Fall Cleaning

The fall shedding season has begun, as evidenced by posts in many of the Shiba blogs I follow.  Friday night I came home from work, didn't bother to change my clothes, grabbed the Shiba and put him in the tub.

The Shiba hates the tub.  Very very decidedly so.  The tail uncurls (quite a pathetic sight) and he stands there dripping and stares at me with accusatory eyes the whole time.  He refuses to move while in the tub, unless to make a lunge at escape.  Other than that, I have to manually move him around in the tub.  He doesn't resist my moving him, he just refuses to move himself.  I have a feeling some non-slip sticker thingies in the bottom of the tub may make a difference, but I sort of like it that way.  I think if he had more grip, there would be many more escape attempts.

Luckily, I don't have to bathe my dog that frequently.  Shibas truly are fairly clean animals.

My favorite dog shampoo is Tropiclean's line of all natural shampoos.  That stuff is awesome.  I first discovered it when I found out that my Sainted Labrador would have a reaction to any kind of chemical on his skin, including conventional shampoos.  He was fine with Tropiclean, and because it's so mild I could use it on all my animals, even my ferrets and my rats.  (Yes, I had ferrets and rats.  Long before The Shiba.)  It smells great, too.  Okay okay I admit it.. I've tried it on my hair.

While bathing The Shiba, it is necessary to remove wads of Shiba hair from the drain in order to keep things flowing smoothly.  I really should invest in a screen drain cover.

Bathing loosens the hair nicely.  A lot of hair comes out with a bath, which is why I did it.

I try to make The Shiba stay in the tub until he shakes a few times, but unlike my Sainted Labrador, The Shiba will not shake water off on command.  He stands, dejected and immobile until I let him out.  Then he shakes, and the bathroom looks like I decided to fling a full bucket of water around it.  Thick double coats hold a lot of water.  It's very useful to have a Sammy Cool `N Dry pet Shammy to suck up the water off of The Shiba (and the floor and the walls and the cabinets) quickly.

I sprayed The Shiba off with some Tropiclean Peach Kava  deodorizing spray and then I thought I had missed a spot of shampoo, because he got all foamy.  So I put The Shiba back in the tub (dismay!) and rinsed him really thoroughly.  Same thing happened again!  Then I realized it was the spray that was doing it.  So I actually put him back in the tub, removed the spray cap from the bottle, and just dumped it all over him, lathered him up again (that stuff lathers exceptionally well for a cologne), rinsed, and let him loose.

It seems like his fur is much softer than after a regular shampooing.  I think going forward, I"m just going to use cologne as a foaming bath wash for him and not bother with the shampoos.  We'll see how that works out.

I bet you thought this was going to be about housecleaning, huh?

Well, I desperately want one of these:

My mom has one.  Most.  Awesome.  Vacuum.  Ever.  I want this thing the way most people want fast cars or flashy electronics.  If I ONLY had one of these.  Life would be better.  Omnomnom Rainbow Vacuum!

Designer Dogs

The Designer Dog Craze is all about fashion.  It's a fad.  It is "in" right now to have a mixed-breed dog with a portmanteau name.  The more silly the name, it seems, the more fashionable the dog is.

This bothers me, to no end.  There are so many mixed breed dogs in shelters right now, dying for lack of homes, and yet they cease to be "Designer Dogs" as soon as they get to a shelter.  Then they become mutts, and they are not fashionable anymore.  Unlike second-hand designer handbags or jeans, there is no label stitched on a dog that perpetrates it's value after an owner no longer wants it.

Designer Dog, Hybrid Dog, or just a mix?  

The term Designer Dog pisses me off because it implies a status symbol, like designer jeans.  A dog is not an accessory.  It is a living animal.  Why call them designer dogs, if not to imply the "designer" status on them, like they were a Coach bag?  They weren't designed to any specific purpose, unlike almost all purebred dogs, who did originally have a useful function in society.

The term "hybrid" is just misleading all around.  Crossbred dogs are not hybrids in the sense that people want them to be.  A hybrid is the term for offspring resulting from the breeding of two distinctly different species.  All dogs are the same species.  A donkey and a horse create the hybrid known as a mule.  Breeding two dogs, no matter what breed they are, still results in a dog.  

