November -1

  Jessica, I wish I were strong enough to do what you do. I'm too soft to work at a shelter or rescue because I would have way too many pets. I have heard about the effect the economy is having on shelters, rescues, and general abandonment and it is so upsetting. The best I could do was take in a rescued dog and give a donation.
  
  As to backyard and designer breeders, they sicken me more and more as I deal with "dog people". I had someone asked me, upon seeing a picture of Tosca, if a Shiba Inu was derived from a Shiba Mo. I tried to explain to her that Tosca is 100% Shiba Inu and that a Shiba Mo is a crossbreed of a Shiba Inu and an American Eskimo Dog, and she said that I "need to do my research before I call a pure Shiba Mo a mutt," and "dog ownership doesn't lend itself to blatant ignorance." I politely excused myself from the conversation through gritted teeth. Whatever, lady!
• Nekopan

  October 2008 edited November -1

  You should have told her that she should do her research before calling a Shiba Mo a purebred and you ignorant. I would not have been so gracious.
• Leonberger

  October 2008 edited November -1

  That woman is part of the reason why I think this will never end.
  People (and I know I'm generalizing) don't want to know. They want to have the idea that they know. So it's enough to "know" that a ShibaMo, or any other "marketed mutt" is a new breed and very original at that, or that they have a pure bred with papers and all, that was super cheap because the cousin's-friend's-brother's neighbour had 2 (insert breed here) and had a litter. Of course when they are told that the ShibaMo is a mutt or that that pure bred might be full of problems, they will accuse you of being an elitist snob or being crazy to dismiss such an original new breed.
• brandon_w

  October 2008 edited November -1

  Santuzza - Before you decide that you aren't strong enough to volunteer at a shelter, you should give it a try. Yes it can be heartbreaking, but it's also the best thing I do with my free time.
• JessicaRabbit

  October 2008 edited October 2008

  There are a lot of tears shed at the shelter, but the lives you change by bringing together the perfect dog to the perfect family is the most satisfying feeling in the world. Here are some of my alumni...
• KFontaine04

  October 2008 edited November -1

  So cute Jess. Love what you stand for and what you do. I was a husky foster Mom and plan to get back into the fostering once we buy a house. It's just such a joy to see good dogs go to great people with lots of love. Finding a furever home for a foster is SO rewarding and although it breaks my heart a little when they leave, I know I have done some good in their life so I am happy.
  
  I had a lady yell at me at the pet store for calling her Goldendoodle a "Cross breed". WHICH IT IS! She turned her nose up at me and said "This is a PURE bred Goldendoodle with amazing bloodlines". I was like "ya, amazing Golden Retriever and Poodle Bloodlines, that is why it's a cross". She flipped out, dropped her rhinestone collar or whatever it was she was gonna buy and left the store. I just laughed.
• JessicaRabbit

  October 2008 edited November -1

  I don't get it with the snooty doodle owners. They look like Barkley from sesame street and they are called DOODLES!!! How the hell is anyone supposed to take that seriously.
• lindsayt

  October 2008 edited November -1

  Oh my gosh...I am still frustrated after reading the posts on my meetup site...Anyways. I love your Alumni pics Jessica, they cheer me up.
• Nekopan

  October 2008 edited November -1

  I'm just waiting to see someone with a doodle so I can say, "Oh, nice retriever cross! I saw one of those at the SPCA the other day." Because you know that if they insist it's not a mutt, they paid at least $1000 for it.
• Sangmort

  October 2008 edited November -1

  Ugh. I had a customer at work [ note; electronic store, not a pet store! ] Tying to sell me a shitzhu / maltese mix. [ Shitmalt? Maltyshit? Maltzhu? What do you call it? ] She claimed they had excellent bloodlines & they were the most amazing "breed" & continued to prattle on her backyard breeding business about how she bred her perfect pet to her neighbor's perfect pet. & If I had anyone looking to buy a puppy to let her know, then she proceeded to ask a corworker how much the coworker had paid for the maltyshit she had purchased. [ $800?! ]
  
  I have a short temper, one of the associates saw me about to freak out & took over for me. Stupid BYBs. ~
• Nekopan

  October 2008 edited November -1

  My high school librarian got a Goldendoodle from what I swear is a puppy mill. What else do you call a place that has up to 10 litters on site at a time (at the moment they have 7), and bajillions of dogs? I just did a tally according to the ones they list on the site, 2 male goldens, 11 female goldens, 2 goldendoodle males, 7 goldendoodle females, 1 labradoodle female, 3 moyen poodle (which is apparently an underheight standard poodle) males, 6 rotties, 1 portugese water dog, 4 whetons, and 4 male standard poodles. That's like 50 dogs! The pups are listed from $800 - $1500.
  
  I've frequently wondered if there's any way to report this "kennel". It makes me angry just thinking about it.
• dlroberts

  October 2008 edited November -1

  Kyla, you absolutely can report a kennel. At least in GA, the state has inspectors that verify all of the dogs have adequate access to shelter and water. Further, if this person breeds AKC papered dogs, then the AKC can come to inspect and review their membership. Now, neither one of those things is likely to result in a positive change in her breeding practices. They can only hold breeders to the standard of the law which is no where near sufficient for what you would consider acceptable standards of practice.
• KFontaine04

  October 2008 edited November -1

  When I was searching for a breeder to get Sake, I was APPALLED at how many there are out there and how many liters they have at a time. I know how hard it is to take care of 1 puppy let alone 20!
  
