dangerous dogs

[pantsonfire321@aol.com]

Ok, is it only large breed dogs that bite . As the owner of a Rottie i feel a great deal of sympathy for the breed and any other large breed but in my opinion although an 11 stone dog can do a hell of a lot more damage than a yorkie I personnally HAVE FOUND MUCH SMALLER DOGS A HELL OF A LOT MORE AGGRESSIVE . So, should only large breed dogs be licenced or should the authoritys do there home work and licence all dogs . What about the media . I feel they only create hysteria , i have witnessed people who would rather walk into oncoming traffic rather than walk along the pavement alongside my dog .

[K.Snyder]

My brother had a Rott, and upon having a baby it would show aggression toward the baby in some sort of a dominance fashion. I then learned that they actually kill the pups of another male when it wants to mate with the mother(I suppose to bring her into heat). I have since lost a sort of respect for them as a result. Also I used to have a Chow. Seems like Chows have a flip mode switch they hit and just rip into you without warning. If I ever have a dog, I will look into getting a Doberman or two.

[Imladris]

The only time I have ever been bitten by a dog was when I was 5 years old by a terrier type.

I think that the most naturally aggressive are the small yappy ones, most big dogs seem to be quite gentle. But with everything it's the way they are trained.

I once saw three dogs (German Shepherd and two dobermans) set upon police by their owner. They bit four officers (one quite badly on the leg) until the owner was bundled off in a van, then they were lovely and friendly.

Obviously there are some dogs that are difficult or nasty for whatever reason but we shouldn't assume that the whole breed is like that.

(Amazing - me defending dogs when the only ones I normally like come in a roll with sauce and onions!!)

[pantsonfire321@aol.com]

K.Snyder wrote: My brother had a Rott, and upon having a baby it would show aggression toward the baby in some sort of a dominance fashion. I then learned that they actually kill the pups of another male when it wants to mate with the mother(I suppose to bring her into heat). I have since lost a sort of respect for them as a result. Also I used to have a Chow. Seems like Chows have a flip mode switch they hit and just rip into you without warning. If I ever have a dog, I will look into getting a Doberman or two.


Ive never heard of that before i assume it could only happen if the dogs were wild not raised in the home . Ive lived around large breeds all my life and still believe ANY dog large or small that has teeth is capable of attacking - im just sick and tired of the media calling Rotts devil dogs .

[Rapunzel]

Pants, I imagine you're a very good dog owner. Sadly there are far too many bad owners out there - of every kind of pet. If every dog that walked past me behaved then no, I wouldn't walk warily past a large dog, but many animals are aggressive and have bad owners.

Yesterday I was in the pet shop when a man stood in the doorway holding two huge terriers on leashes. Both were snarling and straining at the leash and the man had trouble holding them. It didn't help that he stood in the shop doorway and they were actually inside the shop and blocking the door so no one could go in or out. There were also a lot of small pets nearby - rabbits, mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, etc which were probably scared by the sound and smell of the dogs and probably worried they might be lunch! You know, small pets can die of a heart attack just because they're so terrified of a large animal being closeby!

This discussion has been on here before, but it really boils down to what kind of owner and training the dog has. Also, don't forget, a toddler and a baby were savaged by rotties last week, in two separate attacks - it was all over the news - and the baby died! People who don't have dogs ARE going to be wary - ESPECIALLY if they have babies or toddlers with them!

[pantsonfire321@aol.com]

Rapunzel wrote: Pants, I imagine you're a very good dog owner. Sadly there are far too many bad owners out there - of every kind of pet. If every dog that walked past me behaved then no, I wouldn't walk warily past a large dog, but many animals are aggressive and have bad owners.

Yesterday I was in the pet shop when a man stood in the doorway holding two huge terriers on leashes. Both were snarling and straining at the leash and the man had trouble holding them. It didn't help that he stood in the shop doorway and they were actually inside the shop and blocking the door so no one could go in or out. There were also a lot of small pets nearby - rabbits, mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, etc which were probably scared by the sound and smell of the dogs and probably worried they might be lunch! You know, small pets can die of a heart attack just because they're so terrified of a large animal being closeby!

