How do you respond...

[YorkieMomNYC]

I don't care for those types of comments either, even if they are meant it jest.

Next time answer with "Yeah, and that would be the last meal they would ever eat" and wink.

Originally Posted by BabyChance

To random people out walking, in Petco...wherever...who say things like...
"Oh how cute...my dog would EAT him!"...?
I'm getting a bit tired of smiling politely...

Chip is a healthy, 5 month old Yorkie who weighs in at 4.2 pounds...
He's extremely friendly, though I'm working on getting him to stop assuming 'every' dog he meets is his best bud...
It's just such a negative, ignorant vibe...

[Verbena]

Originally Posted by Cha Cha

I choose to believe people don't say things like this to be rude. I mean, I am sure there are some rude people out there, I get that. I think it is simply a figure of speech comparing sizes, as if to say my dog is big enough to eat yours as a snack is to say wow, I can't believe how small your dog is compared to mine. They could be totally in love with your babe at the same time admiring how adorable these little guys are. Seriously, many people who have never been around little dogs just don't get them or how small some dogs really are, and are actually quite afraid to handle them because they are so used to being able to "rough house" with their big dogs. It doesn't always mean they mean to be rude about it. While it may not be the best choice of words, I don't (always) think it is meant in the context that they don't like little dogs, that they mean to be rude, or that their dog would actually enjoy eating our little dogs. Honestly, I believe we are all uptight in a politically correct world and we all need to let our hair down and laugh a little. It would be a great time to look at them and ask, have you always had large dogs? Or, have you ever been around Yorkies? And explain how tenacious they can be and leave telling them how much fun they'd have with a little dog too. I just believe people want to have conversations but don't know how to get started, but then I always try to see the good in people where ever I go. That comment wouldn't bother me at all, but again, I used to be one of those large dog people. Sorry for the half rant.

I agree. . .i usually laugh and say . . Hey you better watch out. . Galen does have a big appetite ! . . . Then they laugh . . . (Galen's 3.5 lbs)

[matese]

I have been hearing that for 35 + years, I agree cute conversation starters and never take offense. When Cody starts acting like Cujo in a pet store I say you are a snack for that big guy. Short story,years ago my brother showed, breed St Bernards, I at that time was a Poodle lover, he would make fun of my Poodle every chance he had, made comments about my dog being a snack for his dogs. THEN my sister-in-law got for herself a Shih Tzu named her Honey. I went to visit them to see their new addition (my brother at that time was a broom stick up the butt NYC Da Bronx tough cop) I walk in their house to find my (tough Bronx cop brother) laying on the living room floor calling "Honey come to daddy" I cracked up, asked my sister if he had a job related mental break down. Honey became my brother's "Daddy's lil Girl" lol. People that have had big dogs don't know there are big dogs hidden in small bodies, don't know what it's like to have a small dog climb onto your lap, snuggle and give kisses. My brother became a small dog owner after his first lil Honey. Don't let other ppl comments bother you, I am sure they are not meant to be rude. I smile and agree lol, to me it's just a joke. I know rudeness when I hear it.

[deedeebear]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I know what you mean. I either go along with the joke like "yup, he makes a tasty snack!" or I might say something like "better look out - he is a huge dog inside a small body"...or whatnot.

It's funny bc once a big-dog person actually owns a small dog, they then seem to totally understand that there really is no such thing as a "small dog".

Love your comments.

[Jkpal]

I, too, have gotten the 'questionable' comments toward Piper (gets old). But I reckon the big dog people get equally sick of, "Hey, have ya put a saddle on him, yet?" and so on. Big sighhh...tolerance is a wonderful thing!!! Think we need more of it in 2015, yes?! Have a blessed and healthy New Year with your cherished little ones!

[YorkieTherapy]

Heck! I love all dogs! But we all know these I only love big dogs people are missing out! Time and time again I have had seniors burst into tears when they see our Yorkies telling me how they started out having big dogs... didn't want anything to do with small dogs until they got older and how that little dog became the love of their life!

We frequently get these conversation starters in the hallways of the hospital where we volunteer too. In the beginning I didn't know what to make of it and would just smile politely. I've come to realization (in this case) the great majority of people do not mean to be rude or unkind, they just blurt things out because 1.they're not use to having conversations about dogs on a daily basis 2.have had a bad experience(s) with a small dogs 3.have very limited knowledge of dogs in general. Oddly, these people say what they say while petting my dog and as I run into them from time to time do I slowly get the full story.

Now when I see that awkward expression on faces, that look of- did that really come out of my mouth?... I can't help but want to relieve them from their faux pas?... because I've been there dying of embarrassment when I once asked a lady when the baby due when she wasn't pregnant! She was kind and I never forgot that but I still get so embarrass just thinking about it! My favorite response is where I cover Guinness ear with my hands and say, "Sshh.... Guinness has NO idea he's a little dog." or "Guinness is a BIG spirit...no, he can't be a big dog, the creator got it right, he needs to be a little dog."

I'm not saying that there are no a$$#* out there but thankfully my encounter with them are a few and afar.

Wylie's mom, I like the one," Yup, he makes a tasty snack." I think I'll use that one.

[SirTeddykins]

We get comments about Teddy all the time and I think it's funny and don't take them personally.


I think people who don't own small dogs are truly intrigued by their size so say things to start conversation.

I have a weird sense of humor anyway so maybe that helps.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by YorkieMomNYC

I don't care for those types of comments either, even if they are meant it jest.

Next time answer with "Yeah, and that would be the last meal they would ever eat" and wink.

Love it! lol.

[yorkiemini]

Yep, it seems we all have experienced those comments.
At the pet store and dog show it seems I get these comments more from men than women.

I have enjoyed the moments when those same big dog guys watch my little princess clean up all the blue ribbons at the agility and tracking trials! After that they never say another thing. And I just smile!

[Cat2861]

I get the same comments also, whether I am at a pet store or walking Remy. He may be a little dog but he sure as heck acts like a big dog. People come up to us and with Remy being overly protective when someone gets close to me (he starts the nasty growling lol) which catches them off guard and they actually hestitate to pet him. I've gotten the comment of he would just be an appetizer for my dog and I have replied "Your dog wouldn't ever have that opportunity" and then I smile at them. Most of the time it is men who have made the comments. The women just say how cute he is and want to pet him. If I were you I would not let it get to you. People are people and life is too short to worry about it.

[Baby Pepper]

Originally Posted by SirTeddykins

We get comments about Teddy all the time and I think it's funny and don't take them personally.


I think people who don't own small dogs are truly intrigued by their size so say things to start conversation.

I have a weird sense of humor anyway so maybe that helps.

I agree. I actually make jokes about my 'little rat' myself.
Important not take oneself too seriously.

[Cherie6446]

I do not like Zoey called a rat. Once when my husband and I were walking Gina to a fiesta a group of young people in front of us said,"I've never seen a mop walking". I said,"I heard that and you hurt her feelings". They turned around laughing and said how cute she was. I wasn't offended at their comment but am glad I spoke up and made them laugh.