Have You Been Dog Snobbed?

[Guest Tess32]

I think people are forgetting that words have common connotations and if these are negative, it is no surprise people will get offended.

Words are not neutral, and if they connote negativity, expect a negative reaction!

[Rebanne]

I have a mongeral and I don't care if she is called that cause that is what she is.

[mita]

My rant comes after one too many encounters of this attitude. Generally I can blow it off. Perhaps it is just the month for it. Or wrong month for something! :p

I just wondered if it was something that happened to other people and with any regularity.

I understand why it was one encounter too many for you, Dory. Some people were behind the door, when God gave out tact. :D

There are ways to make a point to people without belittling them via what's dear to their heart....their dog.

I'm a great supporter of Purebred Dogs, from the decent knowledgeable registered breeders. For the good reason that dogs from people like that, are likely to get a good boost in life, re their health, conformation, early socialisation & ongoing welfare.

But I've also owned mixed breed dogs that I don't describe as a 'mongrel' (a word that's come to have ugly meanings in relation to people). But rather a God Knows the Pedigree dog. .

'Pedigree is actually a benign word which doesn't just refer to purebred dogs or horses.

It simply means a map of ancestors. Comes from the French....meaning a 'Heron's Foot'.... because if you write down the ancestors of any person or any animal, the 'map' looks like a bird's foot. You'll even hear the word 'pedigree' used for things which develop over time....like models of cars.

What makes the pedigree of purebred dogs different, is that they are registered with a central registry & are assessed on the basis of how they conform to a standard.

So, next time, someone lights into you, using the word 'mongrel'.....dazzle that person with science.

Tell them your dog is a GKP. God Knows the Pedigree. Perfectly true, the dog has ancestors (no virgin births among dogs )... they just haven't been recorded. So God knows who they were!!!!

As for the unfortunate 'oodles', heaven weeps for them. Designed for novelty & profit...with none of the safety factors in their background, like the purebred dogs have.

Edited July 6, 2010 by mita

[Remarkabull]

I have 5 dogs, only 1 of which is 'pedigree with papers' (none of my dogs are DD's) and even though he is only5 months old we are always asked 'what is he'? What is he crossed with? (He is a very big boy, bred from working lines). I just smile and say no, he is purebred. I had a lady come up to me and gush 'oh, he looks just like my old dog', (her old dog was a mutt of unknown origin) then ask me what kind of dog he was. When I proudly (and why shouldn't i be proud, i have waited a long time to get a dog of this quality) told her he was a purebred Dobermann, she became 'huffy' and seemed offended that i am proud of my pedigree dog! I love all of my dogs but with my Dobe I have a very good idea about how he will turn out as an adult. I also have a Jack Russell (purebred, no papers) and she is every inch a JR, looks and personality! The others are a mixed bag! I have found the 'snobbiest' of dog owners are the ones that have DD's. They seem very eager to tell everyone that they paid a fortune for a dog that they have no idea how it will turn out. I worked as a groomer for a long time and I have seen tons of 'Labradoodles' (and all the other 'oodles') of all shapes, sizes and personalities and I have, from time to time pointed out that for the same (or less) amount of money they could have purchased a pedigree puppy from a reputable breeder! If people are getting a dog because it is the 'in' thing right now then I think that they are the ones who are snobs

[Magstar]

I have found the 'snobbiest' of dog owners are the ones that have DD's. They seem very eager to tell everyone that they paid a fortune for a dog that they have no idea how it will turn out.

I agree, from my experience, people who own DD's seem to be the snobbiest. Just the other day I was talking to a lady as I was buying some toys for our puppy. She asked me what I had and I said a golden retriever puppy. She then went "Oh, well I have a beagalier!" The way she said it was like "you only have a crappy GR, my dog is so much fancier" :p I just turned and walked away before I said anything that I would regret...

[aussielover]

Mindy was insulted the other day and called a labradoodle... I mean seriously, I don't know how you could possibly confuse a purebred lab and a labradoodle?

I have no problem with labradoodle dogs themselves, some are very cute, but Mindy is clearly not a labradoodle.

