Dogs are Better than Cats

Im going to go line-by-line, Negative Case, then Affirmative. We both agree that we can't look at stereotypical dogs, and stereotypical cats. This gives you a link to my first extension: The negative can view dogs and cats as equals, or as incomparable and it would give you reason enough to vote negative. They are equal in the sense that you are unable to compare them, thus they have equal value. They are incomparable in the fact that it is akin to trying to say that Pepsi is better then shoes, it simply can't be done. The affirmative has to prove that dogs are better in value then cats, and since the negative shows that they are incomparable the affirmative hasn't met their burden of showing that Dogs are better then cats. This right here is the first reason to vote negative in this round. 1) I state that Cats are smarter than dogs, and offer you some evidence. Heres the link, since I didn't provide it last speech: http://ezinearticles.com... << I have research suggesting the opposite, as said online at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com...... >> This article doesn't compare dogs and cats, infact it compares ten animals to humans. The tag of this article is "How do humans compare to other intelligent creatures?", and the first page of this article clearly states that. This doesn't show that dogs are smarter in any sense, just that dogs have similar properties to humans. << I also have articles from department of Psychology, Columbia University: http://blog.modernmechanix.com...... . . .>> This is a newspaper clipping from the 1930 on a scientific subject, right. The clipping even says a few times that its not for sure, and that they need more results to be proven correctly. " The cat may not be interested in jumping through a hoop to please the teacher. On the other hand, it simply may not be smart enough. The present experiments at Columbia may furnish a definite answer." I can concede that the evidence may prove that using 30's science technology they determined that dogs were more cooperative than cats, but not smarter. Extend this contention that cats are smarter than dogs. 2) I claim that cats require less commitment. Under subpoint A I say that dogs require more 'mess-cleanup'. Under numerous conditions cats have been taught how to use the toilet, which reduces the mess. Cats usually roam the neighborhood without a leash, and without their master. Thus, you never know when the cat poops in your neighbors yard! Cat poop is also smaller in size, which decreases the mess physically as well. You may need to clean out the litterbox but its alot easier cleaning out a litterbox than it is to clean up a backyard, or clean it off of a carpet. This argument dealt that they require less commitment than dogs, not that they require no commitment. Because of this subpoint A still stands, since there is less cleanup associated with having a cat, rather than having a dog. Under subpoint B my opponent concedes that dogs require more commitment, but then goes on to say that a person benefits from this commitment. This subpoint B still stands because dogs still require more commitment. It stands, and the benefits fall too: < > All of these are subjective, and not necessarily true. You may not have fun, your dog may not love it, your dog may not become more loyal, and you may not be staying healthy. < > I fail to see how these are benefits to extra commitments. Even if you still think that the benefits are functional the harms that come with having more commitment outweigh on the benefits that you gain from having a committed pet. Extend my second contention that says they require more commitment, as well as subpoints A, and B. Onto my opponents case: << 2) Dogs can and most likely will bark in these situations to help you, which could happen often, and does throughout the world everyday: >> Dogs can also bark in situation which do not help you. A dog barks more times than there is an emergency, and thus they are more annoying. The pro even says that cats meowing doesn't catch anyone's attention, and thus cats don't suffer from audible annoyance. The pro says that cats can jump on your counter and steal your food, but dogs can too. << As as for cats "allow you to have more sleep", dogs allow you to have the same amount of sleep >> We have concluded that dogs bark, and that cats meowing doesn't catch anyone's attention. Dogs audible barking will cause you to have less sleep overtime. The third point we already talked about, see where I talk about 2B above. Yet, I will cover this point now. << You say that cats are playful? this may be true...with a ball of string and maybe some catnip. >> Yes, which means that cats are also playful, just like dogs. Onto four about greeting. I knew what you meant, was just trying to lighten things up. The stereotypical dog, and stereotypical cats may follow these routines, yet we agreed not to look at stereotypes. This argument falls because of the stereotype observation we agreed on. My opponent also introduced two new arguments: < > I don't feel listing problems makes dogs better, as it works both ways. Here are the top twenty dog health problems : Ear Infection, Chronic Kidney Failure, Skin Allergy, Laceration, Skin Infection, Hip Dysplasia Cancer/ Tumors, Pancreatitis, Urinary Infection, Diabetes, Arthritis,Obesity, Dental Disease, Food Allergy, Gastroenteritis, Epilepsy, Stomach Inflammation, Kennel Cough, Congestive Heart Failure, Hypothyroidism. Health problems go both ways, and I don't see how listing problems makes dogs better than cats. < > People may feel passionately about dogs, but popular opinion doesn't make something better. Even so, this doesn't even prove popular opinion, but the fact that some people love dogs. Been a good round so far!