Animals as Fashion Accessories
Many dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas and Pugs
are commonly used as ‘handbag dogs’. They are bought for the use of a fashion accessory
due to them being small and ideal to carry around and dress up.
Being used as a fashion accessory in most cases means that the owner will not pay attention or be interested in the upkeep of the dog, they are mostly interested in the look of the dog. Handbag dogs are not always free from hunger and thirst as the owner may not realise that the dog does not have water, or may forget to feed them due to the other, more important things going on in their life. They may not always be provided with the correct sleeping conditions if the owner does not know what they are doing, therefore they may not be free from discomfort. They are often not trained correctly such as being trained to go to the toilet outside and also not to bite. The dogs are often harshly told off as they are thought to of being naughty but they hadn’t actually had any training. This makes the dog fearful and distressed. Also if an owner was to hit a dog it can inflict pain and injury. The animals are often dressed up in clothes and carried around in handbags and are not allowed to walk on walks, showing that they are not always allowed to express normal behaviour. A lot of owners who decide they want a dog as a fashion accessory abandon them in the end as they cannot cope with the responsibility. This is all bad welfare on the animal.
Being used as a fashion accessory in most cases means that the owner will not pay attention or be interested in the upkeep of the dog, they are mostly interested in the look of the dog. Handbag dogs are not always free from hunger and thirst as the owner may not realise that the dog does not have water, or may forget to feed them due to the other, more important things going on in their life. They may not always be provided with the correct sleeping conditions if the owner does not know what they are doing, therefore they may not be free from discomfort. They are often not trained correctly such as being trained to go to the toilet outside and also not to bite. The dogs are often harshly told off as they are thought to of being naughty but they hadn’t actually had any training. This makes the dog fearful and distressed. Also if an owner was to hit a dog it can inflict pain and injury. The animals are often dressed up in clothes and carried around in handbags and are not allowed to walk on walks, showing that they are not always allowed to express normal behaviour. A lot of owners who decide they want a dog as a fashion accessory abandon them in the end as they cannot cope with the responsibility. This is all bad welfare on the animal.