This discussion has been on here before, but it really boils down to what kind of owner and training the dog has. Also, don't forget, a toddler and a baby were savaged by rotties last week - it was all over the news - and the baby died! People who don't have dogs ARE going to be wary - ESPECIALLY if they have babies or toddlers with them!


I was on holiday when the attacks happened but from what i can gather the instance where the small baby was killed could of been prevented .Why on earth did the parent leave her child unattended is what i would like to ask and then the matter of the dogs not being secured is another human blunder . I don't know all of the facts but from what i understand i would blame that mother as much as the dogs .

[Bill Sikes]

pantsonfire321@aol.com wrote: COLOR="Blue"]SIZE="5"]Ok, is it only large breed dogs that bite . As the owner of a Rottie i feel a great deal of sympathy for the breed and any other large breed but in my opinion although an 11 stone dog can do a hell of a lot more damage than a yorkie I personnally HAVE FOUND MUCH SMALLER DOGS A HELL OF A LOT MORE AGGRESSIVE . So, should only large breed dogs be licenced or should the authoritys do there home work and licence all dogs . What about the media . I feel they only create hysteria , i have witnessed people who would rather walk into oncoming traffic rather than walk along the pavement alongside my dog confused: .


Small dogs are often seen as more "aggressive", however larger ones cause

more damage. WRT your having "witnessed people who would rather walk into

oncoming traffic rather than walk along the pavement alongside my dog",

hopefully you have it muzzled when out - many responsible owners do.

[pantsonfire321@aol.com]

Bill Sikes wrote: Small dogs are often seen as more "aggressive", however larger ones cause

more damage. WRT your having "witnessed people who would rather walk into

oncoming traffic rather than walk along the pavement alongside my dog",

hopefully you have it muzzled when out - many responsible owners do.


No Bill, if my dog needed to be muzzled because it was aggressive i would have it put to sleep . He is NOT so we do not muzzle him . If somebody wants to walk into on coming traffic i see that as their lookout not mine .

[Bill Sikes]

pantsonfire321@aol.com wrote: COLOR="Purple"]SIZE="3"] No Bill, if my dog needed to be muzzled because it was aggressive i would have it put to sleep . He is NOT so we do not muzzle him.


That's up to you. I'm sure that you are aware of the strictures of the Dangerous

Dogs Act - if you aren't, then you should be.

[pantsonfire321@aol.com]

Bill Sikes wrote: That's up to you. I'm sure that you are aware of the strictures of the Dangerous

Dogs Act - if you aren't, then you should be.


I'm very aware . My dog is not classed as a dangerous breed therefor does not need to be muzzled in a public place .

[Bill Sikes]

pantsonfire321@aol.com wrote: COLOR="Magenta"]SIZE="3"]I'm very aware . My dog is not classed as a dangerous breed therefor does not need to be muzzled in a public place .


The DDA applies to all dogs - perhaps you are unaware of this. I suggest you

look it up. It applies to your dog too.

You are right in that you are not required to muzzle your animal in public - I

was pointing out that it might be sensible, not to mention courteous to others.

[pantsonfire321@aol.com]

Bill Sikes wrote: The DDA applies to all dogs - perhaps you are unaware of this. I suggest you

look it up. It applies to your dog too.

