The look of puppy love
I'm writing an article on what it is that attracts us to the breeds we love and I'd really like your help!
And I'm just talking about an instinctual attraction rather than a cerebral one.
Not the dog that fits our life, the type of dog imprinted on our hearts.
Can you spare a few minutes to describe to me the dogs you instinctively adore?
For example I'm attracted to pretty much any shaggy dog. I just love their faces particularly. Be it that shaggy mutt in the Oreo commercials, a PBGV, a Spinone or a Beardie - I just love them all.
What's your type?
Are there some shapes of dog you could never love?
Forget temperament, I'm purely interested in looks here.
What are our dog prejudices?
For example, Pugs.
Do you find them ugly or beautiful?
Bull Terriers?
Freak or unique?
Wolfie-looking breeds.
Why do some people like ears up? Do you favour a gentle looking face or an assertive one?
Bassets
Why are you/aren't you attracted to sad looking dogs?
Round eyes, small eyes - human eyes - what sorts of expression do you feel drawn to?
I'm not asking you to interpret or theorise your prejudices - just own up to them! I know its terribly un-PC to say you don't like the way any dog looks, but I think we have to acknowledge we each have a definitive doggie type and it would be interesting to try to unpick the reasons why!
What is it about these unconventionally shaped dogs that some of us find attractive? Is it their vulnerability? Do we feel sorry for them when we look at them? Does it make us feel protective?
Do some people want a dog that will take care for them - while others want one they can nurture?
Do some people want an 'ugly' dog because they might have self-image problems themselves or are just tired of being judged by others according to their own level attractiveness?
Please do email me your inner most thoughts about why you are drawn to certain dogs and not others!
My email address is: beverley@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk
and you can be anonymous if you prefer - or very public. And if you send me good photos of you and your dogs we might put some of them in the magazine.
Can everyone just give me a quick soundbite on Pugs - do you love or loathe their looks? Nothing to do with temperaments or health, just purely aesthetics.
And I'm just talking about an instinctual attraction rather than a cerebral one.
Not the dog that fits our life, the type of dog imprinted on our hearts.
Can you spare a few minutes to describe to me the dogs you instinctively adore?
For example I'm attracted to pretty much any shaggy dog. I just love their faces particularly. Be it that shaggy mutt in the Oreo commercials, a PBGV, a Spinone or a Beardie - I just love them all.
What's your type?
Are there some shapes of dog you could never love?
Forget temperament, I'm purely interested in looks here.
What are our dog prejudices?
For example, Pugs.
Do you find them ugly or beautiful?
Bull Terriers?
Freak or unique?
Wolfie-looking breeds.
Why do some people like ears up? Do you favour a gentle looking face or an assertive one?
Bassets
Why are you/aren't you attracted to sad looking dogs?
Round eyes, small eyes - human eyes - what sorts of expression do you feel drawn to?
I'm not asking you to interpret or theorise your prejudices - just own up to them! I know its terribly un-PC to say you don't like the way any dog looks, but I think we have to acknowledge we each have a definitive doggie type and it would be interesting to try to unpick the reasons why!
What is it about these unconventionally shaped dogs that some of us find attractive? Is it their vulnerability? Do we feel sorry for them when we look at them? Does it make us feel protective?
Do some people want a dog that will take care for them - while others want one they can nurture?
Do some people want an 'ugly' dog because they might have self-image problems themselves or are just tired of being judged by others according to their own level attractiveness?
Please do email me your inner most thoughts about why you are drawn to certain dogs and not others!
My email address is: beverley@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk
and you can be anonymous if you prefer - or very public. And if you send me good photos of you and your dogs we might put some of them in the magazine.
Can everyone just give me a quick soundbite on Pugs - do you love or loathe their looks? Nothing to do with temperaments or health, just purely aesthetics.
Comments
I think pugs are gorgeous purely on an aesthetic level, the big eyes and the nose do it for me.
I don't find poodles or bedlington terriers attractive.
I do think though, when you love dogs you kind of have that so cute he's ugly thing going on, you might see a so-called "ugly" dog and still say "awww"
I also love the soft expression, floppy ears, and softness associated with each of those breeds too.
Not a huge fan of small dogs, or long haired dogs either.
I'm not at all keen on the way the Pug looks at all. I just don't like their squashed up face.
Facially I like Collie type noses, but then Collies are my faves. Eyes are very important. They need to be soft and warm, but intelligent!
In fact the only breeds I dislike are Dobermans, Rottweilers and Chinese Crested really. There are lots of others I dont agree with like the Pekinese, but I dont dislike them as such, just think they have too many health issues caused by our breeding methods.
I have always liked a dog that is fairly average in head phenotype - not too long and narrow in the muzzle, but not short either. The Siberian Husky and the Beagle I have always considered the most beautiful.
This did change up for a while when I became involved with a mentor and studied a certain breed a bit as suddenly the smooched square muzzles and padded eyes started to appeal. I believe I conditioned myself more to that look because it was correct for the breed I was interested in, even though I used to think it was ugly and used to think the "poorbreds" had much more visual appeal.