Mixed Breed/ Non-Pedigree

Introduction Often, in my mind’s eye, I relive the moment I decided to adopt a dog rather than buy one from a breeder, and discovered “Many tears,” a rescue centre where dogs are fostered to selected foster homes around the country until they are found suitable homes that are more permanent. The photograph of my eventual adoptee grabbed my heart. His mum, a collie cross was rescued along with her seven pups. He was initially named Kojak - but a lolly-licking detective character he was not, so I renamed my new ward Moses. I am not sure where Moses, fits into the collie family tree. He looks ... more

A year ago we looked into getting a new dog to join our family as we missed having a dog around. We looked into adoption but it wasn't viable as there would not be someone home all day everyday so we looked in the Friday ad each week at what dogs and puppies were available. Intially we wanted to get a dog around two years old that would already be housetrained but ended up getting side tracked by puppies. We had already discussed that we would ideally like a dog that was part Labrador or Retriever as they make good family pets, particularly with children around. However we didn't want a ... more

Dogs are wolves first 'tamed' by Man somewhere around 12,000 years ago. As the recent Martin Clumes series 'One Man and his Dogs' (Ch4) has shown, there is still a great deal of the wolf left in our modern dogs. Anyone who has too much time on their hands and has watched 'The Dog Whisperer' can attest the truth of that - you MUST be the pack-leader! Now, 12,000 years represents (roughly) 5-6,000 dog generations and for the vast majority of that time - well over 95%, or until 150 years ago - dogs were 'designed for purpose' and the key element of that purpose was that they had to work for their ... more

If you seriously considering getting a dog be it adult or puppy you can't go far wrong opting for the humble mixed breed(mongrel). Just because they don't have a piece of paper listing their ancestors and breeding doesn't make them any the less valuable in terms of the love, affection and companionship they can offer. If anyone has any doubts I can thoroughly recommend they read Jilly Cooper's book 'Intelligent and Loyal' It says it all. With a pedigree dog certain traits are considered genetic but not all Labs are soft and gentle and certainly not all Rotties/Shepherds, Dobermanns etc are ... more

I just have to tell you all about my baby boy who is my best bud ever. He is Pongo, and he is a sheepdog crossed with something we can only guess at. I bought Pongo for a much deserved £40 and even though after some weeks I realised the advert in the paper describing him as pedigree was somewhat misleading, [ havent established just what part of his anatomy they were focusing on at the time], I didnt care, he was my baby and was staying. He came into my life during a time of turmoil I guess, relationship split, and the joy of having him helped me get through that phase more easily. The day I ... more