Shelter Dogs - curiouser and curiouser

I walked into a local bank today and there were posters advertising an upcoming fundraiser for our local shelter. I noticed that the dogs pictured weren't any dogs at our shelter, but even more curious was that under each pictures was a caption proclaiming the "mix" of that dog - one was a dachshund/griffon, the next was a Bernese Mtn Dog/Lab, the next a Chihuahua/Jack Russell. My favorite was the "HOUND/Lab" mix. What kind of hound? A black and tan coonhound, a plott hound, a bluetick, a redbone coonhound, an otterhound?

Why did it matter? If, as we have all been asked to believe, all shelter dog mixed breeds are better and healthier than purebreds, why were they being listed as specific mixes of any breed? Why weren't they listed as cute, black dog with wiry hair, about 45 pounds (that was the bernese mix?). Why are people spending money with the DNA testing places to determine what the breeds are in their mixed breed? In a quick google I found over 10 different companies. We all know of at least one person who sent in a sample to be told that their 100 pound black dog contains some chihuahua DNA. Why are people buying shelter dogs, proudly proclaiming they have a shelter dog, but he's a lab/rott. I'm just so puzzled by that.

A search on Pet-finder gave me over 75 Bearded Collie/beardie mixes.  Bearded Collies were ranked 119 out of 164 breeds. I'm just astonished that there were 75 mixes! On closer inspection it appears that any dog with hair of a certain length is a bearded collie mix, just like anything with pointed ears and short legs is a corgi mix. Breeds that are more desired are put into the "mix".

I suspect that shelters have learned that while people loudly proclaim they love "shelter" dogs, they are really hoping to find a purebred or almost purebred and "save" a dog as well.

Please don't get me wrong - I love dogs, I don't care what kind the dog is, I love dogs. I just happen to REALLY love Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Sussex Spaniels. That doesn't make me a dog snob. For the first 40 years of my life I had predominantly mixed breed dogs. I had two doxies growing up, I was given a schnauzer by a client when I had my grooming shop, but the rest were all mixed breeds.

I discovered that I loved the spirit, look, personality and overall charm and intelligence of Pems. Sussex are just downright funny and beautiful. I've rescued mixes of Pems, just one Sussex so far. We support our local shelter, I was on the Board of Directors for awhile. I taught a puppy socialization class, we donated crates, toys, food, money. Whenever we get a rescue from anywhere we ask that the person taking the rescue donate to the shelter. If we rehome a dog of our own breeding, we ask that the shelter get the donation. But we are still considered evil breeders by the general public now. There is now a magazine, a big glossy beautiful magazine that support the "adoption of shelter dogs" as the most PC thing one can do.

What I don't understand is why we, as purebred dog owners and breeders, do not get the same respect and consideration that most of us give shelters. And yet, they label their dogs with purebred names to get them placed. I've been stopped on the street by shelter volunteers and yelled at for having purebred dogs while shelter dogs languish in cages. We really must stop apologizing for having purebreds. I know I am and I have.

Even though the number of animals euthanized in the US has dropped from over 20 million 25 years ago to less than 5 million last year, somehow the AR advocates have convinced the public there is a huge overpopulation problem. That simply does not compute. Shelters in the northeast regularly transport puppies from the southern states northward because they have no puppies. I don't understand that. Hasn't the hue and cry been that they want to close shelters forever? Then why bring more in?

Last year the US imported almost 300,000 dogs from foreign countries. We are not talking about the fancy bringing in a dog from England or Finland, we are talking about mixed breed dogs from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Thailand, Turkey, etc. WHY?? Isn't the goal to end the need for shelters? If we do indeed have such a hideous overpopulation issue and if, as the AR's state, we are murdering a shelter dog for every puppy we breed - why isn't someone screaming over the 300,000 + imports that obviously killed a US shelter dog? Why is owning a Puerto Rican Sato dog (mixed breed street dogs) a good thing, but owning a well bred, purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi is sinful and evil?

Why aren't there more videos out there that explain that most people surrender their dogs because they are moving, got divorced, lost their jobs, have an illness in the family. If indeed, "breeders" were at fault, why aren't they ALL purebreds or designer dogs?

It is up to us, as lovers of dogs, any dogs, to tell the truth and to expose the lies of the AR fanatics. The ultimate goal is no animal ownership, as we know. The basis of propaganda is to say something over and over again until it is believed. We need to turn the tide and bring the truth back into fashion. Support our shelters, yes, but continue the lie of overpopulation and hybrid myth, NO.

Today, I got two people to really look at those posters while I made a deposit. They couldn't tell me why there were breeds listed under the pictures. I sent an email to the local shelter and asked why they were using pictures of dogs that weren't even in OUR SHELTER to fundraise - it seemed very HSUS-like to me. We'll see. I'll go to the fundraiser - the 25th Annual Paw N Pole. It's fun and I'll donate, but I'll go with my purebred dogs, proudly and openly. I'll have some nicely done up brochures, too. Brochures that discuss AR/AW. Why not?

I was riled up today and wanted to write about several things. More tomorrow!

 

U-Ch/Ch Brynlea Clarken Unforgettable (Lark) and her two sons Ch. Clarkens Castaway (Wilson) and Clarkens Private Ryan (Gunnar) all being forced to have their pictures taken. Held captive with leashes stringing them up - wait - no leashes, no collars??

 

 

Comments

[Judy]

I had no idea that dogs are being imported! What's up with that? Give us your poor, your tired, and your dogs? Seems outrageous to me. I have never been approached by anyone asking me why I didn't adopt a shelter dog. My eyes are opening fast. I live in my happy lkttle world, oblivious to what's going on in the real world. I appreciate your sharing your knowledge and opinions. The more you know. . . Oh, and what a beautiful family portrait!

[Liz S]

Fascinating information! I must confess, I had no idea we were importing dogs. I imported my daughter and I suppose some people think I should have adopted locally. It just seems to me that we should all live and let live; do what we can to make the world a better place; and be happy when our dogs welcome us home with a wag of their tail, or in the case of my Pembrokes, a wiggle of their bunny butts!

[Pemmom]

Well, that's the point, though Liz. I think there's room for everyone. If it's wrong to breed a litter of Pems, it's wrong to import a dog - it's not "wrong" to do either! Thank heavens you "imported" Sophie! Elvis would be devastated without her!

[Wendt Worth Corgis]

Excellent writing and love your photo of the Corgis. I have an article on my blog about importing strays as well that is a very informative read as well.
http://wendtworthcorgis.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/importation-of-strays-from-other-countries/

[betty]

Just found your blog or whatever this is called. Wonderfully said and well thought out! I am a political opposite to you and a animal welfare twin to you! God bless you and your pretty well bred and "abused" dogs!