Last time I checked my dogs still had four legs, four paws, two ears, two eyes, a nose, a mouth, fur and a tail.
Their internal temperature is between 99 °F and 102.5 °F, and their sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times as sensitive as mine – all scientific characterization that do indeed make them, a dog.
Yet, society says other wise, because at 12 and 13 pounds, respectfully, they, are not a dog.
After 7 years of living with Toby, I’ve heard it all. Friends have called him “a little shit,” he’s been called, “not a real dog,” and of course anything under 25 pounds is just not “respectable.”
Stop. Just stop.
It’s rude, annoying and hurtful, not just to the dog but to me. You’re not insulting the dog, you’re insulting me, and my choices.
They will still bring you the ball to play with, lick your face and wag their tail when they see you. I, on the other hand, will not be as forgiving.
I will fully admit that I didn’t want a little dog. But not because it was a “little shit,” but because I wanted a dog for protection, to do a lot of out door activities with and very honestly, because my parents wouldn’t let me have a golden retriever growing up. Instead we had a Lhasa Apso, and I had to get my golden “fix” when I was at my aunt’s farm.
Call it rebellion.
Well, I fell in love with Toby and that all changed. And, then Maddux.
Both of these dogs have their issues, but they are still dogs. They have exposed me to so many experiences, people and places. And, because of their size, they have been able to come with me a bunch of places. From a boat ride in Maine to a first class seat on a flight to Florida.
And, Toby, he is a little protector. Sometimes to a fault, but if I were ever in danger, I would want Toby on my side.
Are there specific dog breeds that I am not a fan of? Absolutely. But, I don’t go around calling those dogs names or insulting their owners. They are still dogs.
Just like everything else, you don’t know what a person is going through or their circumstances. I love Bernese Mountain dogs, would I own one? Likely not right now. Their size doesn’t fit my space and their food bills are a little out of my budget.
When I got Toby, I was told I was allergic to dogs, plus I was living at my dad’s house – a place that is definitely not set up for a large dog and has my dad in it — someone who is also very allergic to dogs. That narrows down your choices.
Just because they are not 50-pound mutts, doesn’t mean they can’t do things. My dogs go kayaking with me, Toby has hiked a mountain in Maine with me, Maddux walks several miles with me the mornings and will eventually be an agility dog who is likely faster than you at running a mile.
I hear your pain. it seems like dogs, in general, are ALL discriminated against in some ways. When you have a big or even a medium sized dog, they are not allowed in some hotels, on trains, and on different modes of transportation (in flight on planes in the cabin) if they are more than 25 pounds. Some people think big dogs are not dogs but horses. Plus, some dog breeds of big or medium sized dogs are accused of being vicious, aggressive, mean, and fighting dogs (pit bulls, which are not a breed, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and others). Yes, I do hear derogatory remarks made against small dogs AND big and medium dogs. People who says stuff like that are just either not dog lovers, ignorant or uneducated. Perhaps they should leave dogs alone and let dogs be dogs, whatever their size, breed, or temperament. In a perfect world, yes. But in this one, oh well.