I don't know about a dog backlash, but I know for myself that I will not get another dog after Bandit. He and I are a "pack", and I'm totally committed to keeping him for the next 12 or 14 years, but there are definite downsides to having a dog--for me, it's mainly that it ties me down so much, but there's no denying the expense, too. Travel is just about impossible unless I pay a fortune for his boarding--and I don't really want to board him anyway. So I'm just living the dog lifestyle here with my beta dog in our den. We eat, sleep, play, walk outside, and poop. Life is good. (I do a bit of creative work from home, in between being a pack member.)
I see two trends with dog owners out in the community. There are the people who want the aggressive breeds, like the pitts, dobermans, rottweilers, and such. Some are anti-social and irresponsible, some are OK. Then there are the people who get cute, small dogs, and sometimes I think try to humanize them and be too lovey-dovey with them. Not sure what I think of these precious little wubby-boo-boos with bows in their hair and designer dog sweaters. Ya gotta love 'em though. While rolling your eyes.
Thank goodness there does seem to be a third type of dog owner,--although not as common these days-- who gets some kind of pleasant, ordinary dog (whatever that is--maybe a mixed breed from the pound, or from a friend whose pet had pups) and treats it well--probably like a lesser family member--but still treats it like a dog, in a common sense, responsible way.
I do think dog ownership works best when there is somebody home all day with the dog. I was raised in a family that always had dogs, but also it was a large extended family, and there was always somebody around to take care of the dog. We never went away on vacations--boarding was unheard of. And our dogs were outside a lot, although always under control. (On chains in yard, or on chains in fenced yards, or being walked on leashes. We trained them as 4-H projects, so a lot of obedience lessons in 4-H and in dog shows at the county fair.) I see so many dogs whose owners work all day, and the dog is pretty much left alone. I see that in my apartment complex all the time. The dogs seem OK, but I think it is a pretty thin life for them. They only get outside to relieve themselves before and after the owners' workday, and before bed. (And not all owners scoop the poop. Annoying beyond words.) For the most part, I don't see these dogs being walked or getting much fresh air and exercise. I didn't get a dog until I was out of the workforce, and I think Bandit has a much better quality of life than most of the dogs in our complex. We are outside for around two to two and a half hours a day, between potty breaks and longer walks--very weather dependent, of course--and there is a lot of play time indoors with the toys. It's good for both of us, I think.
Dog backlash? The trouble is, there are so many different kinds of dogs and owners. It is so hard to quantify. I was always neutral about pitt bulls, but after the attack on Christmas Eve, have to say that now I dislike them and wish they would be banned in the States as they are in some other places. I know that's not fair to the good ones, but they cause so many problems--injuries, deaths--of both people and small animals--that I think we should just phase out pit bull ownership. Just stop breeding them, and let the breed die off by attrition. (I know this opinion will bring on the Wrath of Khan, but after what Bandit and I went through, that is just how I feel.)