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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:
sleepismyhobby · 10/04/2022 09:11

Yes when some disgusting lazy twat let their dog shit in my drive last week

StrawberryPot · 10/04/2022 09:11

*I don't judge people who don't have a dog.

I judge people who don't LIKE dogs. I think they should be cast out from our society and forced to live on a prison island. But that's just my opinion.*

Same here!

ikeepseeingit · 10/04/2022 09:15

I think the people saying ‘you should get one too!’ are mostly just joking. I say it to my mum because I would love some puppy cuddles and she’s thinking about getting one. I don’t actually mean she should get one if she’s not ready. I suggest it to friends excitedly, but I would never ever judge them if they say no. It makes complete sense that someone either doesn’t like dogs enough to have one or have the time to look after one. They’re an enormous responsibility and no one should get one because they were pressured into it accidentally by idiots like me who just get excited.

Plzhelpifyoucan · 10/04/2022 09:17

I agree that I don’t judge people for not having a dog but I do judge people that don’t like dogs.

SweatyChamoisPad · 10/04/2022 09:21

I don’t judge people but I don’t really understand why people have pets. I don’t particularly like dogs or cats. I live on my own, have always done, and don’t feel the need for company - I don’t really understand what people get out of them; they don’t love you really, they just want you to feed them.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 10/04/2022 09:54

I don't judge anyone who doesn't want a dog but I do judge people who don't like dogs!

Xpologog · 10/04/2022 09:55

No. Why would I?

Kendodd · 10/04/2022 10:05

I do judge people who get particular breeds of dogs, like bulldog puppies. Yes, they are very cute and lovely, the their 'features' like the flat face and hip position are harm causing deformities and they very existence of Bulldogs (and some other breeds) is animal cruelty.

Not judgment about not having a dog though, pets are bad for the environment, so really, its us pet owners who should be judged. I have a dog and a cat, both rescues, so maybe I get let off a bit.

chisanunian · 10/04/2022 10:08

@breakdown19

I think lots of people think that dogs are so life enhancing etc and are saying "oh go on, you should" Etc
Any pet is only life enhancing if you actually want one and are happy with the commitment. Otherwise they are a pain in the neck.

I only judge people who have pets and then don't look after them properly.

EpicGem · 10/04/2022 11:28

No. Dogs aren't a suitable pet for everyone. The only people I will judge is those who have a dog when they are fit only to own a stuffed toy.

Branleuse · 10/04/2022 11:34

No. Of course not. Most people do not have dogs

Purplecatshopaholic · 10/04/2022 11:38

Judge them, no. Feel sorry for them, yes. Lol. Dogs are fab. My dog is obvs the most fab.

DesidaCrick · 10/04/2022 11:47

A friendship has drifted due to them getting a puppy in lockdown. They are a responsible owner but I judge them for not taking on board how much of a tie a dog would be.

TurningUpMyStereotype · 10/04/2022 11:48

A friendship has drifted due to them getting a puppy in lockdown. They are a responsible owner but I judge them for not taking on board how much of a tie a dog would be.

Maybe they’re happy to be tied. 🤷🏻‍♀️

CoastalWave · 10/04/2022 11:51

I'm also the only person without a dog. Couldn't even contemplate one - the cost monthly must be huge.

I'm judging those who got one through lockdown and now don't walk them..

allsorts1 · 10/04/2022 11:52

I judge people who don’t love dogs but as a dog owner I also actively encourage my friends not to get a dog, and at the very least put the fear of god into them when they’re thinking about it so they go into it eyes wide open! Dogs are hard bloody work and having a puppy was horrendous. A grown up dog who you’ve put the work into training and had the absolutely fluke luck to get one with a good nature - is lovely though. It really is such a combo of nature & nurture though that you never can be sure what you’ll get, even if you do everything right.

DesidaCrick · 10/04/2022 12:28

@TurningUpMyStereotype

A friendship has drifted due to them getting a puppy in lockdown. They are a responsible owner but I judge them for not taking on board how much of a tie a dog would be.

Maybe they’re happy to be tied. 🤷🏻‍♀️

They love the dog but not really, no. We go off to the beach for the day, or to the city for a day out and they now can’t join us. They tried taking him once to the beach but he has a thick coat and was miserable in the heat so they went home early.
DesidaCrick · 10/04/2022 12:31

Why do people judge others for not liking dogs?

TurningUpMyStereotype · 10/04/2022 12:33

They love the dog but not really, no. We go off to the beach for the day, or to the city for a day out and they now can’t join us. They tried taking him once to the beach but he has a thick coat and was miserable in the heat so they went home early.

Personally I’d do anything for my dogs and none of this would make me unhappy. I do things to include the dogs or I make sure someone else is home to deal with them if it’s not suitable. It’s not really a sacrifice when they’re some of your favourite family.

SirChenjins · 10/04/2022 12:34

Not at all. I don’t judge people for not having a dog or for not liking them - I have one and there are plenty of dogs and their owners I don’t like.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 10/04/2022 12:39

@DesidaCrick

Why do people judge others for not liking dogs?
Yeah, I don't get why it's such a big deal not to like dogs. I don't dislike them but I'm not enamoured by them and certainly don't want to ever own one.
EssexLioness · 10/04/2022 12:49

I have a dog who I adore and he is the centre of our world. We base social plans and holidays around him and are very happy to do this. However I wouldn’t even think to judge someone for not having a dog of their own. I can think of many reasons who someone may choose not to have a dog: work situation, money, not wanting fur or drool on clothes and furniture, muddy floor prints everywhere, not being able to just go out for the day or on holiday spur of the moment without making plans for the dog, not wanting the commitment of training/ playing/ walking etc. There’s probably loads more I haven’t thought of. Dogs are lovely and can add so much joy to your life but they are also a big commitment and a tie at times. Our dog is old now and he is much loved but when he goes we will probably have a break from dogs for a while for some of the reasons listed. The idea of losing him (as with previous dog) also means I’m not fully sure if we could ever get another dog as the pain of them dying is devastating.

GertrudeKerfuffle · 10/04/2022 15:02

No. Of course not.

My dog however, definitely judges people who don't have dogs. If we encounter them on a walk he looks around for their non-existent dog and then stares at them in confusion when he doesn't find it. I'm sure he's thinking 'why the fuck are you even here?'

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 10/04/2022 15:15

We’ve had dogs, but no longer, and I wouldn’t think of judging anyone who didn’t have one - what a weird idea.

Though having said that, I’ve always loved dogs and will instantly go off anyone - however pleasant they may seem at first - who tells me they actively dislike dogs, or actually loathe them.

To me it’s akin to someone who’d seemed perfectly normal, telling me they belong to the Flat Earth Society, or are Scientologists or something.
Instant massive turn off. Weirdos!

EssexLioness · 10/04/2022 15:48

@GertrudeKerfuffle

No. Of course not.

My dog however, definitely judges people who don't have dogs. If we encounter them on a walk he looks around for their non-existent dog and then stares at them in confusion when he doesn't find it. I'm sure he's thinking 'why the fuck are you even here?'

😆I love that! Our dog is the opposite. He loves people but doesn’t really care much for other people. If friends visit with their dogs, he jumps onto their lap and shoots a withering look at the dog as if to say ‘can you send them away please.’