A club for every breed, a home for every pet

I began to get really interested in mixed-breed dogs when I started to live with Toy Poodles and Mini Schnauzers.

Before that, I was a snooty dog owner who believed that a purebred dog was best. At the time of my purebreed phase, I even entered my Mini Schnauzer Yuri and Scottish Terrier Marx into the competition ring for purebred dogs.

Yuri was even a first runner-up in best in show. This means that he not only topped his class (Terrier breed), but competed against all the other best in breeds in the show. And, at the end of the day, he was picked as the second best dog in the whole dog show.

Now, for the information of those who have never entered a dog show or have never watched one, there are hundreds of “best dogs” hereabouts who join these shows. So, you can understand what a big deal Yuri’s victory was.

Marx the Scottie was always best in breed, but he normally lost out to Yuri in best in class since both doggies are Terriers. I have lots of trophies to show for the victories of my champion doggies.  That stage of my life lasted for about two years, over 15 years ago.

I remember the stress Yuri and Marx went through to join the shows. More so for Yuri who had to undergo lots of grooming to get the best look for a Mini Schnauzer.

So hard were these competitions on the doggies, that as soon as we got home from the show Yuri and Marx would immediately collapse and fall asleep and not awaken until the next day.

I stopped showing them.

* * *

I got Toy Poodles. I bred Schnoodles.

I remember a few years back when I saw my first Schnoodle on the Net, I knew that it was a breed that I would love.

I read up on mixed breed dogs and I found out that they could live longer and healthier lives than purebreds. And, if both purebred dogs have good temperaments, then chances are the mix would also be of good temperament.

I had my first litter of Schnoodles last year. I gave these pups to folks who wanted to have doggies as companions at home. I have been able to see three of the five pups, and all of them are good doggies, and quite cute, I might add.

In the media these pups would be called “designer” dogs — a cross between two purebred dogs.

I have been asked what is the difference between a designer dog and a mutt. I have done a little research and I found out that a designer dog has documented purebred ancestry, and one knows for sure what it is. Meanwhile, a mutt’s ancestry may not be as clear.

So I guess what I do know is that if you like the temperament of your purebred dogs and you decide to have a “designer” breed dog, you are at least assured that the pups will inherit the temperament of one of the two purebred dogs. And the looks, too.

Let me just add that the new owners of the Schnoodles I have bred are happy with them and say that they are good doggies. I also know of a few more folks who have asked me when the next litter of Schnoodles will be available.

Since I am not a breeder of dogs, the answer of course always is: only the god of dogs knows.

* * *

What has always saddened me though is that there is no place where mixed-breed dogs, designer, Aspin, mutt or any other mixed breed can be registered. 

Prayers answered.

In March, The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) will aim to change this way of thinking through the launch of the PAWS Aspin Club which will be open to all native and mixed-breed dogs.

The SEC registration papers state that the club “aims to improve how Filipinos view and treat native and mixed-breed dogs, by celebrating the unique characteristics of each dog and helping people make the right choice — the choice to adopt Aspins from shelters, pounds, or rescued off the streets.”

According to PAWS shelter director Heidi Guzon, “For most Aspins in our country, their lives end even before they begin with no hope, no help and no voice. The PAWS Aspin Club hopes to unite native and mixed-breed dog owners to incite change, and help these extraordinary dogs receive the recognition and care they deserve.”

For those who are interested in becoming members of the PAWS Aspin Club, send your name, address and contact number to pawsaspinclub@yahoo.com.

 Finally.

“Will I be able to register the Schnoodles?” I asked PAWS volunteer Rich Ilustre.

“Of course you will,” said Rich.

 Why is a registry for mixed breed dogs so important?

I guess it’s because there are so many of them in the country and also so that there will be more dog events that will involve mixed-breed dogs.

And, yes, so that people will see adoption of Aspins as an option when getting a dog.

* * *

PAWS director Anna Cabrera sent me a story on another cat adoption in the shelter.

 The cat that was chosen kept “selling” himself shamelessly to the adoption applicants.

Mario, the shelter cat, kept climbing up the adopters’ shirts and kissing them when they went into the “cattery” to check out other cats.

 I kept pulling him off the family members, but he just had no pride and kept kissing them. I guess he wanted to say, “Pick me, please! Pick me!” And he did get picked. The little girl fell in love with him. She took it home that very day.

People say that one of the givens in this life is the family we are born into. You see, we don’t get to pick our relatives. You either hate them or love them. And nothing can change the fact that you are related to them and live with them.

 But when you adopt, you practically get to do just that — pick a new member of the family.

 In the case of Mario though (and most cat adoptions), we’re pretty sure that the cat picked them first.