Handbag dogs

[snowmuzzle]

I read an article in a magazine the other day about so-called handbag dogs-- tiny dogs like pugs and chihuahuas that are used like fashion accessories and are kept cramped in a handbag all day. A lot of celebrities caught onto the craze, and it has provoked many people to do such things, even if they know nothing about a dog's needs. Dogs need excercise, love and things to do, or they become vicious, neurotic and unhealthy, and I am sure that many an innocent dog has been put down when it decided to take a stand against being stuck in a bag all day. I think there should be more awareness of things like this, then people might think twice before treating there dogs like a fashion item!

[skunkstripe]

You won't get any argument from me on that one! I think dogs were meant to walk on the ground on all fours and not be toted around. Worse, people with small dogs seem to think that because they fit in a purse that they have a right to enter places that larger dogs cannot.
And then there are the so-called 'teacups' for people who think a five-pound dog is too big.
Yes celebrities sometimes set an awful example :mad: and I don't understand how people can blindly emulate them.

[KatzNK9]

Oh my! I can only echo what you've already said above (unless you want me to start using "bad words").

[Mahooli]

Can only agree with the above. Dogs have legs for a reason, but then so do we and loads of people seem to forget that too lol!
Becky

[skunkstripe]

Oh my! I can only echo what you've already said above (unless you want me to start using "bad words").

No "bad word" please! :D If you feel the urge, that's what :swearing: is for! :p

[MyDogShelby]

Yep, so many people are "influenced" by these celebrities...there's nothing someone won't do to be just like 'em. A dog doesn't belong in a handbag all day!!! :mad:
Its just plain common sense, unfortunately, there are too many that lack in that area. :rolleyes:

[LoveThatPom]

I love small dogs. I have never owned a large dog, I have always been drawn to the small ones. However, I agree that small dogs are not meant to be carried around all day! Giana is a fairly small dog and requires a 2+ mile walk every day. The teacup thing is a huge problem, people want "teacup" dogs, uneducated as to the fact that there is no such thing as a purebred "teacup" dog, these are simply dogs bred to be very small, and as a result often have many health problems. While Giana is fashionable, she is NOT a fashion accessory!
Another misconception that people seem to have with small or toy breed dogs is that they don't require training. A quick browse on Petfinder.com will reveal all of the small/toy breed dogs surrendered for poor behavior which is no fault of their own when they have been given no guidance or boundaries. I truly believe that the celebritization (possible new word?) of dogs has contributed to the huge increase in chihuahuas that are without forever homes.

[xcolbi]

I agree with what's said above. If you're getting a small dog, you should be taking care of it and not using it to make yourself look good. :mad:

[LoveThatPom]

Maybe we could develop a very real looking stuffed animal, charge a ton of money for it, and start a new trend? "The purse puppy who doesn't pee pee!"

[MixedBreed]

Oooooh that's a pet peeve of mine (pun not intended) - people with small dogs who feel they don't have to train them because they can be picked up and therefore easily controlled. Meanwhile the dog is nipping at your feet and being downright aggressive, yapping uncontrollably, racing under your larger dogs belly and starting a fight...and who gets the blame?? :mad:

Grr.

[LoveThatPom]

Oooooh that's a pet peeve of mine (pun not intended) - people with small dogs who feel they don't have to train them because they can be picked up and therefore easily controlled. Meanwhile the dog is nipping at your feet and being downright aggressive, yapping uncontrollably, racing under your larger dogs belly and starting a fight...and who gets the blame?? :mad:

Grr.

That, and they NEVER housebreak them either! (At least in my experience). Poor dogs are treated more like hamsters or guinea pigs than dogs. People just don't seem to get that a dog is a dog regardless of size- 11 pound Giana is just as much dog as our 111 lb. neighbor dog! I think small dogs often require MORE training, simply because they can be very stubborn. My mom always had a theory that Gino was such a difficult dog because he was "just a little dog with a little brain". Don't know if there's any truth to that :p

[Borzoi mad]

Don't get me started on this. I absolutely detest these people who use dogs as fashion accessories, Enough said

[GreyhoundGirl]

You won't get any argument from me on that one! I think dogs were meant to walk on the ground on all fours and not be toted around. Worse, people with small dogs seem to think that because they fit in a purse that they have a right to enter places that larger dogs cannot.
And then there are the so-called 'teacups' for people who think a five-pound dog is too big.
Yes celebrities sometimes set an awful example :mad: and I don't understand how people can blindly emulate them.

And then they wonder why their dogs are fat, and buy the doggie diet drug. Grrrrr!

Other then that *echo echo echo*

[Areias]

Oh, like this you mean? You don't like dogs actually being made into a purse? :D
I find this completely disgusting. Most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/glamourdogstore_1943_18688259

[eilenej1]

That, and they NEVER housebreak them either! (At least in my experience).

