A plea and reminder to parents of dogs

Tropez

EmptyPockets wrote: »

Sadly, with a lot of them I don't think it is even about being responsible or not - it's about education, and the fact is, a lot of them are just plain ignorant and clueless when it comes to breeding and rehoming pups. Learning about a breed and being responsible for the litter you produce is far too boring and time-consuming - the easy money is all that concerns them and as far as they are concerned they think it is their 'right' to breed from a b!tch over and over again just because 'it' belongs to them...

Very true, sadly.

I was told I should breed from Zoe by someone because of her "quality" because I could "make a lot" from it but I had no intention of doing that.

I know just how difficult it is dealing with two over playful puppies, I certainly didn't want to start dealing with another 8 of them... plus I'm too much of a softy, I'd end up wanting to keep them all anyway

But I don't know enough about breeding to even contemplate it. I'm sure I could research it but I'd rather leave it to professionals. There's too many unwanted dogs in this world already, I'm not about to start adding to their numbers for a few hundred quid.

staffiecat

I have two staffy crossed dogs - one is a whippet that loves to run and the other is crossed with an alsation so she is quite strong and big. Both of these dogs are the friendliest most affectionate pets that I have ever known. They are both well socialised with other dogs but if for some reason I need to keep them on the lead (season, illness, recovery, training etc etc) when walking I would expect other dog owners to take heed of this and stay clear of us. My alsation cross wouldn't be bothered about another dog approaching but my whippet cross feels very threatened and has previously reacted by growling - quite often other dog owners don't know how to react when she starts to growl and will try to chat to me rather than try to remove the tension - their dog!!

I think that the point here should be that all dog owners need to think responsibly and be aware of other dogs (and their owners). I am responsible for my two and that means that I take them to places that I can safely let them off the lead and give them the exercise they need but equally as part of their training I will use the lead and I would expect others to approach with caution (by leading their dog) etc but equally I would steer out of their way.

Tropez

wilykit wrote: »

i had a lad come up to me once saying "you've got an illegal dog!! did you know that it's illegal!! you should take it home before somebody else sees it!"

haha. i was like no dear, he is an EBT not a pitbull...do your homework because they look NOTHING alike!!!!

That guy was clearly a Sky News viewer!

EmptyPockets

Tropez wrote: »

I was told I should breed from Zoe by someone because of her "quality" because I could "make a lot" from it but I had no intention of doing that.

Me too - unbelievably, but honestly, we were 'advised' that we should breed our Patterdale Terrier and our Border Collie :eek: Can you imagine it?

According to this expert they would produce 'great ratters, and ideal for lamping' :mad:

wilykit

somebody once told me to breed my dogs because i would get 'a right beasty dog'.....no would have been the polite answer!!!

i like the idea of breeding my american bulldog but i know its not as simple as that so i aren't! plus i would probably end up keeping all the puppies and have no home left!!!

Tropez

EmptyPockets wrote: »

Me too - unbelievably, but honestly, we were 'advised' that we should breed our Patterdale Terrier and our Border Collie :eek: Can you imagine it?

According to this expert they would produce 'great ratters, and ideal for lamping' :mad:

People still go lamping?

I take mine coursing sometimes but it's lure coursing.

These 'experts' need to mind their own... can't people just have pets anymore?

EmptyPockets

Tropez wrote: »

People still go lamping?

Illegally, yes, people do I think. This person didn't say THEY went lamping, but why make a comment like that otherwise..?

Idiotic, selfish, ignorant morons who should spend a week witnessing the heart-rending stories that flood through the doors of every dog rescue centre in the country. Then would they still want to produce that 5th litter destined for more ignorant owners?

Tropez

EmptyPockets wrote: »

Illegally, yes, people do I think. This person didn't say THEY went lamping, but why make a comment like that otherwise..?

Idiotic, selfish, ignorant morons who should spend a week witnessing the heart-rending stories that flood through the doors of every dog rescue centre in the country. Then would they still want to produce that 5th litter destined for more ignorant owners?

Very sad.

I believe it isn't technically illegal to go lamping if you're hunting rats but it just sounds like such a pointless pursuit to me. Plus, if you kill a badger or fox I'm pretty sure you've just crossed the legal line and as its generally done with some sort of lurcher it just sounds like you're destined to kill something you shouldn't. Even then, I'm not a fan of rats, but hunting them for sport isn't something I would condone anyway.

