PetBehaviourist

The more I think about "modifying" purebred dogs to turn them into different shaped animals with one placid, biddable temperament, the more it gets up my nose.

Thousands of years (in some cases) of selective breeding have got us to where we are.

This sounds a tad contradictory to me...haven't humans "modified" wolves through the process of domestication to turn them into the different shapes and sizes that we see in the "pure" breeds we have today? The process of domestication required that only those individuals with placid natures who showed less fear of people were selectively bred together. Species (including us and dogs) continue to evolve in order to adapt to a changing environment. Nothing stays the same forever!!! And NO!!!! I am NOT AGAINST PURE BREEDS...I LOVE them and I've owned them all my life

Hi Petbehaviourist, I believe that dogs have wonderful abilities. Unfortunately, we humans don't have the skills or the tools to discover and qualify those abilities.

The talents of Endal were amazing. Dogs detecting cancer, dogs detecting low blood sugar, seizures, termites, assistance dogs, guide dogs - they are capable of so much, all of it for the benefit of man. And the more we know, the more we will discover.

They deserve better than we often give them.

Totally agree! They do deserve better (although mine have it pretty damn good ) Hopefully the more we learn about them the better the care we can provide. How lucky are we to be a part of the wonderful world of dogs!!??

Such a fantastic doco - dogs continue to amaze us. Imagine what future research into their intelliegence and cognitive abilities will discover?!

Hi all!

Wow, it seems this seminar has created much heated discussion on this forum. I am very interested in hearing what the speakers have to say and looking forward to attending. I see it as an opportunity for all those involved in the wonderful world of dogs (breeding, companions, working dogs etc) to voice their opinions and concerns and to work together for the good of the species. At the end of the day a dog is a dog - purebred, cross bred or designer. As their caregivers is it not up to us to do best by 'mans best friend'?

Welcome to the forum, PetBehaviourist,

"Heated discussion"? Naw. Just members voicing their disapproval of a purebred dog forum being used to promote a seminar with key speakers whose voiced aims are to turn purebreds into crossbreds, and someone who is breeding poodle x labradors crossbreds, and CavBeastuffeds.

There is bound to be dissention when the tenets of others are diametrically opposed to your own, and whose tenets, in your opinion, are not doing the best for "man's best friend"

But there you go, everyone has a different opinion.

I hope you enjoy the seminar.

Thanks for the welcome Jed Yes, different opinions make life interesting! I watched the BBC doco on Youtube also - AMAZING!!! Dogs are just the best. Their intelligence and capabilities continue to astoud us.

Hi all!

Wow, it seems this seminar has created much heated discussion on this forum. I am very interested in hearing what the speakers have to say and looking forward to attending. I see it as an opportunity for all those involved in the wonderful world of dogs (breeding, companions, working dogs etc) to voice their opinions and concerns and to work together for the good of the species. At the end of the day a dog is a dog - purebred, cross bred or designer. As their caregivers is it not up to us to do best by 'mans best friend'?