Maury, that's not my puppy!

**auld argonian** · 5th June 08, 07:41 PM

As if times weren't hard enough and there weren't enough really dubious things for people to spend their hard earned money on...

...I just found an item on Amazon.com that's a DNA test for your mixed breed DOG so you can see what his "canine ancestry" is. $79.95 gets you the test and a tasteful certificate that affirms that your mutt is really a mutt.

You know, the real problem here is whether you should share that information with the dog...if you do he'll figure out that he's adopted and that you aren't his real parents.

But on the other hand, it might clue you in as to why that chihuahua from the next block always looks so snakey when he walks by your house and sees your dog....guilty conscience there, Pedro?

Eighty bucks to fill the gas tank and some enterprising genius comes up with this one.

Best

AA

**Arlen** · 6th June 08, 05:29 AM

You know, I never get a pure breed dog. The medical bills just end up too high.
And I've found that mongrels (Or Mutts for you folk across the pond) tend to be sweeter, friendlier and better behaved.
So how about just being appreciative that your dog does have a colourful history!

I can see why some people would be really interested in exactly what breeds are in there, but maybe when money wasn't so tight!

What will they come up with next?

**Finn** · 6th June 08, 05:34 AM

In the 21st Century so few folks in the western world have "pure" blood. Why must people insist on the same for their dogs & cats? That said, I still want an Irish Wolfhound (medical bills & Great Dane ancestry included). ;-)

**Pleater** · 6th June 08, 07:18 AM

I generally go for the idea that if it is biting the sheep it is a wolf and if it is defending them it is a dog - except when it is a llama ( yes, really, you can now see guard llamas with some flocks of sheep )

This genetic stuff is all very well, but I can see it leading to law suits over the paternity of expensive pooches, when all that really matters is is it a Good Dog.

**starbkjrus** · 6th June 08, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by Pleater

I generally go for the idea that if it is biting the sheep it is a wolf and if it is defending them it is a dog - except when it is a llama ( yes, really, you can now see guard llamas with some flocks of sheep )

This genetic stuff is all very well, but I can see it leading to law suits over the paternity of expensive pooches, when all that really matters is is it a Good Dog.

So THAT's why Improv1 raises llamas!

**auld argonian** · 6th June 08, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Pleater

I generally go for the idea that if it is biting the sheep it is a wolf and if it is defending them it is a dog - except when it is a llama ( yes, really, you can now see guard llamas with some flocks of sheep )

I've always joked about raising alpacas and my mom was kidding me about that earlier today. I told her that it would be an excuse to get a couple more dogs like Newfie's to guard the alpacas from alpaca rustlers.

Best

AA

...and for our members outside of the USA, the reference to "Maury" was to Maury Povich who does a daily TV show that regularly features people coming in getting DNA tests to see who the fathers of their children are. It is tawdry, distasteful and odious. I have to run to flip the set off whenever it comes on.

**Galb** · 6th June 08, 12:52 PM

For that price...

...I'd rather buy another kilt from Stillwater.

It would be money better spent.

**northernsky** · 6th June 08, 02:04 PM

I like the tank of gas analogy. I have a purebred now (Shiba Inu) and have had both mutts and other pure breeds before. I love them all, but I have found that although the mutts are not necessarily healthier than the pure breeds (always go to a reputable breeder) I have found them to be generally more 'intelligent'. Most pure breeds are smart for what you breed them for, whereas mutts seem to have craftiness and the ability to reason things out.

**ccga3359** · 6th June 08, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by starbkjrus

So THAT's why Improv1 raises llamas!

Skittish beasts and not really friendly toward me neither.

**Pleater** · 6th June 08, 05:05 PM

From what I have heard, the llama/alpaca/guanaco type animals can be very possessive and strangers trespassing on their territory can find themselves stomped on, shoulder charged and spat at.

They might look sweet and fluffy, particularly the babies, but watch out for mom and dad. Sheep tend to bring out protective behavior in llamas - perhaps because of their size.

Offending dogs tend to get knelt on and crushed to death.

Alpacas might not need protection from rustlers - possibly the reverse - I have this picture of a couple of pairs of frightened eyes gazing down from a tree as it is shaken by angry Alpacas, whilst in the background there is an overturned Landrover and trailer.