Mixing Isn't Magic

This term "Hybrid Dog" leads to what I like to call The Hybrid Vigor Fallacy.  Inbreeding depression is a problem in any purebred dog.  However, simply out crossing different breeds on a whim is not the only answer to it.  I point out that when there is a problem that requires widening a gene pool in a breed, it is undertaken with care by people who know and understand the genetics involved, such as with the Dalmatian-Pointer Backcross Project, which seeks to lessen the incidence of hyperuricemia in the Dalmatian by introducing genes from the English Pointer.  This is the correct way to widen a gene pool within a breed to reduce unwanted genetic defects.  Hybrid vigor does exist, and is well documented.  In the case of crossbred dogs, however, the fallacy is that people believe that simply throwing two different breeds together is going to result in a completely genetically sound animal.  Sorry, genetics don't work that way.  If you breed a Poodle with luxating patellas to a Shih Tzu with luxating patellas, you're going to get puppies with even worse luxating patellas, and they will be mixed and have a cutesy portmanteau name to go along with the 3,000 dollar corrective surgery.  In short, there is no magic fix for a genetic defect.  Very careful selective breeding and meticulous record keeping, paired with a good understanding of the genetics involved is required.  And guess what!  That's what every reputable breeder of a purebred dog already does, and has been doing for years before the term "designer dog" was ever coined.

It's A Hairy Problem

Let's begin by getting this out of the way:  As of this time, there is no such thing as a dog that is completely hypoallergenic.  As far as I understand allergies, there probably never will be, even with advances in the field of genetics such as gene silencing.  This is because allergens are not confined to just hair or fur.  Dander, and proteins in saliva and urine are also a factor, and as far as I am aware, you will never be able to breed a dog that doesn't need to salivate and urinate.  Allergies are tricksy things.  Some people are highly allergic to every part of a dog, not just their coat.  Those people will never be comfortable around a dog, even a "shedless" or hairless breed, without medication.  A person can appear to not be allergic to a dog on one day, and have a serious reaction to the exact same dog the next, depending on their immune status.  (True story, it happened to me and I'm not even allergic to dogs!)  Now then.  Where were we?  Oh yes. 

The laws of genetics that apply to defects also apply to the genes for coat type, and thus, shedding.  A first generation mix of a Poodle and a Pomeranian does not produce a dog that doesn't shed.  Remember Punnett Squares from Bio class?  Okay, maybe some people weren't paying attention that day.  Let's use this interactive Punnett Square calculator.  Let us say that the shedding gene is represented by two capital letter As.  AA = shed.  The non-shedding coat will be represented by two lowercase letter as.  aa = non-shedding.  Input AA as Parental Genotype 1 on the left and aa as Parental Genotype 2 on the right.  Now you can hit the big Go button at the bottom.

You see what just happened there.  You got Aa in every calculated square.  If that were a litter of puppies, every single one would be born SHEDDING, but CARRYING the NON-SHEDDING gene.

It's a bit more complex than that, but the demonstration serves.  Adding Poodle to a shedding breed does not mean you get a non-shedding dog.  In fact, sometimes what happens is you get a dog that sheds, but that does not start to shed until many months later, when the puppy coat comes out and the adult coat comes in.  This period is different for different breeds.  Pomeranian typically go through what is known as "The Uglies" when their puppy coat falls out and they look nothing like a Pom.  This can happen anywhere between 4 and 9 months of age.  Pom mixes can also have The Uglies.. and what sometimes happens is that a Pom/Poodle cross looses it's non-shed puppy coat at 9 months of age and grows in a thicker, more Pomeranian type coat that does shed, and then what happens to the dog?

It takes years and years and YEARS of careful breeding to create a non-shedding breed out of a mix of shedding and non-shedding dogs.  The Labradoodle has been bred by some people since the late 80's and they still haven't gotten the shedding out of their lines.  (And let me say, the Labradoodle is now plagued by the exact same genetic problems that the parent breeds had:  Progressive Retinal Atrophy, hip dysplasia, Addison's Disease and more.  So much for hybrid vigor.)

The Parentage Question

Lots of people will claim that they would rather buy a designer dog puppy than adopt a mix from a shelter because "then you know exactly what you're getting."  Says who?  Few and far between are the designer dogs that come with any kind of record of their parentage.  Basically, you're relying completely on the breeder being honest with you.  Or the breeder of their stud and bitch having been honest with them.  There is no real way to tell that a Morkie is really a mix between a Maltese and a Yorkie except trust.  The genetics come into play here as well.  What ARE you getting when you buy a designer dog?  You have no real idea if the dog will shed or not.  You have no real idea how big the dog will get.  You have no idea which traits the dog inherited from what parent.  You have no assurance beside verbal that the dog really IS just a mix of the two breeds in question.  Logical conclusion:  You know what you're getting from a shelter dog, because they've usually already grown into their adult size.  They've already grown into their adult coat and the shelter workers can tell you if it sheds or not.  A designer dog puppy is just a bunch of question marks.  Maybe it will stay under 10 pounds.  Maybe it won't.  Maybe it will shed. Maybe it won't.  And every single dog in a mixed litter can be different.

