I actually agree with Lyzelle a hundred times over on all of her posts in this thread. You can find dogs that fill that appearance niche in shelters and rescues EVERYWHERE.
What do I hear most from strangers in relation to my dogs? "Look mommy, wolves!!!"
How did I end with a second one? Oh thats right, my best friend's mom wanted a pretty, super cool dog just like Lily...
And I do consider Scout pretty lazy by my standards. She requires a lot less mental and physical workout to be happy each day than Lily does. Lily starts chasing her tail if she's not worked hard enough every day, which isn't often.
I have no problem with purpose bred working mixes, but this? I can never agree to this. I don't care much for all the minaturized breeds either, despite fostering and loving Spaz the mini Aussie I still don't agree with minaturizing the breed. And even the creator of the labradoodle said he regretted doing it later...
Point is, breeds were all created for purposes and I think that when you no longer breed for purpose, you take away most/all of the qualities that gave those breeds balance, clear charachterists, etc. to begin with. If you say oh whatever its just a pet, we don't need the whole package of functional structure/health/drive/temperament and looks lastly then IMO you are left with a dog thats not nearly as good quality overall and the breed will eventually (or quickly even) go downhill because of it. Breeding for looks is the number one best way to ruin a breed of dogs and is IMO a **** poor basis on which to solely create a breed.
I also do not care at all for showline versions of the working dogs I love. That Sibe I keep seeing on campus is beautiful, but he is such a sad shell of what a Sibe should be... That love and drive for running and the cracked out prey drive is such a part of them is totally missing from him and its just incredibly depressing (though probably good for his safety given his **** poor owner always has him off leash... though remember Sibe rule number one, he probably will up and run someday...
) to see that shell of a dog all for the sake of having a pretty ornament at your side. Just not okay man!
Compared to my crazy girl woo-ing at me and having spastic husky zoomies around the house this morning LOL.
The falsification regarding the Seppala lines here in the US is really interesting. Especially the ones that claim to be, but are obviously out of some other well known lines from how they are built/look.
I'm sure this lady has fantabulous intentions, but you know what they say about the road to hell...