There definitely was...Jews used shepherding dogs, guard dogs...but under the Law - which was still very much in force during His time on earth - dogs were still unclean animals. In all the Bible there is no use of "dog" that I can find which is favorable when used with regard to a person or group of people, with the possible exception of one (see footnote). It's always negative, or at best neutral. Never positive.
That said, I have a dog...a poodle, so I guess it qualifies. I've always had dogs. I like dogs. But Meshak has long said the OT is still in force upon us all, yet she allows dogs in her home in violation of what SHE says she believes. Even Christ's use of "dogs" was not neutral, and she's the best follower of Jesus on TOL.
So I'm trying to get her to see the inconsistency of her own beliefs so that maybe...maybe...some light can break through to her.
PS
If memory serves, it was the Syro-Phonecian woman who made the "little [pet] doggies" connection, not Christ.