1 Topic by Lono (edited by Lono 2006-12-08 11:37:42)

  • Lono
  • Lono
  • Walker of worlds
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  • From: Oklahoma, USA
  • Registered: 2006-05-03

Topic: Pedigree, mixed breed, and breeding

Something has been kicking around in my head for a while, and I just read something that makes me need to speak about it.

Background:  I think the female cat I recently took in may be pregnant.  In researching "how to tell" on the web, I came across several sites giving warnings that only pedigreed, licensed cats and dogs should be "allowed" to breed.  Now, I know I've heard and read this many times before, but it just sticks in my craw.

I know we're never probably going to get to the point where everyone spays and neuters and there are no surprise litters.  But what if we did, and only pedigree animals were allowed to be born?  Is it just me, or does this entire concept sound Nazi-esque? 

In my opinion, it's not only elitist, but damaging as well.  I know for a fact that pure-bred animals suffer from more genetic diseases than mixed breeds do, just as people would if they were inbred.

Where do these animal organizations get the nerve to insinuate that only pure bred animals are good enough to exist- that all mixed breeds are inferior?  Even if they think this privately, why doesn't anyone in the animal community stand up and say this is a stupid, bigoted idea?

Or-- is it just me being oversensitive?

Just so everyone knows, I'm all for people taking responsibility for their animals and making sure we don't have so many of them being killed because they're unwanted.  I'm not disputing the general spay/ neuter program.

2 Reply by lyra (edited by lyra 2006-12-08 11:45:22)

  • lyra
  • lyra
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Re: Pedigree, mixed breed, and breeding

Interesting, I was thinking about this recently in fact, that I'm glad my cat was a random stray - born through an unplanned, "non-pedigree" coupling - because it probably made her a better cat.  More legit, or "real" in some way.  Just random outdoor stray cats who were running around in the apartment complex we lived in back in SoCal, resulted in my cat.   Yay!   big_smile   

People saying that only pedigreed and licenced animals should be "allowed" to mate IS Nazi-esque. 

There's the genetic problems as you noted, but also, something about animals reproducing under artificially manipulated and restricted means has to have an effect on something with the resulting offspring.  You know, versus random strays behaving as animals in the wild were intended to behave, creating offspring that have that "real" feel to them I was mentioning.

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy shit ... what a ride!"  - Anonymous
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"I get by with a little help from my (higher density) friends."
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lyra's Website

3 Reply by Lono (edited by Lono 2006-12-08 14:14:04)

  • Lono
  • Lono
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Re: Pedigree, mixed breed, and breeding

You make a good point about the unnatural conditions.  Think about how in the "wild" the female gets to choose her companion, etc.  I think this pure-bred thing is just too controlled, and we all know what happens when humans get in control.

I'm the proud owner of nothing but mongrels myself, and I like it that way!

But it makes you wonder what the agenda is here, doesn't it?  Is it just the old patriarchal idea that everything must be under complete control?

One more thing-- with all the complaining people do about animal overpopulation, no one ever points a finger at the breeders.  I guess if you're doing something just for money you're A-OK no matter what problems it causes.

4 Reply by manyeagles (edited by manyeagles 2006-12-08 21:09:25)

  • Registered: 2004-04-10

Re: Pedigree, mixed breed, and breeding

The robe doesn't matter, they LOVE the same.

If there is no time
      Then you have time for everything.
   You're never in a hurry.
That's true freedom.
  • Lono
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  • Registered: 2006-05-03

Re: Pedigree, mixed breed, and breeding

Manyeagles, I hope you don't think I'm implying that pedigree animals have less capacity to love than mixed breeds.  Not at all.  My take on it is that they're just as innocent as mixed breeds, and have soul qualities of their own.  My anger in this instance is aimed at the controlling humans who seem to think animals only have a right to exist if they can engineer them, copyright them, and make money off them.

6 Reply by manyeagles (edited by manyeagles 2006-12-10 11:33:21)

  • Registered: 2004-04-10

Re: Pedigree, mixed breed, and breeding

wink  Guess I was simply trying to say that it doesn't really matter whether or not they're mixed or "pure" breds, unconditional love knows no breed ...... 

Personally I get my kitty "people" at the kitty jail (or they show up at the back door and adopt me).  Perhaps mixed breds have a hardier and more balanced genetic make up.  Have seen dogs and cats that have been so inbred it's sad, and this is often the case of greedy humans trying to make a buck.

If there is no time
      Then you have time for everything.
   You're never in a hurry.
That's true freedom.
  • Blue
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  • Registered: 2006-07-10

Re: Pedigree, mixed breed, and breeding

My personal take on the matter, we had one pedigree dog, it was expensive, and totally screwed up.

Mongrels (non pedigree) have always been my choice. They are almost always loving, passionate creatures.

Here is Doggie me...  http://www.box.net/public/1dndfx0s69

Blue's Website

8 Reply by derek (edited by derek 2006-12-10 17:46:47)

  • Registered: 2006-12-08

Re: Pedigree, mixed breed, and breeding

i think and feel it has to do predominantly with money, much in the same way, the FDA and etc dismiss proven natural therapies because they are intertwined with the pharma business.

as eagle's basically said, its not the outward physical mateiral (which will alwyas eventaully decay in this universe...) appearance that should truely matters, it is the inner character that does (of all creatures).

  • Lono
  • Lono
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Re: Pedigree, mixed breed, and breeding

manyeagles wrote:

Personally I get my kitty "people" at the kitty jail (or they show up at the back door and adopt me).  Perhaps mixed breds have a hardier and more balanced genetic make up.  Have seen dogs and cats that have been so inbred it's sad, and this is often the case of greedy humans trying to make a buck.

Kitty jail. smile :  I like that.  I'm also very familiar with the cat showing up and adopting me; which is how I wound up with a kitty with little buns in the oven!

I do think distinct breeds have a place in this world.  For example, someone who lives in a small apartment but still wants a dog probably needs to at least know the puppy they adopt will always be small.  Not like my experience, where I went to the doggie jail to pick up a puppy I thought would grow to be no larger than 30 pounds.  Now that he's a strapping 65 pounds I laugh at that.  lol


Blue:  that is an absolutely beautiful dog!  It has very similar markings as mine, but my dog has short hair and is sleek like a doberman.  Similar color patterns, though.