When I corrected the person they actually said "oh that is a shame, labradoodles are much healthier and calmer"

A few people have also said she can't possibly be a labrador as labradors are crazy and playful puppies, not nice and calm.

Mindy has her crazy moments, but I do try to keep her under control in public.

A few people called Clover a mutt

[kritta]

If this person was the provider of paid services I'd have told her that since she thought so little of my dog I'd take my money elsewhere and make sure other dog owners like me knew of her views.

This. Snobbery is everywhere: rescue; dog sport; dog training; show; DDs; working dogs; DDs and beyond.

If it bugs you, don't reward it by supporting their business.

Totally agree.

I'm sure the dog in question doesn't care about the remark!!!

[Noelle]

I seem to meet a fair few snobby twits on the walks of a morning. One walked towards me, shouting she breeds poodles and announced my 'oodly whatever' needed a jolly good clip. Rizzi the Lagotto just stood here looking gorgeous as I let fly Could not help myself.

[Ripley]

I couldn't care less. My dog was rescued straight from the pound by me, I chose her, chose to keep her and chose to rehome a few pure breds I fostered who came after her. I was at some markets near where a dog show was on once and a breeder of Italian greyhounds there came up to us and exclaimed, "Oh what a dear little cross!" I laughed as she is a dear little cross, the woman was right. Millie is I don't know what, there is tibbie in there but not sure how much. People thinks she's a puppy but she's 10.

However, my cat is pure bred (Lilac Burmese) and I refer to other cats that aren't as ferals. Not to anyone's face though.

Edited July 6, 2010 by Ripley

[Remarkabull]

I seem to meet a fair few snobby twits on the walks of a morning. One walked towards me, shouting she breeds poodles and announced my 'oodly whatever' needed a jolly good clip. Rizzi the Lagotto just stood here looking gorgeous as I let fly Could not help myself.

Thats a good one. I used to do flyball with my old Dobe and people were always asking what he was crossed with (he was a big Dobe). After hearing that about a million times we always used to respond that he was a Rotti X Greyhound, and the very intelligent people that asked would nod their heads knowingly and say 'yes, thats what i thought'! Another lady in our club had a Irish Water Spaniel and was constantly told what a funny looking Poodle she had!

[Ellie]

I have found the 'snobbiest' of dog owners are the ones that have DD's. They seem very eager to tell everyone that they paid a fortune for a dog that they have no idea how it will turn out.

I agree, from my experience, people who own DD's seem to be the snobbiest. Just the other day I was talking to a lady as I was buying some toys for our puppy. She asked me what I had and I said a golden retriever puppy. She then went "Oh, well I have a beagalier!" The way she said it was like "you only have a crappy GR, my dog is so much fancier" I just turned and walked away before I said anything that I would regret...

If someone uses the DD name of their dog in a conversation I just say "Oh yeah, what's that?"

[Fevah]

When I corrected the person they actually said "oh that is a shame, labradoodles are much healthier and calmer"

Everyone is an expert hey ;)

I actually at this because I have yet to meet a calm 'Oodle' of any kind!

[OSoSwift]

When I corrected the person they actually said "oh that is a shame, labradoodles are much healthier and calmer"

Everyone is an expert hey

I actually at this because I have yet to meet a calm 'Oodle' of any kind!

I have to agree there, the only two I have had anything to do with have been completely over the top Hypo, and rather large!

It is a very small number though ;)

[K9Nev]

I have found the 'snobbiest' of dog owners are the ones that have DD's. They seem very eager to tell everyone that they paid a fortune for a dog that they have no idea how it will turn out.

I agree, from my experience, people who own DD's seem to be the snobbiest. Just the other day I was talking to a lady as I was buying some toys for our puppy. She asked me what I had and I said a golden retriever puppy. She then went "Oh, well I have a beagalier!" The way she said it was like "you only have a crappy GR, my dog is so much fancier" ;) I just turned and walked away before I said anything that I would regret...

