I work with the "average pet owner" every day. I've learned not to expect much.
However, I *wish* pet owners would educate themselves better, do more research, and be more proactive about their pet's health and well-being. Every day I see chronic ear infections, chronic skin maladies, overgrown toenails, obesity, dogs and cats whose coats are matted to the skin. Not to mention behavior problems that could easily be addressed if their owners had a care to do so. And these are the pet owners who actually bother to bring their pets in for grooming! There are many more pets out there--I see them--who are not even that lucky, and have to live with the owner's irresponsibility, carelessness, and neglect. It makes me mad.
I do what I can to educate, but more times than not it goes in one ear and out the other. Often times what I do is simply damage control; I do everything I can to make a pet feel better, educate the owner, and pray that the owner will do better. Sometimes they do, but most of the time, I see the dog six months to a year later in the same exact condition. It's maddening.
So, in my view, the "average pet owner" is far from the "ideal pet owner". I don't like it, but I'm no longer surprised by the neglect and ignorance.
The ideal pet owner doesn't have to show, trial, work, or compete with their dogs. They just have to understand dogs to some degree and meet the dog's needs. Some dogs don't require much--the lazy, shorthaired, easy-maintenance dog that goes outside to pee a few times a day and cuddles on the couch the rest of the time are about what the average household can handle. Any type of dog that needs attention, training, exercise, grooming, veterinary care, etc. is going to require a better owner than average. People should be doing their research before choosing a breed--you have no idea how many of these clueless Labradoodle buyers have no idea their dogs need professional grooming. I lay most of that blame on the breeders, but at some point, when the dog develops a turtle-shell of matting all over his body, you'd think the owner would get a clue.
The ideal dog owner should understand dog behavior and the basics of training and behavior modification, and should research what type of training works best for their breed. For example, if you're used to training Labs with methods that work for them, you will absolutely destroy an Akbash Dog or an Afghan Hound with those same methods. Only a few people reading this will actually KNOW what I am talking about.
I'm not saying all pet owners have to be experts. I'm saying that they should have the understanding that dogs are dogs, not humans in fur coats. And they should have the common sense to talk to an expert if they have a problem that they cannot figure out themselves.
And most of all, pet owners need to have an open, yet discerning mind when doing research or asking for advice. Other pet owners who have been in the breed about 5 minutes will often dish out VERY bad advice to others, and there are irresponsible breeders out there who dish out disinformation and outright lies to gullible buyers. I understand that, as a new pet owner, it's all very confusing. That's why you need to take your time when doing research, and talk to different people who are in the breed or who are knowledgeable about dogs in general. The average pet owner buys a puppy on a whim because it is cute. The ideal pet owner will spend months to years researching before they choose a breed and a breeder. Those who adopt mixed-breeds should understand basic principles of dog behavior and care.
They should also have a basic understanding of how genetics plays into temperament and behavior. Clueless people get Pit Bulls and they "know" their dog will grow up to be gentle and sweet because "it's all in how you raise them"... some of you are reading this and thinking "well yeah, of course!" But that just isn't true. Breeds have been selected by man to perform certain tasks. If a dog is bred for centuries to attack and fight other animals, it's a bad choice for someone who wants a sweet and gentle dog that wouldn't hurt a fly. Granted, some ABPTs are sweet and gentle, but you are going against centuries of selective breeding to expect them NOT to fight.
Yeah, my standards for the ideal pet owner are pretty high, and possibly unrealistic. In America, every family seems to have a dog whether they need one or not.