Hey, Dog Owners – Ever Wondered What Non-Dog Owners Think of You?
Have you ever seen a flashy sports car whiz past and think certain thoughts about the driver? I’m sure I have before. And it probably was an inaccurate and potentially harmful stereotype. Like cars, dogs can say a lot about us. But increasingly, the mere act of dog ownership, as with car ownership, says something about the person. So what do people who have no particular interest in dogs think of us dog owners? Do they make assumptions about us based on our interest in dogs? Holly Kernot hit the streets to find out.It is a rainy Saturday morning, and Caroline is out with her dogs on the local dog walking circuit. The rain has forced her to pull her hoodie up, while her dog, Sam, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, seems unconcerned by the miserable weather and is having a great time. But as we approach other dog walkers, I notice that many make a concerted effort to avoid eye contact and to put plenty of space between us and them.
Unless, on the odd occasion , Caroline manages to catch their eye, whereupon she breaks into a big smile, and greets them good morning. With that, all tension seems to disappear, and the other dog walkers smile and carry on their merry way.
But why is this the case? Why does it appear that other dog owners are wary of Caroline and her Staffordshire Bull Terriers? If they took the time to know them, they would realise that Caroline is one of the friendliest people you are ever likely to meet, and her dogs, as she describes in her own words, are: ‘As soppy as anything’ and having been greeted by them on numerous occasions, I can testify to that. Indeed, I think the only danger they pose is that they may lick someone to death such is their overly agreeable disposition!
According to Caroline, it is because too many people nowadays are buying dogs as a fashion accessory, to portray a certain type of image. And in the case of certain breeds, this image seems to be to make said owner look ‘hard.’ And this really annoys Caroline. ‘‘A lot of people do seem to buy Staffordshire Bull Terriers because of the reputation and the kudos which comes with them.’’
It seems, as is always the case in such situations, that some bad press can cause major stereotyping, with all breeds, such as the terriers, being given a bad name, when this is unjust and rash.
However, it is not just Staffordshire Bull Terriers who are having a hard time. Non dog owners also stereotype other groups of dog owners, and you can be certain that everyone has an opinion. From those who are portrayed as ‘dog fanatics’ to those who have dogs.
One non dog owner, Jo, admires the dedication of those who own dogs: ‘‘I quite like dogs, and my heart goes out to the poor owners who trudge round the perimeter in the half-light whatever the weather.’’
And while she admires some dog owners, she also says: ‘‘I know some really pampered dogs who dominate their households and a couple of owners who clearly have no idea how miserable and lonely their pets are during the day.’’ (when they are out)
Interestingly, she also observes that there are some dog owners who: ‘‘Use them as excuses for not doing things they don’t want to do! Miraculously the dogs don’t always present obstacles to days out or duty visits, not always, just sometimes. I guess I divide them into good and bad owners.”
The division of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ dog owners is something that Caroline can relate to. She says: ‘When I hear that someone is getting a Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy, I think to myself ‘I hope you enjoy walking a lot’ because having a dog, any dog, is a big commitment and having to get up early and go for walks in the rain is not much fun, but if you choose to have a dog, that is what you must do, it is a commitment you make. It is a lifestyle choice.’’
Another interviewee, Mark, offers his opinion: ‘‘ I usually think of dog owners as normal people who want a pet. I thinks dogs make better companions than cats. In general my stereotype is of a person wanting companionship. Other people look upon them as status symbols I suppose. The young tough guy with the Staffy with a nail collar, who gets upset when people stroke the dog which enjoys the attention and doesn’t bite the hand of the passer by.’’
But of ‘poseurs’ he says: ‘‘I only think of them when I see them, not when talking to people in general about dog ownership. The stars who have the toy dogs in bags, that seems cruel, but is it? The dog is well looked after I suppose. Some people would probably view dogs as pets as a waste of time – they would go more for working dogs. Especially for hunting and that sort of thing. Collies of course are also working dogs are still used extensively in farming.’’
‘‘ I don’t think people are defined by dog-ownership. Of course you do tend to categorise people anyway, and that is done on the basis of what you perceive of them. There are a lot more harmful stereotypes out there.’’
One such stereotype is of the ‘handbag dogs’ often kept by celebrities. In discussions, interviewees referred to these as, and I quote: ‘‘Those snappy/yappy little things’’ whereby they meant Chihuahuas and other small breeds. This referral to the breed is a stereotype in itself and very interesting. Could it be though, that they are snappy because, well, they dwell in handbags, when they would much rather be walking along, as it is their nature to do?
Caroline, who is also a dog groomer by profession, says: ‘‘These people who have dogs as accessories rather than pets are irresponsible and don’t know how such treatment affects their health.’’
Perhaps one of the most surprising and strong viewpoints is held by Marie, a dog trainer by profession. She says: ‘‘I see some families with a pet dog and all they want is a dog to do what they want when they want and not be a bother to them when they have had enough of the dog for the day or have got better things to do.”
‘‘I meet dog owners who moan and complain their dog pulls, won’t come back, chases rabbits – why don’t these people try to understand how dogs learn, what their motivations are and treat them with the respect an intelligent being deserves and train them properly without the use of punitive methods – why wouldn’t the dog chase a rabbit?’’
‘‘I hear all the time the proud boast “I’ve got a working Lab, Collie, Springer, Cocker and so on, then they shut them up in a house all day, let a child bully and coerce the dog into doing stuff, call the dog an idiot when it won’t (doesn’t understand) do something – hello! a ‘working’ dog – what ever that means – needs mental, physical stimulation – a quality of life!’’
She then goes on to say, in a passionate tone: ‘‘Then there are the dog owners who never let their dog meet another dog and wonder why their dog is a loony – how would their mental state be if they never had any communication or connection with another human.’’
‘‘Owning a dog – sharing your life with a dog is a privilege and should be respected as such. If other people know you have a dog they assume it’s ok to stroke, feed or allow their dog to engage with your dog without asking if your dog is well or happy to be touched or allergic to any food.’’
Caroline can, again, relate to this scenario. She says: ‘‘Some people are so wary of my dogs that it verges on aggression. They tell me to get my dog away from their dog, even though it is their dog coming up to mine to investigate, but they fail to notice this.’’ Caroline most defiantly falls into the category of dog owners who wanted a dog because she loves them wanted their presence in her life. She conducted exhaustive research into the breed before acquiring a dog.
She read up on the common diseases and issues effecting the breed, such as rheumatism and heart murmurs. “I wanted the best for my dogs. As an owner, I try not to stereotype” but interestingly, she says: ‘‘But I am critical of some other Staffy owners because I know how much training is needed to own such a dog successfully and some people don’t do enough, they let the dog down and that causes problem from all of us who love the breed. You don’t get bad dogs, just bad dog owners.’’
After meeting Caroline, it is easy to quash all pre existing stereotypes relating to her and her dogs. It is clear that she loves her dogs and wants the best for them and has conducted the necessary research in order to care for them and give them the best quality of life possible.
Perhaps non dog owners are too quick to jump to conclusions when it comes to stereotyping dogs and their owners, because as Caroline demonstrates, not all such categorisations are true.
It just takes time to understand and to see beyond the pre existing images set by society, to get to know the real person and the real dog.
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