  I found a wonderful kennel in Oaklahoma who is USDA Certified (which is a big plus these days) and who only has 1 Shiba liter each year. They mainly do APBT (pit bulls) and are advocates in teaching the public about the "bully" breeds which I find amazing. They were great throughout the whole process and we still talk all the time and she gets pics of Sake almost weekly. They love it!
• tsukitsune

  October 2008 edited November -1

  You certainly can report a kennel, I have.
• JessicaRabbit

  October 2008 edited November -1

  I will say I am HORRIBLY opposed to anyone who breeds pit bulls. I in 500 pit bulls find a home the other 499 are killed. That is statistic is breeder and shelter pits. Every pit bull bred is another shelter dog killed.
  
  I would also say I am concerned about any breeder that breeds more than two breeds.
• KFontaine04

  October 2008 edited November -1

  Oh they don't breed the pit bulls, they have pit bulls and are advocates for the breed. They also have Shiba Inus and that is who they breed! Sorry, I didn't write it clearly.
• lindsayt

  October 2008 edited November -1

  Jess, I have also heard of that regarding pits. That is why I am so opinionated about breeding in general, and everytime I see a new pit puppy at my clinic, I have to ask where it came from (the newspaper or a neighbor) is the usual answer, but NEVER the pound. People think shelter dogs are ruined and they want a "fresh start" with a pup from a news paper add. Pits have big litters, nobody thinks what happens to the rest of the pups but I know in the back of every BYB's thoughts, is a little voice telling them they can just take them to a shelter and dump them if no one buys them.
• asia

  October 2008 edited November -1

  Every time I am on here I feel more informed. I fortunately do not know a lot of backyard breeders. I do have a friend who works at a shelter and when i told her i was looking into getting a dog, she immediately offered to help find me a good rescue. When I told her I was looking at breeders she cringed a little and mentioned what wonderful dogs rescues can be. I felt like I was betraying her... And the dogs.
  
  I have never really understood doodles either... or breeding just to breed or make money or make a "new breed". Living on a farm, I think I have always been way too aware of what it takes to properly raise animals - which is a lot of hard work, sacrifice, patience, respect, and love, not to mention the time and money.
• santuzza

  October 2008 edited November -1

  I have no issue with people who have a mixed breed dog. That's what my previous three were and they were fabulous. What I take issue with is these designer breed people talking about lineage and fine breeding stock. Bullfunky! A mutt is a mutt is a mutt whether it was a planned mutt or an accidental mutt. Creating a new breed means that you have a task you want a dog to accomplish and are trying to breed for traits that are required for that task. Making money is not one of the tasks I was referring to, by the way. People are just trying to cash in on the next big thing to come along after Chihuahuas are deemed passé.
  
  Oh, funniest designer breed name I've heard thus far: Maltipoo. No joke.
• Sangmort

  October 2008 edited November -1

  Yes, I've known quite a few people with "Maltipoos" I've had some people even tell me he's "half maltipoo" Seriously, wtf? ~
• santuzza

  October 2008 edited November -1

  Half Maltipoo and half what... Shitzhdoodle? This is absurd.
• Nekopan

  October 2008 edited November -1

  I don't know how "doodle" and "poo" owners can even take themselves seriously when they talk about how amazing their "breed" is... how can you say doodle and keep a straight face?
• Sangmort

  October 2008 edited November -1

  I think that's how you can tell a designer breed right off the bat, they take the names of the two breeds they're mixing & mash them together.
  
  Alusky [ Alaskan Malamute x Siberian Husky ]
  Aussiedor [ Labrador x Australian Shepherd ]
  Bea-Tzu [ Beagle x Shih Tzu ]
  Broodle Griffon [ Poodle x Brussels Griffon ]
  Bullmation [ Bulldog / Dalmatian ]
  Chi-Poo [ Chihuahua x Poodle ]
  Cockapoo [ Cocker Spaniel x Poodle ]
  Frengle [ French Bulldog x Beagle ]
  Golden Pyrenees [ Golden Retriever x Great Pyrenees ]
  Imo-Inu [ American Eskimo x Shiba Inu mix ]
  Jug [ Jack Russel x Pug ]
  King Charles Yorkie [ Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Yorkshire Terrier ]
  Labradoodle Miniature [ Labrador x Toy / Miniature Poodle ]
  Peke-A-Pin [ Miniature Pinscher x Pekingese ]
  Pom-A-Pug [ Pomeranian Pug ]
  Puggle [ Pug x Beagle mix ]
  Rotterman [ Doberman Pinscher x Rottweiler mix ]
  Schnocker [ Miniature Schnauzer x Cocker Spaniel ]
  Yorkillon [ Papillon / Yorkshire Terrier ]
  
  & the list goes on & on... ~
• lindsayt

  October 2008 edited November -1

  Arrrgh! Don't they know they are more often than not making sicker dogs? Like the "Rotterman"- does the Dobe really need an infusion of hip dysplasia in it's gene pool and will the Rott be healthier with more torsion, heart disease and bone cancer?