Would you consider that large and medium-sized dogs should be phased out?

compulsorily
And it might be was and not were

It's quite dark down the rabbit hole that is GN today.

Your posts made me smile Coastpath regarding the postie and she is just lovely.

Thanks lavendermine. We adore her.

Coastpath

Please don't ban me. I was originally an overpriced mongrel (JRT chihuahua mix up apparently), but then when I was 3 I ended up in a home and Mr & Mrs Coastpath came to rescue me. OK , I am a bit excitable and can be noisy but mostly I'm loving, fun and a very good girl.

She looks as if she's got a bit of corgi in her

She looks quite small, she can stay!

She's very small Callistemon21 or as someone once described her 'convenient'.

People often say she looks a bit corgi so you might be right. Royal blood?

I'm glad she can stay . All the dogs can stay - it'd be a sadder world without them large or small.

Yes, it would.
Just recovering from our energetic doggie visitor today ??

What a lot of ?!
I would suggest he does something more useful like stop pontificating if this is really how his little mind works!

I would like to see fewer irresponsible dog owners!
We have a near neighbour with 3 young children and a husky type dog that rarely gets a walk!

Rather phase out big humans than dogs, far more destructive and often aggressive.

Therapy dogs are also invaluable, giving comfort and hope in hospices, children's hospitals and care homes.

What rubbish! Big fat NO from me!

What a stupid idea my brother (Dog Handler in Police) would have looked a right idiot chasing after criminals with a Yorkie on a lead instead of his trusty German Shepard.
My late husbands favourite saying was "the more people I meet the more I love my dog" never a truer word said imo.

^^ no offence to Yorkies by the way I love them.

I doubt very much that Howell’s talking about working dogs. He’s just suggesting that when someone gets a new pet, they should perhaps consider a smaller one. We’re not going to get anywhere with the climate crisis if we can’t even have these discussions.

Maybe he should have considered getting rid of cats instead given that dogs can be vegetarian and can be fed a wide variety of food but cats have to eat meat. Not that I’m suggesting it: I love cats! I do worry about the amount of meat that I do feed my dog and have thought about trying that Bug Bites food that uses insects instead.

Maggiemaybe

I doubt very much that Howell’s talking about working dogs. He’s just suggesting that when someone gets a new pet, they should perhaps consider a smaller one. We’re not going to get anywhere with the climate crisis if we can’t even have these discussions.

That could be a bit contradictory because the golden retriever is one of the favourite pet dogs, but at the same time is very much a working dog. And big!

Why contradictory? Any breed of large dog could still be used as working dogs, in the roles that suit them so well.

I agree with you Sago.

I don't mind big dogs for some reason they seem to be quieter, less excitable and generally less bother- but the yappy little things people insist on walking on long invisible leads, or which are free just to criss cross in front of me as I'm walking, so I'm absolutely certain I'm going to fall over one, one day. Now! they're on my list!!!!

There’s a lot of dog owners that need training, especially in not hanging plastic bags full of dog excrement on bushes and trees, do they think a fairy flies down each evening and takes them away..
As for getting rid of larger dogs I can’t see that happening, but a lot don’t get the exercise they need, so unfair on the poor dogs.

Mokryna, it's a good idea generally. Pet food is a scandal , but I have enjoyed the company of dogs mainly big ones for fifty years. Smaller dogs consume less of other animals.

trisher

I don't mind big dogs for some reason they seem to be quieter, less excitable and generally less bother- but the yappy little things people insist on walking on long invisible leads, or which are free just to criss cross in front of me as I'm walking, so I'm absolutely certain I'm going to fall over one, one day. Now! they're on my list!!!!

Cats!

Do we need cats?
They kill other wildlife even though they are fed and pampered, they bring live birds and animals indoors then vomit the remains up after having a bite - what are they for?

Would we protect more wildlife if we phased out cats?

(Ducks for cover)

Working dogs are amazing, whether large or small, they should be encouraged.

Pet dogs should have £100 dog licence fee except for pensioners on low incomes who would have a much reduced rate. There are far too many dogs around.

Get rid of medium-sized and large dogs? No chance! I'd rather get rid of some humans instead, starting with dim witted town councillors.

Callistemon21 wash out your mouth! At least cats hunt and kill vermin. Cats would source their own food if unattended, dogs are hopeless without human intervention. I have neither, but if my son wasn't horrendously allergic to all animals it'd be cats all the way