[carang]

you know though, i agree on many points, people can't seem to catch a break. if they leave their pets for whatever reason, they get slammed because it is a life-long choice. i know many people that have had animals here but for various reasons could not relocate them elsewhere and they were slammed on various forums for trying to find another person to care for their dogs....

ps. you should see the looks on hikers faces when they see my hubby out walking 6 or 7 dogs at one time in the country park! priceless!

[Tanae]

If I had a mastiff-type dog back home and couldn't find a home for it prior to coming to Hong Kong, I simply wouldn't have come. What people need to consider before deciding what breed of dog to get is what lifestyle they lead. No good getting a dog which needs plenty of exercise if you're going to laze about the house all day. People are either ignorant (which in my opinion isn't an excuse) or simply don't care when it comes to dogs and their welfare.

[coma4282]

Originally Posted by Tanae

If I had a mastiff-type dog back home and couldn't find a home for it prior to coming to Hong Kong, I simply wouldn't have come. What people need to consider before deciding what breed of dog to get is what lifestyle they lead. No good getting a dog which needs plenty of exercise if you're going to laze about the house all day. People are either ignorant (which in my opinion isn't an excuse) or simply don't care when it comes to dogs and their welfare.

Hey come on!Don't judge people,do you think we are ignorant or simply don't care as you put it to just hauled a dog in some snowy part of earth and bring it here in HK?We've searched we know what we are doing.TM is adaptable in any kind of weather although summer time is horrible for them and during this season they are malting and make ready for the long winter hair to grow.
If you know the weather is 30degress would you bring out your dog for a walk?even for people that heat is extreme(common sense please) As a dog owner I know what is good for my dog and you don't say bringing a TM or Saint Bernard,or Husky in HK is cruel I think what is more cruel is you get a dog and you are not able to take care of it.

TM is a working dog but you also know that too much exercise is not good for the large breed of dogs.Usually we spent our weekends in our land in Fanling where my dogs can run freely and a breath of fresh air.

[hello_there]

I'd have to agree with coma on this one. While not necessarily ideal, with proper care even a large cold weather breed can thrive in Hong Kong. It just takes more work to ensure the dog gets the exercise and care it needs. There are plenty of places to exercise any large dog in Hong Kong if the owner takes the time (including swimming pools and beaches for hot weather). It is unfortunate that not everyone with these sort of breeds in HK understands what they are getting themselves into and provides proper care for big dogs. But the main problem lies with people not understanding or caring about dogs needs, not with owners who do understand and take care as well as is possible. Its not productive to blindly criticize owners of certain breeds just because its not ideal to have some dogs here.

Oh, and it totally bugs when people yell when I walk by with my dog on a short leash. I had a woman run right into a tree up near the Peak trying to get away from a 35 pound pooch (leashed and at least 10 feet away from her). Fortunately this sort of silly behaviour isn't the norm.

[smelly]

I've had people scream, jump on top of stools, run back into their homes and many just cross the street to avoid getting w/in 10 feet of my 12 kilo terror. It has become very amusing.

The screams are often shear fright and usually just freaks me my dog out. They scream, I scream and the dogs starts barking.

[coma4282]

I walk today in the Peak with my 3TM dogs together with my husband,I do respect people who is not so fond of dogs but to those people who screams (like what happened this afternoon in the Peak)they make me scared and also my dogs and make other people look up what's goin on.
Sometimes it is really amusing.

[Dee Rawlings]

I am so glad i read this particular thread. Our dog arrived yesterday and already we are quite annoyed at peoples reactions. She is a small chocolate lab and the most harmless dog you could meet. She has never attempted to bite, she doesnt bark all she does is wag her tail however we were told at our apartments she should wear a muzzle because she is 'such a big dog'. While i can appreciate some people do have a geniune fear of dogs, i am still puzzled at such extreme reactions.
However as previous posts mentioned i will learn to find these funny after time (i hope!)

[jimbo]

Not forgetting that you're dealing with 'townies' who very rarely see dogs thus are not used to them apart from those lapdogs the taitai's prefer.

If you go out to say Sai Kung or anywhere in the NT's then thats a different matter as they're used to them.