You are right in that you are not required to muzzle your animal in public - I

was pointing out that it might be sensible, not to mention courteous to others.
I am fully aware . :-5

[Carl44]

when my girl was a baby we used to have a doberman which showed signs of aggresion towards the baby so i found dobie a good home did i have bad feelings towards my pet not at all , he was bred to be an aggresive fighting dog not a baby sitter and not a cuddly wuddly playmate for my child

some people could be nasty to kids for pete's sake so what do you do ? you lock the person up and you keep your kids away

honestly would you put your child in a room with a lion NO why not because they are dangerouse would you put your child into a swimming pool with a tiger shark in it NO why they have big teeth and they could bite your childs face off in a second right



soo why put your child anywhere near a dog which could do exactly the same its been bred to do so come on people its not the dogs fault its yours



dogs near children nooooo :-5 :-5 :-5 :-5

[pantsonfire321@aol.com]

Bill Sikes wrote: The DDA applies to all dogs - perhaps you are unaware of this. I suggest you

look it up. It applies to your dog too.You are right in that you are not required to muzzle your animal in public - I

was pointing out that it might be sensible, not to mention courteous to others.
Yes but a dog (any dog) has to be considered dangerosly out of control in a public place for this act to apply .

[gmc]

pantsonfire321@aol.com wrote: Ok, is it only large breed dogs that bite . As the owner of a Rottie i feel a great deal of sympathy for the breed and any other large breed but in my opinion although an 11 stone dog can do a hell of a lot more damage than a yorkie I personnally HAVE FOUND MUCH SMALLER DOGS A HELL OF A LOT MORE AGGRESSIVE . So, should only large breed dogs be licenced or should the authoritys do there home work and licence all dogs . What about the media . I feel they only create hysteria , i have witnessed people who would rather walk into oncoming traffic rather than walk along the pavement alongside my dog .


I would agree with you about small dogs and being more aggressive, what is cute and laughable in a yorkshire terrier and people don't bother about is a bit different in a big dog. Rotties are one of those dogs that I don't think I could stop if one went for me. On the other hand I've never yet met an unfriendly one.

On a side note I think docking tails makes them more aggressive, other dogs can't see the signal of intent given by a tail and just attack so you end up with an adult dog that thinks every other dog is out to get it and sometimes they will attack first. Also if you can't see a wagging tail you don't know what a dog is thinking.

The problem is some owners think it cool to have a big dog and be pulled along by it although they might be thinking look at me I have a big strong dog in reality they are being pulled because they are not in control. Those dogs are dangerous because the owners are incompetent. Very few dogs are psychotic but a lot of owners make them that way.

It's not an easy one. I object to the hysteria whipped up by the media as well-before you ask we have a big dog. IMO anything less than a foot tall is just a hamster substitute. One of my wife's friends commented she thought our dog was cowed because all you had to do was speak and it would do what it was told. she had two dogs that ran wild and she didn't have any control over but she thought that was normal and the way it should be. Sometimes intelligent people can be breathtakingly stupid.

I think if you own a big dog-or any dog-but especially powerful ones then it is your responsibility to make sure it does what you tell it and you never ever leave ot alone with children especially if they cannot physically stop the dog pulling them off their feet. Even a terrier can kill an infant.

posted by pants on fire

Ive never heard of that before i assume it could only happen if the dogs were wild not raised in the home .


If you don't mind me saying so that is one of the silliest things i've heard for a long time. Dogs are animals that relate to humans the way dogs relate to a pack. That's why you need to make sure they see you as the dominant leader otherwise you have a dog you can't control whatever it's size. I cannot understand people that anthropomorphise dogs.

We had a problem with ours running up to people when off the lead-being friendly but many peole are intimidated by big dogs that run up to them barking. In a pack the leader approaches strangers first-all it took was a few days making him stop and walk behimd to curb the behaviour, now he stops and waits for us if someone approaches.

People with babies or toddlers with them should be wary you just never know with a strange dog what it is going to do.

[pantsonfire321@aol.com]

gmc wrote: I would agree with you about small dogs and being more aggressive, what is cute and laughable in a yorkshire terrier and people don't bother about is a bit different in a big dog. Rotties are one of those dogs that I don't think I could stop if one went for me. On the other hand I've never yet met an unfriendly one.

On a side note I think docking tails makes them more aggressive, other dogs can't see the signal of intent given by a tail and just attack so you end up with an adult dog that thinks every other dog is out to get it and sometimes they will attack first. Also if you can't see a wagging tail you don't know what a dog is thinking.

