This morning, we met the latest doodle-dog “breed” in our neighborhood, an Old English Sheepdog-Poodle mix. I must ask again: if crossing any breed with a poodle results in a “better” #dog, why not *just get a damn poodle* in the first place?? #DogsOfCoSo
@SamFibonacci True, and my two shelter dogs hail from the deep end of the canine gene pool.
@cassandra17lina That's the best!
@cassandra17lina we have two poodles who wholeheartedly agree. Even if the youngest currently has his mouth full of someone else's feet...
@cassandra17lina
Agreed. There was recently a puppy mill busted where I live and about 20 "doodle" type dogs ended up at the rescue where I got my dog. Some of these poor animals hadn't even been out of their cages except to be bred. 😡
In happier news, I like how your doggos blep for photos!
@nonayadambidnes North Carolina is notorious for puppy mills, and many multi-thousand-dollar puppies come from horrible places. This is one reason cited my veterinarian for the short life expectancy of these “designer” breeds. I volunteered for years at our county animal shelter where the officers broke up some of these filthy and cruel operations. Legislation to ban these practices is vigorously opposed by agriculture interests who don’t want any government involvement in animal operations.
@cassandra17lina @nonayadambidnes:
PUPPY PASS
MILLS THE
KILL! BILL!
I like that better than the original tagline for Kill Bill.
That said, I hope they pass the bill and outlaw the damned things.
@cassandra17lina I have to admit that I cringe whenever someone says they bought their dog from a breeder, especially these days when every rescue organization is full to bursting.
I suppose it's like anything horrible, as long as the demand for designer dogs is there, these places will continue to operate.
Disappointing to read about the number of people who recently got scammed into buying a (nonexistent) $2K purebred puppy online when there are so many dogs - and puppies - available.
@nonayadambidnes @cassandra17lina rescue dogs are not for everyone, especially if they have health or temperament challenges.
I don't think it's particularly horrible to buy from a legitimate, honorable breeder who breeds for quality pups and--has a buy-back policy should the purchase not work out. Responsible breeders are totally different...and their pups ain't cheap.
When it comes to horses, I firmly don't advocate rescue except for the experienced. Too many issues.
@joycereynoldsward @cassandra17lina
Good point. I know people who breed Dobermans and they have a really nice place where the dogs are treated very well.
I agree that rescue dogs aren't for everyone too. My last rescue was a handful, about a year old, complete psycho, not even housetrained. After I had him for about 10 months the rescue called to tentatively ask how he was - they were shocked that he was doing so well, that's when they told me he'd been adopted and returned twice already.
@joycereynoldsward @cassandra17lina
I've always had mutts, or as my dad used to call them "Heinz-57" dogs - or what we call them now, "Northern Alberta Specials" 😄
@cassandra17lina: People want to "keep things fresh".
@cassandra17lina I don't get the doodle thing, either. Supposedly the original purpose was that it made the dog non-allergenic, but...why not get a poodle?
(Mainly because poodles are smart, temperamental, and require skilled handlers. Somewhat like the reputation of Arabian horses. Crossing them with other breeds I suppose was an attempt to reduce the brains and skill required to handle them).
But I'm also picky. I think a lot of people with dogs shouldn't have them.
@cassandra17lina Crossbreeds are generally healthier than purebreds.