People are Fuuuuunnnnnyyyy

Moose is a Border Terrier... sure, he is big for the breed, and after a grooming disaster where they SHAVED him instead of hand stripping him... his less then idea soft coat is even softer... but he's a great dog (and I don't mind that he looks like Benji). I don't even care if people comment on what a cute mutt he is. I bought a purebred because I wanted the best chance at the personality of dog I was looking for, not as a status symbol or because I necessarily think they are better then mutts. HOWEVER, when I have people ask me what he is... I tell them- Border Terrier. What surprises me is when snooty dog people that know what a Border Terrier should look like have the Gall to tell me how he does not look like a Border Terrier. What is even MORE surprising is when they tell me they think he has something mixed in. Now, lets just say I did buy a purebred that is not a pure bred. Do you Really want to be the one to tell me that???? Aren't you pretty much telling me I'm an Idiot? I've met dogs that don't stick to the breed standard... and I have said "I've never seen one so - big, "delicate", that color" whatever.. but I'd never say-- He's not a ____ fill in the blank. Here is a picture from a dog book back in the 30's: I think this is the best example of the Border Terrier type that I have. I've never actually seen the book, but my sister found it on line (Hutchinsons Book Of The Dog - Vere Temple 1935) and some of the sketches were on line. It's fitting, because Moose was actually line bred for a dog ( I met him and he was a larger type Border Terrier), and I think he is a "throw back" to an older type (I don't know that they were larger like he is). Either way... he is a hell of a good dog.... and purebred or mutt---- I'm wouldn't trade him for the world..... now, those weirdo people I meet... I could do with less of them. HA!HA!HA!

Dog show people are crazy... but from what I have heard cat show people are crazier.

Well groomed modern Border Terrier Type:

But then... every Border Terrier gets a blown coat now and again..... not everyone looks like they are in the show ring all the time.