I keep calling my dog a pupper dog
Does he look like a pupper dog?
Yeah, even though he's a shitzu
It is okay to refer to your dog in other terms especially if you are doing it because you love them. People understand that and do that to their pets too.
Nah they just don't understand.
I am sure that they do! It is such a common theme to give affectionate nicknames to the ones that they love the most.