Crufts!!!! Jesus what have they done

[HawkeyeMS]

Both My GSP are rescue dogs, i don't agree with buying a dog when there are so many that need a home.

As for the making money from Breeding, i suppose if you are unscrupulous and just do it for the money and don't care about the welfare of the dogs, there is plenty to be made.... unfortunately

This is exactly right. There are many "breeders" who are in it for the money sadly many more than are in it for the love and good of the dog. My wife is a Kennel Club assured breeder and I can tell you now the the amount of work that goes into to breeding decent pups is phenomenal. We only breed to to keep a pup and we have only ever had two litters but the amount of research that goes into just choosing the stud dog would surprise most people (and then you have to get the stud dog owner to let you use it) and then there is the time that we both put in to looking after them. It really isn't worth the money.

I can only really speak for Bernese Mountain Dogs but if you want one from a reputable breeder then you will be waiting the best part of a year, if not longer, before you finally get one. Unfortunately, people don't want to wait that long and that's where the puppy farmer's cash in. It makes me so angry when I see puppies being advertised on the Internet that don't have owners days before they are ready to leave the Mum. We know all of the people our puppies go to very well months before the pups are even conceived and my wife is very picky about who the pups go to; most of the owners of our pups we now count as friends.

The Kennel club could do better, especially where the breeds like German Shepherd's and Pugs are concerned which have so many defects it really isn't good for the dog but they are really up against it when there is nothing from stopping anyone with a dog from breeding with any other dog. The dogs on show at crufts (again, I can only speak for BMDs) are in the most part the ones that come from the responsible breeders, many of who my wife knows personally, sadly they are in the minority.

Unfortunately, Crufts itself doesn't help the situation as when people see dogs on TV they want one, I can almost guarantee that enquiries for American Cockers went through the roof on Monday. In the past, BMDs have been featured on Eastenders and other programs and my wife gets inundated with phone calls from people looking for a puppy just because it looks nice: my wife was actually glad that the BMD didn't win even though the owner is a good friend because she knows that it will generate a lot of interest from people looking for a fashion statement.

P.S. If you want to make my wife angry, give her a call and ask her if she knows anyone breeding Bernerdoodles...it won't be pretty.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Then you have Ewan Thomas presenting articles on rescue dogs etc when he's followed the trend and paid thousands for a French Bulldog -

I'm guilty of this I'm afraid.
But they do make excellent pets.

 

[AmandaJR]

Both My GSP are rescue dogs, i don't agree with buying a dog when there are so many that need a home.

As for the making money from Breeding, i suppose if you are unscrupulous and just do it for the money and don't care about the welfare of the dogs, there is plenty to be made.... unfortunately

Agreed and our last three Labs have all been rescues. It can be hard if you have young kids I imagine and need to know the dog's history. Ours have been a mixture as Max was a failed army sniffer dog, Barley has some behavioural issues and Daisy was malnourished and had never seen a vet. All wonderful dogs though and all very different...all needed us as much as we needed them!

 

[patricks148]

Agreed and our last three Labs have all been rescues. It can be hard if you have young kids I imagine and need to know the dog's history. Ours have been a mixture as Max was a failed army sniffer dog, Barley has some behavioural issues and Daisy was malnourished and had never seen a vet. All wonderful dogs though and all very different...all needed us as much as we needed them!

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Both ours have had issues.

Kayliegh, was abused my the family that had her as a puppy, she is very weary of Children esp if they come close. abandoned at 5 months to the local rescue centre.

Baldrick is a full pedigree, but his owner Died, when he was 6 and left him in the Kennel. He was only 18KG and had had no training at all and had been used to fending for himself. Now 28KG and living out his old age hopefully peacefully. Was supposed to have died over a year ago of Cancer, but he seems fine. The vets now say they must have got the whole tumor after all!!

 

[AmandaJR]

Both ours have had issues.

Kayliegh, was abused my the family that had her as a puppy, she is very weary of Children esp if they come close. abandoned at 5 months to the local rescue centre.

Baldrick is a full pedigree, but his owner Died, when he was 6 and left him in the Kennel. He was only 18KG and had had no training at all and had been used to fending for himself. Now 28KG and living out his old age hopefully peacefully. Was supposed to have died over a year ago of Cancer, but he seems fine. The vets now say they must have got the whole tumor after all!!

