Barking Blondes: Why men with dogs are appealing, but ones who won’t castrate them aren’t

If the fifth series of Mad Men is slightly disappointing for one reason. Don Draper no longer owns a dog. His new marriage and consequent move to Manhattan has resulted in the family’s  golden retriever being written out of  the  show. An actor’s life is cruel. Even if you are a natural blonde with big brown eyes and four legs.

The actor John Ham, who plays Draper, has long been voted as one of the sexiest men on television.  We attended a Q and A with him at a London cinema where his attraction became even more lethal when he started to talk about the love he has for  his own dog. He then went on to  explain how he had rescued him and at that point, three girls in the front row fainted. Well almost. They swooned.

Why is it that men with dogs are sexier than men without dogs?

Whilst walking on Primrose Hill this week, a silver haired gent in cashmere approached us with a cute frenchie trotting by his side. It was the fact that the three of us all owned bull breeds that linked us together. No other introduction was needed. We chatted away spontaneously until his cheeky charge shot off at a dangerous gallop and disappeared on to the main road.

We all took chase and ran towards the park gate, fearing the worst. What confronted us as we turned the corner still seems like a mirage.

A large troop of the ColdstreamGuards  were stood to a halt, plumes and tails blowing in the wind. The frenchie was darting between their legs but neither horse nor soldier moved. Apparently these marvelous beasts are trained to stand still and not to budge  when stray dogs randomly run towards them. Which occurs frequently when on exercise.

Our new silver haired friend, along with ourselves, crawled around the stationary horses legs in a desperate attempt to retrieve his dog. Once attached back on to his lead, the army marched on.

We had only just met, however – this bonding episode would leave any manufactured Speed Dating event floundering. Dogs are great pulling devices. Forget dating websites. Just offer to walk your neighbour’s dog.

That said, all species are subject to humiliation.

“Since Bruce has been castrated he pees throughout the night”, complained a caller to our radio show.

Bruce, we discovered, was a staffie and obviously indignant that his daily amourees had been abruptly curtailed. We suggested a return to the vet to check that his recent op wasn’t to blame.

This side effect is extremely rare. It is usually a positive and recommended move to castrate your dog. Although, a staggering number of  men believe chopping off their dogs balls is akin to chopping off their own. There is a well known tabloid journalist whose bull terrier’s scrotum would compare favourably with two footballs. This fine dog is quite challenging in his behavior and full to the brim with testosterone. When we asked if he had ever thought of  neutering,the journo  replied “Can’t do it mate. Couldn’t do it to him”.

They make a fine pair!

Finally, if you are a fan of Downton Abbey, the bustling cook, Mrs Patmore, played by Lesley Nicol, is a regular guest on our show.

She is a great champion and ambassador for Medical Detection Dogs. When she’s not bent over a hot range in mob cap and pinny, she and her husband are constantly celebrating their affinity with dogs. She confides “The way to a mans heart is not always through his stomach”.

Barking at the Moon is on BBC London 94.9 every Thursday 10pm-midnight

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• http://twitter.com/PeterEgan6 Peter Egan

  Just wanted to pick up on some of your comments. I’ve got five dogs, sadly six until I lost my lovely labbie Sam 3 months ago. So my pack consisted of three boys and three girls. One Staffie’, a Staffie cross, and a Labbie, all girls.  a Lurcher/Whippet, and Collie Cross plus Sam, all boys. They are all rescue dogs, all spayed and neutered. They all have vibrant energetic personalities and they are all totally different in the way they relate to each other and to us humans. None are over weight or lazy or subdued. They are all amazing characters. Those against neutering have got to grow up and see what’s happening in the world to dogs, there’s no room for sentimentality, you’ve got to grow up and lead the way. Also I’ve never had to re-toilet train a dog after neutering, which is more than I can say for a few human beings after a night in the pub. Cheers.

• Ziggydog

  My parents thought it best I had the snip, and I don’t really mind. I have a very BIG personality and the snip hasn’t changed that, but other dogs that haven’t had them off, don’t see me as a threat now, so peace prevails in the park. Also I heard that I have less risk of getting cancer in that area now – so I’m a happy dog! 

• http://www.facebook.com/people/Karen-C-Chamberlain/1241322314 Karen C Chamberlain

  HOORAH!  I was so upset lasy week for some reason I could not comment on here snet me crazy!  LOL!  A few updates and some more security measures viruses killed and I can now comment…LOL!
  ANy way…I LOVE MEDICAL DETECTION DOGS!  I am going to raising money soon for this wonderful cause, I think it is just a resource that people should be able to you to their best benefit…So horrah the Decection Dogs…

  I love meeting new people on doggy walks with or without dogs!  When walking 6 Bulldogs in Union Jack Bandana’s or in 6 pink Tutu’s I always get stopped have a chat and a giggle and often a photo taken on their phone!  It reall is hilarious and so much fun everyone seems to love a Bulldog but a dresses Bulldog is even more adorable!  What fun we have…I love to see anyone with a dog and will just stop a complete stanger and join in conversation with them and it’s so much fun!

  So keep on blogging LADIES we LOVE IT WOOF WOOF and hope to see you soon xxxxx

• http://profile.yahoo.com/XZ4A6LQCIOTEAXQILUR6Y3WHNA RobinB

  Bruno, my Welsh Terrier, arrived “oven ready” ie chipped and nipped! He’s got just as much character as any other Welsh Terrier with the “complete kit”, so I don’t honestly think neutering changes them that much.

• http://www.pulnomor.com/ Training Dog Leash

  Wow . Awesome pic . Great article to read at . Thanks for this .