People ask me all the time if Dom is purebred.... Seriously people? Followed by "wow he's so skinny!" Followed by "wow he's awfully small"...

Why do people feel so entitled to judge every dog they cross paths with. So annoying.

Just tell them its a standard poodle/shih tzu mix. That'll shut them up.

According to the people I see when I am out with Yote, I have a FOX mix, a purebred coyote, and a wolf.

They also fawn all over Yote saying how sweet and soft he looks , I have learned to be assertive without being a bitch and just telling them we are working on manners and that petting him will undo that.

If they don't listen I physically put myself between them and my dog and tell them No! and put my hand up.

They also ask me routinely if Loki is a roCKweiler or a doberman, he is a lanky, loose skinned, flop eared hound.
I do allow people to pet him, but he truly enjoys it and has nice manners.

I just talk their ears off until they run away, I think I asked one person to put on a bite sleeve....

Just have her smile at people when they walk up Dennis! It could be so much fun...

I thought about carrying some shaving cream in my pocket to smear all over the dog's muzzle when people get too close hee hee!

Just say Lab and American Staffordshire Terrier (most people don't know what that means, and those that do aren't likely to make ignorant comments about the breed).

If people are rude enough to make disparaging comments about your dog they are likely doing it because they think they can get away with it. I would make it obvious I was offended, but if you want to avoid it I would suggest fawning over the dog a bit in some way when they ask, if they see your attachment they won't be as likely to comment on the dog as an "object", they will know the comment might cause offense.

 Quote: Paula Colvett

I wouldn't have a pit bull dog!

Seems like you are one of the breed negative people too so I don't know why you're so annoyed by it, if you're one of them.

That said, I have been known to tell people my solid black corso is a golden retriever and walk away...just because no one ever knows what he is even if I do tell them. It just depends on how big a hurry Im in and how ornery I feel.

It may be annoying to some that people are asking but at least they are making some effort to educate themselves and most of the time they are really only asking so they can see if they can pet your dog, so it's a compliment.

 Quote: Angie Stark

 Quote: Paula Colvett

I wouldn't have a pit bull dog!

Seems like you are one of the breed negative people too so I don't know why you're so annoyed by it, if you're one of them.

I think she means THEY are saying that after they ask what kind of dog it is.

I screwed up socializing my dog as a young puppy by following the dumb advice in some books of having all sorts of people give her treats and pet her. Now she goes beserk with excitement whenever anybody remotely friendly makes eye contact with her.

So much with having an aloof shepherd!

The problem is that her behavior makes people feel very special. She hops, shakes her whole butt, tries to kiss them, then she goes for the big finish by spinning around and leaning into them while looking adoringly into their eyes. Everybody thinks that she is doing it just because she loves them.

This is not made any easier by the large number of people who seem to think its entirely appropriate to whistle or make kissy noises at her when we pass them.

I'm thinking about throwing either a service dog vest or a muzzle on her as a temporary measure.

I think the breed question is entirely normal. When she was a skinny little puppy lots of people thought she was a malinois and I was asked all the time. The shepherd people always wanted to know what lines she came from and where I got her. There isn't much you can do about it.

Have fun with it. Make up a new exotic breed and a story! Tell them LJ is a Peruvian Border Terrier, who's original job was to flush out guinea pigs and herd llamas!

Once out walking someone said, "Hey dude, is that dog 95% arctic timber wolf?" I wish I had the obvious quick comeback that he needed....

 Quote: Sonya Anderson

I think she means THEY are saying that after they ask what kind of dog it is.

oh, my bad...I thought they were asking her and she was responding that way. Sorry about that.