Small Boost in Popularity? Maddie's fault?

[Brattina88]

Slowly but surely I have noticed more dogs in my area… Of course, that’s something I would notice, think about occasionally, and accept it as “aw look, it’s the beagle from down the road again” and not be bothered by it.

A couple weeks ago I heard a dog barking and thought for a second it was Maddie. I looked outside, and saw that down the side street about 4 houses away was a male cocker spaniel – looked enough like her that it could be her brother! I thought it was cute, and a little exciting. I haven’t had the chance to pop bye and ask his name yet, though…
Today, on my walk I saw not one, not two, but 3 more cockers! Only one of them I have seen before. I was walking Missy, so when I saw the buff cocker I stopped and said a polite “Hello” and said something about their dog was cute, and I had a cocker at home. The reply I got was “I know, we wanted one just like her” I smiled and was polite, but when I walked away I was like WHAT?!?

After I walked Missy, it was Maddie’s turn. I made sure to walk past the black and white cocker – because I’d never seen it before today, and black and whites aren’t common in the area at all. The dog barked at us, but Maddie just ignored it. I smiled, but said nothing – we were having a wonderful walk, Maddie was being exceptionally well behaved; I just walked by out of curiosity. The dog was taller than Maddie and proportioned a little different. Probably out of an add in the newspaper, because I have seen them lately. Anyway, I heard the owner yell at the dog to be quiet. And then I heard her say, “Why isn’t she more like that cocker?”
I got home and had a talk with Maddie. Maybe she needs to start acting more ill behaved? While Cocker’s are wonderful dogs, popularity has already nearly ruined the breed. Even if it’s just a small boost in my local area, we don’t need anything like that happening lol Because I would blame myself!

Anyone else experience this?? I mean, sometimes I see pics and read stories on here, and I contemplate for half a second on what it would be like to own, say, a Border Collie, but I would never go out and get a dog to be “just like so-and-so’s” people... ...

 

[MafiaPrincess]

No one has bought a dog (that I know of) cause of miss Cider...
But, I have heard, 'why can't my EB, GSD, pug, etc act like your dog?'..
I had never really seen a cocker since childhood honestly. They aren't common in Ontario on petfinder.. If they pop up it's ofte na mix lookign very uncockery..

But.. Lately there are three in the neighbourhood plus Cider, all products of bybs. One is so skittish her own tail might bite her, can't greet dogs can't greet people but her structure is pretty good. One has cherry eye they've given up on fixing and a really long back, but sweet as hell. And one is a puppy I've only seen from a distance but doesn't look spot on. Oh I lie one more, an 8 year old I have seen off and on for a few years, who RAVES about the breeder. Sounds like a flipping miller.. and the guy ADORES him.. Dog has the longest docked tail ever, and it so chubby his belly drags..

Short of the last guy I explain what I've learned about breeders from owning Cider and how I picked a fantastic breeder for my next pup, most ask Qs cause they didn't do research..

Some of my friends have told me they hated cockers till they met Cider, cause they hadn't met a nice one, so hopefully we improve their image but no one we know is trying to get one, most have dogs and are pretty hardcore informed.

 

[jess2416]

I would love to meet a chazzers cocker one day....Sadly, all the ones that I have ever known have been spastic and aggressive

 

[MafiaPrincess]

Well.. my puppy is still in your state for another 8-10 weeks

 

[joce]

At one time all but two houses on my street had a dobe-I have no clue how that happened

My cousin loves shepherds now after seeing missy Her friend wants a dog and she has her convinced on a shepherd now. they've been going around and looking at the pounds and shelter for like the last month

 

[PWCorgi]

There are only 5 corgis that I know of in my area, and Izzy and Frodo are the only ones of the 5 that make appearances around the town. I don't really have a big fear of them getting popular around here because nobody seems to know what they are (most of the people that know of the breed are much older).

Although I was stopped by a couple who wanted to know what it's like living with a corgi "Well let me tell ya....yadda yadda yadda...and 20 minutes later they escaped my clutches

 

[StillandSilent]

Everyone I meet wants a dog just like Radar. Which is impossible, because he is a mutt and we have no idea what he might be mixed with. This does not stop people from wanting to breed him. Of course, I also get a lot of "Just like that cute little dog, but about 7 8-10 lbs smaller". Radar weighs 13 lbs.
I get a lot of looks at Lilly, but most people already have strong opinions on Beagles, one way or the other so not many ask too many questions. Mostly families that might want to get the kids a puppy.

 

[Laurelin]

A friend of ours got a papillon because they were in love with Beau. He's really sweet, though not quite to standard. He's a big boy, short haired with an underbite- I have no idea where they got him. We told her our breeder's number and a couple others, but they were too expensive. They absolutely adore him though. He's been great for their boys. Our old neighbor wants one now.

We get stopped all the time with people wanting to know what kind of dog that is. Tehre was a groomer at Petsmart that came out to meet Beau because she's wanted a papillon for an age. She said he was the prettiest papillon she'd seen. Made me proud, lol.

Beau's a bit infectious, I think. He gets a lot of attention wherever we go. He's always the star no matter if we have the others around or not.

 

[Dreyfus_Fang]

I've fostered LeRoy for a while, but you wouldn't know he's blind!! On his walks he stays right next to me, and some adults come to me and ask me about him. Recently, my neighbours bought three Australian Cattle Dogs - all blue merles like LeRoy - and gave one away to a couple down the street who also liked LeRoy.

In fact, the dogs were all brothers and were extremely rowdy, and one of the people came to me asking how I trained LeRoy to be so good, I told them:

A) LeRoy is blind.
B) I got LeRoy under a week ago.