I'm always quite interested in sighthound sports but I'm disgusted with those who only breed sighthounds for sport and then cast them away when they're too old to win some pointless trinket. Mine can go coursing until they're too old to do so, and then they can sit on my sofa and let me give them a big cuddle for fun instead.

lostinrates

EmptyPockets wrote: »

Well that's an attitude of 'I'm alright, sod everyone else'. If your own dog is non aggressive, of course you won't see the problem, because you're not the one having to deal with it everyday.

I think this is the issue. On the other hand, if you are the owner of dogs like sghthounds that really ''need'' a darn good of the lead run you are in difficulty if other people demand they are on leads or close by you, a different problem you might not notice if its not the one you have to deal with.

I have started NOT taking mine out in public places for their romps because they are big dogs who , due to their type, require off the lead hooning about, not dogs who want longer lead walks. What we all really miss is social time with other dogs.

One answer, were it possible, which I don't think it is, is for people to pick their walks. I'd like to walk somewhere with other dog safe dogs who are sociable and don't mind a play, whereas I wouldn't dream of letting my dogs off the lead in a small inner city park...it would be inconsiderate for others and unsatisfactory to them,nor to walk them off leads on pavements. (they often used to walk and run off lead with me on our rural roads which we had pretty much to our selves or to other similarly dog friendly dogs ) It used to be quite''safe'' and acceptable to walk dogs like mine in rural areas, forestry commissions or large parks...and it becomes less and less so.

So the needs of runabout dogs and the needs of ''needs a lead'' type dogs aren't being met either atm. It would be good if we were to find some practical answers:)

Tropez

lostinrates wrote: »

I think this is the issue. On the other hand, if you are the owner of dogs like sghthounds that really ''need'' a darn good of the lead run you are in difficulty if other people demand they are on leads or close by you, a different problem you might not notice if its not the one you have to deal with.

I have started NOT taking mine out in public places for their romps because they are big dogs who , due to their type, require off the lead hooning about, not dogs who want longer lead walks. What we all really miss is social tie with other dogs.

One answer, were it possible, which I don't think it is, is for people to pick their walks. I'd like to walk somewhere with other dog safe dogs who are sociable and don't mind a play, whereas I wouldn't dream of letting my dogs off the lead in a small inner city park...it would be inconsiderate for others and unsatisfactory to them,nor to walk them off leads on pavements. (they often used to walk and run off lead with me on our rural roads which we had pretty much to our selves or to other similarly dog friendly dogs ) It used to be quite''safe'' and acceptable to walk dogs like mine in rural areas, forestry commissions or large parks...and it becomes less and less so.

So the needs of runabout dogs and the needs of ''needs a lead'' type dogs aren't being met either atm. It would be good if we were to find some practical answers:)

Well said.

In some countries (I couldn't name them off hand, but I believe Canada is one) where they have multiple established parks solely for dog walkers there is sometimes a facility the size of a tennis court (multiple courts in the more popular parks) that patrons can rent out at a nominal sum (for upkeep) for 15-30 minute windows and let their dogs run freely. For very large dogs, the size still might not be sufficient but for the average sized dog I think this is a good solution.

It stuns me sometimes that despite being regarded as a nation of dog lovers, the British seem to be so far behind in providing the adequate facilities for people to care for their dogs in a safe way. As a whippet owner, I know my dogs need sprinting exercise, hence I take them coursing, I pay a friend a small fee to rent out his field and when buying my house the need for a large back garden was very much a deal breaker. Of course, not everyone has access to such facilities, or the money to pay for them.

Many councils in southern England (Hampshire, Dorset and Somerset are the ones I recall) took part in a thorough survey to determine how to better meet the needs of both dog owners and society at large. I believe their conclusions were published in 2005 and it has become part of a wider policy document aimed at improving the facilities available to dog owners, but I think we're still quite some way off the ideal solution for everyone.

Edited to add - I think the best short-term solution we have at the moment is dog walking clubs that are generally found in more rural areas. They meet the needs of people who want their dogs to socialise and usually seek permission of private landowners to walk their dogs on their land, away from other people. This also usually leads to some provisions for off lead time. Of course, these clubs don't exist everywhere, and someone in the centre of London or Birmingham might have difficulties in attending such clubs, but at least it is something.