Do you get offended if????

Just wondered on others thoughts here, this is just a general question

I just wondered if you get offended at all that people, don't like your chosen breed of dog? I guess don't like is too harsh a term, I mean basically if your breed isn't the breed for others. Included is different sized dogs too

A work colleague of hubby's prefers little dogs to big dogs. They were discussing dogs at work the other day and, the man was saying. Oh no no way I wouldn't have a big dog, nope little ones for me. Then he stopped and said to hubby. Oh I'm sorry mate, I didn't mean any offence at all. Hubby laughed and said none taken whatsoever. Big dogs aren't for everyone, neither are little ones.

On the other scale, the dog club my neighbour goes too, a lady that attends, has Weims. God help you if you don't like Weims LOL. She adores her dog, and loves the breed, but actually takes offence if you say you don't like them, or aren't for you. I haven't met her but my neighbour point blank stated, (very politely) though that She isn't fond of weims, and they aren't the dog for her. She said I don't dislike them, but they just aren't my choice of breed. The woman got offensive as per usual, but my neighbour stayed calm and said, "I understand your love for the breed, but I just don't share it, and there's nothing wrong with that either"

The woman was actually silenced, but walked off in a huff none the less
I just thought it a tad amusing LOL.

I know it's different of course if someone doesn't like your dog personally, and makes a point of belittling the dog, or anything like that. I wouldn't tolerate that though, unless of course your dog has taken the persons arm off or something LOL.

So yeah just casual, curious thought on your opinions

Thanks

Carolyn

I'm actually glad that some people realize herding breeds (especially Border Collies) aren't right for them. I am totally happy when some one asks how much exercise/training Gonzo needs, and I tell them, and they admit that they'd need much more time & experience to own a BC. Most people are actually pretty shocked by how calm Gonzo is with people, because they think BC's must be hyper & jumpy just because they're high energy, and a lot are used to seeing neurotic, untrained Border Collies, unfortunately.

Not at all. Border Collies aren't suitable pets for most people and I'm glad people realize that. Now, if they have tons of misconceptions about the breed and are spewing misguided "advice" all over the place about a breed they don't have, then I might step in and correct them.

I would just as soon that 99.5% of the population realize that my breed isn't for them - because it isn't

Unfortunately, almost everyone who meets Kharma, and most who meet Shiva, think they want one They have NO idea, lol! All they see is the "company manners."

No, I don't mind. I've seen people get into huge fights over it though, when someone declares that they dislike another person's breed.

It's nice people know what is not for them, but it is kind of rude the way people word it sometimes.

Like....

I personally wouldn't own a pitbull. (sorry to the pit owners out there) They're not the breed for me and I don't think they'd fit in my lifestyle.

That's a fine way to word something.

Things that have the potential to hurt are when people say things like...

I don't like shelties. (I'll pick on one of my own breeds here) They're stupid and yappy annoying little dogs. I don't understand why anyone would want them.

That could be hurtful.

You have to be practical and realize that the dog for you isn't the dog for most other people. However, watch how you say things to others.

I'm a toy owner, and I do get a lot of 'toys are ugly/pointless/stupid/I hate little dogs' etc

They bounce off after a while

How boring would the world be if everyone liked the same thing?

No, not really. When your favourite breed is the Toller you kind of expect to get a bunch of odd comments. Most people don't like them it seems because they have flesh coloured noses. They say they look like hamsters, mutts, etc. Some people say they've never seen such an ugly breed in their life. People do tend to like the ones with black noses (I don't care for them at all though, just because I like dogs whose pigment blends with the coat) because they think it's a mini Golden. If people don't like my chosen breed, oh well. I love them and in all honestly, prefer that people don't care for their looks (or very energetic temperament) because that way they have less of a chance of getting extremely popular. I don't like all breeds and never will, so why should I expect everyone to like my breed of choice?

Nope, I don't take offense at all. And I don't try & force anyone to like them either. Having APBTs, all I can do is put the accurate info out there & do my best to educate, but I refuse to condemn someone for not liking them. Heck, there are some breeds I wouldn't touch with someone else's arm.

I think it's great that you can form your own opinion on it. No need to be hurt if it's not the breed for you. I am tired though of "OMG it's a cocker, keep your devil dog away from my fifi" or "ohh those are the aggressive terrors that hate children right?"

