Random breeds are better than pedigree stuff.
To introduce a little nuance, this is not always true in working dogs! What you want is to avoid in those cases are AKC (American Kennel Club) certified dogs; that’s where it gets in-breedy—seriously, look up some of the requirements a dog has to meet in its breed to qualify. It’s gross.
Anyhoo, in working dogs, a ‘pedigree’ is actually quite helpful because it shows that that dog comes from a long line of dogs who have been certified to do their job, and so your new farm pup is highly likely to be able to do it too. These breeds will usually have their own organization that oversees this; in border collies it’s the ABCA (American Border Collie Association). This organization judges the dogs not on the specific dimensions of their bodies like the AKC, but on their ability to do the job a farmer needs them for.
Sorry for the ramble, I have two border collies and I think working dogs are super neat.
Working dogs are great, but aren’t usually great pets. They need a job, an outlet, and usually a lot of structure.
They’re challenging for sure and I don’t recommend them to inexperienced/unprepared dog owners, but they can be amazing as pets! Very rewarding, especially once they get past the first year and a half or so. Then, if you’ve done well, you’ll almost have your own language with these dogs and they’ll understand almost everything you say to them. They’re incredible. I may honestly never have a different breed of dog.
The huge ‘BUT’ is definitely everything you just said. They need outlets for their energy (even if it’s just a hardcore game of fetch every day) and ways to engage their mind (Kong toys and smart balls do wonders for ours when it’s raining) or they can be very anxious, destructive, and generally neurotic.
What if my cat is an asshole?
“This cat is true to itself and for that it gets the greatest prize any cat would appreciate. Me admiring it from afar.”
Points for “character”.
A cat show without at least 3 human deaths is considered a dull affair
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So, a regular cat?
Wait, so I can take my cat somewhere and have them scratch someone else besides me?
Yes, but they may not get an A+ if they do.
Oh no, that’s S tier.
“Yup, definitely a cat.”
People know about cat breeds?
Wait I thought cats just appeared in your home one day?
I’ve yet to see anything proving otherwise
Orange, Void, Snowball, Standard Issue, Grim Reaper’s, The ones that look like Ron Perlman, The ones that look like Adam Driver, Massive, Smol
I think I covered all the breeds.
The ones that look like Ron Perlman, The ones that look like Adam Driver
Maine Coons and Oriental Shorthairs/Longhairs if anyone is wondering.
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You forgot Highlander.
Garfield is different from Orange.
I learned a lot about siberians when I took to the internet to figure out why my stray kitten was so weird. Fun fact- they don’t reach maturity until 6 years old. Mine is 9 and still hasn’t gotten there.
They do make good pets for people who prefer dogs but want more chaos in the house.
We could just have that. A contest where you bring your cat, they get to play around for an afternoon, and the only outcome from the judge is “yep, that’s a cat”.
