My bro-in law is a biologist and hunter. He despises city people that dont hunt who get labs. He loves his dogs and knows they need to hunt occasionally to be happy. So why do so many city people get large working and sporting dogs when they will NEVER use them for what they were bred for over generations. Why do they get huskies that were bred for sled pulling and need to run a long way every day to keep from going crazy?WHy do they buy pit bulls which were bred for dog fighting? Is it animal cruelty? Do they do it for their ego or as a fashion statement? Why?
2007-02-25 15:41:45 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
People get it in their head that a certain type of puppy is cute and they don't do the research on the breed before rushing out and buying one. It's called stupidity.
2007-02-25 15:46:31 · answer #1 · answered by Angry-T 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
It isn't right to get a big, active dog if you're living in the city and won't be able to give the dog a lot of exercise.
Just because a particular breed happened to be bred with characteristics to perform one job in particular, like sled-pulling or hunting, doesn't mean they have to be doing that to be happy.
All dogs have a desire to work -- some just have it to a higher or lesser degree than others. For example, a Siberian husky has a very high desire to work, while a pug has a very low desire to work. But it doesn't matter what kind of dog it is -- they're happiest when they have a job to do, even if it's just sitting for a treat. It goes the same for people. A person who's out and about and hiking, playing sports, etc. is going to be a lot happier than a person who's sitting on the couch all day.
Labrador retrievers in the past were often used as hunting dogs. But they don't HAVE to be doing that same job to be happy when they're a family pet. They can also get that same "job satisfaction" from doing tricks, fetching balls, pulling carts, and other activities. The important thing is that they have a job that suits them, it doesn't have to be hunting.
If a person gets an active dog that likes to be working, it's their responsibility to make sure the dog has a job to do so it doesn't get bored. If they're a city person who works all day and only has an hour with the dog at night, it's simply not fair to the dog. People may do this because they like the company, they like the breed because they knew someone who had a really nice Labrador retriever, or because they just like to look good with a great big dog at their side. A person should never get a dog for selfish reasons when they're not even going to care for the animal properly.
2007-02-25 15:52:04 · answer #2 · answered by Steel 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, dog fighting is illegal. It is a horriable sport and those who participate in it should be in jail. Pits weren't bred for dog fighting, they were bred for bull baiting, which is still bad, but doesn't mean anything towards the breed. Pit bulls are very loving dogs and have a higher tolerancy towards kids than most labs. Don't hate the breed, hate the owner.
Dogs do need a job to be happy. But most of all they need to realise their energy. People don't understand how much energy a lab has. All people see is that they are good with people and kids. And having a job doesn't nessarly have to be what they were bred for. Just cause you have a husky doesn't mean you have to have it pull sleds. Just, when you take it on a walk, put a doggy back-pack on, thats the dog's job, to carry the back pack.
I have Rottweilers, they were bred to herd cattle for the Roman army and to protect the soliders. They then became popular with butchers, the dogs would single out the bull to be killed and pull the cart of meat for the butcher. You don't see many rotties herding cattle these days, but, there are carting comeptitions. I have to pick up sticks in my yard before I mow the lawn, so, I have the dogs pull a wagon and I will put the sticks in the wagon. Thats their job.
And YES, people do get dogs for an ego boost. Almost half the people who own the bully breeds (rotties, pit bulls, ext) get them for that reason. They get a pit bull to look tough or a rottweiler to guard their property. And yes, definatly as a fashion statement. Especially with all these "designer breeds" aka mutts.
People are forgeting that dogs are animals and have needs too.
Even though a dog was bred for somthing doesn't mean they have to do that somthing to be happy. Dogs weren't bred to do therapy work, but, that their job. Dogs weren't orgianally bred to find drugs or bombs, but, thats their job. But some dogs are lucky enough to get to do what they are bred for, like hounds, or like police dogs.
A dog that has a job is the happiest dog.
2007-02-25 15:56:57 · answer #3 · answered by announmous 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Well I live in Chicago and I own a Pit Bull. Why do I own this dog? Because she was homeless and living in a shelter! She is the most wonderful dog in the world! I am an avid runner and a dog like she can keep up with me! She is great with little kids and the most wonderful dog you could ever meet. I know pit bulls were bred for fighting, but its there other breed traits that I was after, the fact that out of most dog breeds they are non-aggressive towards humans and that they want to please there owner no matter what. Also they are very easy to care for with there short hair and stocky build. Your question is why do people get dogs and use them for things that they are not bred for? Its not ego, its helping out a homeless animal! And getting the other positives that the animal is known for not just one trait Fighting, hunting, etc!
