If you could control all dog ownership in the world, who could own a dog and why?

Question

Okay, say you have a magic wand. All of a sudden you control all dog ownership in the world - breeders, rescues, shelters, everything. Without getting bogged down in the logistics of it all...

1. What about intact animals? Who would you give those to and why?
2. What are your criteria for dog ownership? Consider the following:
- marital status
- children (and ages)
- renting/owning a home
- having a yard (fenced or unfenced)
- motivation for wanting a dog
- willingness/ability to participate in basic obedience
- willingness/ability to participate in more advanced activities (agility, rally, flyball, tracking, hunting, herding, earthdog)
- employment status
- income
- hours the dog would be left alone
- beliefs regarding vet care
- beliefs regarding vaccinations
- beliefs regarding food

3. Would you let people choose their own dogs, or would you choose for them, forgoing the "but I thought Jack Russell Terriers were calm and cute, like Eddie on Frasier!" problem?

Your thoughts?

I can't wait to read your answers! :)

You can also override other rules and laws, because you're now Supreme Rulemaker of Dog Rules.

So you can put Great Danes in apartments with previous rules against dogs, and you can override breed bans, but you'd also be blamed if something happened.

Just to make this clear, I am curious as to others' ideal dog-owning worlds. I am not making a point here, just wondering. If this gets reported, I'm fighting it.

DEVIL'S ADVOCATE:
- To those of you who wouldn't place high-energy dogs in apartments, consider a jogger looking for a buddy. You know labs make great jogging buddies, but your friend the jogger lives in an apartment. Deal breaker?
- To those who want freedom to choose - a drug dealer comes up to you and says "I need a dog to protect me from people slashing my tires. Give me a Rottie - they're like Dobermans on steroids, right?" ... please tell me you don't think of giving the guy a toy poodle with a barrette, not even for a second?

Awesome answers!

Answer 1

Intact Animals could only be kept by someone licensed to breed and to get the license they would have to show that they had 1 completed a course in the breeding of good quality animals. 2 have facilities geared for the handling and rearing of pups and parents. 3 have a full knowledge of the breed and what it's requirements are and what it was bred originally for. 4 if first time breeders would have to be under the guidance of a qualified breeder who would be equally responsible.

Dog ownership! A course in dog ownership should be undertaken and basically owners wishing to purchase a dog should be subject to the same scrutiny someone adopting a dog from a reputable breed organisation does!
The RSPCA, SPCA, and Other Animal Control organisations would be given the funds to vet prospective owners and then issue them with licences stating which breeds if any they were not allowed to keep. Basic obedience training would be mandatory and for Guard breeds advanced obedience would be required. Training of Attack dogs would be Illegal for Pet owners! But anyone breaking into a house or illegally entering the premises, of a dog owner would be unable to sue if bitten by the dog! The dog would only face assessment and further training if deemed necessary!
Laws pertaining to abuse and cruelty including dog-fighting would be met with loss of licence in some cases for life and enforced re-education and culprits made to do community service involving the care of animals. No-one married or living with a person banned from keeping dogs would be allowed to obtain a licence.

Answer 2

It is not going to be perfect, I'm just doing this in the next few minutes, but I will try my best to write down everything I feel is right.

1. Only reputable and responsible breeders will be allowed to have intact animals. First we need to reduce the amount of unwanted and homeless dogs, so all will be spayed and neutered except those who are owned by a responsible breeder.

2. Anyone who has the time, money, and compassion for dogs.
-Marital status does not matter
-People with children are only allowed to have appropriate dogs, individual dogs who are good with children. Dogs will not be allowed to be left alone with children for any reason.
-Renting or Owning, it doesn't matter
-Fenced yard would be mandatory
-For Motivation, there are a lot of reasons people want a dog. I would accept companionship, herding on a farm, police work, therapy dog, and more. The only reasons I would not accept would be anything that would harm the dog (like dog fighting..), and using the dog as personal protection. I don't mind a family getting a dog to alarm them when someone comes to the door. But I would not allow people to own a trained attack dog.
-Owners must do basic obedience. They can do more if they would like.
-Owners are welcome to participate in more advanced activities, but it would not be required.
-Employment status does not matter. But if someone does not have a job, we would talk to them about how they will afford the dog. And someone who works in the animal field does get a bonus for having more knowledge about animals.
-Income - hmm...I guess that is not a huge issue for me either. I don't make a lot of money, but the money I do make is devoted to what the animal needs (I would sell my car and ride a bike before I would give up on my dog because I couldn't afford her), and I think that is more important than making a ton of money. But I guess enough that they can support their family, And an animal.
-Ideally, it would be best if the dog was only home for a few hours at a time. Especially a puppy. But realistically, I guess I would have to allow adult dogs to stay home for no more than 8 hours at a time. How are people supposed to afford a dog if they can't work?
-An animal should visit the vet at least once a year for routine care. And more often if necessary, like if the animal is ill.
-If this really was up to me, then all dogs would be required to get the core vaccines - Rabies, Distemper, Parvo etc.
-High Quality food, like Blue Buffalo, Canidae, etc. would be ideal. But I guess just as long as they are not starving their dog, and they are giving them all of their required nutrients, that would be fine.

