Oh puh-lease. Just because people use a stroller doesn't mean their dogs don't get exercise. Truth be told, I wish I had a stroller of some sort for Eve (who is a service dog and gets PLENTY of exercise, attention and stimulation tyvm) when she's working. I don't want her feet on some surfaces any more than I'd want my own bare feet on them. I live in Arizona and you have no idea how BLOODY HOT the pavement gets during the summer. If I don't want her to scorch her paws, I have to CARRY her to and from the car every time we go somewhere. When I go to a class or seminar, I think it'd be great to have a soft place for her to rest while I'm sitting in a chair. She's on the move constantly and sometimes I'd rather she not lay on the cold hard floor.
I think strollers do have their place, much like any other dog accessory - crates, carriers, ex pens, leashes, etc. I also think they can be overused or abused by people who don't know what they're doing, but what's new with that situation?
If I could afford a good one for Eve, you bet I'd get one! Would I use it for leisure walks? No, probably never. But it would certainly make life easier for her as my helper.
Oh, and I'll throw in my .02 about small dogs in public places. If the store owner says dogs are welcome as long as they're enclosed, then feel free to put your Rottweiler in a stroller too!
But face it, a large dog on a leash in a store is usually more intrusive than a small dog in a purse or stroller, no matter how well behaved. Carrying a small dog in a purse is no different than carrying around a purse, to other patrons. But when the dog is on the ground and sniffing at everything, people are less accepting of them. I have people give me disgusted looks because of Eve, even though she's very well behaved, doesn't sniff anything and keeps to herself. Some people in society find dogs revolting.