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

I don't always like to compare with other countries but in Europe actually Romania, Poland, Germany and others have a higher % of dog ownership than we do in the UK. And big dogs at that! USA probably has the most.

It’s not either or though, is it? We’ve all surely got to look for ways to get our own carbon footprint down, and consider any suggestions, not dismiss them out of hand or scoff. If anyone suggested that motorists should choose smaller vehicles there’d be uproar about that as well.

Sorry, that was to EV’s post re cars.

Would this then be extended to Humans??

Blondiescot

Chestnut - but once again, it all comes down to the owners. Who's to say that those dogs, in the hands of a loving and, more importantly, responsible, owner would not have been completely different. I've seen dogs which were traumatised and terrified - and probably appeared to be vicious because of that - transformed into loving family pets through long hard work and determination.

Exactly. We have all seen irresponsible owners and the way they treat their dogs. No bad dogs just idiots who can’t be bothered to train their dogs properly.

I have been absolutely amazed at the number of dogs I now see compared to before lockdown. The good thing about this explosion in dog ownership is that they are almost all small breeds, Pugs, Terriers, Springers.

Blondiescot Of course a dog will reflect the owner, so kind loving owner = kind loving dog. We all get that. The problem is the nasty dogs are with nasty owners so how do you get them out of their hands and into the hands of a nice owner? In most cases you can't, the dog will stay with the nasty owner and may end up killing a child or another dog in the park.

Phew! My dogs ok as she's only little ! No, I think that we should stop all leisure air travel. That should help the planet, packed honeypots, Venice from sinking etc.

What on earth for? Where would this end? Other animals, people? Stupid idea.

We could ban meat altogether in commercial dog food. They'd be quite happy as vegetarians. Cats are true carnivores, though.

I think there should be much tighter controls on all dog breeding and sales. Unfortunately this would probably create a black market which would be worse. Sterilisation of pets should be encouraged, our vet has an amnesty every year where she offers this service at a much reduced rate.

No, but I think there should be regulations around the breeds and numbers of dogs people should be allowed keep in built up areas and apartment blocks. Out of consideration for the dogs, and the unfortunate neighbours.

I’d like cruelty sorted out. In China dogs are kept in cages, inhumanly killed, skinned and eaten. A neighbour has an Old English Shepdog rescued from there. Others have dogs rescued from the streets of Greece etc. In this country dogs (and other pets) are mistreated and in a terrible state. Perhaps rather than restrict the size of dog we should restrict who can have a dog?

I wonder if the old requirement for a dog licence had any effect on the numbers of dogs? There is terrible cruelty to dogs and other animals throughout the world and unlicensed puppy farms which keep breeding bitches in appalling conditions cater to the seemingly insatiable demand for cute puppies, many of which quickly grow into unwanted and untrained dogs.

It would help if people were more responsible, researched before buying a fluffy puppy. You need to be prepared to train, immunise, exercise etc for 15 years
The number of posts on Facebook dog groups where owners describe their tiny pups as aggressive or stubborn is awful

Just going to say the same thing about the FB posts Iam64 people expecting puppies to be house trained within days, keeping them in crates for extended periods etc. No one seems to just enjoy their puppies. Two of our much loved dogs died within the last year aged 15 & 16. We would give anything to have them back as puppies.

O
Don't smaller dogs, and cats, consume the same products?
What about cows? Are they to be phased out because they fart? If so, then my life is in danger!!
Other animals that eat meat?

NO!! I think it's wrong. What would be the next thing after those dogs, because we know for sure it wouldn't stop there!!!

Soda pop I empathise. Our big kind gentle clever labradoodle died 18 months ago leaving a huge hole in our lives.
I must be Ms mad dog woman because six months later I bought a lab puppy. Only my third pup in forty seven years of rescuing and fostering. He’s a giant hooligan teenager snd I’m relieved he isn’t my first ?

I am surprised that our puppy, 7 months, is now the size of a horse. He had a check up at the vet's the other day and she said he was at the bottom of his weight range though I can't see how with the amount he eats. He is very athletic and bouncy though.
My husband is 6 2" tall and strong, his excuse was he would look daft with a small dog on a pretty lead so big we got!

Josieann- what breed?
My year old lab is huge. 35 kg and sleek n lean. Walking him since adolescence hut can be more challenging than walking a pony

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202201/medium-847755-20220124-194731.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202201/medium-958789-img-20211206-wa0006.jpg

Iam64 he is a golden retriever, of the working type. 22.5 kilos but long legs and fast. Here at 6 months.
Think gazelle!

What a beauty. He and my lab would love racing on that beach

I have a black Lab who is a year old in a couple of weeks, and he's around 32kg, but lean.

My lab is show type so bigger than most working types but he’s lean. I don’t want my dogs overweight

Beautiful boy Blondiescot.
Yes, lean is key.