Controversial Issues
- Thread starter Linds
- Start date
-Rescues that adopt out pretty much anything to anyone, STAHP! Those first time dog owners didn't need that high-strung JRT, or that DA pit bull, or that HA Golden. JUST STAHP!
-People who hold breeders to unattainable standards (I'm looking at you, Megan!)
-Pretty much anyone who has super strong opinions, on anything, and can't not tell people ALL THE TIME. Just...shut up. You told me, I know. Shut up.
Other than that, whatever. I try not to let too much ruffle my feathers, and for the most part, I think I do a pretty good job. I'm certainly happier than I was when I thought EVERYONE HAD TO KNOW MY OPINION! POLICE ALL THE THINGS! CALL OUT ALL THE EVIL!
-People who hold breeders to unattainable standards (I'm looking at you, Megan!)
-Pretty much anyone who has super strong opinions, on anything, and can't not tell people ALL THE TIME. Just...shut up. You told me, I know. Shut up.
Other than that, whatever. I try not to let too much ruffle my feathers, and for the most part, I think I do a pretty good job. I'm certainly happier than I was when I thought EVERYONE HAD TO KNOW MY OPINION! POLICE ALL THE THINGS! CALL OUT ALL THE EVIL!
So much this. There is NO size variety in the australian shepherd, NONE. My dogs are not "standard" Aussies because there are no "mini" Aussies. You have a breed and a standard, use it.
And for one of my own, people who make stud pages for ridiculously young dogs. If your dog is a year old or younger or really under two, come one now that's a baby. And you can't even tell me health testing is done.
So much less than when I was in my 20s. Like SO MUCH LESS. Or it bothers me but I just shrug it off. And I'm so much happier for it 
Still the same general stuff though. Stupid people who don't think outside the box mostly. Gullible people irritate me.. People who share spam and hoaxes on Facebook drive me insane. Like, you believe macdonalds are serving human meat, or aliens are plotting to steal your Christmas presents?! Are you that thick? Have you ever heard of snopes?!!
Dog related... A lot of stuff. But I recognise not everyone is as geeky as me, so I try not to care. Most people are just pet dog owners.
Seriously hate people who breed their pet dogs though. Or buy dogs with no research at all, no matter where from.
Still the same general stuff though. Stupid people who don't think outside the box mostly. Gullible people irritate me.. People who share spam and hoaxes on Facebook drive me insane. Like, you believe macdonalds are serving human meat, or aliens are plotting to steal your Christmas presents?! Are you that thick? Have you ever heard of snopes?!!
Dog related... A lot of stuff. But I recognise not everyone is as geeky as me, so I try not to care. Most people are just pet dog owners.
Seriously hate people who breed their pet dogs though. Or buy dogs with no research at all, no matter where from.
I get its hard for breeders who are very involved with confo showing to find the time and money to show something else. But then find your best prospects sport homes and let other do the titling for you.
First litter I ever had (the one that gave me Dekka) I have one of the best pups to someone who had done very very well in the agility world and has owned JRTs. Good word of mouth and let someone with time, experience and the desire title the dog in things.
I too hate it when a CH is all that is seen in the lines for ever. That said Schen comes from a breeder who is very into confo and has oodles of dogs with CH. But coming from a companion breed I was less concerned. Also I don't particularly care if Schen wants to set the world on fire in sports. I have one of those (Dekka) and I don't have the money or the time to really do her justice, and it breaks my heart.
First litter I ever had (the one that gave me Dekka) I have one of the best pups to someone who had done very very well in the agility world and has owned JRTs. Good word of mouth and let someone with time, experience and the desire title the dog in things.
I too hate it when a CH is all that is seen in the lines for ever. That said Schen comes from a breeder who is very into confo and has oodles of dogs with CH. But coming from a companion breed I was less concerned. Also I don't particularly care if Schen wants to set the world on fire in sports. I have one of those (Dekka) and I don't have the money or the time to really do her justice, and it breaks my heart.
Saying "hey, if it works for you" as a rationale for being okay with certain punishments doesn't work for me. People do terrible things to their dogs and it works. That doesn't make it okay, people should try not to hurt or terrify their dogs. Our last dog Max used to chase the broom when we swept the floor. While we were on vacation my uncle decided to fix that problem (with my parents blessing). He started to sweep and when Max went for the broom my uncle beat him with it. Worked like a charm, never went after the broom again, no behavioral fallout. I still don't think it's okay to beat your dog with a broom, ever. I don't care that it might be the fastest and easiest way to get rid of the problem.
Yes, that is the main issue. But I think conformation is really flawed, perhaps not so much for Aussies, but for poodles, it has really ruined the breed in my opinion.
There is so mch emphasis on the god **** show coat that so many other things are overlooked. The breed is a health and temperament nightmare!!! But look at the coat on that dog!! It's messed up.
There is so mch emphasis on the god **** show coat that so many other things are overlooked. The breed is a health and temperament nightmare!!! But look at the coat on that dog!! It's messed up.
The problems with conformation for me are firstly, that the people who wrote the standards aren't necessarily any better at determining what makes a healthy, functional dog than anyone else. A lot of what's in standards is completely arbitrary and based on what people thought or think about what form creates the function the dog does, but we humans don't know as much as we think we know IMO (especially not when standards were being written!). And egos, ribbons, and fashion have too much power over how those standards are interpreted in the ring, anyway.
My favorite on this topic is this article that I first saw Linds post long ago: http://saluqi.home.netcom.com/belkin.htm. One of my favorite quotes is how he's discussing the description of the eyes in the standards and points out that nowhere does it say the dog should be able to see.
Secondly, it's too easy for things to reach "bad becomes normal" status, once someone breaks the seal on something and manages to justify it to themselves and everyone else. Merle x merle, for example.
The older I get, the less conformation titles mean to me. It frustrates me what we have done to dogs in the name of standards and breeds and closed stud books. I am really more of a type person, anyway, but it's absolutely possible to have a recognizable breed without every member being as much of a carbon copy of one another or an imaginary standard as possible.
My favorite on this topic is this article that I first saw Linds post long ago: http://saluqi.home.netcom.com/belkin.htm. One of my favorite quotes is how he's discussing the description of the eyes in the standards and points out that nowhere does it say the dog should be able to see.
Secondly, it's too easy for things to reach "bad becomes normal" status, once someone breaks the seal on something and manages to justify it to themselves and everyone else. Merle x merle, for example.
The older I get, the less conformation titles mean to me. It frustrates me what we have done to dogs in the name of standards and breeds and closed stud books. I am really more of a type person, anyway, but it's absolutely possible to have a recognizable breed without every member being as much of a carbon copy of one another or an imaginary standard as possible.