Do you ever feel bad for some breeds...

[Tonya]

Originally posted by wolflady
Interesting question. Simply stated, yes, I do feel bad for some breeds. I worked at a vet hospital for a little over a year, and literally all the dogs that came in with problems were pure-bred dogs.
If you think about it, a lot of pure-bred dogs came about by people breeding "genetic mutations". Seems to me that a mutation shouldn't be encouraged at the suffering of the animals. Pugs and english bulldogs, and well, any smashed-in-face animal are an excellent examples. Now, don't think I'm bashing pure-bred dogs, I just feel sorry for the ones that have genetically chronic problems. I saw a lot at the hospital, and some things so sad I'll never forget.

I don't want to stereotype...but what I can say is that I grew up with mutts, and my mutts never had to see the vet. Now, I have had Teddy (who was bred well) and Sarah (who wasn't), they were my first pure-breds. And both of them have had health problems from the get go.

[Kfamr]

Originally posted by cali
to be honest I really dont care if I insulted show bred dogs, I am against showing and I will NEVER agree with it.

You just insulted a large part of dog owners here and their dogs, and you do not care? WOW.... you're a wonderful person!!

[lovemyshiba]

I don't think the original poster (wolfie) intended this to turn into a show-bred vs. working dogs thread. The question was merely asked, if we feel bad for certain breeds due to their health issues.

If certain little trolls want to try to turn us against each other and start a fight, that's their problem. Obviously they have a lot of learning and growing up to do.

And YLL---could I get one of those cookies????

[K9soul]

Originally posted by Smilla
That Whippet in the picture above is just gorgeous, for example, but it's back looks a little sloped to me. Do they have the same issues as GSDs?

As far as I know whippets and greyhounds are naturally built with the sloping hindquarters, the GSD slope is different.. I'm not sure how to describe but in some of the AKC shepherds I've seen, it looks like their butts/back legs are dragging the ground, when they walk it just looks really odd and unnatural. I haven't personally researched any particular problems with greyhounds/whippets but I have never really heard much about health issues with them in the way I have about some breeds.

I agree the conversation got quite a ways off topic. I know for myself, some of the things I've said I have wanted to say for awhile now and just never got up the nerve to before now.

In my brief time in the dog show world, the people were just as varied as in any other organization. You had your haughty, snooty, better-than-thou types and the down-to-earth true dog lover types. I saw some treat their dogs like objects and others who had all their dogs in the house with them sleeping all over their furniture because they were family members. I knew some that had no qualms about inbreeding if it would produce a winning dog in the ring and others who were as horrified at that as I would be.

[Desert Arabian]

Originally posted by lovemyshiba
And YLL---could I get one of those cookies????

SUUURE! Since you own a Lab and know what you are talking about...you can have 1/2 a dozen. All I have are chocolate chip, sorry I don't have a variety.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Originally posted by heinz57_79
About this whole show bred/vs whatever.... I don't think it's right for anyone to knock a type of dog for ANY reason. We all have our preferences. I, for one, don't like cockers. (No offense! ) But I would never tell anyone their cocker is stupid, or bad, or shouldn't be bred. EVER! That would be like telling someone who's child is a model that it's wrong. It's insulting, and rather misinformed. To make a generalisation like "show bred dogs are bad" is wrong, and to a lot of people, very hurtful. It would be like someone with show dogs saying "mutts are wrong, they do nothing to improve any breed". There are bad breeders and good breeders, in and out of the show ring. I don't think the subject should have even come up, knowing it would upset a LOT of people on PT who do not deserve to be put down like that.

A little common courtesy, if you would!

Beautifully stated, I agree 100%.

As for the original question- yes I do feel bad for some breeds, but I feel worse for dogs who are poorly cared for. For example a shih tzu whose owner does not keep up with their grooming will be much more prone to eye infections then a shih tzu whose owner kept their face well trimmed.
I do know what you mean tho, wolfie. I had always felt bad for pugs and bostons because of their little faces. I fostered Nacey, the pug in my signature, and she luckily doesnen't really have any breathing problems. (side note: I'm getting Nacey back this week, for good.) We do walk her on a harness tho.

