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Original poster

OLD: what's with the dog photos?

61 replies

TossaCointoYerWitcha · 30/01/2022 23:17

I'm male, generally sworn off OLD but thought I'd reactivate my account tonight, to take a look for old times sake. I was struck by how many women hereabouts include a photo of their dog in their profile. Not them holding their dog. Just their dog.

Can anyone shed light as to why? I want to date a woman, not her dog. Is this some newfangled dating strategy? It's got me somewhat baffled.

OP posts:
crackofdoom · 30/01/2022 23:25

Men do it too. "Here's my cute furry pet that I really really love/ everybody makes a big fuss of him, maybe he's a draw/ let's weed out the dog haters early on" etc etc.

Meh. Hinge's questions seem determined to get people to declare whether they're a "dog person" or no. Erm....I have cats. I quite like dogs. I don't want to own a dog (algorithm implodes).

Lampan · 30/01/2022 23:26

Men do it too! I suppose a lot of people like dogs and would like to meet other dog lovers. If a dog is a big part of your life then I guess it makes sense to include it? For me, a nice dog is fine but a vicious looking dog would be an instant left swipe. And if someone has a cat in their profile pictures it would put me off as I don’t like cats at all. So it will help to weed out the non-animal lovers too!

dopple · 30/01/2022 23:28

I was thinking the same, even more than normal seem to have just a dog or cat in the profile. I'm thinking they either have a face to hide or married.
Can understand why you include them as it's a deal breaker if you don't like a cat or dog, but not as the first picture.

RoyKentsChestHair · 30/01/2022 23:29

I’d be pleased with this as I don’t really like dogs and I wouldn’t particularly want to date someone whose dog was so central to their life that they used up one of their photos on it! I’d see this as a good way to weed out unsuitables Grin.

I thought you were going to say about those daft dog face filters that some women insist on using that add floppy ears and a wagging tongue. Now that would be a red flag for me if I were a man!

ProudThrilledHappy · 30/01/2022 23:30

Not on OLD but my dog looks a lot better than me so I’d probably do the same. Pet owners equivalent of using only group photos Grin

TedMullins · 30/01/2022 23:30

I thought you were going to say having a picture of them with their dog, but as a dog owner I agree a photo of the dog on its own is weird! I guess they must think it’s so cute you can’t help but swipe? I do include pictures with my dog though (and me in the pic too) as he’s very indulged and whoever dates me needs to be fine with him sleeping on the bed. A date called him ugly once, never saw that guy again!

MrsEricBana · 30/01/2022 23:34

Dog/no dog/type of dog says something about you. Dog hater v muddy wellies + labrador person v bichon frise person.

Lpc3 · 30/01/2022 23:49

Statistically people who post dogs on their OLD profile are 26% more likely to get a right swipe.

Enough4me · 30/01/2022 23:57

When I was on OLD a few years back most men had a dog photo, one of them posing in a group of drunk men, plus a topless selfie in the bathroom mirror in poor lighting trying to look masculine and a fishing photo holding a dead fish. The worst ones included their children, a real no no.

FatFucker · 30/01/2022 23:59

Men does this too, along with countless photographs of scenic scenes!! Why? Just why??

Extratoebeans · 31/01/2022 00:01

@dopple I have my fb profile picture of my cat because a family member i am non contact with was accessing my photo and saving it. Plus my cat is majestic 🤣

GodspeedJune · 31/01/2022 00:02

I want to date a woman, not her dog.

Probably to avoid attitudes like that. Obviously you won’t be dating her dog 🙄 but dog ownership is enmeshed in any dog owners life. If someone is strange enough to dislike animals then it’s never going to work with a pet owner. Better to know before wasting time on dates.

I didn’t put photos of my pets up but can understand why some people do. Love me, love my dog.

kittenkipper · 31/01/2022 00:21

Can we talk about men with fish? I agree a dog alone photo is bizarre. But it's common in both sexes ( I list both women and men in preference). See also group photos where you have to guess the subject (men and women) . It's only men, and LOADS of them that post photos of them with dead fish, just the fish, them with fish and scale. They are obsessed

LoveFall · 31/01/2022 00:23

I love my dog and he is a big part of my life. If I was OLD he would be in at least one picture. It kind of goes "love me, love my dog."

