Is it wrong to make fun of a dog's appearance? (Better???)

I just wanted to say that I see a significant difference in making fun of a dog in a good-natured, well-meaning way (like most of the posters here: i.e.: "awwww he's so silly looking he's adorable!), and making fun of a dog in a mean way i.e. "Look at that dumb, ugly dog too stupid to not end up in the shelter!";) I think it's safe to say that (hopefully) all those who post on this board would never dream of saying anything like the latter statement about a shelter dog. It would be rude, ignorant, selfish, and downright cruel.

I am not above stating the obvious, for instance, in this case: "wow, that is one funny looking dog! *big smile* But I also think he is hopelessly adorable and would take him home in a second!"

If someone were to ask me out of context: "is it wrong to make fun of a shelter dog" I would automatically think of the second example I posted and say "YES!!". However, in this situation, in this way, I can't imagine why someone would have a problem with it!
 

PiedPiper522

I just wanted to say that I see a significant difference in making fun of a dog in a good-natured, well-meaning way (like most of the posters here: i.e.: "awwww he's so silly looking he's adorable!), and making fun of a dog in a mean way i.e. "Look at that dumb, ugly dog too stupid to not end up in the shelter!";) I think it's safe to say that (hopefully) all those who post on this board would never dream of saying anything like the latter statement about a shelter dog.

Agreed!

Yes, that dog is extremely goofy-looking. With a really sweet face. I think my little guy is pretty goofy-looking too, honestly. Those papillon ears, each one twice as big as the whole head? How is that not goofy? Doesn't mean it's not endearing or that I like my dog any less. Something can be both "cute" and "funny looking" at the same time - look at Dumbo or, for that matter, human babies!

PiedPiper522

 

I just wanted to say that I see a significant difference in making fun of a dog in a good-natured, well-meaning way (like most of the posters here: i.e.: "awwww he's so silly looking he's adorable!), and making fun of a dog in a mean way i.e. "Look at that dumb, ugly dog too stupid to not end up in the shelter!";) I think it's safe to say that (hopefully) all those who post on this board would never dream of saying anything like the latter statement about a shelter dog. It would be rude, ignorant, selfish, and downright cruel.

I am not above stating the obvious, for instance, in this case: "wow, that is one funny looking dog! *big smile* But I also think he is hopelessly adorable and would take him home in a second!"

If someone were to ask me out of context: "is it wrong to make fun of a shelter dog" I would automatically think of the second example I posted and say "YES!!". However, in this situation, in this way, I can't imagine why someone would have a problem with it!
 

I think your point should be that if the word "shelter" were excluded from the question, then the majority's response would be "no".  Right now when some one says shelter dogs I am picturing the dogs in Franklin County Animal Shelter in Illinois that have no shelter since mid November because the shelter burned down killing all the cats and some of the dogs.  Some dogs got burned and are "funny looking".  There is nothing funny about a shelter dog. 

 I am pretty well shocked at the negative responses to this thread. But then hey, I'm someone who likes tom point out that my (human) baby girl, when she was 4 weeks old, went through a phase of looking like an old Armenian man. (No, not an ethnic slur. I have a good deal of Armenian blood from my dad's side)

Life is too short not to giggle.

No, burnt dogs aren't funny. But this thread wasn't about burnt dogs, or barrels of bodies. This thread was a goofy, kind-hearted poke at a dog who is ... unique.

Frowning doesn't save dogs.  Laughing doesn't kill them.

Dog_ma

 I am pretty well shocked at the negative responses to this thread. But then hey, I'm someone who likes tom point out that my (human) baby girl, when she was 4 weeks old, went through a phase of looking like an old Armenian man. (No, not an ethnic slur. I have a good deal of Armenian blood from my dad's side)

Life is too short not to giggle.

No, burnt dogs aren't funny. But this thread wasn't about burnt dogs, or barrels of bodies. This thread was a goofy, kind-hearted poke at a dog who is ... unique.

Frowning doesn't save dogs.  Laughing doesn't kill them.

 

Great point and I agree. I'm not really surprised anymore when threads that seem benign stir up a bunch of controversy and criticism. I think some people are searching for it. I realize that we all see things thru our own personal viewfinder but I also think that anyone who knows Chelsea, knows she loves dogs and she started this thread with a lighthearted, dog-loving sentimentent. Not everything needs to be a lesson in the tragic, darker side of life.

 Yes, he is funny looking, but so are many purebred dogs.  Around here, its the funny looking dogs that get adopted first.  They are different so people tend to look at them and at least give them a chance.  Think of 3 lab mixes and then this guy...sure hes funny looking, but people think "oh, hes so funny looking, poor thing, lets at least give him attention." and then many times they realize they have great personalities.  Thats how it works at the shelters in this town at least.  I love the unique dogs and so do many people around here...especially college guys.  They tend to say "look what I have, a dog like no one else's" 

And, to prove my point...the OP didn't pick out an ordinary looking dog to share with all of dog.com, she picked a funny looking one.  So, because of that, people from all around the country were able to see this dog that needs a home.  His funny looks gained a lot of attention.