You can see a wagging stump though. .

The problem is some owners think it cool to have a big dog and be pulled along by it although they might be thinking look at me I have a big strong dog in reality they are being pulled because they are not in control. Those dogs are dangerous because the owners are incompetent. Very few dogs are psychotic but a lot of owners make them that way.

It's not an easy one. I object to the hysteria whipped up by the media as well-before you ask we have a big dog. IMO anything less than a foot tall is just a hamster substitute. One of my wife's friends commented she thought our dog was cowed because all you had to do was speak and it would do what it was told. she had two dogs that ran wild and she didn't have any control over but she thought that was normal and the way it should be. Sometimes intelligent people can be breathtakingly stupid.

I think if you own a big dog-or any dog-but especially powerful ones then it is your responsibility to make sure it does what you tell it and you never ever leave ot alone with children especially if they cannot physically stop the dog pulling them off their feet. Even a terrier can kill an infant.

posted by pants on fire



If you don't mind me saying so that is one of the silliest things i've heard for a long time. Dogs are animals that relate to humans the way dogs relate to a pack. That's why you need to make sure they see you as the dominant leader otherwise you have a dog you can't control whatever it's size. I cannot understand people that anthropomorphise dogs.

We had a problem with ours running up to people when off the lead-being friendly but many peole are intimidated by big dogs that run up to them barking. In a pack the leader approaches strangers first-all it took was a few days making him stop and walk behimd to curb the behaviour, now he stops and waits for us if someone approaches.

People with babies or toddlers with them should be wary you just never know with a strange dog what it is going to do.


No problem i do say stupid things, often . The reason i say this is because i have never heard of it - only in lions eating offspring that are not related . I do know a couple of Rottie breeders and its something i really have never heard of and i must point out i don't know any packs of wild Rotties running loose either.

[pantsonfire321@aol.com]

SnoozeControl wrote: I'm sure she didn't mind at all. Personally, I love when people tell me I'm an idiot. :rolleyes:

Meanest dog I've ever known was an unneutered Chihuahua. He only liked one person and that was my mother, everyone else he either tried to bite in the hamstring when they turned their back on him or he'd pee all over everything his little body could reach... and that would include the back of the couch if I left my sweater sitting there. Filthy little dog.

On the other hand, I try to 'say hello' to dogs when I'm out and about (if the owners give me permission of course, and they always do) and I've never had a dog act threatening in any way. I wonder if some of the 'violent' dogs that freak people out on the street aren't picking up the scent of fear and acting appropriately (for a dog, that is.) Obviously that would just exacerbate an already existing problem in a slightly/fully phobic person.

Anyway, just my two cents worth. I'm spouting psychobabble the morning.


I really think this has a lot to do with it . We had our dog done at a year old and hes shown no sign of aggression ever .

[LilacDragon]

K.Snyder wrote: My brother had a Rott, and upon having a baby it would show aggression toward the baby in some sort of a dominance fashion. I then learned that they actually kill the pups of another male when it wants to mate with the mother(I suppose to bring her into heat). I have since lost a sort of respect for them as a result. Also I used to have a Chow. Seems like Chows have a flip mode switch they hit and just rip into you without warning. If I ever have a dog, I will look into getting a Doberman or two.


So, let me understand - you heard that male rottweilers will kill another male's puppies so that it can mate with the female???

You need to find a better source of doggy information!

Killing a female's puppies will not bring her into season. Although I did hear on some t.v. show that there are some species in which a male will kill the offspring of another when he assumes dominance of the area. I sure wish I could remember what species it was.

I dare say that your brother's dog was showing dominance in other ways before the child entered the picture. I am also willing to bet that the dog never saw the inside of an obedience class and didn't have a "job" to do in your brother's house.

