Dog People, Cat People, Any This or That People

United Kingdom
March 4, 2013 12:32pm CST
It occurred to me today that when I say that I don't like dogs, I am criticised for it questioned as to why, told I must be uncaring or something. I've heard and seen many such statements which seem to presume that anyone who doesn't like dogs must somehow be a bad person. The thing I noticed, though, is that it only seems to be 'dog people' who do this. And it only works one way around. What I mean is, I have never had anyone say "how can you not like cats?" or horses or rabbits or anything else. Nor have I (or anyone else I know of) questioned why anyone DOES like a certain animal. So, my question is this: why might this be the case? Is it that 'dog people' are more passionate about their pets than others?
4 responses
@p1kef1sh (45681)
4 Mar 13
Woof woof ruff ruff....her....CATS!!!!!! Ruff Ruff...wooooooofffff...woof.
1 person likes this
• United Kingdom
4 Mar 13
Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, I only speak human languages. English is preferable although I could manage French, Spanish, German or American. :) :P
@p1kef1sh (45681)
4 Mar 13
I think that what my pooch meant was 'cats are yuk and dogs are fab'. Personally I do not find cats attractive. But horses for courses.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
4 Mar 13
I am a parrot person - I adore birds but especially parrots as they fall in love with you and then talk. I use to get a better welcome home from my parrots than from my three teenage sons I love dogs too but am not allowed to keep any where I live
1 person likes this
@Torunn (8609)
• Norway
30 Apr 13
As a horse person who prefer cats to dogs, I can sympathize with that. Most of my horse person friends like dogs, but I don't really want more than one animal that I have to train. My friends tend to get a bit worked up when they start nagging about how I should get a dog, and I tell them I can't be bothered. If I ever get a house where the cat can be outside, I'll get one, but as it is, I'm happy without a dog :-)
1 person likes this
@Torunn (8609)
• Norway
30 Apr 13
Horse portrait - Horse portrait of a Norwegian fjord
The horse very much agrees that I don't need more than one animal, as he thinks I don't spend enough time with him :-)
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
5 Mar 13
Well I know for one that I too don't like dogs, doesn't matter if they are small, medium or large dogs, I just don't feel comfortable around them, but I put this down to being frightened as a small child by my aunties dog, and I was told off for being scared of it! It bit me a few times, the damn thing, I can still remember it's name Shadow. I am a cat person through and through, but you are right, people seem to accept it when you say you are not a cat person, maybe it's due to people being allergic to cats, you hear of this more than being allergic to dogs. Dogs are also supposed to be man's best friend, but why not cats? Although I believe The Egyptians worshipped the cat and not the dog. It does seem very biased though.
• United Kingdom
5 Mar 13
I'm sure there are as many people allergic to dogs as cats. I know a few people who are allergic to both. I have not had any experience of a cat jumping up me and its owner telling me it's ok! I think the thing with man's best friend is that cats are far too independent for that and not easily led into doing others' bidding!
@marguicha (215481)
• Chile
4 Mar 13
I have not noticed that. But I did notice (when I made a post about something else) that many people are scared of dogs (a lot more people that the ones that mentiones spiders or reptiles of any kind). I am not a dog lover, but I have loved dearly some dogs (a few). It happens to me with people too. I respect people, but only love a few.
1 person likes this
• United Kingdom
4 Mar 13
There are a lot of people who are scared of dogs as well as many who just don't like them. And I am sure there are even people who do like dogs who don't appreciate having others' animals run about and jump up them. To me, it makes a lot more sense to be afraid of a dog than a spider. Dogs run up to people, spiders tend to run away. And I'm sure there are far fewer people injured, maimed or killed by spiders than dogs!