3. People would be allowed to choose their own dogs, but there would be someone there who is very knowledgeable about every breed, who would be able to guide the new owners. If that person didn't think a certain dog would be the right fit (example: Border Collie left alone in an apartment for 8 hours a day) then it would not be allowed, and they would help them find a better fit.

These would be my ideal owners in a more realistic way, I guess.

Answer 3

Oh man! A question worth answering!

1. Intact animals: Intact animals would go to responsible breeders interested in keeping a specific breed healthy (or breeding out bad genes). There are a lot of homeless dogs out there, we don't need backyard breeders who contribute only malnourished, sickly puppies just so every breed can have it's own "teacup".

2. My only criteria for dog ownership is responsibility. If you know you can commit to a dog for its entire life and are dedicated to caring for and training it, you deserve to own a dog!

Marital status- Irrelevant. Single, married, divorced, union, I don't give a crap. If you can care for a dog, go for it.

Renting/owning a home- As long as the rules for renting a home aren't going to change and dogs are allowed, I see no problem with having a dog in a rented home. Once again, this is only if the owner is dedicated to the dog for its entire life and isn't going to dump the poor creature simply because they are "moving".

Yard- Should be fenced, invisible fence if hard fence isn't possible. If no fenced yard, a nearby dog park and frequent walks are a MUST.

Motivation for wanting a dog- Companion and sporting reasons are most strongly preferred. None of this "I want someone to guard my home from strangers" business. Guard dogs are very seldom well-trained.

Willingness/ability to participate in basic obedience- A must. This goes right along with responsibility. An untrained dog is a dog-lovers worst nightmare.

Willingness/ability to participate in more advanced activities- This depends on the breed of the dog. Sports like agility and fly ball are great, but not for everyone. As long as the dog is constantly maintained (physically and mentally) this is not a requirement.

Employment status- As long as the owner can provide the dog with vet care (especially in case of an emergency), this is also not relevant.

Hours the dog would be left alone- A maximum of six hours at a time. Eight hours is a possibility, depending on the dog breed and the area in which the dog is confined. Anything over six hours: the dog should have a companion.

Beliefs regarding vet care: When in doubt, see a vet. TOO MANY PEOPLE ask really bad questions regarding when they should take their dog to a vet. Many dogs get to a vet too late. If the dog is throwing up/crying when touched/obviously injured/has a massive amount of poo hanging off its rear end: SEE A VET.

Beliefs regarding vaccinations: Vaccinate then titter until next vaccination is needed.

Beliefs regarding food: The best quality food should be offered to the dog. Crap like Pedigree and Science Diet don't count as "best quality".

3. I would force people to do research on a specific dog breed before they actually buy (adopt!) the dog. And since obedience training is a must for owners to have a dog, I feel the "oh my gosh, puppies chew!?!?!" comment won't be huge problem.

And most importantly:
EVERYONE (except for those involved in conformation competitions or breeding for better health) would be adopting.

Answer 4

Good morning. Wow, a nice and interesting question. Hmm... what a good thought on Monday morning.
1) I think only breeders who are actively showing, have been with the breed for a long period of time and have multiple home bred champions should own intact animals. For new comers, they should be under co-ownership with their mentors (also the reputable breeders). Whatever breeding planning they have in minds, they should have discussed with their mentors.
2) I think for criteria, as long as they are good homes, owners do not have to be exact with every single criteria. However, maybe a good idea for potential pet owners take pet first aid courses prior to owning a pet. We've been seeing enough ignorant pet owners don't know what to do when their pets get hurt. Also certain points are important: steady income - we don't want people complain that they cannot afford the vet bills when their pets are sick; and having a fenced yard - a lot of posts here ask about their dogs are having too much energy, if their dogs can run and play with the owners when they cannot have a walk, it will be great alternative for daily walks.
3) I prefer to choose the breed for them. A lot of people are attracted by TV commercials, programs and disregard the facts whether they can handle the dogs or not. What happen to the dog when they can't handle? These poor pets end up in the shelters. If I have the magic power, I don't want to see this happen.

Answer 5

1. I would give the intact animals to reputable breeders and to good owners because the breeders could keep that breed going and the good owners would have new best friend.

2.My Criteria for dog ownership would be only to people that could provide them with enough excersize, Grooming, training, space, and time for them.

3.I would definatley let people pick their own breed as long as they do alot of research to find the right breed and if they had the time.

Its short but i dont know what else to right but..........Bad owners make bad dogs. But Good owners Make Great dogs.

What im trying to say is bad owners should be punished not the dog.
"punish the deed, not the breed"

Answer 6

As far as intact animals only those who woud attend a responsible breeding course and get a breeders permit would be allowed. Furthermore they would sign an agreement stating all proper testing would be conducted prior to the sale of any offspring. A fee would be charged for each litter and put forth to fund a proper animal control program. No mixed breeding would be allowed.