I agree with this also which seems to be a common pattern with DD owners. I have also known these people to claim their DD dogs are "papered"............can't imagine what the "papers" they are referring to I have seen a few Golden Retriever x Standard Poodle's which are popular in our area, but noticebly how different each dog looks. As a standard of reproduction these GR x Poodles I know of in appearance and size are all over the place.

Cheers

Nev

[Sky_Mel]

I get the "Oh she is a Belgian Shepherd" and when I explain no she is a purebred German Shepherd (Long Coat Black Sable)I get the "hmmm I don't think so" Wellll I have the limited register papers to prove it! Gets frustrating! Granted now she is older we don't get it very often.

I have a black GSD that people often argue has "Kelpie in it".........Proper GSD's are black and tan this person argues like the one over there............pointing to a Belgian Malinios

Cheers

Nev

;)

[Jacquiboss&scoop]

Yup funny enough I have 2 mutts and one pure breed Rottie, I get the snub for the rottie , are you not worried that she will turn on the kids ?, that one is just insulting big dog with orange eyebrows , most of the time It isnt a bother dont let it get to me I know what she is like with kids.

I did however feel sorry for a lady I met one day recently with a blue harl Dane puppy bitch I thought she was beautiful and social , commented on her unusual colur and was sad to see her hunch up and explain that this was a fault I still think she was a beautiful Dane such a shame that her owner was so uncomfortable talking about her , I would say some people have been very mean and it can be hurtful after all most of us love our dogs no matter what they look like, people should be more gentle with each other a little kindness goes a long way

[Libster]

I like mongrel (in the nicest possible way) its better than DD. Though she has no pedigree and parents of unknown orgins or papers I love her and would have a mongrel or Purebred any day than a DD. Yes I too have chuckled when DD owners have said the dogs come with papers just a dearer version of my girl!!!

[Dodo]

My OH says our mutt dogs are" pure dog and proud of it " ;)

Somebody asked if our grey hairy boofer was a dalmation but I think that had more to do with

the man's recreational substance flowing through his veins

Edited July 6, 2010 by Dodo

[Fevah]

Yup funny enough I have 2 mutts and one pure breed Rottie, I get the snub for the rottie , are you not worried that she will turn on the kids ?, that one is just insulting big dog with orange eyebrows , most of the time It isnt a bother dont let it get to me I know what she is like with kids.

I did however feel sorry for a lady I met one day recently with a blue harl Dane puppy bitch I thought she was beautiful and social , commented on her unusual colur and was sad to see her hunch up and explain that this was a fault I still think she was a beautiful Dane such a shame that her owner was so uncomfortable talking about her , I would say some people have been very mean and it can be hurtful after all most of us love our dogs no matter what they look like, people should be more gentle with each other a little kindness goes a long way

That is sad

My blue boy doesn't really have the proper Min Pin hackney gait and I lovingly refer to him as 'MY reject'.

I would hate to feel embarrassed by him because of this though!

[BJean]

Using the term mongrel, isn't passing judgment or being derogatory;

its just stating what the dog is - what value the owner then places on that name reference depends on the owner.

I dont care what names people or the public refer to my dogs with - some references I prefer, others i dopnt

but I dont get offended by them

I dont get that precious. To others, the dogs are what they are and so it is apt (though not necesarrily preferred) to call the dogs by all the names they go by.

Anatolian, Kangal, mongrel Turkish dog, wolf killer, wolf strangler, russian mastiff, fighting ovcharka, volkodav ...

sure there are some descriptive terms I dont like

but so what

the dogs are what they are.

imo if you find the term mongrel offensive or a 'dog snob swipe'

you need to feel more secure and confident about your dog

OFFTOPIC

From the first day I saw your site I have always referred to your dogs as "But honneeyyyy I waannttt one, and it's my birthday soon, and Moon needs a brother and we just extended the house and pet insurance is cheap now and if we save and I promise I'll walk it everyday pleeeasseeee" dogs.

The answer is always "When we get a farm we'll do more research"

*grumps*

thankyou ;)

Im about to give them all their dinner now

so will pass on the message that I'm not the only one who thinks they're ace