Dog Community

Ethical Questions in Breed Rescue

Posted : 4/17/2007 12:31:26 PM

We have a few local shelters and rescues that routinely tell adopters that the dogs they are adopting are "Lab mixes", "Terrier mixes", or "Boxer mixes" to hide the dog's true breed mix - APBT.
I am anti-BSL, and have sponsored anti-BSL measures in my state. I welcome the bully breeds into my classes. But, I can't help thinking that shelters and rescues are doing people a disservice when they aren't honest about the dog's breed. Granted, some folks won't want the dog because of it, and the shelters want to save the nice dogs that just happen to be Pit mixes. But, do you think JQP owners have a right to know, and, therefore, to learn about the breed before committing to own one?
This "white lie" lost one dog her home when her owners found out, not from the shelter, but from another dog pro, that their dog was a Pit mix. They gave her back, even though she was the sweetest thing on the planet, because they have a child, and were, however ignorantly, afraid. What do you guys think?

Chuffy

Posted : 4/17/2007 12:49:40 PM

I think calling the dog a "lab mix" or "boxer mix" is fine.... hook em in and when they fall in love then tell them what it's mixed with.... [

] And take the opportuinty to educate them at the same time. They may still choose another dog, but many will not and this way some people get educated, rather than just being scared off by "pitt mix" in the 1st place and not learning anything. That's just what I would do anyways.

Xerxes

Posted : 4/17/2007 12:49:57 PM

Anne, the "truth in labeling" should apply to dogs as well. However most shelter employees don't have the time to educate adopters as to the true nature of pitties, nor do they have the time to counteract all the hype that has been spread regarding the bullies. It's much easier to label a dog "lab mix" or "terrier mix" or "boxer mix" than to attempt to educate. It also can get a dog adopted more quickly.

I think it's better that potential adopters know or try to learn what breed/breed mix the dogs are in order to get an idea of what particular behaviors to watch for-not just aggression but hyperactivity in labs, prey drive in other dogs, escapeability in others...

Not every owner will attempt to educate themselves about dog behavior.[

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Grace Stover

Posted : 4/17/2007 1:04:09 PM

i agree that its wrong to deceive people in that way. Pits are given a bad wrap from a few mean ones. I worked at a kennel and was first reserved around pits rotties dobies gsd's... the big ones that are said to rip you apart... what a load of .... dog crap..

they are some of the greatest breeds i have come into contact with. we need to be advocates for these underdogs!

but anyone who would return a dog because they 'found out' SHOULDN'T OWN A DOG!

timsdat

Posted : 4/17/2007 1:10:04 PM

but anyone who would return a dog because they 'found out' SHOULDN'T OWN A DOG!

Yea really. What about the problems people would run into because their insurance gets canceled or they get thrown out of the apartment because of breed restriction or from their home because the home owners association has breed restrictions. The shelter has a responsibility to be up front and honest.

KCSO

Posted : 4/17/2007 1:16:40 PM

I have seen both sides of this "coin" while looking at dogs. Some shelters seem to think that its best to err on the side of caution, and label every dog that looks halfway blocky-headed or short haired as a pit mix. Some shelters do appear to throw a label of whatever OTHER breed they could possibly be.

As an owner who probably wouldn't take a pit mix, but who would be educated enough to probably recognize an obvious pit mix, I'm not sure which I feel better about. I think I prefer the overzealous use of "pit mix" because at least people are forwarned and able to educate themselves (if they want) on the specific traits of their dog (should it actually turn out to be a pit mix). Passing off a pit as something else seems to be inviting trouble, especially in our area with spreading BSL.

Grace Stover

Posted : 4/17/2007 1:21:10 PM

ORIGINAL: timsdat

but anyone who would return a dog because they 'found out' SHOULDN'T OWN A DOG!

Yea really. What about the problems people would run into because their insurance gets canceled or they get thrown out of the apartment because of breed restriction or from their home because the home owners association has breed restrictions. The shelter has a responsibility to be up front and honest.

The people can show the adoption form or get their vet to sign something that says its a mix. If the landlord/insurance can't PROVE it, isn't that discrimination that can be dealt with in a legal process?

timsdat

Posted : 4/17/2007 1:27:05 PM

The people can show the adoption form or get their vet to sign something that says its a mix. If the landlord/insurance can't PROVE it, isn't that discrimination that can be dealt with in a legal process?