They stared at me, all mad and stuff, then stormed out. The people who kept two of them ended up getting rid of the rowdier one, who now lives in ANOTHER house down the street.

And so, the Australian Cattle Dog infestation has begun in my town!!:yikes:

 

[drmom777]

First of all, after looking at Chazhound for a while, I want a Papillon too. They are amazing.

People who meet Uncle Fred ask where they can get a coonhound and what is it like having him.. I always tell them all the good stuff first, and then I mention that we run him three times a day for at least one hour each. They usually lose interest.

 

[misticaleclipse]

Ah, I love cockers, but now that I think of it you are right, I do not see them often here at all. Infact the only one I have ever seen in Ontario is owned by my uncle up north. You also do not see to many byb adds for them. I think that might be why. People are to busy looking for either tiny or big dogs up here, not much in between lol

 

[Brattina88]

Jess, you're welcome to come meet Maddie! She loves the idea of meeting a bunch of people... and getting a lot of attention... lol, the ham!
Though, sadly, she sometimes can be a little skittish now if someone approaches her on the right (her blind) side. But she's still a social little brat! Just seems a lot more wary of kids; too unpredictable in their movements I guess. . . So, she's not perfect (I feel like I sometimes make her out to be, but all things considered she is very well-behaved 95% of the time lol) but... ah... she's close! rofl!

Some of my friends have told me they hated cockers till they met Cider, cause they hadn't met a nice one, so hopefully we improve their image but no one we know is trying to get one, most have dogs and are pretty hardcore informed.

I get that a lot, too...
It surprises me how many people have a bad impression of cockers...
My friend who met her for the first time was amazed that Maddie doesn't stink (because of allergies), usually doesn't submissive/excitement pee, and isn't yappy and is generally well bahaved. Sticks around off leash, and knows all those "cute" tricks. Wow, a Cocker can be a "real" dog too !

At one time all but two houses on my street had a dobe-I have no clue how that happened

My cousin loves shepherds now after seeing missy. Her friend wants a dog and she has her convinced on a shepherd now. they've been going around and looking at the pounds and shelter for like the last month

Well, I have a newly formed admiration of Dobes! How can you not, they're so gorgeous!
Oh, Missy and I say thanks! We try - I'm afriad that she's turning into a big sissy sometimes, though. LOL. I wish them best of luck finding a good GSD !! Dunno how I ever found Missy at a pound !

We need to walk again, sometime! ; )

First of all, after looking at Chazhound for a while, I want a Papillon too. They are amazing.

ROFL - me too . . .
Along with Filas and BCs LOL

I think when dog (breeds) become popular, people's intenetions usually are good. Most don't think it through very thoroughly, and don't put enough effort into it (like an impulse buy). What concerns me is that I don't know of any even decent breeders in the area, so I know their from BYBs or maybe even a puppymill/pet store... which saddens me.

Geez... if my dogs weren't so gosh darn perfect, I guess I wouldn't have a problem! :lol-sign: j/k

 

[RD]

It's not your fault or Maddie's fault that people make stupid impulse buys.

Since I've had Dakota, 3 of our non-dog friends have gotten Border Collies. =/

 

[colliewog]

Sadly, when I was growing up several of our neighbors went out and got Shelties because they liked our Collies so much ... but didn't want something quite so big. Needless to say, when they just stuck them in their backyards and expected them to behave like our trained, well bred dogs, they were not happy with the results.

 

[PoodleMommy]

Yes, I know someone who got a poodle because we had one, back when we had our last poodle. She was an amazing dog and so well behaved, everyone wanted one just like her.

Well, they went and got one from a puppymill and treat it horribly. Sometimes I feel really bad, like if they didnt know Cocoa they wouldnt have gotten one. But, then I think if they didnt copy off of mine, it would have been someone elses. I feel so bad for their dog, but I have started to realize, I cant save them all.

Elissa

 

[ToscasMom]

To be honest, I tell people you can't find Collies around here. It's not hard to believe as we don't see many here. The truth is, I know of two BYB's about an hour away, but I lie instead so that I don't help perpetuate the mess they are making of the breed. I tell them how I had to travel to get her and that puts them off, thank God. Because Collies aren't common around here, even the pet shops don't have them, which is a DOUBLE plus. I'm sure they would be happy to "order" one for someone though. But like Colliewog, I know of one person who bought a Sheltie from a pet shop to have a "little Tosca". The dog is a neurotic mess to say the least and of course, they haven't bothered with training "yet". He's close to a year old now and I don't think they've ever had him groomed, much less brush him themselves much. His ear knots are growing. He's fat because the only thing they do for him is feed him. They are also a bit disappointed because of the barking out back in the yard where they leave the little guy for hours on end. The neighbors have complained of course. So........they are thinking maybe the dog needs a companion dog. Frightening isn't it? I told them the dog wants THEIR companionship and that he's barking because he is bored and lonely. But of course, they don't have tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimeeee and how come he's so unruly and doesn't behave like Tosca does when they tell him something, and oh yeah, one of these days they are going to get some obedience training in there. He is also digging to China in the yard and has destroyed some interesting things in their home at night after they close their bedroom door. Oh, and he's having 'accidents'. They just can't understand ANY of this. So what do they do? They leave the dog outside when they go to work and leave the garage door open so he can go in if it rains. But gosh, even after they did that, they wonder why he STILL barks all day, and well gosh, the dog is creating havoc for the family and well, "I don't know what's wrong with that dog". I really expect them to bring that dog to the shelter one day. Honestly, I still believe people should have IQ and mental capacity tests before being allowed to get dogs.