Determining Suitability: Our Daycare's Breed-Specific Considerations

At Oxford Pet Whisperers, our primary commitment is to the safety, well-being, and positive experience of every dog in our care. Our suitability criteria are not a reflection of a dog's inherent value, breed characteristics, or the owner's responsibility. Instead, they are a necessary operational policy, grounded in over a decade of professional experience and a comprehensive understanding of canine behavior in a large-group daycare setting.

We have observed that certain breeds possess instincts and physical attributes that, when amplified in our specific high-arousal environment, which includes rules against excessive barking, growl-playing, and non-consensual play, can lead to stress and difficulty for the dog, as well as potential safety risks for the entire group and our staff.

The following categories outline the breed-specific considerations that prevent us from accommodating certain dogs, ensuring we maintain a safe and successful environment for all our clients.

1. High-Arousal Environments and Overstimulation

In a large social setting, certain breeds can become highly aroused and overstimulated. This heightened state of excitement often prevents the dog from achieving a relaxed, settled state, leading to stress, anxiety, and a negative overall experience. Our goal is to provide a calm and enriching environment, which is often incompatible with the high-energy response these breeds exhibit in a group setting.

Northern & Primitive Breeds | Alaskan Malamutes, Akita, Tamaskan, Thai Ridgeback

Terrier & Bull Types | American Bully, Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terrier | Bulldogs (All Types)

Mastiff & Molosser Types | Boerboel, Dogue de Bordeaux

Other | Chow Chow, Doberman, Kuvasz, Komondor, Mexican Hairless Dog, Puli, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Shar Pei |

2. Herding Instincts and Group Dynamics

These intelligent breeds display their natural herding instincts in our expansive day care setting. Even after a few sessions, we observe their tendency to herd other dogs, often by nipping at their heals and creating a potentially stressful environment for all dogs involved. Consequently, herding breeds may experience frustration and stress, which could manifest in herding behaviour even outside the day care setting.

Shepherd & Herding Types | Anatolian Shepherd, Belgian Shepherd (Malinois), Border Collies, Caucasian Shepherd, German Shepherd, Kelpie, Swiss Shepherd

Other | Rottweiler

3. Management of High Prey Drive

While prey drive can emerge in any dog, its manifestation in a large, dynamic group setting poses a significant management challenge. Once a high prey drive is triggered, it can compromise the safety of smaller or more vulnerable dogs and severely hinder the effectiveness of our training and support protocols. We prioritise environments where focus and consensual social interaction are maintained.

Note on Prey Drive: We do not maintain a fixed exclusion list for prey drive, as it is an individual behavioural trait. However, we continuously monitor for this behavior, and any dog exhibiting an unmanageable or high-risk prey drive in the group environment will be deemed unsuitable for the safety of all participants.

4. Large and Giant Breed Safety

We value all dogs, including those of large and giant stature. However, the sheer size and strength of these breeds introduce an elevated risk factor. Even in the context of friendly, enthusiastic play, their size can lead to unintentional injury to smaller dogs or to our team members. Our policy must account for the potential for play to escalate unintentionally, prioritising the physical safety of all dogs and staff.

Mastiff & Molosser Types | Cane Corso, Mastiffs, Tibetan Mastiff, XL Bully

Giant Breeds | Great Dane, Leonberger, Newfoundland, Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Saint Bernard

Other | Bernese Mountain Dog

5. Crossbreeds and Inherited Traits

Our exclusion policy extends to crossbreeds or suspected crosses involving any of the breeds listed above. Crossbreeds may inherit the physical traits (such as size and strength) or behavioral tendencies (such as herding or high arousal) that make the purebred parent unsuitable for our specific daycare environment. To maintain our consistent safety standards and manage group dynamics effectively, we must apply the same cautious approach to these mixed-breed dogs.

We may consider assessing dogs that are mixed with the breeds listed above. However, it’s important to understand that if your dog displays any of the behaviours outlined, they may carry a higher risk of not passing our assessment.

Our assessments are designed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all dogs and staff. For this reason, we ask owners to carefully consider this before booking an assessment and to understand that, in some cases, a dog may not be suitable to progress following assessment.

Finding the Right Fit

We recognise that our specific environment is not the ideal match for every dog. Many of the breeds listed above thrive in alternative settings, such as smaller, specialised daycares or one-on-one group walking arrangements. We encourage all owners to explore various options to find the environment that best aligns with their dog's individual temperament and needs. Our commitment is to provide honest, caring guidance, always prioritising your dog's well-being above all else.