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The doghouse

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Original poster

Do you own a breed of dog that people pre-judge on sight?

170 replies

DannyOD · 14/12/2017 08:13

I have a Chihuahua who is particularly tiny. She is a rescue and the sweetest natured, loving little thing but people take one look at her and pre-judge both her and me as her owner.

I have actually had people say to me ‘Oh I bet she’s a horrible dog isn’t she?’ Or ‘Bet she’s a bad tempered, snappy thing isn’t she?’ Well, no she isn’t actually. It drives me nuts!!! I also get ‘Bet you dress her up and carry her round in a bag?’ No, she is a dog not a doll!!!

Anyone else fed up with this sort of thing?

OP posts:
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Original poster
DannyOD · 15/12/2017 09:43

My worst experience was walking my chi in the woods. I saw a lady coming with a big shaggy lurcher off lead so I picked her up. She made some comment about ‘little dogs’ on her way past which I ignored. When I thought she was at a safe distance I put my dog down when the lurcher turned and ran at her full pelt. She was then chasing her round and round a tree, snapping at her whilst my dog literally screamed. I managed to grab her up and all the woman could say was ‘Oh he doesn’t mean it. He’s only playing’. 😡😡

OP posts:
pullingmyhairout1 · 15/12/2017 09:45

Staffies here too. Lovely dogs. Very friendly. People cross the street.

SpiderCid · 15/12/2017 13:17

DannyOD I know in the end your fears were justified and it wasn't fair on your dog to be chased about.
But I'd argue that you pre-judged the lurcher, you describe it as big and shaggy but don't suggest it showed any aggression, yet your first response was to pick up your dog.

FoxesAreFabulous · 15/12/2017 13:50

Miniature poodle owner here and we get terribly fed up with the 'oh he's so cute and fluffy', as random passers by thrust their hands at him without asking whether they can stroke him. He does NOT like having his personal space invaded and is very likely to growl or snap. If he's allowed to choose whether to approach someone in his own time, then he is very friendly boy, but is not at all keen on small children and we are continually having to tell idiot parents not to let their children just run up to him with their hands out. Whenever we get the 'aah he looks like a teddy bear' or 'he's so cute' comments in the street now, dd (13) has taken to muttering under her breath 'no, he's not cute and when was the last time a teddy bear took your finger off' Grin. At the other end of the spectrum, I completely agree with all the staffie owners on here - we fostered two before we got our poodle (and this is when I discovered I am now allergic to shedding breeds so we couldn't keep the one we would otherwise have kept), and people would cross the road to avoid us. They were both super-friendly dogs, who loved people, and would try to sit on your lap whenever the opportunity arose!

MarcoPoloCX · 15/12/2017 14:27

Staffy x here.
Intelligent, playful, inquisitive and well behaved dog.
Yet people go the other way and ask if he's OK. Someone actually asked if he bites.

No, he's not OK hence he's off his lead and me allowing him to come near your dog!!!

ruthsmumkath · 15/12/2017 14:44

French Bulldog Cross here - people think she's a staffyConfused

MarcoPoloCX · 15/12/2017 14:49

@ruthsmumkath
What's it crossed with?

Mine is a Boston terrier Staffy mix.
It comes with a wonky tail. Lol.

ruthsmumkath · 15/12/2017 15:21

@MarcoPoloCX She crossed with a Boston Terrier and has a lovely wonky tail too.

MarcoPoloCX · 15/12/2017 17:14

A frenchton.

AdoraBell · 15/12/2017 17:18

German shepherds. Apparently they are aggressive Hmm

Original poster
DannyOD · 16/12/2017 00:16

In my defence SpiderCid, I saw it was a Sighthound and as a precaution picked up my dog as she is about the same size as a rabbit. I didn’t want either dog to get in trouble.

OP posts:
Missmustbeamug · 16/12/2017 00:19

My niece has a Japanese fighting dog (is it an Akita?)

It’s huge, badly trained, living in a tiny council flat with two young babies.

