I don't cotton wool mine, they are not my substitute child... well maybe but not obviously!! I think its my job to keep them safe and give them the best life I can provide... I also love smelling their popcorn smelling feet!! I do all the husbandry it takes to keep them healthy... good diet, grooming, trimming, vets as and when...
As I say I love my dogs, I respect other people's dogs, I hate the abuse of any other dog and doG help anyone who hurts one of my gang!!
My preference though in the dog world is gundogs, especially Setters and Pointers, haven't met any I haven't liked... yet!!

We are a product of our own genetic makeup which includes a nurturing instinct. It is this faculty to foster, support and nourish that we employ when we have either children or pets. If we did not use the same faculties then we would not be doing it right.

I do not have children but I still posess the same instincts to nurture as the rest of my species. That instinct finds an outlet in my dogs. Some may call that a child substitute - I prefer to think of it as a clever way to avoid parenthood and all the sticky fingers, teenage strops and car repairs that such inevitably entails.

I am bit like this with Springers!

Spot on!

All of these pretty much sum up my views on how I would term a dog lover. I care deeply about ALL dogs, not just my own. I love learning about dogs and it never fails to amaze me at just how incredible they are

I admit that there are one or two breeds that I wouldn't necessarily chose to own but if one needed care and a home then I would never turn them away, that to me is a dog lover, putting their needs and wants before my own.