Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Original poster

If you have a dog, do you judge people who don't have dogs?

131 replies

breakdown19 · 09/04/2022 21:08

That's all.
We seem to be literally the last of anyone we know not to have a dog.
Even my friend who had an allergic husband has found a poodle.
My heart wants a dog but my head knows that they are bloody hard work bloody expensive and a massive tie.
I've already done all of those things with children

OP posts:

Beamur · 09/04/2022 21:47

Yes. I judge them for being able to lie in, for not having to pick up poo, for not having houses full of dog beds and towels being washed, for being able to randomly stay out later became they don't have to get home for the dog...

Waxonwaxoff0 · 09/04/2022 21:48

Why would they? And why would you care anyway? Stop being so bothered about what other people think.

Sunnytwobridges · 09/04/2022 21:49

Why would I??? Actually I admire people that don’t get dogs as a lot of people I know get dogs and don’t tear or train them well at all. At least the ones that don’t know their limitations if they ever considered getting one.

Bumply · 09/04/2022 21:49

I don't currently have any pets.
I live in a small flat and work full time and would judge people who got a dog if they weren't particularly into them or didn't have the right environment for them

Norgie · 09/04/2022 21:51

No I wouldn't. I've had dogs all my life and I fully understand that they're not for everyone for various reasons of their own.
I like cats but I can't have one because for some obscure reason, one of my dogs is terrified of them. He sees one and moonwalks away, knocking everything out of his path with his arse as he goes.

user1497787065 · 09/04/2022 21:54

I judge people who have dogs and don't have the time or choose not to make the effort to look after their dogs.

I do not judge people who choose not to have dogs.

BookkeeperBobby · 09/04/2022 21:55

I kind of know what you mean OP. It seems like pretty much everyone has a dog now.

For myself I think pet ownership is weird and especially modern dog ownership even weirder, just can't get my head around it. It's like I'm in a parallel universe.

Thing is I do like animals. I feel sad about the impact that pet ownership has on actual wild animals. But everyone else seems to think that liking animals means owning a pet. So I feel out of step with our times. There are just so many dogs.

ReadyToMoveIt · 09/04/2022 21:57

@BookkeeperBobby

I kind of know what you mean OP. It seems like pretty much everyone has a dog now.

For myself I think pet ownership is weird and especially modern dog ownership even weirder, just can't get my head around it. It's like I'm in a parallel universe.

I have a dog and I kind of feel the same! Pet ownership is weird.

OnTheBoardwalk · 09/04/2022 21:59

Say what now?

Stylishkidintheriot · 09/04/2022 22:01

What??!! I’ve got a dog but in no way whatsoever would even think of any reason to judge someone for not having one

HairyToity · 09/04/2022 22:01

I have been quizzed twice by dog owners, as to why we don't have one. Both times I've found it annoying having to justify myself.

I work from home, and we live in the countryside. For these reasons, I think people expect us to have a dog. However, we are not rolling in spare cash, and we don't have anyone who could look after the dog for us, when we go on holidays or days out. Plus life is busy enough juggling work and children. I don't want a dog in the mix too. The only childcare we have for the kids is paid childcare. Plus puppies can be hard wok. Rant over.

womaninatightspot · 09/04/2022 22:02

Wouldn't judge a non owner; like a PP I often try and put people off getting a dog as expensive and time consuming. Went on a lovely long walk along the river with Ddog and DC today though and thought how wonderful it is to have a dog and good she is for the family.

Lou98 · 09/04/2022 22:02

I have two dogs - would never occur to me to judge someone who doesn't have any, why would I?

What I do judge is people who get a dog that they don't actually want to keep someone happy then aren't happy with the hard work, responsibility and cost that come with them so end up getting rid as if they're disposable

diggitydogdiggity · 09/04/2022 22:03

No, I don't judge people who don't have dogs.

I do find it weird when people who aren't 'dog people' have dogs, though. I can't see the point of bringing someone absolutely adorable into your home for your to be ambivalent about.

gunnersgold · 09/04/2022 22:04

Weird , why would you!
I love dogs and all animals but I don't have one . I don't think people think it through tbh , I grew up with loads of animals and dogs are the hardest work aside from horses !
I don't want to walk a dog 3 x a day and rush around before work walking it etc so I don't have one .

Don't ever get a dog because you want to fit in!!!

fancyfrogs · 09/04/2022 22:05

Odd wording, why would people be judgemental about that. Any dog owner knows and appreciates they are hard work and not suitable for everyone

Chloemol · 09/04/2022 22:05

diggitydogdiggity · 09/04/2022 22:07

@gunnersgold

Weird , why would you! I love dogs and all animals but I don't have one . I don't think people think it through tbh , I grew up with loads of animals and dogs are the hardest work aside from horses ! I don't want to walk a dog 3 x a day and rush around before work walking it etc so I don't have one .

Don't ever get a dog because you want to fit in!!!

I respect your POV totally, but I would say that I have 6 rabbits (3 sets of pairs in individual sheds with runs) and cumulatively they are harder work than my Springer Spaniel.

janj2301 · 09/04/2022 22:09

I live in a rough part of East London, I judge those who don't clean up after their pooch and those that let them bark for hours daytime and/or nightime. I don't have a dog as I live in a council house, I had enough trouble getting them to let me keep my cat when I moved in

bluetongue · 09/04/2022 22:10

No, of course not. I have a dog but I’m childfree and probably always will be be. It’s not that I hate babies or children, many are lovely. I am not personally cut out for parenthood and it wouldn’t be fair on the poor child and while I’d certainly love them I’d end up resenting them. I judge people that have children that can’t provide for them or abuse them.

Same with dogs. They’re a huge responsibility and sometimes mine is a massive tie but I don’t regret getting him.

bluebellsandcustard · 09/04/2022 22:11

No I don't judge. I do often think how much joy they are missing though and where they get that joy from instead. Only inwardly of course.

Cottoneyejoeswifestampon · 09/04/2022 22:12

I adore my dog with everything I have, she is my third child but I would never recommend a dog to anyone and I will definitely not be getting another one!!!!!!
I judge people who don't like cats, weirdos

XenoBitch · 09/04/2022 22:14

I judge people who are open about their hatred of dogs, but no... I don't really care if someone has a dog or not.

TheVanguardSix · 09/04/2022 22:16

I have been quizzed twice by dog owners, as to why we don't have one. Both times I've found it annoying having to justify myself.

I bet they became dog owners yesterday!
I find my friends who became lockdown dog owners are sudden Authorities on All Things Dog... and EVERYONE must get a dog according to them (they didn't feel this way for the past 6 years when I was walking my own dog but they sure feel it now!).

Furrbabymama87 · 09/04/2022 22:17

No. It's not essential that everyone has a dog. I would judge someone more who had a dog who wasn't able to take good care of it for whatever reason.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Swipe left for the next trending thread