Why do people say "dog snobs"?

Question

For my breed, a Border Collie, I need a dog that can herd those sheep and do it well (instinct). My dog needs to be well structured in order to be able to do this job in the first place (confirmation).

To find a dog with these qualities, I will only work with a reputable breeder who is ensuring this sort of quality is within the lines (shows and works the lines they breed). I need my dog to do a particular job and not just do it, but do it well. It is rare to find something suitable in rescues and shelters, tho I am supportive of this, it is not something that can suit my needs at this time.

Why do people think that those who want a dog for a specific job are dog snobs? Why do some say people are "dog snobs" for insisting their working breed comes from proven lines so that it can actually do the job it was bred to do?

Forgot to do a spell check, for the record it's "conformation".

rachel-I totally agree that where a dog comes from should greatly depend on what an owner wants in a dog. I fully support rescues and encourage it in the right situations. And I can't even tell you what it's like to see a BC the first time they turn on to sheep... simply amazing!

Chris-For what I want in my dog, my breed is the best choice over any other breed or mixed breed.

Karen-Your friend is obviously working with a reputable breeder!

Wedge T- you are not alone there! I can't even tell you how many people think I'm a little fruity for training my BC to herd, or anything else for that matter. Only those in dog circles I have met, thru training, are the ones who truly understand and value training a dog for anything. The sad truth is that the general population doesn't bother with any kind of training most of the time and they just don't know what they are missing :)

Animal Artwork- In the world of BCs, many of the show lines have gone "soft" and don't really have that working drive a well bred BC "should" have in them. Fortunately, there are a few well known breeders importing lines from the UK that are working and show lines to improve their bloodlines.

For me, I gotta have that instinct along with good structure. The smoother variety don't really fair well in the ring either, but they are still structurally sound and can do the job. So it may be some time before a true "show" BC comes into my home... until those show lines get that work instinct bred back in that is.

Answer 1

I don't think this is a rescue/shelter debate at all.

There are plenty of us here that volunteer that have dogs from shelters/rescues AND have purchased a purebred. OR we appreciate or understand the importance of a reputable breeding program.

I'm not a dog snob. I love dogs. Just love them to peices. I'll say this - for me I'm a Labrador snob. Sorry. I want labs. I also want short, blocky ones. I have a vision in my head of what "look" I want and that's what I'm attracted to when I see them.

I also love OLD labs. I'm not a puppy person. So call me an old lab snob.

Guilty as charged.

So we all have our "thing". I don't think it's a bad thing but it's our thing.

The issue that divides us is that GREAT divide which stems from what we all say is BYB v Reputable. OR The breeder who creates a mixed breed vs a pure breed.

That divide is much greater than the rescue v breeder debate. We aren't changing anyone's mind here.

Answer 2

Every dog should have a job- whether it's guarding, hunting, herding, or just providing moral support to their people. Most of the toy group was developed to be companions to royalty. That was their job.

In today's technical society where most of the pastoral duties are gone, it's hard for a lot of people to comprehend that some folks still want to herd sheep. Therefore, they think that a Border Collie should be just as content lying around the house as he would be spending a hard, long day in the fields. This is why BC's end up 'herding' other pets and even children- they're out of their minds with boredom.

For these people who want the dog's job to be a companion, then yes, ALMOST any breed or mixed breed will do. But care must be taken that no other traits present in the mixture will supercede the dog's drive to do what it was developed over generations to do- Many folks are surprised when their little terrier mix digs through the garden or rips up the carpets- they don't realize the dog was made to 'go to ground'- Terrier means EARTH DOG!

So the reason for the snobbery, in my opinion, is it's mostly due to ignorance. And since dogs, like everything else in this crazy paced modern life, are often impulse purchases and not carefully selected for a job or specific home, when folks see someone who does it correctly, why they must be arrogant snobs who don't know what they're missing in a 'real' (confused) dog.

Answer 3

If I am a dog snob for wanting to buy a healthy, quality dog, so be it.

Papillons have always been a companion breed. My breed doesn't "work" per say, but I do agility so it's still important for me to have a sound dog.

I personally would rather pay a few more hundred dollars up front to get a dog I know came from parents that had all the proper health and genetic testing done. To me, it's very much worth it to pay the cost up-front instead of having thousands of dollars in vet-bills down the line due to surgeries, etc. that the dog may end up needing due to poor breeding.

Not to mention I don't want to support puppymillers and backyard breeders. I want get a dog from someone who is doing something to improve/help the breed, not destroy it.

And of course, I do appreciate the beauty of a well-bred dog. I have seen some pretty pathetic looking papillons. I saw one at the petstore the other day (someone's pet, not a for-sale puppy), and it didn't hardly looking like a papillon because it was so poorly bred!

Disclaimer: I have absolutely nothing against people having mutts as pets. (Although I don't believe they should be purposely bred, nor should sub-par quality purebreds be purposely bred.) I just have my reasons for choosing to get a purebred dog from a reputable breeder.

