Purebred dog = status symbol?

Question

Virtually every question about mutts versus purebreds, someone says that people just want purebreds for a "status symbol".
To me, it had never crossed my mind that what breed of dog someone had would somehow signal "status" in this day and age.

So do you personally think purebreds are a "status symbol"?

Answer 1

Honestly?

No.

I've seen more dislike for pure breed dogs lately than anything.

I've been argued with for buying a pure breed instead of adopting from a shelter.





It seems to me & I mean no disrespect for ALL those who adopt, but there are *some* people use adopting as a way to say " I saved a life!". To make themselves feel good. I think that's wrong.

There is more support for adoption & designer dogs now than there is for pure breeds & those of us who have dogs from breeders.

Answer 2

A dog can be seen as a status symbol up to a point. Whether or not a dog is a status symbol depends more on the owner than the breed of dog.



On this side of the pond, bull breeds and bull breed crosses are often considered status symbols.



My dog was chosen simply because he was the only one in two rescue centres who "ticked all the boxes" of what we were looking for in a pet. He happens to be a purebred dog, but I have chosen mutts in the past, and probably will again.



That said, there is I suppose an element of status surrounding dog ownership. Fashions change within dog ownership. Certain breeds have certain reputations, and many people will want to associate with that. Bull/molosser breeds and mixes have a "hard" image that many want to be associated with. Or maybe people will choose a dog breed (or mix) because they saw a certain celebrity with one and want to be associated with that.



ETA: Maybe there is an element of status. I personally don't have any desire to own any of the toy breeds. I can't offer you any reason beyond "status" for me shying away from them.

Answer 3

For me, no.



For some, yes. There are many who must include their dog is an AKC or CanKC registered dog and paid THIS much amount.

Or like someone mentioned, paying a huge amount of money to import a dog that is going to be a housepet. I am all for spending good money on a well bred dog, I am not against importing a pet quality dog, but there is a difference between what you are going to pay for a dog you will work or show and a pet.

But there are just as many who claim their `designer dog` cost THIS much or it is ``rare``.



Many people feel the cost of the dog is an indicator of status, regardless if it is a ``designer dog`` or purebred.



People use breeds as a status symbol.



I don`t think it is only a purebred thing.

Answer 4

Absolutely not.



I prefer purebreds over mutts because of their predictability. I like to know what traits, temperament, activity level, trainability etc the breed has so I know what I'm up for as the dog grows.



I agree with Aussie Love. It's these stupid "designer breed" mutts that are being used as a status symbol far more than purebreds nowadays. Just look at when a celeb gets a new purse pet. A million and one girls want to go out and buy the same. Talk about sheep!

Answer 5

if a dog was a status symbol as it once was a hundred years ago it wouldnt be because of the breed it would be about the owner. it meant you were rich when you had many horses, vassals and dogs especially if the dogs fulfilled a purpose that could be shown.



and some mutts can perform just as well as a purebred.



purebred is just a phenotypic standard and with that a purpose (which a alot are not in any longer)



is their a status symbol in a german shepherd from germany? uh....noware you a king showing off a good sheepdog? or a loyal hound?



the status symbol is more the owner than the dog. in the old days a king or noble would simply claim a vassals best looking animal. and it was the favorite of a noble thus giving it status.



that dog was simply a good looking dog that served a purpose that the noble noted so the dog gained status. you dont get status from a dog



ADD:



"my GSD was an import from germany" is just a bragging right to try and impress...i want to see the dog do what it was bred for and have a good temper (well bred well trained) and then i will be impressed. but not by the fact its from germany. you can still have BYB's in germany and you can still have untested parents there



ADD ADD:



what would i consider a status symbol...hmm



_____ has a well trained dog he is a well behaved dog that obviously has been trained to have manners. _____ can train their dog to be well behaved.



thats the only status symbol i see and as i said it comes from the human party

Answer 6

I think for some people it could be. But people that have dogs as a status symbol probably don't care as much for the dog.



Some want a dog for a specific task - like a border collie for herding sheep/cattle, or pointers, labs, etc for hunting.



Some people think purebreds are healthier and there's less health ris with a purebred over a mutt.



Don't forget also that there are plenty of purebred rescue groups so people that have purebreds haven't necessarily paid the pretty penny that breeders charge.



To me, it's never mattered. Purebred or mutts -- I love them all. I tend to be a fan of rescued dogs. I just hate the thought of buying a dog from a breeder when there's ones without homes. That's just how I feel though. I think people still have the right to buy from a breeder if they want - as long as it's a responsible, reputable breeder.