Such good news about Baldrick and shows you did the right thing by giving him a chance. Max had a nasty tumour in his mouth and radical surgery suggested but we couldn't put him through it. Every vet visit after he was checked and "lucky, lucky boy"...

Barley spent 6 months in rehab as his foster home called SOS to have him removed after 5 minutes. Not sure of his history but he's nervous aggressive and seems to think he's in trouble much of the time. Or at least he did. 14 months with us and we see progress every day. He is a beautiful dog and a real athlete but just had a bad start one way or another. He still has his moments but his body language is very clear and we know his triggers. Daisy on the other hand is a typical happy-go-lucky little poppet who is full of joy and mischief - she's good for us and Barley.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

My daughter was 7 when we got our dog. No way was I going to take a risk with a rescue dog there. That would have been irresponsible.

I know people who went down the rescue route, no kids. Some have been lucky, others have had issues and have had to work hard with their dogs. That's great and we may go down that route in future. It's not something to do lightly with young kids around however.

 

[patricks148]

My daughter was 7 when we got our dog. No way was I going to take a risk with a rescue dog there. That would have been irresponsible.

I know people who went down the rescue route, no kids. Some have been lucky, others have had issues and have had to work hard with their dogs. That's great and we may go down that route in future. It's not something to do lightly with young kids around however.

Maybe, but you have to take each on there own merit, Baldrick would make an outstanding dog for Children, he is loving and devoted... plus very good fun. could never hurt a child... Rabbit Maybe

 

[SteveJay]

My daughter was 7 when we got our dog. No way was I going to take a risk with a rescue dog there. That would have been irresponsible.

I know people who went down the rescue route, no kids. Some have been lucky, others have had issues and have had to work hard with their dogs. That's great and we may go down that route in future. It's not something to do lightly with young kids around however.

I can see both sides of the argument here...we have just bought a 3rd dog from a KC breeder and one of ours has had a litter 2 years ago. We might well consider a rescue dog next time, accepting there are risks attached......we have young grandkids.

Another consideration is that a KC puppy is a significant investment, hopefully ensuring the buyer is committed and sure they will keep the dog and care for it well (I know there maybe exceptions). Wonder how many rescue dogs are returned as buyers might change their mind having only shelled out a modest sum on a whim after realising what a commitment a dog or puppy actually is.

 

[patricks148]

I can see both sides of the argument here...we have just bought a 3rd dog from a KC breeder and one of ours has had a litter 2 years ago. We might well consider a rescue dog next time, accepting there are risks attached......we have young grandkids.

Another consideration is that a KC puppy is a significant investment, hopefully ensuring the buyer is committed and sure they will keep the dog and care for it well (I know there maybe exceptions). Wonder how many rescue dogs are returned as buyers might change their mind having only shelled out a modest sum on a whim after realising what a commitment a dog or puppy actually is.

My wife is a member of a couple of GSP groups and the amount of Dogs they have to re home as puppies is astounding. They are beautiful dogs that look super cute, but require lots of exercise and training. They can't just be left at home on there own either. people on the whole don't think about what it takes to have a dog and how to look after it.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Maybe, but you have to take each on there own merit, Baldrick would make an outstanding dog for Children, he is loving and devoted... plus very good fun. could never hurt a child... Rabbit Maybe

I get that totally. Problem is unless you know the history of a rescue dog there is an initial risk. I didn't want a child to be vulnerable to a reaction from a dog that reminded it of some mistreatment it had had. No fault of the dog. An adult can handle, hopefully,that situation should it arise. A child can't.

As I mention, in future we may go down the rescue route when our dog passes on and our kids are older / have left. The situation would be very different then.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

My wife is a member of a couple of GSP groups and the amount of Dogs they have to re home as puppies is astounding. They are beautiful dogs that look super cute, but require lots of exercise and training. They can't just be left at home on there own either. people on the whole don't think about what it takes to have a dog and how to look after it.

Your last sentence is so important. With any breed you have to make sure you understand its needs and that it fits in with your lifestyle. Not all dogs are the same, it's just a shame so many people don't do their homework.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Your last sentence is so important. With any breed you have to make sure you understand its needs and that it fits in with your lifestyle. Not all dogs are the same, it's just a shame so many people don't do their homework.

