Dogs and image - how important to you?

B

Broodle

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 December 2006
Messages
1,426
Visit site
As per title really. I've been pondering this recently after reading a few posts on here from people frustrated by other people making assumptions about their dogs based on their breed/appearance (sorry for not replying much btw, more of a lurker than a poster normally :o).

Anyway, when the hubby and I were trying to decide on breed/type for our dogs a huge consideration was how that breed/type would make other people feel about them. Most of my family don't like dogs that much and it was important for me that our dogs appear (and be, of course!) totally non-threatening and cuddly. We also wanted dogs that people automatically head to to say hello, rather than dogs that people avoid or feel compelled to ask 'is he friendly' before giving a pet. They had to be 'proper' dogs too, nothing too yappy or small :p

So, I just wondered whether other people are as concerned about doggie image as I am. Those with dogs who inspire a certain reaction (fear, ridicule, snootiness... anything really), was this something you thought about before you took the dog on? Would your experience change the way you choose a dog next time round?

Sorry for being nosy :D

PS We went for labradoodles - daft beasts who are probably ridiculed by many (inc lots on here ;)), but are soft as butter and everything we hoped for :D
 
I grew up with GSDs and discovered the image bias the other way around when people started crossing the road and shouting stuff at us when I was a small child. Couldn't give a stuff what people think of me but I do (try to :p) make sure my dogs are well behaved and under control and we have won over a lot of people. My mother is a librarian and she initially fell for the breed because of Roy Rogers and Trigger and Bullet.
 
Last edited:
People tend to assume spaniels like Henry are all sweetness and light and that therefore it is fine for them to leap straight in and start stroking, or worse, completely engulfing him with massive hugs, half the time without even looking at me, never mind asking me - or they just walk up behind me and leap on in there! Fortunately Henry is a great soft lump who is anyone's for a fuss, although he has taught a few people an object lesson by reciprocating in kind and covering them in slobber and muddy pawprints (for which I am not minded to reprimand him, live by the sword, die by the sword) - not all spaniels are like that though, and it annoys me awfully when people take his good nature for granted.

I wouldn't not have a spaniel because of this, but it is annoying.
 
Could not be arsed what assumptions people make about myself or my dogs if they are judging by appearances. That goes for all things - myself, my house, my car-- except my business! In my business it's very much about appearances.
 
I didnt even consider image when i took my two on, however there is a marked difference in the way people treat them, Millie, they think that because she is so small, and does look quite puppyish its fine to smother her (to be fair she's always been very good about it), however they're always a bit more considerate about Suzy (a lurcher) and tend to be less all over her.
 
Interesting responses, thanks folks! I feel compelled to say that I am not remotely image-concious in general and am the least vain person going. I don't care at all what people think of my appearance, but would hate to have a dog whose appearance people were intimidated by, for example.

Very interesting Spudlet and Katielou that you don't like people automatically petting your dogs - I confess that I love it when other people come over to say hi and would probably think it odd if they asked permission. I will bear this in mind when I meet other dogs in future, as I'm one of those annoying dog greeters... sorry!
 
Well I own two mutts. I also own two x breed horses.

As long as they are healthy and in good condition and well behaved then I dont care. My dogs are friendly, are reasonably well trained. Dylan is starting agility (I will unviel it when we get somewhere) and my other dog springer x is also enjoying agility/ flyball.

There are types of dogs I wouldnt want to own (terriers, whippets mainly) but I think we are entitled to preferences like we are with horses I would never for love nor money want to own a arab.


I just seem to have a colour code both of mine are black although this is not intentional.
 
I like that people want to greet Henry, but the trouble is that he also wants to greet everyone, and he needs to learn some restraint... we can do that if I get warning and can get his focus, but when it comes out of the blue, I can't and he jumps all over them... then thinks it's fine to jump all over the next person we meet too.
 