I think you should be happy they are showing you a part of their life.

On the other hand, a few years ago some male friends used to say their dogs were "chick magnets." Made me uneasy.

Original poster
TossaCointoYerWitcha · 31/01/2022 00:32

@GodspeedJune

I want to date a woman, not her dog.

Probably to avoid attitudes like that. Obviously you won’t be dating her dog 🙄 but dog ownership is enmeshed in any dog owners life. If someone is strange enough to dislike animals then it’s never going to work with a pet owner. Better to know before wasting time on dates.

I didn’t put photos of my pets up but can understand why some people do. Love me, love my dog.

Well, that's fine. Pose with your dog then. Say "you must love dogs" in your profile. I was just curious as to why Fido warrants his/her own selfie is all, when its his/her owner thats meant to be on display?
OP posts:
Mermaidwaves · 31/01/2022 01:31

I tended to go for the profiles with pet pictures so they worked for me Smile I naively thought animal lovers might make a better partner as my exH hated animals and was a pretty cruel guy all around. I soon realised that a lot of guys even with their doggos weren't that nice either.

I'm still single though so obviously I know nothing Grin

Knutface · 31/01/2022 02:09

Men do this, the dogs are normally bully/mastiff type ones and are a total turnoff for me. I think it’s a good thing, it lets you know that the dog is an important part of their life and gives you the opportunity to say yes/no on that basis. I do love to see a photo of a man with a kitten, these are a rare find OLD though.

isthismylifenow · 31/01/2022 05:19

Imo it is a whole lot better than the fish photos we are subjected to.

coldfeetmama · 31/01/2022 05:20

Even worse are the filters that turn us all into dogs/ rabbits / cats

FunkyPhantom · 31/01/2022 05:31

I think it's also a little insight into the type of lady and her choice of dog. I mean, word you rather date a lady who had a Labrador or spaniel and was out most days in wellies and a raincoat or someone who has a happy ball of fluff that could fit in a handbag ??

My last partner, who I didn't meet OLD had a beagle, and I'm a dog/cat lover, and have mostly had one or the other since childhood........but nothing could have prepared me for suddenly having a beagle in my life 😆😆

I miss the beag more than I miss her 😆😆

Thegirlinthewindow · 31/01/2022 05:39

People want to show themselves how they want others to perceive them. Posing with something cute is them showing they’re caring, nurturing, loving etc because they want to show that’s how they’ll be in a relationship. It does backfire though as many men who have contacted me on OLD have photos of them with children. Weird enough if it’s their own children but about 60% of the time it’s someone else child which just puts me off entirely.

It’s similar to the phenomenon of men posing with dead fish, they’re trying ( possibly subconsciously) to show they’re a skilled provider. Again, it often backfires like the dog photos do for you.

It’s a good thing though, the more info and photos you have to work with the quicker you can narrow it down by weeding out the ones who put you off.

ABitBesottedWithMyDog · 31/01/2022 05:54

Because I wouldn't want to be with a man who didn't bloody love dogs.

To me it's a clue someone likes the outdoors, is kind to animals, and won't object to the fact that the teatowels are dog-themed.

OLD: what's with the dog photos?
OLD: what's with the dog photos?
Aphrodite31 · 31/01/2022 06:03

The thing is, having a dog is kind of like having a kid. If the potential partner isn't going to work with that, then he's not suitable. Getting the dog out there from the start will give the poster some initial (crucial) screening in their responses to said dog.

Not sure why the dog would be the profile pic, though ... that seems a bit of a cheat (getting a response to the appeal of your dog) ??

curmudgeonly007 · 31/01/2022 07:30

Almost all women have dog or cat pictures now,
Almost all women have group drunken photos
Lots of women have horse / skiing/ holiday snaps as well ( quite often with sunglasses & hats

Bagelsandbrie · 31/01/2022 07:42

I think people who have dogs are generally dog mad - the dog is the centre of their world, not unlike a child and so they want to show everyone their dog to let everyone know.

Personally I wouldn’t want to date anyone with a dog - I love animals but I find them such a tie in terms of not being able to leave them to spontaneously do stuff / overnight / long days out etc and I don’t want to have to plan my days out around dog friendly stuff. So for me someone putting photos of their dog would be an instant “no thanks” so I guess that would be useful for them and me!