[binka_nugget]

I feel bad for some breeds but.. I think part of it lies with research from the owner. I know I'd never buy an American bred GSD. If I were to buy one, I'd have it either imported from Germany from working lines or find a local breeder who breeds under SV rules and breeds with working lines. I've run into a few breeders who've been breeding for 20+ years and have never or only had one or two dogs with health problems.

As for the show dogs comment.. I can't completely disagree. I think there is a big difference in some breeds. But, not a lot of us can change what breeders are breeding for so why insult pet talkers if there's nothing in the outcome except hurt feelings?

[Toller 42]

My mom's friend has a Toller and a border-collie both are from breeders and their parents are show dogs! they are not barbies!
the border-collie is red/white and she is definitley not stupid and she herds very well, the Toller is a great retriever and is very good at tolling the ducks to shore.

[lute]

Originally posted by cali
honestly I feel sorry for every single show bred dog. because they are bred crippled on PURPOSE, they are bred to look pretty and thats it, who cares if they can move? show bred greyhounds would fall apart if they tried to run, police and anyone who used GSDs for work NEVER use show bred dogs, because they cant work, they are bred to stand on their hocks for some crazy reason er rather, but german GSDs have the ability to work and to walk. show bred labs drive me up the wall, those dogs are so fippin fat and bulky they they would have a heart attack if they had to do actual work. then their are all these breeds with smashed faces, everyone I know who does not know the names of the smashed faced breeds, describe them to me like this "those dog that look like they ran into a wall" I feel sorry for those. then their are corgies, bred now with such a long back its painful to look at. nearly all show bred dogs are bred to the extreme bulk so much that they could never do what they were bred to do. they are bred only for looks, for the most part show dogs are rather brainless but people delude themselves into thinking a their show dogs are ever so smart, and if given the chance they could work with the best. right... sorry but give those show dog to the top working trainers and they cant get them very far at all. I truly feel sorry for any and all show bred dogs.

that's just rude! my show dog has pulled a sled or two and is a wonderful champion showdog. i think you are jumping at showdogs all the time because you just don't like the breeding. i think the people you need to be upset at are the people that breed for the "miracle", not us.

here is my beautiful showbaby

here she is with one of her pups

and just so ya know. the red dog in the pic is having a litter of pups at the end of this month. both parents and grand parents are champions.

[chrissycat21]

Not all show dogs are bad. There are some that are pampered almost too much for their own good (but everyone pampers their pooches too much, right?) but they aren't stupid. My friend has a dog that came from a line of champion collies, but decided not to show him. He is an extremely smart dog and isn't lazy or anything. What I don't like are show dog breeders that get caught up in making sure their dogs look the best, not caring about temperment, etc. (I have seen some breeders like that)

-Chrissy

[Twisterdog]

Originally posted by cali
honestly I feel sorry for every single show bred dog. because they are bred crippled on PURPOSE, they are bred to look pretty and thats it, who cares if they can move? show bred greyhounds would fall apart if they tried to run, police and anyone who used GSDs for work NEVER use show bred dogs, because they cant work, they are bred to stand on their hocks for some crazy reason er rather, but german GSDs have the ability to work and to walk. show bred labs drive me up the wall, those dogs are so fippin fat and bulky they they would have a heart attack if they had to do actual work. then their are all these breeds with smashed faces, everyone I know who does not know the names of the smashed faced breeds, describe them to me like this "those dog that look like they ran into a wall" I feel sorry for those. then their are corgies, bred now with such a long back its painful to look at. nearly all show bred dogs are bred to the extreme bulk so much that they could never do what they were bred to do. they are bred only for looks, for the most part show dogs are rather brainless but people delude themselves into thinking a their show dogs are ever so smart, and if given the chance they could work with the best. right... sorry but give those show dog to the top working trainers and they cant get them very far at all. I truly feel sorry for any and all show bred dogs.

Man, cali, you're just a one trick pony, aren't you? Can you EVER make a post without it being about how HORRIBLE "show" dogs are and how WONDERFUL "working" dogs are? Give it a rest already.

