spiritdogs
Posted : 11/11/2008 9:14:38 AM
One reason there aren't many Poodles in shelters is that there is a healthy network for Poodle rescue, and a lot of them get pulled and placed into foster homes. Plus, Poodles are not often used as working dogs any more, so they tend to be owned by those who want a pet, and a foo foo one at that (no disrespect intended, just as a contrast to what happens with Aussies). The Aussies are often abandoned, tossed from the farms, if they won't work. So, they either get picked up by animal control or stay free for a while breeding with whatever, and those dogs often end up in shelters, too. It's no accident that the strays in the south are usually herding or hound mixes. Reputable Aussie breeders would probably not consider using good breeding stock to mix with Poodles to make designer dogs due to one simple fact. The Aussie gene pool is so very small, and good breeding stock, with no history of epilepsy or HD, or iris coloboma, etc. in their lines are very valuable in the Aussie world.