Creating New Breeds

It cannot be argued that without crossbreeding, we would not have the wide variety of dog breeds that exist for us today.  Many dogs have been crossed and out crossed in order to obtain specific traits or preserve a breed threatened with extinction, when there are too few surviving members to continue breeding solely from members of that breed alone.  The fanciers of designer dog breeds are working against themselves in this regard.  Designer dog breeds can only be a mix of two breeds.  The AKC will not recognize any new breed that is not a mix of at least three different breeds.  The Cockapoo has been around since WWII, has a parent club and standards, and is still waiting, despite what anyone may tell you, they aren't likely to gain recognition any time soon.  That's the catch with the designer dogs.  In order for anyone to create a new breed, they have to first be breeding towards a clear goal.  So far, most breeders of designer dogs are not doing that.  They're simply slapping two breeds together and calling it something silly.  There is no organized goal, there is no end result they're aiming for except the money.  Some of them may claim to be aiming for a result, and usually it doesn't make any sense if one takes the time to actually think about it.  Examples?

Shih-A-Poos - They don't shed!  No, of course they don't.  Neither Shih Tzus nor Poodles shed.  So what was the real reason for mixing them?  There is none.

Pug Mixes - They don't have breathing problems!  False false false.  Remember our genetics lesson?  Some do have breathing problems.  Some aren't as severe.  And every one can be different.  Some of the Pug mixes are downright irresponsible and unethical, like Jugs, which are Jack Russell Terriers mixed with Pugs.  Great, now you have an extremely hyper dog that can't breathe.  Who's bright idea was that?  Bugs.. Boston Terriers mixed with Pugs.  What was the purpose for that?  BOTH those breeds have the same foreshortened muzzle and breathing problems associated with it, so they can't claim to have been trying to eliminate breathing problems.  Really, they just wanted the name, Bug.  If you want a Bug that doesn't have breathing problems, run to your local VW dealer, because that's the only place you're likely to find one.

There really aren't so many good reasons for mixing breeds.  Except the fashion of it.  Dogs should never be fads, because it's always the dogs that suffer.  Many designer dogs wind up in shelters and at rescues, going from Designer Dog to Disposable Dog at the drop of a hat.

If you absolutely must spend 500 dollars on a mixed breed dog, my advice to you:  Adopt one for a much lower adoption fee, and donate the remainder to the rescue or shelter you adopted it from. 


Further Reading:

Disposable Dogs: Heartwarming, True Stories of Courage and Compassion


Disposable Animals: Ending the Tragedy of Throwaway Pets


One at a Time: A Week in an American Animal Shelter


Control of Canine Genetic Diseases (Howell reference books)


Genetics: An Introduction for Dog Breeders

  

Why Do People Buy Dogs From Pet Stores, Anyway?

jen over at Inu Baka asked:  I was always a bit confused that if someone wanted to lay down so much money for a puppy, why not go to the breeder that already has a jump start on the social training and health part covered? Convenience? Fear of screening process? 


I'm not sure I can answer this.  Now you've got me seriously thinking, Jen, and I think what I'll have to do is make my theories here, ask customers at work, and then get back to you.  


People ask me, "So what do I have to do to get this dog?  Is there an application process or something?"  It gets asked a lot.  Sometimes I wonder if people mistakenly believe that our dogs are rescues.  I honestly can't think of anything we do that would lead people to that conclusion.  Sometimes I think people are letting themselves believe that, because they then feel better about what they're doing.  In a, if-I-say-it-enough-it'll-be-true kind of way.  Many people resist the term "purchase" even while filling out our warranty papers, and will repeatedly say that they're "adopting."  "I adopted a dog from here a few years ago."  This gets said very frequently.  It always kind of irritates me.  I'm not even sure I could say why.  Adopting, to me, just sort of implies doing a community service, a good deed.  Purchasing, not so much.  So I sort of feel like they're giving themselves credit, a pat on the back, that they don't deserve when they insist on saying that they're "adopting" one of my dogs.  Sometimes I try to console myself with, "Well, maybe it's because they think of their dogs as family.  You don't buy family."  Which is why I don't say anything about it when it gets said anymore.  I have in the past made the distinction for people.


Here's what I think.


People who want instant gratification.


These people want what they want and they want it NOW.  They want a dog, they want to go home with it NOW.  They don't want to be put on a breeder's waiting list for a litter that isn't even bred yet.  They don't want to sit through an application and screening process for adopting.  Most of the time they don't even want to take the time to walk around the store with us and buy supplies.  Now, now, now.


