Spokane has some of the worst-informed dog buyers ever...

[jmowreader]

Today the Spokane paper has an LTTE bitching about people who buy dogs rather than adopting them. Apparently the author is in the dog business in some way, and three of her customers brought in newly-acquired labradoodles. She interrogates these people, finds out the dogs were bought from breeders, and gives them statistics on dog mortality in shelters.

Here's where it gets fun: The people informed her they bought dogs from breeders because they wanted this particular type of dog, and because "purebreds are better."

Don't scratch your head too hard or you'll sand all your hair off...last I checked, a labradoodle is a $600 mutt (labrador retriever x standard poodle), not a "purebred."

[LiberalAndProud]

1. Labradoodle can mean many crossbreeds around here.

Someone I know sells golden retriever/standard poodle mix and calls them labradoodles. Go figure.

[jmowreader]

4. I can't figure...

Here that's a Goldendoodle. It's still a mutt.

My freeper brother thinks labradoodles are the most wonderful thing...once I asked him what was the difference between a designer dog and a mutt. He didn't know. The answer: "$500."

[LiberalAndProud]

8. But I love my mutt.

Have a schnoodle from a pet store because my granddaughter fell in love. Got him for a good price as designer mutts go. ($300)

We found a female schnauzer at a nearby no-kill shelter. They wanted less, but we gave them the same ($300) to contribute to a planned expansion of their facilities.

So now we have two "purebreds"

:rofl:

[Kali]

2. well, to be fair

they may mean a pure F1 cross rather than a generic mutt that may have more than two (often undetermined) breeds in the background.

For example, with cattle there is an actual Brangus breed of black cattle (I forget the composition 2/5 brahma and 3/5 angus I think)) and then there are F1 (first generation - half and half) crosses of Angus and Brahma. Same with Brafords and various others.

And now there are all these "composite" breeds, I can't even keep up with them, but it is intentional crossbreeding of 2 or more purebreds to get some desired result. I am sure it happens with other domestic animals, cows are what I am most familiar with.

[Bunny]

3. Perhaps the dog owners are ill-informed, but the 'dog business' woman

sounds like a real dumbass, so I guess that evens things out.

[jmowreader]

5. The dog business woman sounds like a real joy to do business with

I know I always do business with people who chew my ass...

[Bunny]

6. Heh. Can't wait to hand my money over after being interrogated

and lectured. Yep, that's a winning business strategy she's got there.

[Capn Sunshine]

7. more to the point: You're from F'ing SPOKANE???

I actually like it there. I pass through GEG all the time in order to get to our Idaho place (Moscow)

I think you guys are merging with Coeur d'Alene judging by the direction of growth. In 100 years you'll be like Minneapolis- St. Paul.

[ThomasQED]

9. Many of the recognized breeds

were created by humans over the past century or so. I guess all of them were created by humans if you go far enough back.

I think buying a dog sight unseen from another state and having it flown in is about the most ridiculous thing ever. But I guess some people are more concerned that it look "right" or have "papers" than how it behaves or its personality.

[Sweet Charming Dem]

11. Depends on what you want the dog for

Buying a dog sight unseen for a family pet? Ridiculous. Adopt a dog.

Buying a dog sight unseen because it's a proven working animal and you need it to do that job? Smart.

[LostinVA]

10. And often a $600+ puppy mill mutt

You are exactly right.