Dog lover considers breaking up with girlfriend for 'tolerating' his dog instead of loving him, internet backs him up: 'It would be a deal breaker'

Briana Viser • Writer and Editor

Jun 13, 2026 9:00 AM EDT

What would you do?

When you're a pawrent to a fur baby, you know how much they mean to you. Sure, to someone else's eye, it might just look like another dog, another cat, another pigeon (or whatever animal you have). But to the owner, it's their world. We don't call them fur babies for nothing, it's because they really do feel like a part of us, a little piece of us that's really stuck inside an animal. As we can see here on Reddit's r/dogs, that sometimes our pets will affect our relationships. Animal instincts are well known. When your do growls at someone, it usually means they're no good. Trust them the way they trust you. So, what would you do? Would you continue a relationship with someone who was far from being an "animal" person?

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via Nikola Stojadinovic / Canva

Man showing affection and love for his dog.
“Would you continue dating someone who hates dogs but will tolerate yours and is nice to them but doesn’t really play with them like a dog person usually does?”
Hi sorry, I know this is not a relationship sub but I’m curious if people that were in great relationships have ended things because you ultimately chose your dog and future dogs first before your ex partner? I just can’t see how this would work in terms of happiness for you and the dog?
-cornplantation
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via sanjagrujic / Canva

A happy Labrador.
Hail-to-the-Sheep
No, because I would like to have other dogs in the future. It’s great if they like this dog, but if I get a new puppy or if they don’t click with my next dog, then what?
Safe-Aardvark1810
I don't trust people who hate dog's so it would probably be a deal breaker.
Fabulous_Potato_5012
Yep. I trust the instincts of my best friend. You’re not an animal person? Than I’m not a “you” person. We are too different.
Legitimate_Hat_2670
My ex was exactly like this - nice enough to my dog but zero enthusiasm or real connection. at first i thought it was fine since she wasnt mean or anything but after few months it became really obvious how much my dog picked up on her indifference. dogs are pretty good at sensing who actually likes them vs who just tolerates them and mine definitely knew the difference
AuroraGlowz
Agree on dogs being in tune with how someone feels about them and personally I wouldn’t want my dog feeling left out of the “pack”. I think that if it’s early in a relationship during the honeymoon phase, if they are just tolerating our dogs, soon it will become an issue in the relationship. I don’t think I could be with someone who didn’t have love for dogs and animals in general. My mother doesn’t love dogs but she shows and acts on motherly instincts with my two boys. Feeds them talks to them, happy to see them, cares for them. Thats the bar for me!
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via RyanKing999 / Canva

A couple on the verge of breaking up over a dog.

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