I have lived here and other GCC countries for 10+ years with a Border Collie - I have never been stoned or any other abuse - however, the kids (and some really silly adults) will bark at her - which I can't figure out, she KNOWS how to do that.
Some cultures are very afraid of dogs and with some reason, in their home countries dogs are not pets and often may be rabid or dangerous because they are feral -I've run into a few of the latter myself, and I carry a stick with me because of it to protect my dog.
Black dogs (and mine is mostly black) are sometimes viewed with even more temerity. From one conversation (and I have no idea how true this is) black dogs and cats are sometimes seen as being the embodiment of "Jinn" or spirits or ghosts - supposedly Ginn can take the form of a black dog or cat at dawn or dusk (not really so far from Western views of black animals several hundred years ago - so it could be true).
My advice, pick and choose carefully if and when you allow your dog to run off leash and those areas are few and far between. Always assume anyone else in the vicinity is afraid of dogs and put it back on leash and maybe even leave - better to err on the side of caution. Never assume other dogs (whether on or off leash) are socialized no matter what the owner (if there is one) says - that can differ from culture to culture as well.
You can and will find dogs and dog owners who are happy to get along with you and your pup - you have to be very choosy.
I have lived here and other GCC countries for 10+ years with a Border Collie - I have never been stoned or any other abuse - however, the kids (and some really silly adults) will bark at her - which I can't figure out, she KNOWS how to do that.
Some cultures are very afraid of dogs and with some reason, in their home countries dogs are not pets and often may be rabid or dangerous because they are feral -I've run into a few of the latter myself, and I carry a stick with me because of it to protect my dog.
Black dogs (and mine is mostly black) are sometimes viewed with even more temerity. From one conversation (and I have no idea how true this is) black dogs and cats are sometimes seen as being the embodiment of "Jinn" or spirits or ghosts - supposedly Ginn can take the form of a black dog or cat at dawn or dusk (not really so far from Western views of black animals several hundred years ago - so it could be true).
My advice, pick and choose carefully if and when you allow your dog to run off leash and those areas are few and far between. Always assume anyone else in the vicinity is afraid of dogs and put it back on leash and maybe even leave - better to err on the side of caution. Never assume other dogs (whether on or off leash) are socialized no matter what the owner (if there is one) says - that can differ from culture to culture as well.
You can and will find dogs and dog owners who are happy to get along with you and your pup - you have to be very choosy.