Agree hugely with this. When we got our cocker the fashion was for working spaniels. They need loads of exercise, mental stimulation and are not meant to be pets, lovely though they are. They are working dogs. I've met plenty of stressed working spaniel owners over the years, none of whom had done their homework.

 

[SteveJay]

I get that totally. Problem is unless you know the history of a rescue dog there is an initial risk. I didn't want a child to be vulnerable to a reaction from a dog that reminded it of some mistreatment it had had. No fault of the dog. An adult can handle, hopefully,that situation should it arise. A child can't.

As I mention, in future we may go down the rescue route when our dog passes on and our kids are older / have left. The situation would be very different then.

Someone my wife knows had a rescue dog for a year or so, no problems at all, then, one day she was sat indoors and bent forward to pick up something she dropped and the dog went for her, biting her face really badly, almost removed her nose and needed major skin grafts. Clearly something triggered that and not knowing its history who can tell or predict such behaviour.

I can therefore understand why some people, myself included, would be nervous about a rescue dog in case it had been mistreated etc. previously and could turn, like this, unexpectedly.

 

[patricks148]

Someone my wife knows had a rescue dog for a year or so, no problems at all, then, one day she was sat indoors and bent forward to pick up something she dropped and the dog went for her, biting her face really badly, almost removed her nose and needed major skin grafts. Clearly something triggered that and not knowing its history who can tell or predict such behaviour.

I can therefore understand why some people, myself included, would be nervous about a rescue dog in case it had been mistreated etc. previously and could turn, like this, unexpectedly.

Of course there are extreme cases, but ultimately its not the dogs fault, its Humans

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Of course there are extreme cases, but ultimately its not the dogs fault, its Humans

Now that is very true, something that was drummed into me when we took our dog to puppy training classes.

 

[AmandaJR]

Someone my wife knows had a rescue dog for a year or so, no problems at all, then, one day she was sat indoors and bent forward to pick up something she dropped and the dog went for her, biting her face really badly, almost removed her nose and needed major skin grafts. Clearly something triggered that and not knowing its history who can tell or predict such behaviour.

I can therefore understand why some people, myself included, would be nervous about a rescue dog in case it had been mistreated etc. previously and could turn, like this, unexpectedly.

Since we took on Barley we have learnt so much from his trainer about dogs with behavioural issues. They do mostly give off signals that something is upsetting them and seldom go from nothing to actual biting. We still take Barley training every week and Alison (K9 Interventions) is pretty much a dog whisperer and we've learnt so much. I do understand a reluctance to take in such a dog though and it hasn't been an easy ride, but the way he has improved really gives us a sense of achievement.

 

[Ross61]

Someone my wife knows had a rescue dog for a year or so, no problems at all, then, one day she was sat indoors and bent forward to pick up something she dropped and the dog went for her, biting her face really badly, almost removed her nose and needed major skin grafts. Clearly something triggered that and not knowing its history who can tell or predict such behaviour.

I can therefore understand why some people, myself included, would be nervous about a rescue dog in case it had been mistreated etc. previously and could turn, like this, unexpectedly.

This could be any dog, not necessarily a rescue dog.

I have two dogs and do not think they would ever attack one of the family, but I can't be 100% certain that they wouldn't.

They are animals same as us humans, how many times have you heard of someone attacking another person out of the blue and people that know them say that they were really nice and wouldn't hurt a fly.

 

[Snelly]

Someone my wife knows had a rescue dog for a year or so, no problems at all, then, one day she was sat indoors and bent forward to pick up something she dropped and the dog went for her, biting her face really badly, almost removed her nose and needed major skin grafts. Clearly something triggered that and not knowing its history who can tell or predict such behaviour.

I can therefore understand why some people, myself included, would be nervous about a rescue dog in case it had been mistreated etc. previously and could turn, like this, unexpectedly.

For every story like this, there are hundreds of successes.

Our last two dogs have been rescue lurchers, abused by travellers and in a terrible state when we got them but within 3 months, awesome animals.

Rescue dogs every time for me from now on unless I wanted to train another dog to the gun when I would go for a puppy as I want to train from scratch.