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

It’s not a ridiculous post (or thread). It asks for comments on something which had been suggested. The OP didn’t endorse the suggestion.

I would rather consider phasing out Mark Howell and his ilk

I haven’t got a dog but think they have, as sentient beings, as much right to exist as we have. After all it’s us humans who are causing much of the damage to the planet and I wonder what evidence there is for their paw print being that of an SUV?

I always preferred the larger breeds until circumstances led me to adopt a 7 year old Jack Russell. This small dog demands much more attention than my lurcher did. Also I am continually grateful I have a large garden for his energetic ball games. To sum up, much depends on the breed and age of the small dog.

Farzanah

I haven’t got a dog but think they have, as sentient beings, as much right to exist as we have. After all it’s us humans who are causing much of the damage to the planet and I wonder what evidence there is for their paw print being that of an SUV?

Dr Google says that there have been several studies.

This article quotes data from The New Scientist, and links to various studies. I found it quite interesting.

mossy.earth/guides/lifestyle/pet-carbon-footprint

Nobody’s talking about stopping dogs existing, btw.

My previous dogs have all enjoyed a lot of off lead walks. I often had 3, sometimes my own 3, other times 2 of mine and a foster.
I still walk the same areas but sadly, if I’ve two or 3 (daughters dog) with me, only 1 is off lead at any time. My young lab isn’t allowed off lead, other than in an enclosed field. He’s too big, too boisterous yet and our walks are now full of dogs like him, except they’re off lead causing mayhem.

My dog is rarely on a lead. She's 12 and trots along happily besides me like a dowager duchess.

For those worried about dogs in parks, don't most childrens' play area have a dog ban anyway? The two in our town do and the beach is dog free from Easter until October. Plenty of very safe, clean places for children to play. Plenty of room for us all and our kids and dogs to just muddle along happily.

Coastpath I know from experience that dog owners use banned areas where children play. Mostly when no-one is looking. And a toddler walking in the park should not be confined only to the children's play area. We wanted to walk through the park as the play area wasn't great.

Might as well say we should phase out all obese humans. Stupid man.

Well that's a great shame Chestnut. The play areas here are fenced off and there's plenty of space outside it to exercise dogs. I often see a dog tied up outside whilst families play on the swings. What possesses people to take their dog in the play area I have no idea. But then, I have no idea why some people don't train their dogs, pick up after them or do so then leave the bag to fester. There's no cure for people.

I'm not saying children's playgrounds Coastpath but banned areas where children play. There is a church green here (fenced off but with open gates) which says 'No Dogs' but dog walkers use the green. It's also where the Brownies and other groups of children sit and play on the grass. This is of course a health risk.

I presume the dog owners here know about toxocariasis. At least I hope so. The problem is that it often goes undiagnosed because it's not suspected as a cause of illness.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/toxocariasis/

I'm not dismissing the risks around toxocariasis, but what about families who have children and dogs? Isn't there a risk there too? And neither am I for one moment condoning owners who don't pick up after their dogs - they give responsible owners, like me, a bad name.

My quite large dog has allergies and eats a vegan diet of pea protein food. She is very bright eyed and bushy tailed. Dogs are omnivores by nature and don't need to live on meat.

I give my dog either fresh meat or Lily's Kitchen. LK do some vegan foods and I threaten her with them every time I order more supplies! Perhaps I should just buy a couple of tins to see if she will eat them - she is the proverbial 'dustbin', loves her food.

Isn’t there a worry that pea protein can cause heart disease in some dogs?

Is there? That's interesting.

NO.

There was a concern that grain free food could cause heart problems but that was only food produced in America where they substituted pea protein. Or so I read a year or so ago.

Is anyone else reminded of the scene in that film (can’t remember the title!) where Pauline Collins replaces the neighbour’s dog’s veggie dinner with the steak that’s supposed to be for her husband?
And husband then kicks off because it’s not the day for ‘chips and egg’?

Shirley Valentine - easy watching, anything on a Greek island ??

Thanks, Iam64!
I’m getting terrible at remembering book/film titles.

Joanathan Gullis, the Tory MP for Stoke on Trent North, talking about his dogs being off lead in a park.

twitter.com/bmay/status/1486349166565601281

Coastpath

Joanathan Gullis, the Tory MP for Stoke on Trent North, talking about his dogs being off lead in a park.

twitter.com/bmay/status/1486349166565601281

What a strange post from Jonathan Gullis. I don’t know whether dogs were allowed off lead in the park, neither does he. He’s accusing the person who reported him as being a Labour counsellor or supporter. Why does he reach that conclusion?
I’m a dog owner, I walk my dogs but I always know whether Dogs have to be on lead. It’s my responsibility

I love dogs but some people don’t. I’m not a dog owner but a friend walks her DDs large dog, off the lead, in our big local park which does have signs to keep dogs on leads. I think she is irresponsible and have mentioned it to her.
Adults and kids cycle in the park & dogs running free can cause collisions, frighten children/adults when running up to them, or in some cases jumping on them, and owners dont always spot the dog defecating in order to pick up. She has on more than one occasion lost the dog which won’t come to call if distracted!

Oh dear. A dog which can’t be relied on to come when called really shouldn’t be off the lead when people or other dogs are around.