What’s missing at Westminster?

Many of us grew up seeing the kennel club shows on TV, or looking at breed books at the bookstore, so it’s somewhat natural that when we think of dogs and cats, we might picture a particular breed first. But, while there are certain characteristics that are prevalent (but not guaranteed) within a particular breed, each animal has its own unique personality. Yet, many people still gravitate toward “a breed”. I remember very clearly as a child when our miniature poodle died, my mother insisted that we get another one because Rebel had been the perfect dog. She was sweet, affectionate, and playful. So, we acquired a miniature poodle puppy. Almost immediately, something didn’t seem quite right. She was the same breed, but she was just so…different. She didn’t really interact with us, and she didn’t want to play. While we cared a lot about her, none of us ever felt quite the same bond with her that we had with Rebel.

What I have learned working at the Richmond SPCA is that a true connection between a human and a pet is linked by the heart and not by the eye.  When you choose solely on breed, you take a gamble as to whether they will be a good fit for your home and heart. We had a customer who was looking at a chocolate Labrador retriever in our adoption area. Unbeknownst to her, a family was completing adoption paperwork at the same time. The woman was crestfallen when she learned he was being adopted. I asked her if she wanted to sign our wish book for a chocolate lab, and she replied no. She said she was not interested in him because of his breed, but because she felt a connection with him. There was nothing she could write on a list to tell me what type of dog would appeal to her. She preferred to walk up to each kennel or living room and look at each one. She said she would continue looking until she found another dog that she connected with even if it took multiple visits to the shelter. 

I adopted my first mutt from the Richmond SPCA, and it is a true love connection (one that happily goes both ways!).  Since then, I have fallen in love with countless other mutt dogs and cats that have graced our doors. I’m sure that the demand for purebred pets will never fully disappear. And, I appreciate so much when people who love a particular breed come to a shelter rather than go to a pet store or a backyard or other breeder. Purebred dogs and cats end up in shelters too. But, it’s important to understand that you may have to wait a while until that exact breed shows up at the shelter. In the meantime, I encourage you to visit with the pets of unknown lineage. You might be missing out on one of the great loves of your life!

Angi Baber is the director of the adoption center at the Richmond SPCA. To read her complete biography, or that of our other bloggers, please click here.

Comments

[Melissa Bollbach]

Great explanation, Angi! This reminds me of the media splash about studies that claim women talk more than men. When you look at one of these studies, it might find that women talk more on average, but that the range of variation within each sex is so wide you just can't predict whether a given woman will talk more or less than a given man. (Never mind that there are about as many studies claiming men talk more!) Like in those studies, the range of breed personalities is often much wider than the differences between the stereotypical breed personalities.

With deliberately bred dogs, the genetics of the immediate family have just as much influence as the more distant "official" breed genetics. When animals are bred for looks without regard to temperament, breeders are at greater risk of producing fearful or aloof dogs that aren't as suited to be pets as dogs who are docile and unafraid of new experiences.

And let's not forget that nurture can have an even greater effect than nature. Puppy socialization might be the biggest factor in a dog's suitability as a family pet. As an SPCA training volunteer I admire the shelter's commitment to puppy socialization, and of course I always love when I get to work with the cute little guys to help them get ready for life with their families!

The Richmond SPCA's use of the ASPCA Meet Your Match program is another great way to ensure each adopter finds the right dog. Its assessment of a dog's individual personality is much more useful to customers than a breed label. Bravo to you and your staff for using a modern understanding of animal temperament to promote successful matches for homeless pets! I'm so proud to live in a community with such an innovative and healthy animal shelter.

[Angi Baber]

Thanks so much Melissa for your comments and the great work you do helping our pets!