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The doghouse

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Original poster

Does your dog attract attention?

89 replies

Princesspeach1980 · 02/06/2016 22:09

We're on holiday with the mini hound this week and I can't believe how much attention he has attracted. We keep getting mobbed by kids and adults who all want to stroke him and ask about him. It's lovely and we do get into conversation with all kinds of people, but sometimes it's a bit much when you just want to sit and relax. I'm also a bit Hmm when people pick him up without asking, or give him kisses!

He is quite distinctive, he's a chi X jrt and really tiny, but I'm still surprised how interested people are. Luckily he loves the attention, but he is now getting into the habit of trying to happily approach and greet everyone he sees, because he's used to strangers calling him over and making a fuss.

We have never had this with our other dogs in the past, just wondered if anyone else has this experience?

OP posts:
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Gide · 02/06/2016 22:17

Yes, because they do training when out. Bringing me back pheasants attracts odd attention! (Cold game, they don't bring down live game). They do double retrieves, split retrieves, stay as I walk off then go on a hand gesture. They have had a LOT of training and one has been trained to search up a height in hedges, which made one bloke stop to ask if they were drug dogs. They also like swimming so sometimes people stand to watch them do retrieves and they like to fly off the river bank (bad form, I know) so quite splashy and noisy. They're also a matching pair.

Gide · 02/06/2016 22:18

I'd be terrified to have a teeny dog, I'd probably squish it! I'd be constantly concerned that another dog would go for him.

sooperdooper · 02/06/2016 22:21

Yes, people always stop me to give our very tall softy greyhound a fuss and ask about his history - I've always had dogs but none have ever had so much attention in the street!

DuvetDayEveryday · 02/06/2016 22:21

We have the same crossbreed and she is always the centre of attention when we're out. She's so tiny that people always stop to pet her and ask about her.

Patterkiller · 02/06/2016 22:21

No. People run from the big idiot. He has no social etiquette but we are in -therapy- dog training.

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 02/06/2016 22:25

Oh yes, a half hour walk can take longer than an hour sometimes. Most people are just fascinated by her but I do get some nasty comments on occasion too Sad.

situatedknowledge · 02/06/2016 22:28

Yes, and they always think they know what "breed" he is. He's a lurcher - could be all sorts in there!

TrionicLettuce · 02/06/2016 22:29

The three whippets sometimes garner a bit of attention, especially if I've got them all out at once. It's not so much people wanting to give them a fuss (although we do get that occasionally) and more lovely comments from people as we pass them Grin

DDog2 doesn't really Sad I presume it's because she's medium sized, dark coloured, a fairly average shape and has a bit of an odd expression as her eyesight isn't great. It's a shame as she loves people and would happily be fussed by complete randoms all day.

Rainbowsdohappen · 02/06/2016 22:31

Your little family addition sounds very cute

but he is now getting into the habit of trying to happily approach and greet everyone he sees, because he's used to strangers calling him over and making a fuss.

That sounds like my dog but as his grown in to a huge dog he generally scares people if they don't see him coming! Then his all crest fallen poor chap

PuraVida · 02/06/2016 22:31

Yes. mines a mini dachshund and pretty much every single person you pass makes a comment. It becomes wearisome.

Original poster
Princesspeach1980 · 02/06/2016 22:35

Patter my last dog was exactly like that, didn't take her anywhere in public. Totally different experience this time.

do people pick your dog up too duvet I always feel like such a plank holding the other end of the lead while some randomer hugs my dog Grin

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BillyDaveysDaughter · 02/06/2016 22:36

Yes...all the wrong kind, we don't actually go out in public anymore. She gets her daily run at 5am (limited exercise anyway owing to spinal degeneration - she's only 9).

With long term chronic pain and multiple bad experiences with other dogs, she's noisy, cranky, unfriendly, aggressive, but super cute to look at...she's a very delicate looking Patterdale terrier.

People approach all smiles but are very dissuaded within 20 feet by the deafening gremlin going full bore tasmanian devil on them. Blush And as for other dogs...sheesh.

DuvetDayEveryday · 02/06/2016 22:36

Yes! I'm always a bit bamboozled by it.

BillyDaveysDaughter · 02/06/2016 22:38

*Are dissuaded, not sure where "very" came from...

RainbowsAndUnicorns25 · 02/06/2016 22:40

Yes my dog gets approached all the time especially by toddlers. I hold his collar so he can't jump up, let them stroke quickly then move on. It's annoying if you're trying to squeeze a walk in but cute if I'm leisurely stroll ing Smile

Meandyouandyouandme · 02/06/2016 22:41

Yes, I have an Irish setter and she has a beautiful red coat, although has flecks of grey now she is 11. And she loves the attention and tends to lean on people given half a chance Smile

Greyhorses · 03/06/2016 06:57

I have a lovely black Gsd cross who gets attention everywhere as he is huge, friendly and happy plus his long hair is better than most humans!

His sister however gets negative attention as she's horrible and wears a muzzle so she attracts plenty of not good comments Grin

Notthecarwashagain · 03/06/2016 07:19

One of mine does, he's a goldie puppy and ridiculously friendly. He gets a lot of strokes.
He stinks though and is usually quite muddy, so I feel bad for the strokers!

My other one is a lovely mixed breed rescue girl, but she's either barking, or making herself look very small and neglected when approached, so people tend to avoid her.

mercifulTehlu · 03/06/2016 07:28

Yes, people often ask what he is (a German Shorthaired Pointer ) and say how handsome he is. People don't tend to make a big fuss of him physically though, as he is pretty big and tends to be hurtling around after a ball. He's very friendly and affectionate with anyone he knows but isn't that interested in random strangers.

MewlingQuim · 03/06/2016 07:38

Yes. Children love her and want to cuddle her, teenage girls go AWWWW!

Unfortunately she is terrified of children and tries to sink into the pavement, leaving me trying to drag along a hairy slug.

We avoid going for walks at 3pm.

MiaowTheCat · 03/06/2016 07:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

daydreamnation · 03/06/2016 07:47

I have a jrt x chihuahua too, she's 3 and gets mobbed everywhere we go! People always think she's a pup as she is tiny but doesn't look like a chihuahua, more of a mini dog Smile She loves the attention, me not always so much!

CMOTDibbler · 03/06/2016 07:47

Yes, in different ways. If we are sitting at a park/cafe etc its ddog1 that will get people coming to ask if their child can stroke him, often children otherwise afraid of dogs. He's so calm and gentle, and adores being fussed. Loves children.

But in general, its ddog2 who gets people approaching us in the street. He's a lurcher, but a very unusual colour and markings and has a seal like coat. They desperatly want to know what he is, and fuss him.

daydreamnation · 03/06/2016 07:50

It doesn't help that I'm work at our local primary school, so generally I get mobbed too, it drives my own dc crackers!

Handsupbabyhandsup · 03/06/2016 07:53

Chihuahua here - always get a huge amount of attention!