I've had many people who strongly disliked cockers, met Cider and found their thoughts on the breed were sterotypes, not truth. And while cockers weren't for them, they found they weren't the dogs they thought.

i'm not bothered at all if people aren't interested in owning pit bulls. heck, i wish LESS people wanted pit bulls. pit bulls would be infinitely better off for it. but i do get my panties very wadded when people proclaim that pit bulls are evil/vicious/dangerous/weapons of mass destruction/should be banned/should be killed/etc etc etc because i love this breed like crazy, and i love my dogs like crazy, and they are not any of those things.

there are breeds that i don't particularly like, and even more that i have no desire to own. i think anybody who is realistic about their needs and wants when it comes to dogs is like that. and that's fine. that's why there are so many different breeds out there.

I do not get offended at all! Just like some others said, I wish alot less people liked my breeds of choice. They are both very popular and therefore are very overbred and now both breeds are experiencing problems for the very fact that they were once very popular.
Sorry to say Labs are a dime a dozen. And the temperment of the average lab today is not what it is supposed to be. And really it is the same with GSD's. Not to mention the "variety" in looks of each breed.

Exactly. As others have said, I think it is a good thing when people recognize that a breed isn't for them; then it's just a matter of being polite about it.

Thanks for all the replies, on your views everyone. I absolutely agree. And in response to the one that said the way you say it is very important I agree too.

There are many dogs that aren't for me and my family, for my benefit and for the breed. Working dogs are one of them such as Borders. Beautiful loving gorgeous dogs, but they require what I can't give them.

In that case I would say, your dog/dogs are beautiful, they are a lovely breed but just not for me. It's how you say it isn't it? Besides I like to think that to a responsible loving owner, there is a breed be it pedigree or cross, out there for them somewhere

Thanks again all, I love getting opinions and insight

That Weim afficionado you described is a bit off the wall.

No it wouldn't bother me in the least if somebody didn't care for Collies or think they were the dog for them. There are some breeds I wouldn't even consider having as mine either, but that's what makes the world go 'round.

I don't get offended, unless I am talking about one of my favorite breeds, or one of my dogs, and somebody says to my face, "Oh, that breed is crap." A nice, polite "Oh, not my favorite breed," or something will do.

Hi Carolyn!

I'm A LITTLE offended if people don't like Pitties, ONLY if they don't like them because of ignorant fear, or because of the bad rap they get.

There are LOTS of breeds I don't like, and I'm entitled to my opinion, as is everyone else. As long as you either keep it to yourself, or say it in a way that you don't offend anybody! LOL!

I'm not a fan of Shih Tzu's..well, I met one today....an he was THE cutest fluffy dog I've ever seen! He had one blue eye! He was just the sweetest thing. So, It really depends on the dog, not necessarily the breed.

BUT, I have a thing against Labs and Retreivers No offense. It's a preference. So, to answer the original question, unless someone's rude about it, I don't have a problem.

Like Elegy said, I'd prefer if certain people didn't like the Bullies too

But I love everything!

Tosca'smum yep she certainly is a bit off the wall. Most at the club don't comment, but my neighbour felt she must although politely.


Cheetah thats very true, I would feel my dog was being attacked if someone made a comment like that. Tact and politeness does much to create harmony, even when your opinion, and what you like and dislike is being discussed

Hiya Liz

Yep I hear ya, I guess we all agree that being polite, is the best way to go. I know the weim lady is probably not an often occurence, but someone also said they've seen fights over likes and dislikes about certain breeds. Life is too short isn't it? All animals are lovely, just not as lovely for some hehe

MyIrishWolfie, a good example. I love Saints, but know nothing about the breed really. I could say yep get a saint I adore them, but that's not practical if I know nothing of the breed, or I'm not sure I can cater to it's needs to care for it properly

Exactly

No.. I don't get offended. I understand that Wolfhounds are Saints aren't for everyone.

The only time I get offended is when people insist that my dog is a Border Collie, or that Aussies and BC's are the same, they just dock the tails of one so they can call it something different and charge more money. I had to bite my tongue so hard when I heard that the other day...

But no, I know everyone has their preference and since I dislike a few breeds rather strongly, I can't get offended if someone exercises that same right.

I don't care if they like them, but get angry if they make fun of them or call them ugly.

On more than one occasion I've heard "I don't like the Collie's long nose, do you?" Duh - if I didn't like it, I wouldn't have it. What kind of question is that to ask the person that owns the dog?? THAT'S the type of thing that bothers me, but that's just stupid people.