The world's gone barking mad. In this era of canine exceptionalism, can humanity stage a comeback? | Farhana Dawood

"I'm becoming concerned that we as a species have gone to the dogs quite literally. Somewhere between the rise of boutique pet grooming and private members' clubs for canines, dogs appear to have become our preferred species for social interaction. Parks, beaches, cafes even offices and yoga studios, which in the past were areas for human exclusivity, or at least priority are all frequently shared zones."

"That means you must joyfully tolerate being sniffed or enthusiastically pranced at. Your belongings, likewise, are subject to dog paws and noses. Object, and you'll be met with looks of discord, as though you've confessed to disliking sunlight or laughter. Or the pet person thinks you must be frightened and insists He/She won't hurt you! If a human, especially a small child, pressed up against strangers, making prolonged eye contact while drooling, there'd likely be reprimands and reining in."

"We seem to have entered an era of canine exceptionalism. A new dog on a bush walk now attracts at least as much excitement as a new baby. People flock to stroke the spaniel, and entire conversations unfold between strangers about breeds and training techniques. Across cities, the cult of the dog is expanding with impressive speed. In London, there are private members' clubs for dogs actual clubs, with menus, treatments and membership fees that would make most humans blush."

Dogs increasingly occupy public and private social spaces, sharing parks, beaches, cafes, offices and yoga studios with humans. Close canine contact, including sniffing and pawing, is widely tolerated while objections often draw social disapproval. Canine behavior is frequently framed as adorable rather than intrusive, producing special treatment not typically extended to people. Urban culture shows rapid expansion of dog-focused services and rituals, including private dog clubs, luxury grooming salons, puppy schools and puppy yoga. Affluent displays such as dog prams and staged holiday photos mirror human parenting and reinforce dogs' elevated social status.

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