Quote: Tresa Hendrix

Does anyone else see a problem with somebody posting pictures of their dog and they mislabel what breed it is?

I was part of a Dutch Shepherd group but quickly found that the group condoned and encouraged people with brindle mixes (mostly pit-mixes) to call their dogs a DS. To me this is wrong, it is confusing to people unfamiliar or new to the breed. Why is it ok and accepted by so many? I don't understand why they don't just call their dog a wannabe DS or a mixed breed. I asked to please not call their dog a DS unless it was purchased from a reputable breeder, obtained from a legit DS rescue or identified by a breed expert. They all flipped out so I left the group.

Yes, I am bothered by the common practice of mislabeling breeds, too, if it is done intentionally. Oftentimes, people adopt a very nice dog from the shelter, are told it is a such-and-such mix, they don't know dog breeds well enough to believe any differently, so that's what they tell people their dog is. That's forgivable to me.

Many shelters are reluctant to come right out and call their adoptable dogs pit mixes. Bob listed a lot of reasons upthread for why this commonly happens. I don't necessarily agree with the practice, but if it helps the good dogs get adopted, I'm not that bothered by it.

However, the situation you describe, Tresa, with a group dedicated to one particular breed knowingly and willingly allowing dogs that are clearly mixes, pit or otherwise, to be included in the group, without identifying them as such, is puzzling, to say the least, and maddening, I'm sure, to those knowledgeable about that particular breed. I'm sure it is confusing to members of the public who may be interested in that breed and are viewing this group's website or other photos online for more information.

I would have left the group, too.

But how is it in US? Can you trust pedigrees? Are they controlled or could they easily be a fake like here?

There were also spotted pups, a solid colored pup, and one that looked like a coyote.

Some things can never be answered.

Yes, I am bothered by the common practice of mislabeling breeds, too, if it is done intentionally. Oftentimes, people adopt a very nice dog from the shelter, are told it is a such-and-such mix, they don't know dog breeds well enough to believe any differently, so that's what they tell people their dog is. That's forgivable to me.

Many shelters are reluctant to come right out and call their adoptable dogs pit mixes. Bob listed a lot of reasons upthread for why this commonly happens. I don't necessarily agree with the practice, but if it helps the good dogs get adopted, I'm not that bothered by it.

However, the situation you describe, Tresa, with a group dedicated to one particular breed knowingly and willingly allowing dogs that are clearly mixes, pit or otherwise, to be included in the group, without identifying them as such, is puzzling, to say the least, and maddening, I'm sure, to those knowledgeable about that particular breed. I'm sure it is confusing to members of the public who may be interested in that breed and are viewing this group's website or other photos online for more information.

I would have left the group, too.