Removing Breed Labels of Shelter Dogs at CHS
Have you ever wondered about the breed of a dog at Cascades Humane Society? Well, truth be told, we often don’t know! Research from the Animal Farm Foundation and The National Canine Research Council shows that identifying dog breeds visually is highly inaccurate. In fact, studies indicate that shelter staff and animal professionals get it wrong about 75% of the time.
Starting April 2024, Cascades Humane Society is making a change. Instead of assigning breed labels to our dogs, their profiles will now simply state “mixed breed” because that’s the reality. But why this shift? Let’s dive into the reasons behind our decision.
Removing Breed Labels: Our Goal
At Cascades Humane Society, we want to treat each dog as a unique individual. This means focusing on who the dog is, not what breed they are. Adopting this method helps us provide the right training, care, and attention for each dog, making sure they have the best chance of finding a happy home. In turn, adopters will also be better-matched with the right dog for their lifestyle and needs.
Removing Breed Labels: All Dogs are Individuals
Did you know that most shelter dogs are of mixed breed heritage? Whether a breed label is accurate or not doesn’t matter much when it comes to finding them homes. What truly counts is their personality and individual needs.
Dogs are complex beings shaped by various factors, including genetics, upbringing, and environment. That’s why we see each dog as a unique individual with their own quirks and preferences.
The Genetics of a Dog
So, let’s debunk a common myth: breed does not equal behavior! Sure, genetics influence a dog’s appearance, but they’re just a tiny piece of the puzzle. In fact, less than 1% of a dog’s genes determine their physical traits. Crazy, right? Just 50 genes out of approximately 20,000 control breed-defining traits. So, a dog’s behavior and personality can’t be predicted solely by their looks or genetics.
What this Means for Cascades Humane Society
At Cascades Humane Society, we embrace diversity and individuality among our canine companions. Our decision to remove breed labels is backed by research and aims to give every shelter dog the best chance of finding happiness with a loving family. Moving forward, all our dogs will be listed as “mixed breed” unless confirmed otherwise by DNA testing. Our staff and volunteers are committed to understanding each dog’s unique quirks and preferences, ensuring they find the perfect match for their forever home.
Guess the Breed Game
Below are images of dogs previously adopted from Cascades Humane Society. Each dog’s owner had a DNA test performed and shared those results with CHS. Test your skills. Do you think you can accurately guess their breed based on looks alone? Click on the next slide to reveal the answers!