ColleenC

I love the unique dogs and so do many people around here. . .  His funny looks gained a lot of attention.

Hey, think it works that way for people, too?????? (...I'm gonna be a star! lol!)

ColleenC

 Yes, he is funny looking, but so are many purebred dogs. 

I'll agree.  But maybe what's funny looking is a function of what you're used to.  The last conformation show I went to, the bassett hounds were taking a very long time.  I watched them with their l-o-n-g ears, short, stubby legs,  and low slung long body.  Watched their lumbering gait, heavy footfall with droopy jiggling loose skin.  Pretty much the antithesis of my dogs. I asked my friend if she thought my basenjis looked funny to a bassett owner. 

Gosh, I wasn't going to post again until I saw that by thinking it's wrong to make fun of a shelter dog I was putting myself in some sort of purebreed snob camp.  Daisey Mae, long haired doxie, BC mix was a funny looking shelter dog....loved that girl dearly.....I've had a number of funny looking shelter dogs and rescues

Sorry, but it just hurt my heart to have that poor guy being made fun of.

I might think a dog looks odd if it is an odd mix. But I, too, can't seem to giggle about their mishappen cuteness. When the coworker R and I were at the ASPCA Dallas to fix some lights, we just had to walk through the kennel area. There was a Labradoodle (I think). He had a bark that could sound "scary." Evidently, he had outlived his "hypoallergenic" usefullness. He smelled pretty bad and evidently had not been groomed or bathed in quite some time.

At the Sherman Animal Shelter is a female Lab that, at 6 months, her owner had poured gasoline on her and set her on fire. He got a probated 6 month sentence and a fine. She cannot be adopted out. She is DA and HA. A vet did some reconstructive surgery but it holds her together and the state has decreed that she will live out her life there, I guess, as an example.

Some mixes are cute. Shadow's a mix and he is a pretty boy. And I agree that attention can give an otherwise looked-over dog a home. I just can't seem to laugh, not meaning to offend those who can. The question was, is it wrong etc. Some would think so. Sometimes, you ask a question and don't always get the answer you were expecting.

 Purebred snob...hmmm I find that to be offensive ..But thats ok..I have had my share of mixes and will continue to have them...The point is the subject was..Is it wrong to make fun of shelter dogs...The answer..YES...Now that the thread subject has been changed by the op...I might have said YES that is a funny looking little dog but look how adorable he is....Just like Ron said above you ask the question and dont always get the answer you were expecting

cakana

Dog_ma

 I am pretty well shocked at the negative responses to this thread. But then hey, I'm someone who likes tom point out that my (human) baby girl, when she was 4 weeks old, went through a phase of looking like an old Armenian man. (No, not an ethnic slur. I have a good deal of Armenian blood from my dad's side)

Life is too short not to giggle.

No, burnt dogs aren't funny. But this thread wasn't about burnt dogs, or barrels of bodies. This thread was a goofy, kind-hearted poke at a dog who is ... unique.

Frowning doesn't save dogs.  Laughing doesn't kill them.

 

Great point and I agree. I'm not really surprised anymore when threads that seem benign stir up a bunch of controversy and criticism. I think some people are searching for it. I realize that we all see things thru our own personal viewfinder but I also think that anyone who knows Chelsea, knows she loves dogs and she started this thread with a lighthearted, dog-loving sentimentent. Not everything needs to be a lesson in the tragic, darker side of life.

I'm totally with both of you here.  It's really sad when otherwise lighthearted threads get bogged down in negativity.

Yep, that dog is goofy looking and ubber cute!  Hopefully his unique look will help him find a unique home! 

Cazzy

Purebred snob

Those were not my words. Thanks for putting words in my mouth though guys, I appreciate it.

Cazzy

The point is the subject was..Is it wrong to make fun of shelter dogs...

GOOD GRIEF!! I wasn't REALLY asking that question! That was just the title of the thread, it was meant in a humorous eye-catching kind of way. I thought the dog was cute and goofy-looking, and I wanted to show my "friends" here. He literally looks like someone took a shar pei's ears, a pit bull's face, and a dachshund's body and glued them all together. THAT was the point of the thread, how funny genetics can be. Why didn't everything kind of even out in his generations of mixing? It's funny! I'm not laughing at the fact that he's in a shelter, OBVIOUSLY, I'm not saying he's ugly and laughing, in fact in my original post, I SAID he's cute. You people are ridiculous sometimes. Yes, accuse the mutt-loving long-time poster of hating shelter dogs, or making fun of their situation. THERE's some logic for ya.

You're original title, however, left room for questions.  I answered honestly.

There was also the comment that those who found it not right to make fun of shelter dogs were all purebred owners.....and that to me was a bit of an indictment.

Perhaps I am overly sensitive when it comes to the shelter dogs simply because so much of my time and energy goes into HELPING them.  The dogs I currently have in my home have absolutely nothing to do with how I feel about mixes.

FWIW, I thought that the ears were the result of a really BAD crop.

Chelsea, IMO, it's not worth it.  You don't have to defend yourself.  It's comical to me tha this thread turned into what it has.  Chillax guys, learn to laugh a little.