2. As far as criteria the main issue would be pairing the human with the energy level of the dog. A basic survey would be taken to find out the persons worklife, leisure, social life, home environment, ect. This will help determine how much time the person would spend with the dog, how active they are and wheather they could handle the dog, and to make sure the dog has the appropriate room to move around and exercise (for example no german shephards in an appartment.) Each person would have to attend a responsible owner course and sign an agreement stating that they understand all local laws regarding houseing and care for their animal to include leash laws and penalties, climate control and environmental exposure, training course requirements and socialization classes for those who fail temperment testing. Breed specific courses would also be required. As for children, the families would have to undergo a visitation period of at least three weeks to familiarize the family with the dog and to make sure the children are properly controlled around the animal. All owners would be required to have a yard and those who own high energy dogs would be required to have at least a six foot privacy fence. Verification for housing would be checked to make sure the owner is able to have pets. However it that was up to me I'd say that no one can discriminate based on people who own dogs. Questioning would be done to see why the person wants a dog and a limit of four would be set in place to prevent excessive numbers of dogs. The peson would have to demonstarte good credit and money management and would have to have all neccessary equipment ready prior to taking the dog home including a crate, dishes, leash, and collar. Anyone making under 30,000 a year would be required to maintain pet health insurance to cover any emergency services required. As a minimum a dog would be required to be up to date on their rabies vaccination, distemper, parvo, and have an annual check up. Furthmore every dog would be required to be micro chipped and spay or neutered if the owner does not have a breeders permit. Food would be highly digestible (if it where up to me there would be no more use of fillers.) As a minimum dog food must be stored in a dry air tight container and must be approved by a veterinarian prior to consumption.


3. To a certain extend people could choose their own dog but if the dog is found to not be compatible with the person or their lifestyle I would refuse to allow it and would recommend another dog.

Oh and background checks.

Answer 7

Great question! :-)

1. Intact animals - I would only allow knowledgeable breeders to keep these dogs. The only people who need to and should breed, are those who are doing it for the betterment of their chosen breed. People who have waiting lists for pups, and not those who stick signs on the peg board at their local Walmart advertising "Puppies for sale" or worse, "Free puppies".

2. Criteria for dog ownership - General canine knowledge involving body language and responsible ownership. Knowledge of the reasons that dogs bite, and commitment to training and managing (which includes most of what you asked - keeping the dog happy and healthy) the dog to prevent unfortunate accidents from happening. As far as fencing goes, electronic fences are out of the question. These may serve to keep "your" dog in, but they do not keep unwanted animals out. They aren't safe in my opinion. As far as children go, the responsible adult MUST have taught them how to behave with animals and how to be safe with dogs.

3. Renting a home wouldn't be a reason to not allow a person to own a dog. As long as their landlord gives consent, and the person is willing and able to commit to the dog for it's entire life, I wouldn't deny them the privilege of owning a dog.

4. I would let people choose their own dog, only if they can show me that they have researched their breed of choice and are knowledgeable of the certain characteristics of the breed that they choose. They would also have to convince me (with certain breeds) that they have no intention of harming the animal in any way, or using the animal to harm others (people or animals).

Answer 8

I'll stick with my private rescue dogs. Adult dogs, already spayed or neutered. Most are small dogs <15 lbs

IDEAL HOME (TO ME)

Ideal age depends upon age of dog: for a young dog, between mid- to late- 40's through 50's; a middle aged to senior dog, up to mid-70's

Age, stability, and pet ownership history is more important to me than marital status (or partnership status).

Homeowners.

Work at home, work very part-time, retired or semi-retired, or Aunt Bertha lives with them. Most of the rescues I fostered would not do well alone for a full 8+ hours.

No children at home. I want my dogs to be the "babies" and have all expendable income available for them and their needs.

Fenced in yard preferred, but never an outdoor-only dog.

Willing to put dog through obedience training if necessary

Annual check-ups, routine vaccines and dental care, I ask what kind of food they feed -- if it's super crummy food, try to educate. Could be a deal-breaker.

If someone is interested in a particular dog and I don't feel that dog would work well with them (hyper dog, senior person and vice versa) then I will gear them towards another dog. If they are not interested in the other dog, I will keep them on file till I do find a dog for them.

NOTE: there are always exceptions to the "rules"

Answer 9

Well, I would start first with the laws in my country. {Magic wand, I could controll Congress(LOL)} I would make people have to be morte accountable for their animals. I would enact laws that punished crimes against animals with LONG hours of rescue & shelter service as a sentence, NOT jail time.

A person should be free to chose their own pet and made to be responsible for it or held accountable. I think anyone who thinks they should have a right to choose a companion for a stranger is as crazy as the cat lady on the Simpsons! Puppies could be bought and remain intact per contract with the breeder and registration with local government. All animals (horses, dogs, cats, etc) would have to be "registered" with local authorities and chipped to ensure that the correct owner is held responsible in case of abuse.

It is a long road back to Eden, my friend....

Answer 10

I would let everyone own a dog and and make vet care free, and universal with the profits from dog liscences. All nuetered animals would be $10 a year and intact would be $300 a year. I dont think its right to deprive people of owning a dog just because they dont spoil thier dog like I do my own dogs

People need thier pets and dogs adjust to any situation even abusive ones unfortunatly, and live long happy lives

I also think training and behavorists are part of vet care. So that would be free as well