Designer Dogs

No doubt, dear readers, you’ve all seen pictures of pampered pooches being carried by public people who are famous for being famous – or even infamous. Those coddled canines 

are usually toy dogs – Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Poodles, Pomeranians among others.

Frequently they are dressed in what appear to be doll’s clothes but are garments manufactured specifically for the besotted proud owner to attire the chosen victim pet. Yes, there is a whole industry devoted to creating Designer Outfits for Discerning Dogs. The animals are primped and trimmed, sometimes coloured to match their outfits, decorated with bows and ribbons.

Sometimes, these parodies apologies dear little dogs are transported in specially designed prams so that their sweet paws never come into contact with the filthy outside world. Let me be clear – an elderly dog that has been active all its life but then needs help to walk in its twilight years does not come into the same category as the travesties tiny organisms that have been successively misbred to produce something so far removed from the wolf, the common ancestor of all dogs, that they are frequently incapable of breeding and reproducing without considerable human – usually veterinary – assistance.

Many of today’s breeds are afflicted with breathing and mobility difficulties. Much of the blame may be laid at the feet of the show dog fraternity and the governing bodies thereof. ‘Beauty’ follows a standard to which show dogs must conform.

Notwithstanding, a new breed of Designer Dog has emerged. Please be upstanding and welcome the Fox Red Working Labrador Designer Dog, first seen yesterday in Berkshire, UK.

Here we see Buster, comfortably ensconced in his young mistress’ shoulder bag.

Oh dear, he appears to be bored with his celebrity status already.

Now, what’s this? His brother Bertie has joined him in the capacious carrier.

It’s a little crowded in there and Buster is quite relieved when he is the sole occupant once more.

So, what do you think? Will this trend catch on? There is a problem, of course, and those of you who have remained awake long enough to read this far will have recognised it.

At present, Buster and Bertie are puppies, easily carried. When full-grown they will weigh about 25 kilograms (55 pounds) and will each require a much larger container as well as a very strong person to transport them. 

Suggestions on a postcard, please J