A small dog that was in Max's puppy class was litter trained. The family has larger dogs that go outside, but wanted this one to be litter trained and said they did it within about 2 weeks. Anyone else hear of that with the toy breeds?

[LoveThatPom]

A small dog that was in Max's puppy class was litter trained. The family has larger dogs that go outside, but wanted this one to be litter trained and said they did it within about 2 weeks. Anyone else hear of that with the toy breeds?

I have heard of smaller dogs being litter trained. Honestly, if I had gotten a puppy instead of Giana I may have tried it, simply because the winters here can be awful harsh, or in case of "emergency". I don't know, I guess I just feel that unless there is a good reason, dogs should "go" outside.

[LoveThatPom]

Oh, like this you mean? You don't like dogs actually being made into a purse? :D
I find this completely disgusting. Most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/glamourdogstore_1943_18688259

I'll admit, I did put Gino in clothes, and would put Giana in clothes as well, as Michigan weather is harsh. However, clothes that make the dog into a purse- that's just sick!!

[Areias]

I'll admit, I did put Gino in clothes, and would put Giana in clothes as well, as Michigan weather is harsh. However, clothes that make the dog into a purse- that's just sick!!

Oh, I put sweaters on my Pointer mix. :) And this idea-while MAYBE cute-someone's going to get the wrong idea and start carrying it as an actual purse.

[parker]

Oh, like this you mean? You don't like dogs actually being made into a purse? :D
I find this completely disgusting. Most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/glamourdogstore_1943_18688259

the poor dogs who have these attached to them, think of the pain and bad comformatity a pup will have after being in one of these :sad-smiley-002:

[Jake2006]

I went into a local charity shop and horror of horrors I saw brand new 'dog bags' - I didn't realise what they were until I examined them. They were large enough to hold a small dog along with their accessories. I don't get it - well I do - some people think they are 'footballers' wives - LOL - or have to do what the celebrity does.

How many labradoodles have ended up in shelters because they became fashionable with celebrities - e.g. Jennifer Anniston?

http://www.thedawghouse.co.uk/docs/dogs.php

Look at poor Mickey - he's been in shelters three times now - people don't realise that labradoodles need a lot of exercise - anyway sorry this thread is about teacup dogs.

[Sabledog]

i have a freind with a "teacup" yorkie and he is about 5 lbs, he is treated like a part of the family, and given lots of excersize, BUT they do carry him in a big doggie bag, and he loves it, they also trained him to go inside the house on pads as he has severe flea allergies and just one bite will make all his hair fall out and he breaks out in huge rashes, he is also very sensetive to foods and other things (flea meds/ other meds) so they keep him on a special diet, and the dont use flea meds on him only mild shampooos to bath him. but i otherwise dont agree with dogs as accessories im just trying to show there may be other reasons people keep them in bags. im nt saying most but there are a few who do it for the best !!!

[Sudsy]

As the owner of a small dog (11 lb. maltese-poodle), I find it really offensive when people treat small dogs like anything but DOGS! I know people who own small dogs and keep them inside all the time ... I feel so sorry for those little animals. What a rotten life.

Small dogs are still dogs. They may have slightly different needs than larger dogs, but they need training and lots of outdoor exercise, just like any other dog. I have come to the conclusion that exercise is key -- if a dog is bored, and has no way of expending its energy, then it will probably bark and yap a whole lot, and likely start destroying things. In fact, I've noticed a direct correlation to the times my dog, Bronte, gets barky, with the times I've been unable to take her out for our daily hike. It's actually quite uncanny!

I'll admit to putting sweaters (and this year, boots) on Bronte, but we discovered that if her paws were protected on colder days, she'd be able to hike with us on those days. Without an extra barrier, she always wound up shivering.

So there's my rant on behalf of 'accessory dogs' everywhere!

[Katlovesdogs]

Little dogs rule! I have a 6 pound yorkie and she is the cutest, sweetest, most adorable little angel ever! I treat her very much like a dog, I do obedience training with her and she can do all manner of tricks. Sometimes it is necessary to carry small dogs, they can tire very quickly and need to be carried sometimes on long walks, especially as tiny puppies. Also I have had to pick my dog up as I have been concerned for her safety amoung other dogs.

I am not ashammed of the fact that I love to buy cute, pretty acessories for my dog (diamond studded collars, jumpers for the cold and fancy harnesses) it dosnt mean im not fully aware that she is a dog with doggy needs. id never put what she looks like before her comfort. Yes i have a very cute, tiny dog who wears pink, but i am still a very responsible dog owner with a very happy, healthy pamerperd pooch!;)