Yesterday I decided to take a dog to the local vaccine clinic at the pet shop. There were about 10 people in front of me and several behind so I got to observe the local pet owners of the area. Parents thinking its fine for kids to run up and down the line screaming around the dogs they don't know, one lady who had bought her litter of pups in for their jabs and complaining as she hadn't made much money as her bitch had to have a c section and that the pups were making her house smell and toileting everywhere, another lady complaining that her pup came from the 'breeder' with fleas and worms and on it went. Think ill stick to going to the vets in future!

Last time I was at the vets, two women were there with a baby Shih Tzu puppy.   Within seconds of me saying how cute she was, I was told that she was going to be bred from with the other woman's Shih-Jack who is apparently vicious (their words)   I commented on passing on bad temperament but apparently it will be ok

Then they started saying how easy grooming a Shih Tzu was, apparently you just take it to the groomer for an 'all off' every three months!  No grooming in between needed.

Had a long conversation with the vet about numpty idiots breeding and the need for an informative poster in the surgery.  she was sick of doing emergency Caesars on bitches too young/old small etc. for the breeding and the owners then complaining they were unable to afford the op as there weren't enough pups!

OMG .... it's like investing in the Bank of Dog :(
And I bet it's undeclared income.

There were 2 shih tzus at my training club who are bitches from the same litter. They both go to the pet chain which has groomers and vets.  They are about 6 weeks younger than my 8 month old. One of them was spayed about 6 weeks ago and the other was booked in for the following month.

They always comment on my pups cut so I happily gave them my groomers details. Apparently the groomers in the chain said to them that they would scissor cut the puppy once the adult coat came in until then they would just clip them. ( I don't know if this is true)

I would rather get a more personal service and have a relationship with both my vet and groomer. I wouldn't say a shih tzus coat is easy especially after she has been romping through the mud. Proper little bog monster. I wouldn't have her clipped though, she wouldn't look like a shih tzu anymore.

She came into her first season today - she is getting all grown up so quickly!

OMG .... it's like investing in the Bank of Dog :-(

Very good description. I just don't understand HOW it got like this. Once upon a time ordinary people not involved in dogs, with their breed etc wouldn't think of breeding dogs. Now it is seen as a given right and worst of all, as a way to make money.

"OMG .... it's like investing in the Bank of Dog :-("

But they aren't "investing" just making unauthorised withdrawals with no overdraft in place!

"Very good description. I just don't understand HOW it got like this. Once upon a time ordinary people not involved in dogs, with their breed etc wouldn't think of breeding dogs. Now it is seen as a given right and worst of all, as a way to make money."

Ignorance is bliss. Anyone who actually thought about all the possible complications and considered everything a responsible breeder does would never contemplate it.  They don't think, it is all about their wants and needs. They seem to treat their dogs as some sort of cash cow. 

I still know a lot of responsible owners (we have a dog walking group) who thankfully all want to support breeders by buying responsibly. none of us wish to breed we just love being owners and that is more than enough for us.

I wouldn't say a shih tzus coat is easy especially after she has been romping through the mud

That's the pont though, they weren't doing any grooming, just dump the dog at the groomers three or four times a year and get it back shaved to the bone

I don't know why so many people started breeding :(  When I was younger, no-one ever bred unless they were deeply into dogs.   Of course there were odd accidental litters, but there was no thought that the pups would ever make any money - they were given away free to a good home and the bitch owners grateful for that.

It seems to have snowballed around the time the 'Doodles' and other stupidly named crosses became popular.   Or maybe I just missed it before that?

The new breeding trend is worrying, everyone seems to think just because their dog has genitals it's their god given right to breed it!

I truly am sick to the back teeth of mediocre dogs being bred to more mediocre dogs in order to produce even more mediocre dogs.

Today at a carboot someone was walking round with a litter of Jack Russell's crossed with a Chihuahua, apparently they're a 'controversial new breed' who are registered, non moulting and will stay about the same size as they are now.

I nearly fell over when they proudly told me the above!

Same when I was young Dill. There was a man who bred Shetland sheepdogs that we knew and another neighbour was really into dog obedience. But no-one would ever consider breeding their dog for money. Maybe I am old school or over cautious - but i suppose it's a sign of the times.

Probably why I never ended up having kids also as I always wanted to be in a position of security - bit idealistic.

I can't imagine the state of the dogs coat and skin after that time with no attention.  It's like you said before people approach you and compliment your dog but they can't grasp it just needs a bit of regular attention. I have had to start from scratch again as she was getting very knotted despite being groomed twice a day. She is getting her adult coat so I have to make sure I section it properly to get the dropped hair out. The link you posted a while ago really helped as well.

As far as these new x breeds it's all emperors new clothes to me. They are very popular in the yummy mummy set round here. It's almost like a requisite along with the Chelsea tractor.....

>They are very popular in the yummy mummy set round here. It's almost like a requisite along with the Chelsea tractor.....

That was exactly the type of owners in the pet shop with their litters of pups, apart from the litter of french bulldogs i think every other litter was a crossbred litter or puppy each with its own young child squeeezing the life out of it as though it was a teddy.

Today at a carboot someone was walking round with a litter of Jack Russell's crossed with a Chihuahua, apparently they're a 'controversial new breed' who are registered, non moulting and will stay about the same size as they are now.

I thought selling puppies at a car boot sale or market was illegal now?

Ahh here we go - on  Animal rescue Cymru

"SALE OF PUPPIES

There have been reports of people selling puppies/dogs at car boot sales. This is an ILLEGAL  practice and only people with the correct licences are allowed to sell animals, and NOT at car boot sales. If you see, or are approached by someone selling puppies/dogs, at a car boot, in a car park or any public places not licensed to sell animals, please call the police immediately."

the relevant part of the Pet Animals Act 1951 (and amendments) here  http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo6/14-15/35/section/2

"2. Pets not to be sold in streets, &c.

If any person carries on a business of selling animals as pets in any part of a [F1street][F1road] or public place, [F2or] at a stall or barrow in a market, he shall be guilty of an offence. "

Apparently they weren't being sold but rather 'socialised'.