Dog Breeders

Question: Why don't dog breeders attempt to make new breeds?

(Posted by: on 2010-02-07 01:17:19)

Ok so dog "breeds " are basically arbitrary in that as humans we have been breeding and inbreeding wolf decedents for thousands of years to meet our specific needs. ie: I want to hunt birds but I can't find them after they fall out of the sky so I need a dog that will do it for me with out harming the dead fowl or eating it... voila I breed retrievers. right? So with so many people living urban life styles (working a lot, being lazy, living in an apartment or with no backyard, not wanting a pet with high maintenance) why aren't people breeding dogs for the modern world? I understand breeding for certain characteristics and health in dogs in general but why do modern dog breeders not attempt to breed new breeds? Admittedly I am a mutt person I love me some hybrid vigor! But I see people buying expensive "pure breeds " based on looks then not being able to deal with the personality because it doesn't fit with their life style then the dog winds up being neurotic or neglected or dumped. Couldn't some breeder somewhere make a bundle by creating a new breed the uber- apartment dog? Make it come in like 3 sizes with out resorting to running a puppy mill maybe work with some other breeders make something new that fits with today's average human instead of insisting the average human try to fit an existing breed into their lives. I am not saying there should be a neglect proof dog. Yes education is a good thing I will never say it isn't but couldn't someone also breed a new kind of dog? BTW while I am a huge fan of the whole concept of cross breeding .. I hate that so called "designer dog breeds " have such stupid names why don't we name them as new breeds decide on a "standard " if you must (preferably with health high on the list) and give them a name that comes from whoever decided to do it first? Ok so breeders defend their livelihoods i get that... Is there no one out there doing the old aristocrat thing and creating new breeds for the fun of it? (Oh and I mean NEW not laberdoodles. Laberdoodles aren't new it's called "the neighbor's dog jumped the fence. ") A lot of the "AKC " recognized breeds came from rich folks estates and "pet " (har har) projects. All existing breed of dog came from a common "dog " we've just had them domesticated so long we have bred them to fit our niches. This is what I am getting at other than the sad street mutts where's the urban dog breed? Not the breed that was bred for something that just happens to mostly kind of fit the urban dog owner's needs but a truly urban dog breed. also... when did breeders forget that their favorite breed was CREATED through cross breeding of mongrels? PS what's with the random PeTA rant from jesus lady?

Posted by: Andrew on 2010-02-07, 01:23:39

Right I guess some people are doing that???

Posted by: evan a on 2010-02-07, 01:25:27

People are doing that right now aren't they? The malty poo and all that. Many dogs were the results of original fads and then the breed slowly was standardized in time and got it's own name.

Posted by: Show Breeders Sell Better Pups on 2010-02-07, 01:26:28

Hybrid Vigor? you do realize that Hybrid is a cross of two different SPECIES, not breeds. Wrong term, dearhheart. You want a dog for lazy people? Get a Great Dane. They are extreme couch potatos. They need a nice walk every day, but every single dog does. You want a dog for apartments? get a small dog, or again get a Great Dane- They are the #1 Apartment Dog. You want a dog for no backyard? ANY breed- put it on a friggen leash. Most breeders dont know enough about genetics to attempt to breed a "new breed ". Did you know that the founder of "Labradoodles " themself admitted that Labradoodles lack consistency in size, temperament, coat, color, etc? THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES WHEN YOU MIX. And it annoys me to no end when someone says "OMG I want to create a new breed with 'hybrid vigor " for people who work all day! " All of these poodle mixes were originally bred to have the "looks " of one breed and the "hypoallergenic " hair of the poodle- Well guess what? It doesnt work that way. All the "poos " and "doodles " that I see in my grooming shop SHED. SHEDDDDD SHED SHED. There is not one thing in the world I can think of that a certain KC recognized breed cannot accomplish. Whether it be drugs, bombs, therapy, retrieving, hunting, pointing, herding, weight pulling, etc, There's a breed- if you would like to email me with some instances, I will gladly email you back within 24 hours with an answer to each one.

Posted by: '♥' Mandie '♥' on 2010-02-07, 01:27:25

Ok there is a dog for anything you could possibly need. There are low energy dogs that are small. Don't need lots of energy, and dont shed too much. Thats an apartment dog?? Why try to make new breeds when theres already dogs to fit anyones needs. Unless you find someone who is just too lazy. Then they don't need some special breed they just need a stuffed dog. I'm sure we will get some interesting answers. I know nothing about breeding so can't say much more on the subject, but I hope some TC will. ____________________________ Show breeders : Thanks I completely didn't even think of adding that until I read your answer. The fact that its always a toss up on what traits the puppies will have when it comes to designer breeds. Including important things like you listed...like temperment..etc.. Good info.

Posted by: Om Nom nom! on 2010-02-07, 01:31:09

Some breeders are taking the purebreds and breeding them for more...pet quality traits. I don't see a reason to do it. I'm lazy as hell and I've been able to handle terriers and herding breeds just fine. If people can't handle them, they probably can't handle any dog. And I mean I am LAZY if it weren't for my dog I wouldn't go for walks. If I have to walk anywhere without her I complain and I feel it's a waste of time because I have to go walking again later for her LOL LAZY = ME

Posted by: ShannonDiane on 2010-02-07, 01:36:06

There are plenty of people doing it, but it takes time and the results are always dead on. Theres a lot of guess work with it. Plus, that can be a very fickle task. Just like in the mix of humans, there are genetic health risks. To bred that low maintenance dog would be to breed a dog with health problems that would become expensive, like high cholesterol, joint problems, heart problems, etc. Breeding isn't a piece of cake for that reason. If you buy from a bad breeder, theres a high risk of buying yourself a long list of veterinary bills. Some genetic traits are enhanced through reproduction, especially if both sides have them. A great, prominent example is a royal family from the renaissance who were hemophiliacs, which used to skip generations, but back then, royals married royals, and the trait got amplified and amplified until it was out of control. You're taking the genes of one dog, with all its problems, and adding it to the gene of another dog, with all it's problems, and that could lead to a lot of problems, that you wont know about for awhile, and then the breeder has wasted a ton of money and time on what they consider an unsuccessful breed (though I don't agree with that, I love all dogs and any dog, regardless of the traits they have.)