Every time you post this endless chip-on-my-shoulder tirade of yours, the only things you end up doing are (1) alienating about 90% of the people on this site and (2) looking completely ignorant and uninformed. Because if you knew what you were talking about, you would know that they vast majority of "show" herding, working. terrier and sporting dogs also have some working title. Your closed-minded and blatantly incorrect retoric is just that ... INCORRECT. Do some research before you profess to be an expert on something.

to be honest I really dont care if I insulted show bred dogs, I am against showing and I will NEVER agree with it.

My, what a charming, polite and kind young lady you are. NOT. If you don't care that you insulted just about every member of this message board, then perhaps it's time for you to move along off of this site and find one more compatible with your views. If you aren't a fan of conformation showing, fine. To each his/her own. No one is saying we all to agree. But there is no need to be rude and insulting to others on this board. Good thing for you I'm not the administrator of this site, or you would have been banned for that remark. I don't see anyone CONSTANTLY criticizing your dogs, or your hobby. I'm sure there are plenty of people on here that think agility is a silly waste of time and that "working" border collies are ugly ... but those people obviously are mature and polite enough to keep those opinions to themselves. Maybe you should learn to do the same.


And, to keep to topic, I do feel sorry for the breeds with very flat faces. It's hard for some of them to breathe, exercise and tolerate extreme temperatures

[Desert Arabian]

Originally posted by Twisterdog
Man, cali, you're just a one trick pony, aren't you? Can you EVER make a post without it being about how HORRIBLE "show" dogs are and how WONDERFUL "working" dogs are? Give it a rest already.

Every time you post this endless chip-on-my-shoulder tirade of yours, the only things you end up doing are (1) alienating about 90% of the people on this site and (2) looking completely ignorant and uninformed. Because if you knew what you were talking about, you would know that they vast majority of "show" herding, working. terrier and sporting dogs also have some working title. Your closed-minded and blatantly incorrect retoric is just that ... INCORRECT. Do some research before you profess to be an expert on something.




My, what a charming, polite and kind young lady you are. NOT. If you don't care that you insulted just about every member of this message board, then perhaps it's time for you to move along off of this site and find one more compatible with your views. If you aren't a fan of conformation showing, fine. To each his/her own. No one is saying we all to agree. But there is no need to be rude and insulting to others on this board. Good thing for you I'm not the administrator of this site, or you would have been banned for that remark. I don't see anyone CONSTANTLY criticizing your dogs, or your hobby. I'm sure there are plenty of people on here that think agility is a silly waste of time and that "working" border collies are ugly ... but those people obviously are mature and polite enough to keep those opinions to themselves. Maybe you should learn to do the same.


And, to keep to topic, I do feel sorry for the breeds with very flat faces. It's hard for some of them to breathe, exercise and tolerate extreme temperatures

[lovemyshiba]

Originally posted by YellowLabLover

I'll second that!!

Thanks for the cookies--chocolate chip are my favorite kind!!!!!!

[sammy101]

wow! your such a nice person cali! i've been to small and big dog shows and they all seem very happy and in very good shape,and show labs are never fat,they are very well built and lots a muscle.i think that all dogs all beautiful in there own way,mutts and purebreds,and working border collies are just as beautiful as show ones!boy,you insulted alot of people,and you should be keeping your opinions(especially like the ones you said) to your self,and not hurt and insult people!!!

and you dont care that you insulted people about how there show dogs?????

[Aspen and Misty]

Originally posted by Twisterdog
[B]. and that "working" border collies are ugly ... but those people obviously are mature and polite enough to keep those opinions to themselves. [B]

I, personally, have ALWAYS thought "working" BC's aren't the pretiest things, some of them look like cross breeds and nothing like what the breed is supposed to look like today. BUT, that is MY opinion. Cali- do I tell you your dog's are ugly and brain dead? NOPE. So don't call mine ugly and brain dead, expessially when you don't know them.

Originally posted by ParNone
It's probably not a coincidence that most of the working ranch/farm dogs seem to be either Border Collies, Australian Shepherds or Australian Cattle Dogs, not Collies or Shelties.

Also, Par, just because they don't use Shelties or Collies as much any more doesn't mean they aren't as good as any other hearding dog.

Ashley