Frankly I’d judge anyone who didn’t judge her 😂

Cactusjelly00 · 16/12/2017 05:04

miss
Yeah I'd judge her.
Wouldn't judge the dog though - much less by the breed.
Not really relevant to the post, unless you think that your nieces dog has ended up with a bad owner, a too small home and very little/no training because it's an Akita...? As far as I can tell that could happen to any dog regardless of breed

Cactusjelly00 · 16/12/2017 05:05

I also doubt an Akita is that big, but a "Japanese fighting dog" is (I believe) a tosa. Not judging your mistake, just makes a bit more sense.

Missmustbeamug · 16/12/2017 08:09

I meant if it was a badly trained pug she probably wouldn’t be judged (as much) by strangers.

I wasn’t sure what it was called, she always introduces it as ‘a Japanese fighting dog’ (and I think I’d seen a film with an Akita in once and thought it was that 😁)

You’re right though, probably not that relevant, I was a bit drunk.

I had two staffies (not at the same time) when I was growing up. People use to cross the street with their dogs when we walked them.

They were the softest, daftest, most loyal girls.

ArgyMargy · 16/12/2017 08:23

Well there's an obvious reason why Alsatians were re-named German Shepherds. And it's not because they're all looking after sheep.

reallyanotherone · 16/12/2017 08:27

Well there's an obvious reason why Alsatians were re-named German Shepherds. And it's not because they're all looking after sheep

Eh?

It’s the other way round. Gsd were renamed alsations during ww1 due to anti german feeling.

Hotpinkangel19 · 16/12/2017 08:47

We have 2 staffies.... I'm always being frowned at/crossed the road to avoid 🙁 they ask how they are with children, it's horrible! They are big, cuddly soft dogs, fab with my 3 children! The only danger you are in with them is being over licked!!! It makes me sad.

Do you own a breed of dog that people pre-judge on sight?
ShottaSheriff · 16/12/2017 08:48

We fostered a huge male greyhound. He was the loveliest boy, but had to be muzzled for his own safety due to him trying to pick up every bit of litter going, especially cans, which he’d previously cut his mouth on. I was shocked to find that when I walked him with our own greyhound (who usually gets fussed and admired) everyone crossed the road to avoid us, or shrank back looking worried! I wanted to explain that he was harmless to everyone we walked past!

Bubble2bubble · 16/12/2017 08:59

I have a pack of mongrels, so people tend to ignore me.
I fostered a GSD x and immediately noticed the difference. :(
I have also fostered some very obviously beautiful purebred setters and cockers, and people who previously ignored me suddenly changed.
So yes, a lot of dog judging is out there.

I judge:

  • people with massive dogs they can't control
  • people with small aggressive dogs who find it funny
Greyhorses · 16/12/2017 09:22

Well there's an obvious reason why Alsatians were re-named German Shepherds. And it's not because they're all looking after sheep

And what reason would that be?

They were german shepherds originally however were renamed alsations during war time as people wouldn't want a 'german' dog. After the war they were switched back.

The gsd was originally a herding dog used to herd and guard sheep and is a member of the pastoral group. It has been adopted by the police as they are so intelligent and loyal to the handler you can pretty much get them to do anything. Nothing to do with aggression.

strugglingtodomybest · 16/12/2017 09:25

The only danger you are in with them is being over licked!!!

Yes! This is a big problem with one of mine. She licked the fake tan off a friend's leg once, and no, I don't know why she didn't just push her away.

AdoraBell · 16/12/2017 10:31

So why were they renamed as German shepherds then ArgyMary?

Also, can you tell me why my friend’s Belgium shepherd is called a shepherd? Cos he’s never seen a sheep in his life Confused

Grin at licking the fake tan off. One of mine tries to remove sunblock/hand cream. Very helpful, she is, getting all that nasty stuff off my skin Xmas Grin

DragonBone · 16/12/2017 10:39

Yes - I have 5 Staffordshire bull terriers. Lots of people cross the road to avoid etc

Fabellini · 16/12/2017 10:45

Dogs love spray tans and body lotion.....I can't go near mine when I've done my legs or they'll have it all licked off, they're such weirdos Grin