Try it you won't get very far. They don't have to prove it, you have to prove that it is not a pitt mix. It's the way that they write the contract. It happened very receintly with a friend of mine that has a Sharpei, she had to provide the AKC reg papers otherwise her insurance was cancelled. Do you think a vet will sign something that could come back for legal liability against them.

mudpuppy

Posted : 4/17/2007 2:25:02 PM

The shelter has a responsibility to be up front and honest.

shelters usually have no idea what breed(s) the dogs are. They guess. Lots of mixed-breed dogs that haven't a drop of pit blood in them can look vaguely like a pit-mix.

diane303

Posted : 4/17/2007 2:58:06 PM

People have asked if my pointer is a pit mix because she has a red nose and light eyes and she's pretty muscular. Actually pointers do have some bull terrier in there.

I've seen shelters advertise field bred English Setters as dalmation mixes or springer mixes.

When you adopt a shelter dog, you don't adopt a breed, you adopt an individual beause the people at the shelter can only guess at what breeds are in there. I don't understand how a person can go into a shelter, meet a dog and after some deliberation, adopt it and then turn around and bring it back because someone, somewhere suggested that it was a pit mix.

badrap

Posted : 4/17/2007 4:34:25 PM

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

We have a few local shelters and rescues that routinely tell adopters that the dogs they are adopting are "Lab mixes", "Terrier mixes", or "Boxer mixes" to hide the dog's true breed mix - APBT.
I am anti-BSL, and have sponsored anti-BSL measures in my state. I welcome the bully breeds into my classes. But, I can't help thinking that shelters and rescues are doing people a disservice when they aren't honest about the dog's breed.

as much as it pains me to admit it because i love the bullies and i want every dog to have a happy home, regardless of breed, i'm right here with you on this one.

as i see it, there are 2 big problems with "hiding" the APBT in a dog. ONE- many people live in places where these breeds are restricted. all it takes is one person to see pittie ears, and you're out on the street- you don't get to plead your case. or, worse, the DOG is out on the street. i think this creates a huge liability for the shelter. TWO- people need to be prepared for the quirks of owning a bully, even if it's a mix- high energy, possible DA and high prey drive, etc.

i think honesty is the best policy, and i really don't appreciate shelters dumbing down what a dog really is, even with the best of intentions. those of us who know better aren't that stupid, and those of us who don't, don't deserve to be lied to.

stormyknight

Posted : 4/17/2007 9:58:01 PM

Before I answer, I need a few points explained to me:

JQP = ? John Q Public?
BSL = ? Breed specific legislation?

Ixas_girl

Posted : 4/17/2007 10:42:01 PM

ORIGINAL: mudpuppy

The shelter has a responsibility to be up front and honest.

shelters usually have no idea what breed(s) the dogs are. They guess. Lots of mixed-breed dogs that haven't a drop of pit blood in them can look vaguely like a pit-mix.

Yeah, I kinda wonder about the assumption that shelter staff are dishonest about mixed breed identities. Mine was called a shepherd mix, but I thought it had to do with staff knowledge, not deception.

Liesje

Posted : 4/17/2007 10:52:56 PM

The shelter I work at doesn't shy away from pits or advertising them as "pit bulls". They call all the bullies pit bulls - amstaffs, canary dogs, dogo argentino, cane corso, bull terriers, etc.

The area that frustrates me is their naming of the herding dogs. They'll often just call something a "shepherd/lab mix" simply because it has short hair and somewhat of a black saddle. They've also mislabelled Aussie mixes as spaniels, for the longer hair I suppose. I guess I notice it more because herding dogs are my thing, terriers aren't.

The good thing though is that they really discourage picking based on the supposed breed of the dog. They have charts by each dog that give specific information about it's temperament, special needs, and energy level. These details are only taken from observing and working with the dog, not assumptions based on breed.

spiritdogs

Posted : 4/18/2007 6:21:33 AM

ORIGINAL: stormyknight

Before I answer, I need a few points explained to me:

JQP = ? John Q Public?
BSL = ? Breed specific legislation?

Yes. [

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