Something's been bugging me for the last couple of weeks. While speaking with a friend the other day the issue came up again. After the conversation I had more time to play with it and figure out what it was, specifically, that bothered me so much about it. By now you're probably thinking, "Okay! Out with it already, what's bugging you?!"
First, I want to say I really love and support organizations that present the concept that "dogs are individuals" because this really, in my opinion, is what needs to be stressed in today's society. Having said, I feel sometimes well meaning advocates of particular dog breeds, whether it be greyhounds, chihuahuas or "pit bull" type dogs, may actually be unintentionally hurting these dogs. Not because it is their intention, but because of the big love they feel for these dogs the concept that "dogs are individuals" gets muddied and turns into an illusion that "these dogs are perfect" or "perfect dogs for joggers" or "perfect couch potato dogs". "Dogs are individuals". I hate to be redundant, but when the message goes from that to something like "all these dogs are great exercise buddies" or "all these dogs are great couch potatoes" then you have unknowing people going out and getting these "exercise dogs" or "couch potato dogs" just to find out that their specific dog is not their "exercise buddy" or "couch potato".
I think the focus should be more on educating people and putting out the message, like crazy, that...guess what? "Dogs are individuals" not all chihuahuas are yappy, not all "pit bulls" were fighters or bait dogs. We need to see each dog individually and while we're at it we should promote realistic expectations. Rescue groups need to also type up more accurate descriptions of their dogs...a dog that is reactive towards other dogs is not a dog that loves everybody and everything! What's the use of adopting that dog out to then have it returned. Forget the fact that now that adopter has had a negative experience with that breed type AND rescue group.
So what's bugging me is that some of the same people advocating for dogs are hurting their very image and have gone from one end of the spectrum to the other.