People who think they're saving the puppies.


Everything you read about stores that sell puppies say DON'T BUY THE DOGS, even if you feel like you're saving them.  Because that just fuels the industry.  And they're right.  If you're absolutely against selling dogs in stores, don't buy them because you feel sorry for them or because you want to "save" them.  I certainly don't believe that all pet stores that sell dogs are like ours.  I rather think we are an exception rather than the rule, sadly.  But if you're against dogs being sold in stores, even if the dog looks like it's in dire condition, do not buy the dog.  Call the SPCA.  That's the way to save them.  In my store, I'll tell you right now, they don't need saving.  Half the time, they've already been saved.  They have food, they have veterinary care, and nothing is going to happen to them.  They're fine.  They don't need saving, so if the only reason someone is thinking of buying a dog from a pet store is to "save" it, I can say with a clear conscience - don't.  


People who came in with absolutely no intention of buying a dog, and fell in love.


This happens more than one would think.  I hear all the time, "I only came in here for a bag of dog food and I left with a dog!"  or, 'You know, this is how it happened with my last dog.  I just came in here for one 5 dollar thing, and now look!"


People who are looking for a certain breed, and honestly have no other ideas where to look.


If they don't see it in the classifieds, chances are, we're the next stop.  I think they just honestly don't know where else to look for what they want, especially if what they want isn't a Labrador, Golden Retriever, Pit Bull, or mix of any of the previous three. 


Lots of people say to me, "I went to the SPCA, and all they have is Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes."  


A note here:  Our SPCA is a bit different.  There is one 15 minutes away from the store, and all they take is big dogs.  All the smaller dogs go to the SPCA facility about 2 hours away.  Why that is, I couldn't tell you, I just know it is.  And unfortunately, 100% of big homeless dogs around here are pits and pit mixes.  And what's popular right now are small dogs.  That don't shed.  All we have are small kennels.  We only have 3 big kennels.  So people looking for the smaller dogs, they're probably not going to make a 2 hour drive to check out the smaller homeless dogs at the other SPCA unless they're really dead set on adopting.


Or, "I really wanted to save a life and adopt, but I got rejected."


This hurts so much in so many ways.  I really wish a lot of rescues, including the SPCA, would relax their standards a little.  Just because they get rejected from a rescue doesn't mean they're not going to get a dog.  The rejection hasn't solved anything. It just means one homeless dog missed out.  If they want a dog that bad, they're just going to buy one.  Rejecting them seems pointless to me unless there are some serious red flags.  I understand, and the way I always explain it to people is that these organizations are typically trying to put themselves out of business.  They don't want to have to do what they do, and so they try to make sure that the dogs they place aren't going to go through the same thing again, later.  And yet.. It always seems so tragic when they immediately come to the store to buy one, instead.


Everyone wants a puppy, nobody wants a dog.


It's true.  Tragic, and true.  We have puppies.  People want puppies.  The SPCA has dogs.  Nobody wants dogs.  People have this notion that because rescues usually come with baggage, that also makes them dangerous.  As in all things, people are afraid of the unknown.  Even when the SPCA happens upon some puppies, they don't last long there either.  They'll have a list of prospective owners a mile long, while dogs that have been there for months are languishing.  I have actually had people say to me that they wouldn't adopt an adult dog because the lack of histories on them makes them uneasy.


So, here's a few of my guesses on why people buy dogs from us.  These are just guesses, based on what I hear customers say.  I really do want to ask customers now and get it from the source.  I'll have to think of a way to do that without sounding hugely creepy.

To Do List

Coming Soon:

Why Do People Buy Dogs From Pet Stores?  My theories and comments on a pertinent question asked by Jen.
Posted 9-24-2010

The Ones Who Get To Me.  Stories of the dogs I DO want to take home.

Coping With Allergies.  I do it everyday.  We've just learned my son is also allergic.  Allergies are no reason to give up the family pet, it's just a handy excuse.

Why I Want to Throw Onions At Cesar Milan.   Ugh!  Just.  Grrr.
Posted 9-28-2010

The Designer Dog Craze.  I can debunk every reason for it you've ever heard rationalizing it and more.
Posted 9-25-2010

Dog Food Recipes.  Making food for your dog really doesn't take that long, and it's cheaper than having Proctor & Gamble do it for you.

If You're Doing It Right, You Must Be Independently Wealthy:  My opinions on the frequent assertion that you can't (or shouldn't) make money breeding dogs, as requested by Jess.




Dual purpose.  Now you get a sneak peek at what's coming, and I don't forget.