2007-02-26 05:10:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The dog is not being mistreated, especially because I know a lot of people that do not live in the city that keep their working/sporting dogs in kennels their entire life. That is a lot meaner than keeping them in an apartment, at least they are getting human contact.
Even though I do not live in a city, I do have a Bernese Mountain Dog (working breed). He is so laid back and calm that he would do fine in an apartment. He is happy, even though he does not pull milk carts. Yes, certain breeds will do best if they are allowed to do the job that they were bred for and wouldn't do well in an apartment setting, but not all of them.
2007-02-25 16:22:59 · answer #5 · answered by iluvmyfrenchbulldogs 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a proven fact that as long as dogs get an outlet for their energy, whether it be what they were bred for or runs/walks/dog parks etc. they will be great family memebers.
Sadly I agree that most people do not do their research on how much time they would need to devote to exercising their dog. Even the person who asked the question is wrong....Pit Bulls were NOT bred for dog fighting...it was bull baiting...get your facts straight and quit slamming a breed who has a better temperment test score than golden reterivers.
My sister lives in the city and owns a Border Collie, I thought she was nuts, but they have done a great job. She gets daily walks and my niece does agility with her....trust me she is not missing sheep!
If people do research and make the commitment, they can have whatever breed they want.
A lab is as happy chasing a tennis ball as it is hunting
2007-02-25 15:54:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
I don't think it's cruel to have a large dog in the city. Get whatever dog you want. It IS cruel when some one buys a large dog, keeps it in a tiny apartment all day, and never lets it out to exercise or run off some steam. Thats "when animals attack" because their moron owners don't spend enough time with them. No breed is a bad breed. Some are better for certain things then others, it's the owners that are bad. Instead why don't you ask your brother in law why he has to have a gun and a dog to track down and kill a defenseless animal?
2007-02-25 16:18:33 · answer #7 · answered by lost_cali_girl 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Wow, people buy different breeds for different reasons, labs, golden retrievers, cocker spaniels are all the kinds of hunting dogs that people want as family pets cause they are good dogs. Huskies, Saint bernards, and chows are sled dogs and people want them for the look. Rat terriers, Bull mastives, and Pitt bulls are all bred for fighting and they have a whole lot of energy and people want them because they are energetic what better companion to have on your hike or jog? Why do you have the dog that you have? Or the cat that you have or any animal for that matter? Cause it makes you happy, right? That's why people get the dogs that they get. GET OVER IT!
2007-02-25 17:31:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I know many people who live in the city who own large working breeds. It is not cruel to own them. I myself lived in an apartment with a 110lb working dog with a huge working drive.
It is cruel to own any animal that you can not or will not raise properly which is based on it's needs. I and my friends take our dogs to dog parks, participate in dog sports and obedience.
Many guide dogs are labs and will never see a day hunting in the field. Most pitbulls will never see a day in the ring but regularly do weight pulling competitions and other sports. My friend own 2 huskies that pull his wheelchair around all day in the city.
My service dog goes out everyday with me and meets many interesting people and has new experiences everyday. He goes to the park most nights and plays with his pals. He comes with me when I go to train other dogs and gets to help in their training.
You are right that you must provide properly for your dog but just because someone is in a certain environment doesn't mean they aren't providing properly for their dogs.
Some people persist in getting dogs that they should never have for reasons ranging from mental health issues to vanity. I have seen people who will argue it is alright to own a "house dog", one who never leaves the house because it is a small dog. I have seen people who think that their greyhound should never be off leash. These people should never have been allowed to take the dog home in the first place.
I hope that answers your question.
2007-02-25 15:59:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
a lot of people like certain types of dogs. at times, when people see these dogs, it could be anywhere, they see how friendly and protective they are. i would assume, and this is bad, that people get it to "protect" their family and home. and yes, some get it for fashion and others get it to one up the jones. to them it not animal cruelty. as the person from above wrote, they dont take time to research the breed.
as for the breeding of certain breeds for fight, that's another story. there are to many reasons why people do what they do.
2007-02-25 16:34:16 · answer #10 · answered by hydez2002 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is probably for protection. I don't think it's fair to have a dog locked in a small apartment all day, though.
Some people do have pit bulls because they are on rap videos and they think it's cool or tough. I know if I lived alone I would want a big dog.
2007-02-25 15:51:05 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