DH is worried about this. The area we live in is heavy with pitts and doodles. An intact female poodle would be a big money maker, sad to say. I'm planning on getting Phoebe fixed when she's old enough, but that won't be obvious to outsiders and she'll still be at risk. Yet another reason why she's never allowed outside without me.

 

How terrible. I’d rather hoped I’d click on this thread and find a funny photo of Normie napping somewhere cozy.

Here’s a link to the article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/01/12/maryland-yorkie-dognapped-rescue-team/

It’s behind a paywall, so I can’t read it, but one of my fears is a home or car break-in, which results in Peggy running away in a panic through a broken window or open door. We have a far higher rate of property crime here than the national average.

 

Theft is an additional reason, apart from health issues, that I would never get a Frenchie. They are just too popular and too expensive. Walking one would be like strutting into the park with a Rolex on one wrist and a diamond tennis bracelet on the other. Standard poodles aren't quite the same level of target.

 

Frenchie theft is one of the reasons I get so upset when people participate in sketchy “re-homing” transactions. They so want a cute dog for cheap, they are willing to turn a blind eye to red flags.

If it seems too good to be true, friends, it’s probably too good to be true.

 

The only dog I’ve been worried about being stolen was Jack, a bull terrier. When workers would come to our house, they would ask weird questions like where does he stay when you’re not home and does he like to play outside by himself (mind you we had 3 other dogs at the time as well). He was also neutered. 🤷‍♀️ I was young when we got him, so the first couple times I answered innocently with the truth. After I thought about it though and discussed with my husband, my response became “why, are you planning to steal him?!” With a haha (but we all know it’s not really haha) and a straight face. If they kept it up, I would just say “what a weird thing to ask.” I seriously had that question asked at least a dozen times throughout his 10 years.

ETA pictures of my Stink.

 

I was always concerned about our Malamute. She was spayed but, as @PhoebeDuck said, that isn't obvious on a female dog. People commented on her EVERYWHERE we went. Some would ask if I was planning to breed her, they wanted to know her breed and if it's a RARE breed, one guy was very interested because he thought she was part wolf. I always made a point to say she was spayed. I do worry a bit about Jasper. There are a lot of Doodles here too.

 

I had this question soooo many times as my Toy breed (not a Poodle) girl rode on my arm around town. Always said something about responsible breeding as an answer, and it did come up a lot. Yes, she was very beautiful to most, including me, so I understood. It just seemed a chance to advocate for responsible breeding, and I shared as possible. And guarded her with my life.

 

Stink is so cute!

 

I have become increasingly worried about this. Everyone comments on our dog... everyone. I have been shocked by how many people ask how much it costs to groom him. I tell them it would be expensive if I didn't do it myself. Maybe it will deter a would-be thief but I think someone said it right up above: it's not about the dog as pet, but rather the breeding.

So many people ask if he's neutered. Then they can see he's not and they ask me if I'm going to neuter him. I always say yes, when he's old enough. Sometimes they say "You need to breed him." and lately I've been asking them "What would I do with a puppy?! I don't need another puppy."

You would not believe the number of people who shamelessly ask how much he cost. Some people lean in conspiratorially as if we're old school friends and I'll let them in on the secret. Others just ask straight out, "How much is he?"

As an example, two weeks ago I was walking to the park early in the morning. An employee had just opened a neighborhood grocery store and he stood out drinking coffee. As we walked by, he asked me without first saying anything else "How much?"
Me: Hunh?
Him: How much is your dog?
Me: How much did I pay for him?
Him: Yes. How much?
Me: Too much. (This is the coy answer I'd decided on, even though I don't think it was too much at all)
Him: How much? Twenty thousand?
Me: Twenty thousand?! It's a dog.
Him: Eighteen?
Me: Uch. Let's say a thousand.
Him: That's not much. You said it was expensive.
Me: You can get a dog for free at the SPCA. A thousand is plenty.
Him: [unintelligible because I walked away in frustration]

I don't know why I engaged him but I did. It's a character flaw of mine.

Anyway, now I'll tell people "We got him from a friend," which is true.

If I'm feeling spicy, instead I think I'll ask right back "How big is your penis?" And then into their shocked faces, I can say "Oh! I thought we were asking personal questions that are none of each other's business!"

 

Huge fear with Annie.

When I was a kid, we'd tie the dog outside to grab something from a store. Now? I can't imagine ever doing it.

Annie gets so many comments when I walk her somewhere new. I get people leaning out of cars to comment on how beautiful she is, how nicely she walks on leash, etc, etc. Trixie there isn't a chance of anyone catching her, she is so skittish even with people she has known casually for years, but Annie is more outgoing.

I know of people who would keep a dog if there weren't tags on it, would never dream of checking for a microchip. Annie wears a collar with ID 100% of the time because of that.

I've been considering buying her a medical alert tag. If someone took her, she'd decline and get sick so quickly. A medical alert tag for Addison's might help encourage people to give her back, or at least help them know what was wrong until I could be contacted.

 

Huge fear with Annie.

When I was a kid, we'd tie the dog outside to grab something from a store. Now? I can't imagine ever doing it.

When I worked in the pharmacy in Houston, we had an elderly couple park out front while they went in for their prescription. Car was stolen with their dog inside. The car was recovered a few days later, but the dog was still missing. I'm not sure if they ever did find the pooch. With Phoebe, there is no way I would ever leave her in the car without someone else there with her.

 

Elroy napping🤣

 

I’ve had people ask where I live after commenting “Beautiful dog.” She is always with me, and only waits in the car for brief stops. A female red poodle would be a cash cow for doodle “Greeders” around here.

 

A friend left her two Yorkies in her car while she ran into a store. Sadly, someone bashed her window in and took them. I've had several people pay too much attention to Wally which gave me a bad vibe. One was a young guy in his running shorts and shoes who asked far too many odd questions. When he crouched next to him and got both hands on him I started getting unnerved thinking he might unhook his leash and take off. I quickly scooped him up and left. After reading a story about workers coming back and breaking in to take dogs I'm now putting Wally in his crate and closing the door if I have someone coming in to do work.

 

I recently read an article on pet theft in the US, but I can't find it now. The jist was that only 15 states have laws on the books about pet thefts. Since pets are considered property, they fall under larceny and theft (petty or grand). A recent famous case was here in California with Lady Gaga's dog. She was lucky (not so much her dog walker), because the article stated that only about 10% of pet owners get their pets returned. Interestingly, poodles are not on the list of the top ten pure breeds stolen!
So, the article suggests that the owner not leave their dogs alone in your yard, in a car, tied to a post, etc.

 

Theft seems to be yet another reason to avoid dog parks.

 

Probably not a good place to go if you want to avoid possible theft.

 

Lady Gaga’s dogs were French Bulldogs. She did pay all of her dog walker’s medical bills and was so lucky, the dog walker recovered and she got her dogs back. An unaltered poodle would be a great steal. Crosses unlimited, sadly. There has to be a special place in hell for a dog thief.

 

Dog parks with present AND responsible attentive owners are not a theft risk, in my opinion.
The big risk is one clueless person with an untrained jerk of a dog. That can clear out everyone else quickly.

 

This is a huge fear of mine. I've had several people ask me if Maisie is spayed and then tell me how much money they could get for a golden doodle. 1500, BTW.
So yes, Maisie is never out unchaperoned. I have a home security system that is activated even if I'm just going out for short time.