I've had bad experiences with this. People are pretty touchy about their pets. If you can light heartedly drop a few hints, thats one thing, but a lot of people get pissed off about questioning their pet-parenting skills.

I know Ladybird can look a little shaggy at times (currently she's growing out her summer cut, so she's a little more rumpled-looking than usual), but I'd be a little ticked off if someone commented on it - it's like telling a parent they need to brush their kid's hair or bathe them.

I could see if the animal looked like it were truly suffering, like a matted coat or long nails that were starting to curl under, but even then you have to approach it really carefully, maybe just get them a grooming certificate, or offer to take their dog in when you gets yours groomed.

Well, just because the dog is shaggy doesn't mean it doesn't get a bath when it needs it.

Sadie Grace is very people shy, and there is a lady at the dog park who loudly lets me know that my dog was abused. EVERY time she sees her. Its like she has never seen the poor thing before, and she has to let the whole dog park know my dog has been hit. Luckily, I am a frequent visitor and the folks there know I love her. She also is quite vocal that she thinks Sadie is too skinny, I must be starving her! I will leave the park when she shows up rather than deal with her.

I have offered to take my boyfriend's grandmother's dog in because it is smelly and has long nails, but I think I'll have to pupnap it to get the job done.

The only time I said something was at my husband's parents place. They had a dog locked in the backyard within a feces infested kennel. I couldn't do just watch, so I went and bought the dog a leash/collar, treats, shampoo etc. Let the dog out, cleaned the kenneel and the dog. She was sooo happy. I am sure I got a lot of rude comments about that but I could care less.

I wouldn't say anything unless it was affecting the dog's health or well-being. I don't have to live with stinky dogs, so it's not my problem!

I would never blatently be rude about it, but if I saw a dog who was obviously neglected I'd speak up. Shaggy dogs are never a concern, but when you go to see someone and their stinky pooch is all over you it's hard not to comment. Generally I'll say "you smell like a dog" in a joking manner.. But I wouldn't say "Gee your dog reeks don't you take care of it?"

It's all about tact and positioning of your arguement

When our first instinct is to judge someone else we are neglecting to take into consideration circumstance. You don't know the whole story and there is no way to know short of 'wait and see' or asking the owner about it. My dog could come out of a bath smelling like roses and 10min later roll it kitty poop and be a stinky mess and that just so happens to coincide with the exact timing of a friend coming by... its Murphy's law. So instead of being judgy try and remember we just don't know the whole story...

I prefer people kinda keep things to themselves. But I've become pretty bitter by having people pretty much tell me off for little things in really nasty ways that didn't need any sort of comment