Why do Americans love dogs so much?

[Anonymous]

They’re for the feeble minded or anxious who are unable to meaningfully connect with other humans. The dumb animal is more “on their level” and simpler to interact with. That’s a lot of people nowadays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s not to love? They love their families unconditionally.

So do babies? And also, a baby has never mauled its family

Children kill their parents all the time.

I think you are kidding but this is actually incredibly rare.

Dog bites are super common, though. I like dogs but most dogs could be provoked into biting a human without that much effort (even well behaved dogs-- they are animals with an attack instinct if they are sufficiently threatened), whereas most children simply don't have the means to murder someone even if given a good reason to do so.

Have you ever breastfed a teething infant? Child bites happen all the time, and without provocation. One of the most relevant situations is the common one of a toddler who bites other toddlers in daycare.

Compare bites to bites.

[Anonymous]

People love dogs all over the world but I feel like in this country, they expect strangers to love their dog as well.
Many times I've been on a walk and a strange dog runs up to me and the owners gives me an expectant look with eyebrows raised, like they are waiting for me to pet the dog and compliment the dog. I usually just say excuse me and keep walking and they inevitably look disappointed.
Next door neighbor brought home a brand new, 100 pound dog from the shelter and expected me and my toddler to come over and frolic with the dog. I said I didn't feel at all comfortable and she got insulted! "If you're afraid of dogs or the kid is, this is the perfect dog to get you over that fear."

[Anonymous]

Because American dogs > all other dogs.

Just kidding! All dogs are awesome and from what I see are beloved around the world. And in my opinion there are many other countries where they are even more accepted into daily life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People love dogs all over the world but I feel like in this country, they expect strangers to love their dog as well.
Many times I've been on a walk and a strange dog runs up to me and the owners gives me an expectant look with eyebrows raised, like they are waiting for me to pet the dog and compliment the dog. I usually just say excuse me and keep walking and they inevitably look disappointed.
Next door neighbor brought home a brand new, 100 pound dog from the shelter and expected me and my toddler to come over and frolic with the dog. I said I didn't feel at all comfortable and she got insulted! "If you're afraid of dogs or the kid is, this is the perfect dog to get you over that fear."

Right. This is the question OP should have asked, but it is indeed a different question.

[Anonymous]

I don't think they do? Americans are much more hostile towards dogs than most of Western Europe where they're allowed in restaurants, trains, busses, hotels, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s not to love? They love their families unconditionally.

Fur, smells, barking, jumping up on people, sniffing crotches, eating poop.

Humand do to this plus murder, rape, wars, kill off species etc etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s not to love? They love their families unconditionally.

So do babies? And also, a baby has never mauled its family

There have definitely been children that have harmed and destroyed families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think they do? Americans are much more hostile towards dogs than most of Western Europe where they're allowed in restaurants, trains, busses, hotels, etc.

Dogs are beloved everywhere, it's why they were domesticated some 30,000 years ago. But certainly in Western Europe they are welcome in places they are not welcome in US. I wonder if OP has ever traveled outside the US.

I have cats but understand the love for dogs even though I also understand how some people don't love their negatives, especially in a dog with problems (anxiety, aggressiveness, hyper-activity, owners who don't train or restrain). Dogs can bring so much happiness, love, wagging tails, cute eyes, affection, silliness, company. They can be so trusting of their humans. In a way my cats are not, lol. I think cats are hilarious especially mine, but I do miss that unqualified affection that dogs are so good at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like dogs perfectly fine, but I don’t get why it seems to be such a thing for Americans to be so enamored of dogs.
It seems like it’s more acceptable to say that you don’t like children than admit that you don’t care for dogs. This doesn’t seem to be as prevalent in other countries. Why is this?

There are lots of people who hate them.

Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like dogs perfectly fine, but I don’t get why it seems to be such a thing for Americans to be so enamored of dogs.
It seems like it’s more acceptable to say that you don’t like children than admit that you don’t care for dogs. This doesn’t seem to be as prevalent in other countries. Why is this?

There are lots of people who hate them.

Why?

+1. Excluding the owners who don’t follow the rules, etc. why do so many people, ESPECIALLY on this site hate dogs? In real life I don’t know many people at all who dislike them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like dogs perfectly fine, but I don’t get why it seems to be such a thing for Americans to be so enamored of dogs.
It seems like it’s more acceptable to say that you don’t like children than admit that you don’t care for dogs. This doesn’t seem to be as prevalent in other countries. Why is this?

There are lots of people who hate them.

Why?

+1. Excluding the owners who don’t follow the rules, etc. why do so many people, ESPECIALLY on this site hate dogs? In real life I don’t know many people at all who dislike them.

Because we're forced to be (fake) polite about it in public. Even good dog owners hate those of you who are rude.

And the dog owners who don't follow rules of consideration, are overwhelming. They are, unfortunately, the majority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like dogs perfectly fine, but I don’t get why it seems to be such a thing for Americans to be so enamored of dogs.
It seems like it’s more acceptable to say that you don’t like children than admit that you don’t care for dogs. This doesn’t seem to be as prevalent in other countries. Why is this?

There are lots of people who hate them.

Why?

+1. Excluding the owners who don’t follow the rules, etc. why do so many people, ESPECIALLY on this site hate dogs? In real life I don’t know many people at all who dislike them.

Because we're forced to be (fake) polite about it in public. Even good dog owners hate those of you who are rude.



And the dog owners who don't follow rules of consideration, are overwhelming. They are, unfortunately, the majority.

I have a dog and get frustrated with those who don’t follow the rules. But I still love dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like dogs perfectly fine, but I don’t get why it seems to be such a thing for Americans to be so enamored of dogs.
It seems like it’s more acceptable to say that you don’t like children than admit that you don’t care for dogs. This doesn’t seem to be as prevalent in other countries. Why is this?

There are lots of people who hate them.

Why?

I've been bitten by a dog.

I do not want your dog approaching me, when I'm minding my business on the right side of a path or sidewalk. Yes, I know most dogs won't bite, but I'm not psychic and do NOT want to be sniffed or approached by your random dog, who I do not know.

Think of it like this - have you ever been sexually assaulted? Obviously most men in public are decent men, but do you want random men who you do not know, to just come right up and invade your personal space? Of course you don't. Because like me with dogs, you're not psychic about total random men.

Don't forget the barking, peeing on people's yards, leaving of dog poop bags, bringing your dog with you everywhere inappropriately, etc. SO many dog owners are beyond rude. I would argue that they are in the majority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s not to love? They love their families unconditionally.

So do babies? And also, a baby has never mauled its family

Children kill their parents all the time.

Grown children, yes. I’m talking about babies/ young children. The ones who still love their parents unconditionally. Read my post.