Understanding the attitudes of people towards dogs and the way this differs from one country to the other is a relatively new concept.
In some nations, dogs are considered to be a threat as they are thought to be transmitters of diseases (such as the rabies virus). Therefore, while we think of dogs as man’s greatest companion, dogs are seen as dangerous and dirty in different societies.
Culturally diverse views on dogs
As professionals working in the field of pet care, It can be extremely beneficial and exciting to learn about the different ways other cultures see dogs.
Let’s begin by looking at our own cultural background. In the western world, we treat our dogs as a part of our family. We display pictures of our pets in our homes, let our dogs sleep in our beds, and we also include our dogs in the wedding ceremony as well as holding funerals for our pets who died. In general, we westerners love our dogs.
Dog culture in Korea
Although Korea has plenty of pet owners, Koreans are well-known for viewing dogs as commodities and a source of protein to consume. Therefore, a large number of Koreans are scared of their pets and are convinced that they are able to strike at any time.
As per Humane Society International, in South Korea, dogs are still extensively raised to be eaten by humans. While there is an emigration away from the consumption of dog meat by younger Koreans but most of the older generation continue to eat meat from dogs.
In reality, Humane Society International reports that ‘older male Koreans have the misguided notion that the meat of dogs is good for health in the form of soup or used as a tonic.’
A campaign is underway at present by Humane Society International to phase out the dog meat industry and debunk the myth that “meat dogs’ are different.
Dogs in Indian culture
It is believed that India is home to some of the most high percentages of stray dogs across the globe (the number is around 35 million). Could this be because of Indians’ attitude toward dogs?
Since the beginning of time, dogs have been thought of as “carriers of diseases” in India. Each year, there are around 220,000 cases of rabies, usually among children who play and share their food with stray dogs.
Today, these canines are often called “indie-dogs,” and many efforts are being made to raise the awareness of people about animal welfare.
So far, it seems to have been a success since a greater percentage of pet owners and adopting dogs. Furthermore, according to a publication by National Geographic, in the city of Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), adopting the term “indie” is the latest trend.
The trend to focus on the well-being of the street dogs of India is spreading to other cities. Within Mumbai as well as New Delhi, we are witnessing a surge in pet-related start-ups as well as dog cafes, which indicates the shift in attitudes towards dogs.
Dogs in Islamic culture
In Islam, the culture of Islam dogs is viewed as “ritually impure”. Evidently, The Prophet Muhammad once declared that dogs can not be housed for appropriate motives, like hunting, farming, or herding. In these cases, the dog is recommended to be kept away from the house.
A dog can also be kept as a security dog. However, it is not a pet. Even if someone does touch the dog, they need to cleanse the area repeatedly. This is due to the fact that dogs are considered to be unclean and filthy.
Chinese culture towards dogs
Like many other cultures, including China, the views on dogs have evolved as time passes. In the Neolithic age, over 7700 years ago, dogs were used for hunting, protection, and for food.
Although they were still utilized for hunting, in the Ming Dynasty, well-off Chinese began keeping dogs as pets. In actual fact, the Pekingese became the most sought-after lapdog within the court of the imperial.
But, the shortage of meat prompted the Chinese to eat dog’s meat. However, as Buddhism and Islam became popular throughout China, eating dogs became an issue of social status among many.
In the last few years, there has been a dramatic rise in pet owners and a drop in dog food consumption. While native breeds used to be the top choice in popularity, there’s been an increasing trend to breeds from overseas that include Poodles, Pugs, and Chihuahuas.