Letting Dogs Be Dogs

In the course of his life as permanent resident here at the House of Mutt, Hector meets many dogs of all shapes and sizes.  He tolerates all of them, some he seems to find quite interesting, but a favoured few he really seems to like.  He’ll actively seek them out.  He’ll curl up next to them and even welcome them on to his end of the sofa.

What is it about some dogs?

It’s not size or type.  Many a Labrador has crossed his path without any particular favouritism being shown.  And he seems as disinterested in the average Dalmation as he is Yorkshire Terrier.

It must be, instead, an attitude.  An innate confidence and blind indifference to his disregard.  Some dogs just get under his skin - and then snuggle up.

I collected a Pomeranian recently from a penthouse flat in (very) central London.  She yapped from within when I rang the doorbell, she nipped the maid who was attempting a farewell kiss and she then vomited all over the car on the way back home. 

And yet. 

Within a couple of days she appeared to have won herself a pivotal place in Hector’s harem, had moved her toys on to his bed and could be found happily shadowing him on every walk we went on. 

She had also enthused her way into the family’s Top 10. 

I think the biggest reason for this Top 10 elevation was the sheer unexpectedness of her ever being an immediate House of Mutt natural.  Here, dogs muck in together, food is of the canine variety, exercise is plentiful, fair-weather walkers seldom tolerated (unless medically advised) and neuroses tend to be forgotten amongst the sheer bloody fun of it all. 

From this I surmise that unlike with Hector who judges on doggy criteria only, us humans were guilty of prejudging.  The fact that Pomeranians are small and fluffy and tend to live in penthouse suites, doesn’t mean that they aren’t going to walk for miles off lead, play endlessly with all sizes of dog and curl up happily in front of the fire after a large and hearty meal of dog food. 

This fabulous Pomeranian is just one example of many that I could give of a dog who’s London lifestyle necessitates some of that innate ‘dogginess’ being hidden away, but who relish the opportunity to be allowed to be doggy every now and again.  Often humanised, I think instead they need to be caninised (is there such a word?). 

Some country people scoff at the idea of dog holidays but they have, I think, got it all wrong.  Fluffballs like this one need the opportunity to be dogs, whether that’s somewhere like here at the House of Mutt or at a puppy party in the capital.  As with human holidays, the break calms them, relaxes them and re-energizes them, enabling them to return to their London lives in the best possible frame of mind.  That can only be a good thing.

I’ve digressed slightly from Hector.  But, to return, he wasn’t swayed by preconception of type or address, he just recognised the Pomeranian as being a jolly good doggy companion.  Let’s follow his example and treat all dogs as dogs – however fluffy, pretty or miniaturised they are.  

*PS The Pomeranian is due back next week.  We can’t wait.  And should my husband (the 6’, broad of back, ex Army and ex rugby playing equine vet) be spotted again playing hide-and-seek with her round the back of the sofa, this time we’ll be sure to get photographic proof.




London Dog Forum is delighted to welcome Sarah Mountford, proprietor of the House of Mutt, on board as a monthly feature writer.  She claims no formal qualification, veterinary or behavioural, for the honour but with a job description of ‘bitch-pack-leader’ for the House of Mutt and as an experienced dog owner who also happens to married to a vet, the London Dog Forum is in no doubt that you’ll find her articles not only valuable but highly entertaining too. 

As a former journalist (freelancing for the Daily Telegraph, Archant and so on),  Sarah is happy putting pen to paper to air her views – and would (she thinks!) welcome your’s in return ... 


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