To me it is a safety issue - you should always ask permission to touch a strange dog, no matter how cute and fluffy it looks.
I do love it when people ask (they always do for my dogs :p) and if I see a child or person looking interested but shy, I will invite them over and hold the pup for them to have a pet.
Also agree with Spudlet's point about someone coming over and going oooooh DOGGIE!!!!! and winding them up to the hilt, that is no way to meet a dog, strange or otherwise IMO!
 
It never occurred to me- as I did not know such prejudice existed until I got my Staff X. Dont actually care what people think of him to be fair, as long as he is not doing anything un toward at them they can keep their narrow minded opinions to themselves!
 
CC and Spudlet - Thanks for explaining, and I totally see your point of view. I will definitely be more circumspect in future, although I do already try to avoid winding other dogs up and ignore those that are already acting bonkers.

I do like this forum - always an interesting alternate viewpoint to ponder!
 
i think it is good practice to always ask "is he friendly" before launching in to pat a dog you dont know!

i dont give a monkeys about what my dog looks like- we tend to get a 50/50 reaction: those who "shield" their children from the "baby eater" (they really p me off...) and those who absolutely love her.

personally i find poodles intimidating...!

i do think people can judge you (and your dog) wrongly based on the way your dog looks.

if people think that i look like a chav or a thug or whatever because i walk around with a bulldog then that is their problem. i quite like to walk in peace anyways! :D
 
I ALWAYS ask-and I always teach children to ask-if it's ok to say hello to someone's dog. You have no idea about the temperament of the dog or what training they might be doing.

However, I picked labradors because I love them-but i wouldn't own an 'image dog'-mostly because I don't like them. I know staffys who are lush but i wouldn't want my own.

I would love a gsd but I don't have the faintest clue how they tick so would never own one. Xxxx
 
lexidhb - I agree that it is a narrow-minded view, and I myself do try not to make assumptions about dogs based on their looks. Many people do make such assumptions, however, and I think I would find their prejudices really hard to bear. I wouldn't have a Staffy or cross, for example, because, I know my mum would always consider it a potential danger, and when I do eventually have kids she would worry and fret :( It wouldn't be welcome in her house either :(
 
I think that the owners of certain dogs have a duty of care to make sure that their dogs are well behaved in public to dispel these sort of prejudices, and this was something I was at least vaguely aware of when we got our first husky.

Thankfully they don't yet have the 'rep' that bull breeds, GSDs etc. seem to have in the public mind but there's still a good number of people who think they are aggressive and/or part wolf. :rolleyes:

Mine stay on lead, are made to come in close and sit when people pass us on footpaths, attend regular training classes etc. in an effort to keep up the image, as it were. Thankfully for every numpty who glares and skirts round them there's a kid who's seen Snow Dogs who wants to come and squeeze the huskies. :) As long as they ask first I encourage them to do so, well to Dax at least, she is great with kids and those with special needs, having finally learnt to keep all four paws on the floor...

The greatest problem they face is that their looks attract the wrong sort of people, who only want them for their appearance and don't meet their needs.
 
just a quick add on point- i didnt go out and pick an american bulldog for its image... she was re-homed to me as an 8 month old pup. id never heard of them before.

that being said i shouldnt be judged for owning one. ;) and would get another in a heartbeat once betty is gone. they are hard work, but they are wonderful people dogs. :D

people seem to think that she eats childern for tea- but she adores children, and is so gentle and patient with them. my young cousins have her doing all sorts of tricks- she'l do anything for them. she has been around lots of children. my youngest niece (under 2 at the time) was scared of dogs. betty isntinctively stayed away from her and played with the older ones. by the end of the day brooke was comfortable enough to give her a pat!

dont judge a book by its cover. ;)
 
Last edited:
I think I have maybe inadvertantly given the impression that I am walking about judging people by their mutts - not what I meant to say at all!! I meant that I know other people will be judging my dogs by their looks or their breed's reputation, whether I like it or not.

I can (luckily!) cope with people thinking my dogs are ridiculous or a pointless/wrong cross breed, but could not cope with people thinking they were scary or to be feared.

