pitbullmamaliz wrote:Since we're switching gears here a bit, how about when another breed is bred in temporarily to reduce the need to dock or crop? Was it the Boxer that had something else bred in to one line so their tails naturally came in short? And then I believe they were able to breed those naturally short-tailed Boxers to others and it continued. And didn't a line of Dalmations have something mixed in to prevent kidney or bladder problems or whatever it is they get?
Back to the original question, I'm torn on it. I hate "hybrid as designer dog" breeding. No ifs ands or buts. I'm slightly more torn on the breeding for sport. I don't like it at all, but I can't rationalize an argument as to why, which I know is silly. But I think breeding for sport is going to create a lot of crazy dogs that would be hell in a non-sport home. And I know people argue that dogs being bred for sport ALL go to sport homes, but I have trouble believing that.
And on a side note, I HATE DETEST LOATHE mixing a pit bull with a guardian breed of any type, whether it's an AB or a Mal. One of the things that makes a pit a pit is its friendliness to strangers, and I fear that breeding in cautious/less friendly dogs is going to create a lot of very strong, not friendly dogs that look like pit bulls and will be labeled as such by the media.
AS a vet tech, all boxers have tails as do dobermans, we cut them off at 2 days old. If I see a short taild boxer I'd wonder what was in their gene pool. As for dalmations they are like the melting pot of breeds to begin with. They have all kinds of stuff in them, and are an unstable breed IMO. Nutty, health nightmare, and in all the wrong hands. The breed standard decides if a tail or ears are necessary to maintain the working nature of the breed. I.E. the Alapaha group is still deciding if the tail should or shouldn't be docked as the breed standard (its not recognized yet.) When hog hunting, the less tail you have the less you have to injure! In working dogs, erect ears make them look at attention and more intimidating. (doberman, boxer, etc) I thought tails were docked on rotties b/c of the carting jobs they had and it just kept.
The only breeds I know of supposed to be born without a tail are bulldogs, bostons, and frenchies. THey do have one, its just cork screwed. I do see breeders wanting them docked once in a while though, cuz they are too long. Hoping a buyer won't notice.
AS for hybrids in general I hate it, we see them in rescues and shelters already, and clients are hoping to get that perfect dog that wont need any work. THey are taking the easy way out and finding out its not easy.
The breeders are looking for a quick buck.
AS for working, I agree with Michelle, take the dogs you already have and make them better, don't cross something with aggressive tendancies or faster speed to get a better mutt. Just breed the faster dogs already in your breed, and keep the aggression with bullies as fight drive not guardian aggression. We already get the bad rap from bandogges, lets not add to it. And sorry for fly ball people, but the borderstack sends me over the edge!!!! Staffie, border collie and jack russel!? Can you say nightmare!? There are plenty of mutts that fit that nightmare energy already in shelters, use them! IT was supposed to be a fun outlet for dogs with high energy, not a test for breeding stock.