Answer 7

I think the majority of people own purebreds because they like that particular breed. I know people who only own Porties or Goldens orDachshunds. I know others, who will own whatever comes into their life at the moment (I'm one of these). I think maybe only 10 or 15%of the population get a purebred thinking it's a status symbol.



In NYC, that "status" symbol is owning a rescue dog.



I've owned a mixbreed and the rest of the dogs I've owned have been Wirehair Dachshunds. I certainly wouldn't consider them a status symbol breed.

Answer 8

Absolutely not! While I do have 2 purebreds ( a Newfoundland and a Pug) I also have a great big mutt dog (Great Pyr Mix) and i love them all the same.....any one who uses a dog a a status symbol is missing the point of having a dog......they are family! At least that's what I think.

Answer 9

I dont think so..



the rage is to have an overpriced poodle mutt now adays, and the smaller the better- the more ridiculous the name the better.. I think " micromini teacup chimorkiedoodles" are more of a status symbold thing than a purebred.



Just see how upset and offended those people get when you tell them they have an overpriced mutt runt!





ADDED

Just because someone paid the money to import a dog does not mean its a status thing. There are some VERY good bloodlines overseas. My dog's sire is an import from Finland.



If I was looking for a good shepherd, doberman, rottweiler, or etc from sound working lines, and I had the money to do it- I would probably look for one in Europe to have shipped here.

Answer 10

No, I've never considered a purebred dog to be a status symbol.



When I see someone with a purebred dog, especially if it's a sort of rare breed, I assume that they did their research and decided on a breed that suited them.

Answer 11

No. A purebred dog means, "I knew what I wanted, so I went and got it".



Plus, 25% of dogs in shelters are purebred... who's to say that fancy poodle didn't come from the shelter?



Purity of a dog has nothing to do with status. I can find you hundreds of pure, registered puppies selling for $150 or less. Pure does not mean it came from a good breeder.

Answer 12

No,I don't think they are a status symbol.My mutts are just as important to me. A dog is a dog.

Answer 13

Well to some people it is a status symbol.. I have 2 mutts and 1 purebred and i am not rich.. or have a purebred because it will make be look "cool".. so to some people yes but to most no...

Answer 14

To some people? Yes they can be. Lots of people feel better with a "purebread" or a "teacup" dog.



Of course you know the "cool" thing nowadays is to have a HYBRID! not a mutt! a HYBRID! yayz for vigor! *snort*



idiots.



I have two purebreds and they are dogs... just that, DOGS. not an accessory, not a baby, not a friend subsitute- they are dogs. And I love them for being dogs.

Answer 15

only with the rich and famous and they do not particularly care whether it ios a purebred or a "designer" breed. Too many are falling for the "designer breed" fad and by doing that they are encouraging fans to do the same,

Answer 16

No I don't.



I have a purebreed that I adopted. Few were able to guess her breed lol She's a sheltie and I've heard:



Border collie

collie

aussie shep.

APBT



So....my thinking is not many people know individual dog breeds anyway, so it'd be pointless to use a purebreed as a status symbol

Answer 17

Actually, I think it might be the opposite.



Most people wanting to get "Pomchis", "Cockapoos", "Chorkies", etc... just want to be like the latest celeb.



"Oh, I've got a teacup Cockapoo! Just like ____insert celeb name here____! Yeah, because purebred dogs are for dummies! Only cool people own designer doggies!"





Seriously, you can just imagine that some airheaded 13 year old said very much near that statement to her friends after purchasing some sort of designer mutt.

Answer 18

I think some ppl think that pure breeds are a status symbol but I don't. I look a dog as a dog not a breed and I love them all. That doesn't mean I don't know or understand certain breeds it just means I appreciate each one.

So I agree with you. No I don't think of breeds as status symbols.

Answer 19

Not to anyone reasonable no.



They are to people who spend a grand or more on some stupid purse teacup dog or a chihuahua because they want to be the next freaking paris hilton.



By that same token I have seen on here and out in the RW people who think they are hot shyte because have some new Designer mutt.

Answer 20

Anything ANYONE can put a price on to brag about how much they paid or how much better there dog, horse, car, or house or whatever is better than anyone else's they will always make it a status symbol for bragging rights.

Answer 21

Someone who sees a dog as a status symbol has no business being around ANY dogs.

Answer 22

Sometimes, yes, people think that purebred animals are status symbols. Other times, I think people want a dog that looks a certain way, or has a certain temperament.



Me, personally? No.

Answer 23

i think they often get used as them... but unless your a breeder or show dog owner really no one notices. my dog is a pure bred but i got him cuz he was cute and the sweetest dog ever... free too! i couldnt care less if hes mixed really i think its just stupid

Answer 24

i don't.



just want to know what to expect from the breed.

Answer 25

not for me