Posted by: Show Dawgie Luver on 2010-02-07, 01:40:27

There probably are a few out there trying to breed new breeds. But it takes a lot for a new breed to be accepted by the ANKC and the AKC. It takes generations of breeding, the stock tested for genetic faults etc before a NEW breed is approved. There have been a few new breeds accepted over the years. So it isn't true to think that new breeds are not being thought, tested and tried for. The problem with cross breeders is they do not test, they do not do it to better a breed, they do it to CASH in on a 'market' that suits the times. Not a 'breed' that suits the times. Making a new Breed takes generations of testing and trying, not a couple of 'designer breed' generations.

Posted by: Jesus The Son of God the Messiah on 2010-02-07, 01:51:44

Wrong! Dog breeds have been around for centuries. Hundreds and thousands of years! They are NOT arbitrary. All breed standards belong to the nation where the dogs were founded. They were developed to enhance certain abilities that the particular dogs have Naturally within their genetic pool. Dog breeders developing new breeds . . NO there are quiet enough breeds around today Mixes end up deserted and abandoned! To purposely breed mixed dogs is Cruel they produce of uncertain types and dogs that will end up disappointing new owners because they do NOT conform to any set standard of excellence! Fads in dogs produce people who follow Fads and the back bone of any breed is the dedicated breeder who attempts to follow that breeds pattern of development! Sadly my breed has come into fashion and these Faddies Chasers have taken control . It is very sad to see many honest and dedicated breeders attacked by these Faddies! Hopefully they will move on to something else that they will ruin ! These monsters breed dogs to chase self importance instead of the welfare of the dogs! They breed dogs to sick and genetic all unstable dogs just to win with their Fad dogs! then sell them to other people who have no clue that they have bought a genetic nightmare ! PeTA only makes things Worse of Honest Breeders instead of making things better ! The Time a person spends in breeding dogs and persons using patterns of line and educated breeding process instead of just chasing dog winners should determine those people who over see the dog breeders of any breed. One breeder in my breed wants to see himself as the father of the breed though he came long after many other breeders of note. This person buys wins and attacks other breeders and has attempted to destroy honest and determined breeders . He has stolen dogs and is a part of a great dog napping ring that steals dogs and ships them internationally and brings stolen dogs in internationally yet continues to thrive because this person is politically well entrenched in his country ! Such things go on and needs each countries involvement in cleaning house of these despots but PeTA get in the way and actually supports these people instead of helping !

Posted by: Lui's my non-mutant boy! on 2010-02-07, 03:13:51

Because there IS a breed for everyone. Like Show Breeders so intelligently pointed out, you can get a breed for every lifestyle, and use pet services (ie doggy daycare) if you really insist on a dog but may need to leave it for long hours and it won't cope. With so many breeds there is always one to fit the individual/ family, and if not they are obviously not suited to owning a dog in the first place. Why make a dog for the lazy/ incompetant/ too busy people? You get a dog as part of the family (or for work) and if you want one you need to be prepared for the work involved, not get a dog then just not have to do anything for it. Also, hybrid vigour does NOT exist with mixed breed dogs as they are cross BREEDS, not SPECIES. Your average mutt could get any sorts of problems, and the healthiest, most stable dog with the best possible start in life will be a purebred from a responsible breeder.

Posted by: Rayven ~ Life's a B on 2010-02-07, 06:25:41

1. Hybrid vigor is bullshit. take two unhealthy parents and you will get unhealthy offspring. 2. Many breeds have the SAME problems 3. There are 400+ breeds. FOUR HUNDRED! There is a breed for someone 4. No people buy dogs MUTT AND PURE for the wrong reason end of story because they DIDN'T DO THEIR HOMEWORK. Case in point all the poodle mutts that have been dumped because they "gasp " SHED!!! 5. Since when does having a backyard make you a good owner? I know dogs WITH yards who don't the proper exercise. 6. There are plenty of low energy breeds of all sizes - which goes to show that many people don't again do breed research 7. So you like mutts, big whoop, that doesn't mean you actually know anything about developing breeds. 8. The "average " person shouldn't have a dog. Have you not seen the crap asked on here. 9. Three sizes? Yeah no. There is no need for it. 10. Reputable breeders are interested in PRESERVING the breeds we have. Again 400+ we don't need more. 11. And who are you to determine what the "urban " breed is? If someone can't manage at least ONE walk a day and most can't they shouldn't have a dog. 12. No one has forgotten that many breeds are the result of crossbreeding. WHAT YOU AND OTHER MUTT MAKING FANS FORGET IS THAT IT WAS THROUGH CAREFUL AND SELECTIVE BREEDING. There is no need for a new breed. And again far too many people whether its a mutt or a purebred want a dog for the SAKE of having a dog. There was a time that unless you were wealthy you couldn't afford to have anything but a working dog. And standards are there for a reason cupcake.

Posted by: Marna O on 2010-02-07, 09:31:49

" So with so many people living urban life styles (working a lot, being lazy, living in an apartment or with no backyard, not wanting a pet with high maintenance " and "instead of insisting the average human try to fit an existing breed into their lives. " It's called: a cat. "where's the urban dog breed? " at shelters. or produced by a lot of people who post questions here: "HELP! I think my doggie is having puppeez! "