syrinx

Dog Breed Information Center is my all time favorite site on one of my favorite topics. Dogs.
The site is a nuts and bolts site dedicated to learning about all kinds of dogs. No surprise but I go to the hybrid dog link every time.

There are far too many dog sites that condemn the cross breeds and would never list them. Hard to believe but it's true. Dan and I have been on the receiving end of some looks, comments and actions that show some people are against the hybrid dogs. We have seen looks of disgust over our dogs... which to me is verging on a fascist mentality. Ethnic purity kinda gives me the creeps - . There is nothing wrong with wanting a purebred dog, but when you hear the comments from breeders, it gets weird. The one comment I find the most absurd is when breeders talk about labradoodles and other hybrids as the result of dog breeders who are only in it for the money. So does that mean that breeders of purebred dogs are donating all their puppies? What a bunch of hypocrites. They are the worst offenders of breeding disease into dogs that look "perfect". And they chop off tails, and crop ears for cosmetic purposes as common practice. It is so cruel. How are they superior to hybrid dog breeders? They are not. Their obsession with purity is really weird, they sound like the royal family. And just like Prince Charles the dogs are not so bright.

The bigger picture breeders continue to miss, is that I don't need a hunting dog, I don't need a dog to pull a sled, and I would tend to avoid the pure guard dog varieties that can be super aggressive, like some of the mastif breeds. Then there is the genetic weakening of some of the purebreds. Hip problems, deaf, blind, short life span, prone to cancer etc.

What I did need was a dog that was hypoallergenic, (I have asthma) low to no shedding, and super smart companion dog that is part of the family. Allergies no longer prevent you from having a dog.

I like the super intelligence of the poodle and the total goofball behavior of the retrievers (either lab or golden retriever). I did not want a pure version of either and like the lurcher or the cur, you have the dog you need and want.

Labradoodles came into existence as a result of some visually impaired folks who also had allergies. They needed an assistance dog, but without the allergies. Poodles by themselves can be service dogs, however because of the super super intelligence can be less cooperative, showing willful disobedience. Not a trait that works in a service dog. Mind you that would be the case with Fergus. Unless there is a cookie in the deal, he will ignore you. Tell him to sit and he looks at the kitchen. That's where the cookies are. Fergus' temperament closely matchs that of the cur. "Male dogs are especially affectionate to women, preferring ladies for company and being aloof with strange men". That's my boy.

tags: dogs hybrid purebreed