I also am not advocating rushing up to greet strange dogs, and am really not as irresponsible as I have made myself sound!!
 
blackcob said:
I think that the owners of certain dogs have a duty of care to make sure that their dogs are well behaved in public to dispel these sort of prejudices, and this was something I was at least vaguely aware of when we got our first husky.

The greatest problem they face is that their looks attract the wrong sort of people, who only want them for their appearance and don't meet their needs.
Click to expand...

Funnily enough, I think this also applies to percieved 'pet friendly' breeds/types like mine, and am doing my best to dispel the myth that 'designer' poodle crosses are only owned by idiots who don't train their dogs :D:p
 
Katie_A said:
I think I have maybe inadvertantly given the impression that I am walking about judging people by their mutts - not what I meant to say at all!! I meant that I know other people will be judging my dogs by their looks or their breed's reputation, whether I like it or not.

I can (luckily!) cope with people thinking my dogs are ridiculous or a pointless/wrong cross breed, but could not cope with people thinking they were scary or to be feared.

I also am not advocating rushing up to greet strange dogs, and am really not as irresponsible as I have made myself sound!!
Click to expand...

no i get your point- but i refuse to avoid owning a certain dog because of what others may think of it. ;)

with regards your fears about staffies and kids- they aren't known as nanny dogs for nothing. ;) its how they are bred and raised that determines the actions of a dog- not wholly the breed. ;)

i dont realy care if people think my dog is scary- that is subjective! i find poodles scary- as silly as that may seem! i really do! like i say- some cross the street, but for every one that does aother stops and complements us and asks all about her. the thing that annoys me most if im honest is people assuming that she is a he!! :D x
 
Last edited:
I have 2 Dobermanns and they are very striking looking dogs, because both of mine have tails people dont always know what they are and tend to back off when I tell them. My dogs are very friendly but I can see them sussing people out who approach, with children the size of the dogs intimidates them but I allow them to pet them if asked.

I dont care what people think of me but my dogs are very important and I know they have a bad press and I take extra care like CC to make meeting them a positive experience. My dogs are also quite lean and I have been told/ asked before why they are skinny(they are not) I just explain that they are very fit point out their muscles and say this is what a fit healthy dog should look like.
 
Having been born into a houseful of GSDs I have always had them, and always been aware of the image they have and would never not have one just because people are wary of them. It is actually better now than in the 60s and 70s I think although some people still snatch their children away from them. I love it when people ask if they can stroke them, particularly children, I am seeing the reverse situation with the Heeler pup, because he is tiny and cute looking everyone immediately makes a big fuss of him without asking. This annoys me because it winds him up and he now leaps at everyone we meet in the hope of a fuss, and also because he is still a bit puppy nippy and would hate him to catch a child, yet the same parents who pull their little ones away from Evie are happy to let them bend over Pickle even when I warn them.
 
People that know dogs will know not to judge on breed type and will also ask if they can touch the dog, it's the uneducated (or educated by the tabloids) that will judge.
I'm very wary of GSD's because I was attacked by a loose GSD in the school playground when I was 8yo and was then hospitalised for 3 weeks and nearly died of septicema, however I now know that this likely happended because the dog was most likely scared and I just happened to be in it's way when it all became too much for it (no I didn't touch it, we were always taught not to touch strange dogs), I still think they are lovely dogs but probably would never own one.
My boss has a Ridgeback and was told by various other people that they were agressive, not to be trusted etc etc, now having known this dog from a puppy it's the biggest pansy on the planet and is frightened of the rock that is used to keep the door open is actually very careful round children not to knock them over (he's huge even by Ridgeback standards, and is over breed standard), I now also know umpteen ridgebacks and have never came across one yet that is agressive (although do have to watch fingers round the puppy as he hasn't quite figured out the difference between the treat and the finger yet).

