Ignorant journalists

[al_fruitbat]

The torygraph has a very stupid article today - Household pets that are half-wolfWhat irritates me is the apparent lack of research in the article. It's full of scary quotes from vetinarians who (presumably) explained what was going on, then got their most sensationalist comments quoted

Comments

[lanfykins]

There are physiological and behavioural differences between wolf-hybrids and other dogs, and you wouldn't want just any old person to have one, but the same is true of a lot of breeds. Siberian Husky breeders, for example, have a rigorous owner assessment procedure because they're difficult as pets; and any Sibe who could win Crufts has been deliberately not entered because they want to avoid the breed suddenly becoming fashionable and attracting people who aren't really ready for the work and commitment a Sibe requires.

It's the same with wolf-hybrids; they're not easy dogs (I knew someone who kept a wolf hybrid with her Sibes about fifteen years ago) but there's no need for Torygraph scaremongering. You just need the owners and breeders to be responsible.

[secondhand_rick]

You just need the owners... to be responsible.

Maybe there should be some kind of 'dog licence'?

[undyingking]

If they have to sit a dog test with theory and practical parts, and get tapped on the knee by the examiner when the dog's about to make an emergency poo, it'd be worth it. And good luck getting that legislation through the tabloids.

But just requiring people to pay 37p and most of them ignore it anyway, like it used to be, is probably not worth it.

[secondhand_rick]

If they have to sit a dog test with theory and practical parts...

I would certainly support that.

Same with children really.