 Barked: Sun Oct 3, '10 4:36am PST |
 | |  | | It also depends on each person's definition of "real dog". For some, "real" refers to level of intensity, and I think we can be fair in saying a Chihuahua isn't nearly as intense as a BC, Dobe, GSD, etc.
But that's just saying it's okay to insult someone's dog because it's not the kind of dog you would choose. How do you think the owners of the Dobe or the GSD would react if they were regularly being told that their dogs aren't "real dogs"?
Others have simply been brought up to think the only "dogs" are big ones.
Again, that's just saying that it's okay to be rude to people about the fact that they like different dogs than you like.
Still others have only met small dogs that are pampered, spoiled, untrained, unsocialized brats, and in that case, I would have a hard time calling a dog like that desirable.
I've got a news shocker for you: there are plenty of untrained, unsocialized big dogs. Some of them are pampered and spoiled; others are lawn ornaments who, because of the lack of training and socialization, have been made into public menaces. Is a dog like that "desirable" ?
Yesterday I took Addy to the Blessing of the Animals. There was another Chinese Crested there, a Hairless. His mom was happy to have him meet other dogs, but explained that he's afraid of people and should not be petted. He was picked up as a stray five years ago and brought to the animal hospital she works at. He was scared and unsocialized, and bit everyone there--except her. He's made a lot of progress, and he was alert and watchful about all the people yesterday, but not pointlessly reactive, and able to relax and enjoy the company of the other dogs. His mom and I had a lovely conversation while he and Addy had a great time playing. Having had to work hard to get Addy to the point where she can relax and enjoy the company of other dogs, I could really relate to what she's done with her dog.
A little while later, someone arrived with a big, yellow Lab. The Lab appeared to be calm and relaxed--until the little hairless Crested walked up in a relaxed, friendly way. The Lab looked, and stopped being relaxed, and barked. The Crested was startled and barked back briefly--and then retreated to go meet someone who did want to be friendly.
And what comments did I hear from the other people who saw this? Laughter, and "It's always the little ones!"
It was like they didn't even see what had really happened. There was barking, and there was a small dog, so the small dog must have started it! Can't have been the Lab; everyone knows that Labs are "real dogs," and friendly, right? |  |  | |  |
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