I LOVE the graphics and design!! I rate the site a 9.5 taking the .5 off only because everything isn't properly centered <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I really like the graphics, the renaissance theme, thought provoking quotes and excellent pics. Cool site, with an ethical breeder who's trying to improve dogs rather than run them into the ground <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> There's nothing more pathetic than seeing an old english bulldog panting and slavering, barely able to get around while it's bottom teeth protrude from it's face. I can't fault these dogs with a single thing. The guy even works them!

well, as they say, barbara, there is no accounting for tastes. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

i think he conveys a poor image of his kennel and will attract the wrong people by portraying the dogs as some kind of vampirish cartoons.

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Keith, I suggest for your own sanity never going to http://www.achclub.com/index.php then. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

as sad as it is, holly ROFL! at the Recognized Hybrid Breeds! The Rotaff! The Kimola! The Taco Terrier! ... this has got to be a joke, some one had way too much time on their hands comming up with all these name combos

Marta, I did warn everyone! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Anyways, if you really want to test your sanity, register for the forums. Oh. My. God. There's a few actual somewhat level-headed occasional posters on there who attempt to explain why this designer dog thing needs to stop but the majority immediately assault anyone who attacks them as an AKC Nazi or worse. Why the average family who wants a mixed breed dog can't just spend $100 or less on a shelter or $300 or less on a breed rescue is beyond me. I think it's that Americans are so "I must have what I want RIGHT NOW!" because it's trendy and special that they *gasp* can't wait another few weeks or a few months until another mix might come along that they could pay 10% as much for. *sigh* <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I saw a tv show where the family imported a labradoodle from Australia to the tune of $1500! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Was that a show on National Geographic Channel on designer dogs? I think I know what you are talking about. The average pet owner who just wants a companion has no need of a $2000+ designer dog. Just about any breed out there already should do or just go to local humane society and save a life. I think the animal shelters would do a lot more business if they came up with cute trendy names for their mixed breeds. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Now working dog mixes like Alaskan huskies or GSD/Malinois, Mal/Dutch shepherd, etc mixes are a little bit different, but for someone who just wants a pet (not that there is anything wrong with that), there's just no need for it.

I saw that!! The breeder in Australia of the labradoodles was saying the breed was invented for people with allergies. It made a lot of sense if they ended up as they were supposed to. It sounded better than someone crossing it for the heck of it. I guess people with allergies could always get one of those naked chinese dogs <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> The lady with the little kids that was importing a labradoodle was really annoying me though. She kept saying she hopes this works out, almost sounding as if it was no big deal, she'd just get rid of the dog if it didn't <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Talk about disposable.

They had some neat little crosses for fly ball and some of those other sports. I was surprised how accepting the yuppies were for cross breeding for performance <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I don't know about the animal shelter thing though Maren. In a perfect world that would be a good idea, but 99% of the animals have some issue or other that most people aren't equipped to handle, or want to deal with <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> If it's not bad enough for the dog to end up in an animal shelter once, imagine it being sent back multiple times. I got one of those, and he was a mess!

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The breeder in Australia of the labradoodles was saying the breed was invented for people with allergies.

makes sense until you find out that a good percentage - at least 1/2 - of "anything" doodle puppies will have shedding coats. only the "poodley" coats will be hypoallergenic and non-shedding. The rest will have shedding coats just like a lab or golden. Stupid IMO - if you can't have a shedder, just get a poodle or other non-shedding breeds. Standard Poodles ARE retrievers (originally) after all, they can be neat dogs if not treated like fru-frus.

molly

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I don't know about the animal shelter thing though Maren. In a perfect world that would be a good idea, but 99% of the animals have some issue or other that most people aren't equipped to handle, or want to deal with <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> If it's not bad enough for the dog to end up in an animal shelter once, imagine it being sent back multiple times. I got one of those, and he was a mess!

I actually disagree. Most of the fosters I get in from the humane society (I'd say 70-80%?) don't have major genetically based issues (i.e.-very dog or people aggressive from being too nervy, sharp, etc). Most of them are just young high energy dogs lacking in some training, exercise, and leadership. I've fostered a couple dozen (maybe I just lucked out?) and most were turned in for behavior problems like digging and barking just because the owners thought they would fullfill the American dream of getting a dog and then just leave it with the dog babysitter (AKA: the backyard). All three dogs, including my Schutzhund Mal, are shelter dogs brought in as strays that they knew nothing about the background of. It's really only my husky/Rott (who was originally a foster of mine) who is probably screwed up enough in the head that he can't be with an average family. I guess it just goes to show you that with training, exercise, and leadership, most dogs, even ones with ugly pasts, can be managed just fine.

I think another problem is some shelters don't temperament test the dogs very well...especially with cats or other dogs. I think that's one of the biggest reasons why dogs get brought back because a lot of people don't realize that dogs will often get into scraps when a new one is introduced because they just throw them in together too soon. I never got along with any of my past roommates immediately (and some I never did!) <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> so I think people just need to not let their expectations run away with them when they adopt a shelter/rescue dog that it is going to be the epitome of perfection right away.

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....I actually disagree. Most of the fosters I get in from the humane society (I'd say 70-80%?) don't have major genetically based issues (i.e.-very dog or people aggressive from being too nervy, sharp, etc). Most of them are just young high energy dogs lacking in some training, exercise, and leadership. I've fostered a couple dozen (maybe I just lucked out?) and most were turned in for behavior problems like digging and barking just because the owners thought they would fullfill the American dream of getting a dog and then just leave it with the dog babysitter (AKA: the backyard). .....

Gotta go with you on this one, Maren. I've adopted previously-owned <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> dogs for more years than I want to say. Lack of leadership and (hugely) exercise have always been big factors in the behavior issues. Also, I have rescued dogs who were "turned in" for health challenges the owner could no longer afford; when I can see that these are allergy-related, I can take that on, having now had loads of allergy experience.

I would venture to guess that unplanned litters play a big part in the shelter surfeit, too.

I might be off, of course, but I doubt that I've been lucky enough to rescue the "1%" of worth-it dogs. My own feeling is that human problems are the bigger issue behind the shelter surfeit than canine problems. JMO.