Ah, because she likes a lot of the breed traits (that coincidentally fit the bill for much of what an "ideal pet dog" might be). She wants that friendly, biddable, happy-go-lucky dog that will go running and biking with her but be happy to be a foot warmer as well. She wants a dog that she can yell "NO!" at when it countersurfs or chews up a shoe and won't shut completely down. She wants a dog that will love her and her husband and ideally any kids that might come their way in the future. She wants a dog that will have a stable temperament, a sound mind, and ideally not die early of some catastrophic disease. She may very well end up with a lab, a lab mix, or a random muttly mutt from a shelter, but she knows I like dogs so our conversation took a turn and we started talking about what to look for in a breeder should she go that route.
And if she should go the breeder route because she wants to know the genetic foundation (tempermentally, healthwise, and otherwise) of her new companion, I won't judge her at all. Should she go the shelter route? I will also support that decision.
To a certain extent, hunting could "prove" physical soundness... but it likely also comes with dogs whose energy and drive is a bit more than her ideal. Obedience could "prove" bidability, but she doesn't particularly care if her dog is obedient to a tee. Therapy work seems to be the best way to "prove a pet" that I can come up with...
I battle with this a lot myself because I have been quite invovled in rescue throughout my life, but I love dogs and understandably have developed loves for certain breeds. I want my future dog to be a pet. I might dabble in some doggie things here and there, but primarily I want a hiking, walking, trick-training companion who will love me and not drive me batty when I don't feel like doing any of the aforementioned things. I want a dog to bring around town, groom, and take care of. One that will entertain me with silly antics. I don't need a purebred by any means. But I love certain breeds and sometimes want the relative assurance of knowing what I'm getting. Just my slightly random thoughts...
And if she should go the breeder route because she wants to know the genetic foundation (tempermentally, healthwise, and otherwise) of her new companion, I won't judge her at all. Should she go the shelter route? I will also support that decision.
To a certain extent, hunting could "prove" physical soundness... but it likely also comes with dogs whose energy and drive is a bit more than her ideal. Obedience could "prove" bidability, but she doesn't particularly care if her dog is obedient to a tee. Therapy work seems to be the best way to "prove a pet" that I can come up with...
I battle with this a lot myself because I have been quite invovled in rescue throughout my life, but I love dogs and understandably have developed loves for certain breeds. I want my future dog to be a pet. I might dabble in some doggie things here and there, but primarily I want a hiking, walking, trick-training companion who will love me and not drive me batty when I don't feel like doing any of the aforementioned things. I want a dog to bring around town, groom, and take care of. One that will entertain me with silly antics. I don't need a purebred by any means. But I love certain breeds and sometimes want the relative assurance of knowing what I'm getting. Just my slightly random thoughts...