Answer 4

Just for the record. Much of it comes from the "All-American" (mutt) owners like myself who are involved in performance events such as obedience and agility. We've had to work quite a bit to get All Americans recognized as viable competitors who just want to join in the fun. Many purebred clubs won't allow mixes even at fun matches or training classes and this has caused a few hurt feelings. So the "snob" thing came into play. Even when they were allowed, you'd often hear comments. Course it was gratifying when my mix beat out the purebred. I understand both sides. I've had the pleasure of working with 'show' people and 'rescue' people. I understand when you are looking for certain traits that you need to go where you are best able to find them. I wouldn't send a basset hound to retrieve, but I would send a mix into a tunnel. Occasionally you do get those rescue people who put themselves on a pedestal, but the work they do is very difficult with many decisions most of us never want to make or even think about. Many rescues just want to save a dog and see breeders, any breeders, as adding to the overpopulation problem. Get what you need, but maybe send a few dollars to BC rescue once a year. That'll keep the snobbery down to a minimum, at least on the rescue side.

Answer 5

To the general population dogs are "just" pets, and a lot of people seem to think they are disposable as well (see your local shelter)
If a person wants "just" a pet then the local shelter and a mixed breed is probably the first thing I would recommend.
People seem to have forgotten that most pure breds were developed with specific traits, FOR A REASON. Then they have problems with their Husky tearing up the house or the Sheltie nipping at the kids or the JRT chasing the cat and killing the guinea pigs.
Ignore them. You have a valid reason for getting a dog from a qualified breeder to do the specific job it was designed to go and you need done. A good breeder will start the training, a co-worker of mine has a border collie pup and in his contract it actually stated that he MUST work the dog...

Answer 6

Why is it that having the breed of your choice, or a wanting a certain look makes you a snob? If I say that I only want black cars, am I a car snob? Nobody would call you a man snob if you said you would only marry a man that treats you the way you want to be treated, so why am I a snob because I know what I want in a dog?
I have NOTHING against ANY dog. I spend hours rescuing dogs, including mutts, that need good homes. Once a life is created, they are all equal and deserve loving homes. It's just that to me, I prefer a certain quality, but for every dog that I wouldn't desire to have, someone would, so I fail to see where there is a problem.
My only beef comes with irresponsible breeders. The people that know nothing about it and just want to make cuwootie little puppies. If being upset that greeders make unhealthy dogs that only contribute to over population makes me a dog snob, then I will happily wear the title. I'll even make my own uniform and badge.

Answer 7

Apparently, I'm a "dog snob" because I "hate mixed breeds."

Of course, I bought my HIGH quality purebred mutt from only a reputable shelter, and of course, since I've had such wonderful success with her, I recommend doing the same to others. In fact, this is my third dog from this reputable shelter.

I agree with you - as fun as it might be to find a great working dog in the shelter, most people don't dump off their best workers. Now, if you had a BC from champion herding lines that was given to a rescue or shelter because it was nipping the kids, I could see someone interested in rescuing the working dog within taking it up.

I hate it when I see purebred dogs that can't do what they were supposed to do. I've seen a Golden Retriever that wouldn't bring anything back because it was too dumb - backyard-bred, of course (I ask people where they get their dogs at the park).

Since my dog's job is to be my companion and shadow, her breed is very suited for it. I imagine she comes from excellent barking, bird-chasing, and tennis ball fetching lines, as this is evident in her behavior. :)

Awesome question - I'm a "rescue dog" snob, but more than willing to make exceptions for people who know what they're talking about. :)

Answer 8

I'm a huge advocate of rescue, but if and when I go to get a Livestock Guard Dog, I will research breeders of working lines if I can't find a *proven* working dog in LGD rescue.

Overall I don't have a problem with working dogs coming from working breeders and working lines, but then again the folks who are breeding working dogs and working lines are generally paying attention to what they're breeding, are making educated decisions in WHY they're breeding, and are breeding to improve the working ability.

The big thing is, that's a far cry from your average "Let's put Fido and Fluffy together and make puppies to sell" BYB/Hobby breeders who are in it for the money.

Answer 9

Exactly! I'm not a snob my a long shot. I have my breed for a reason. I want to show and work my Golden's. That take alot of time and money and effort on my part.
I see the value (not $) in a well bred and confident Golden who can do what it is bred to do. It is very rare to fiond A Godlen who isnot only a good sporitng dog but also a great companion and family dog all rolled up into one dog.

It a total lack of understanding and knowledge that will have this a hot topic as long as some will not extend themselves to lean read and listen to others.
I have nothing against getting a dog from a shelter, Rescue or Humane Society. It's just not what I want. Me personally, no one else. I'm not telling anyone not to get a mixed breed dog from one of these places.
My only problem is people who purposely bred these dogs for the sole purpose is money & greed. Period!

Add: some on here just spew what they have already read here and no knowledge to back up their remarks. It's the thing to say!

Add: GotNewfies, no one can help him! He's beyond any help at this point! lol

Answer 10

I have never heard that term before. I think if your getting criticism its from rescues and rescue people believing you can get this quality dog from the pound. As much as I support rescuing dogs and frequent animal control I certainly wouldn't chew you out for needing that right dog. It certainly would be hard to find it in the pound. You may see that border collie in there, but theres no telling he can be taught this task and do it well. I've seen working collie's in action and its incredible. I know you need to get that from a working line. Its unfortunate how judgemental everybody is. ITs just not dog owners, its horse owners also. Heck, its in anything!!