As someone else said the size of the dog has a lot to do with it, but the big ridgeback is better to walk on and off leash than some little dogs I see and he doesn't jump up on people either.

I do agree some breeds of dogs do have 'images' attached to them i.e. staffies are associated as being 'chavvy' dogs, Rotties 'macho' etc and it's probably more to do with the tabloids portraying (sorry about the spelling) them like this.
Around the time I was attacked there were several high profile stories about children being attacked and killed by Rotties and I think the mud sticks.
 
The whole neighberhood complained when we bought Bryony home. The kids from over the road who used to come and play with Tyson in the garden were no longer allowed round & all the dog walkers in the tiny little community we live in make a point of crossing the road with their dogs when Bryony is being walked.

We moved here when Tys was a tiny pup, so I can only assume that their reaction towards him would have been similar if they had not been allowed the chance to see him grow from a cute little fluffster into the dog he is now.

They're idiot tbh.
 
Naryafluffy said:
People that know dogs will know not to judge on breed type and will also ask if they can touch the dog, it's the uneducated (or educated by the tabloids) that will judge.
Click to expand...

I think that's my issue really - I don't want to have to educate the people me and my dogs come into contact with. My family are definitely uneducated when it comes to dogs, and I could have gone for a breed they perceived as 'scary' and tried to educate them... but I know it wouldn't work with some of them, especially my mum who tends to form views that are set in stone.

I guess I just like an easier life, with dogs that are automatically perceived as friendly by the general public. :o
 
whisp&willow said:
with regards your fears about staffies and kids- they aren't known as nanny dogs for nothing. ;) its how they are bred and raised that determines the actions of a dog- not wholly the breed. ;)
Click to expand...

Just to say, they aren't my fears at all, but my mums! I have never been fearful of a dog in my life (have only ever had good experiences with any breed), but rightly or wrongly staffies have a reputation, and my mum would be forever hanging tabloid stories of dog attacks over me if I had one... :o Doesn't help that my grandad once had some sort of bull terrier that killed a horse on Epsom downs :eek:

My mum's views about dog breeds/types did influence my decision when choosing pups because I want her to want to visit me dogs and all, I want my dogs to be welcome in her home, and I don't want her to worry that my dogs aren't safe.... So their image in her eyes was a big deciding factor. That makes me sound really lame, esp as I'm in my thirties :p, but meh!
 
Katie_A said:
Iespecially my mum who tends to form views that are set in stone.
Click to expand...

My mums like that as well, GSD and Rotties are minions of satan as far she is concerned (in my personal opinion that place is taken by cats, but that's another arguement!!!), needless to say when i was about 14/15 and not really getting on with my mum I was getting a Rottie because she said if I had one of them she wasn't coming round to visit (after that was said I wanted 2!!!!)
 
"dogs that are automatically perceived as friendly by the general public"

But that's a danger, assuming all dogs of a certain breed are friendly, is how people get bitten. I've been bitted by a Rough Collie - a Lassie dog.
If everyone started with the assumoption that ANY dog has the capability of biting or growling at them them and therefore should ask permission to pat or play or rough-house, there would be less accidents.
 
Lady La La said:
The whole neighberhood complained when we bought Bryony home. The kids from over the road who used to come and play with Tyson in the garden were no longer allowed round & all the dog walkers in the tiny little community we live in make a point of crossing the road with their dogs when Bryony is being walked.

We moved here when Tys was a tiny pup, so I can only assume that their reaction towards him would have been similar if they had not been allowed the chance to see him grow from a cute little fluffster into the dog he is now.

They're idiot tbh.
Click to expand...

Is Bryony the GSD in your avatar, or a different dog? How sad that she has inspired such a bad reaction in your neighbours - must be v frustrating for you.

None of my immediate neighbours has dogs and one is v v scared of dogs (to the extent that when my older dog was a 12 week old ball of fluffy cuteness she cowered away from her), and I would certainly have been persona non grata in my road if I had brought home a type percieved as agressive or scary :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top