The dog world should be a place of love, acceptance, and genuine connection between humans and their canine companions, or at least, I think so. Yet, a harsh reality lingers – many spaces within this world are rife with bigotry, exclusion, and discrimination. This creates barriers for marginalized groups, including POC, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

It’s crucial to address the elephant in the room: entrenched prejudices in dog related activities are often thinly veiled under the guise of tradition or some distorted idea of breed preservation. The truth is, bigoted beliefs rooted in sexism, racism, homophobia, and other forms of intolerance have no place in any realm of the dog world, but unfortunately, are found in almost every realm of the dog world.

The Hunting Club Scandal: A Case in Point

A recent viral incident exposed the deep seated bigotry within a prominent hunting club. This club, shrouded in a veil of “old school” values, all but explicitly barred women and people of color from membership – a jarring example of the exclusion marginalized groups face within dog related activities even in 2024. Public outcry was swift and deserved, but unfortunately, this incident represents just the tip of the iceberg, and its unlikely the outcry will incite change within the club.

Classism as a Norm

The judgment stings at times, I’ll admit. My converted garage apartment might not be a sprawling suburban McMansion, but my dogs have two spacious fenced in yards, comfy beds, and endless love. The disdainful sniffs from some breeders and owners about my “unsuitable” living situation can be infuriating. But you know what? A recent health scare has shifted my perspective. Suddenly, the dream of living minimally in a van-turned-tiny-home with my pups feels less like a rebellious fantasy and more like a liberating adventure. Let them wag their disapproving tails. The beauty of a big scary diagnosis is a newfound freedom from societal expectations. Honestly, when you face your own mortality, the color of your doorknob or the square footage of your house become trivial. My dogs and I will chase sunsets and explore hidden trails, living life to the fullest on our own terms. I don’t care who judges – let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

“No Room in Our Breed”: Bigotry in Breeding and Showing

The dark underbelly of bigotry extends into dog breeding and conformation shows. It’s a sad fact that some breeders and show enthusiasts attach a misplaced sense of superiority to certain breeds, creating a toxic and exclusionary environment. People of color, those with disabilities, or anyone not fitting a rigid ‘mold’ often experience overt discrimination or subtle microaggressions in the dog world.

“We don’t want to see ‘those people’ with our breed/sport,” is a sentiment heard or implied far too often, masked behind flimsy justifications. This bias erects an insurmountable barrier, denying marginalized groups the opportunity to fully experience the joy and benefits of responsible dog ownership and participation in their chosen breed community. Unfortunately (and fortunately, at the same time), thanks to social media, we’ve learned that many of these venues and breeds just are not safe for us. It’s better to know that than to walk into the lions den unaware.

Unconscious Bias: A Subtle Threat

It’s vital to recognize that bigotry isn’t always loud and obvious. Unconscious or implicit biases held by judges, dog trainers, or even fellow enthusiasts can be just as insidious. These biases seep into interactions, subtly influencing perceptions and opportunities for marginalized individuals. A minimal amount of representation among trainers, breeders, and those in positions of authority within the dog world further intensifies the problem.

The Painful Impact on Marginalized Groups

Exclusion and discrimination hurt. They discourage passionate and knowledgeable individuals from entering a field they love, simply because of who they are. This deprivation extends to the dogs themselves – loving homes from marginalized communities are lost, potentially leaving deserving dogs without their perfect human match, and deserving humans without theirs, too.

The psychological toll of facing these prejudices is immense. Experiencing rejection, ridicule, or even outright hostility solely due to one’s race, gender, sexual orientation, abilities, etc within a realm as beloved as the dog world is emotionally damaging. It shatters the sense of belonging that should exist within all corners of the animal loving community. It can be outright traumatic to be discriminated against, especially on a large scale, and even more so when its in a field you’re passionate about.

Toward a Better Future: Zero Tolerance for Bigotry

Now is the time to declare an absolute intolerance toward bigotry within the dog world. This means speaking out against discriminatory attitudes, actively creating inclusive spaces, and supporting initiatives led by marginalized communities.

We need to:

• Amplify voices from marginalized groups: Share their experiences and promote their businesses within the dog industry. They need our support and to be uplifted.
• Hold governing organizations accountable: Demand policies enforcing inclusivity and diversity for officials and members. Anti discrimination rules should be in the Code of Ethics of basically every club.
• Educate and challenge assumptions: Initiate open dialogue about unconscious bias and the harmful impact of discrimination. If you’re not quiet, its harder for bigots to speak so loudly.
• Celebrate inclusivity: Champion dog enthusiasts, breeders, and trainers from diverse backgrounds who are breaking the mold. Let them shine like the stars they are, you’re just there to help get more eyes on them.

Let’s make it unmistakably clear: bigots, your beliefs are not welcome here. The dog world belongs to anyone whose heart is filled with love for our pups, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc.

By striving for genuine inclusion and fiercely denouncing prejudice, we can create a dog world where everyone feels welcome, valued, and empowered to share in the boundless joy that dogs bring into our lives… Eventually. I wont claim its a short journey, that it will be quick, or that it will be easy. But if we all work together to get the bigots out, we can make this a safer place for everyone except the bigots. Hopefully, eventually, we can confidently invite our friends into the dog world and not have to warn them of how harsh it is.