Small dogs are often seen as more "aggressive", however larger ones cause

more damage. WRT your having "witnessed people who would rather walk into

oncoming traffic rather than walk along the pavement alongside my dog",

hopefully you have it muzzled when out - many responsible owners do.


That is the biggest load of hewey that I have ever heard!

I sure wish that I could find my dog bite book. I do know that among the breeds listed that had been involved in a FATAL dog attack were - pomeranians, West Highland White terriers, dachshunds, miniature schnauzers, and a couple of other ones that surprised even me.

Telling someone that they should muzzle their well behaved dog is a bigger load of crap. That is punishing the dog for something it hasn't done.

If you want to know about dog bites - read between the lines in those fabulous headlines you keep reading. "Guard dogs kill baby" tells me that dogs that were poorly socialized and never trained and they were allowed to be in the vacinity of an unattended child. Every single dog fatality that I have read in the last year have involved dogs that weren't vetted, weren't trained and weren't closely supervised. Dogs don't vet themselves or train themselves - so I am guessing that maybe, just maybe, the dog's owner was at fault.

[pantsonfire321@aol.com]

LilacDragon wrote: So, let me understand - you heard that male rottweilers will kill another male's puppies so that it can mate with the female???

You need to find a better source of doggy information!

Killing a female's puppies will not bring her into season. Although I did hear on some t.v. show that there are some species in which a male will kill the offspring of another when he assumes dominance of the area. I sure wish I could remember what species it was.

I dare say that your brother's dog was showing dominance in other ways before the child entered the picture. I am also willing to bet that the dog never saw the inside of an obedience class and didn't have a "job" to do in your brother's house.



That is the biggest load of hewey that I have ever heard!

I sure wish that I could find my dog bite book. I do know that among the breeds listed that had been involved in a FATAL dog attack were - pomeranians, West Highland White terriers, dachshunds, miniature schnauzers, and a couple of other ones that surprised even me.

Telling someone that they should muzzle their well behaved dog is a bigger load of crap. That is punishing the dog for something it hasn't done.

If you want to know about dog bites - read between the lines in those fabulous headlines you keep reading. "Guard dogs kill baby" tells me that dogs that were poorly socialized and never trained and they were allowed to be in the vacinity of an unattended child. Every single dog fatality that I have read in the last year have involved dogs that weren't vetted, weren't trained and weren't closely supervised. Dogs don't vet themselves or train themselves - so I am guessing that maybe, just maybe, the dog's owner was at fault.


:yh_clap :yh_clap :yh_clap

[LilacDragon]

On a side note I think docking tails makes them more aggressive, other dogs can't see the signal of intent given by a tail and just attack so you end up with an adult dog that thinks every other dog is out to get it and sometimes they will attack first. Also if you can't see a wagging tail you don't know what a dog is thinking.




I daresay, there is soooo much more to reading a dog's body language then a wagging tail and I would never in a million years assume that a dog is friendly because it's tail is wagging.

Most of the breeds that I admire most have docked tails and are no more aggressive then any of the tailed breeds that have such a stellar reputation. Again - being properly bred and trained is the key.

The last dog that went after my rottweiler while she sat patiently at my side - a labrador with a lovely wagging tail. My girl just looked at her like she was some kind of loon.

[Bill Sikes]

LilacDragon wrote:

Sikes:

Small dogs are often seen as more "aggressive", however larger ones cause

more damage. WRT your having "witnessed people who would rather walk into

oncoming traffic rather than walk along the pavement alongside my dog",

hopefully you have it muzzled when out - many responsible owners do.

That is the biggest load of hewey that I have ever heard!.


Which bit? That smaller dogs are often seen as more aggressive? That many

responsible owners muzzle their animals?



LilacDragon wrote: I sure wish that I could find my dog bite book. I do know that among the breeds listed that had been involved in a FATAL dog attack were - pomeranians, West Highland White terriers, dachshunds, miniature schnauzers, and a couple of other ones that surprised even me.


As far as I'm aware, Rottweilers are responsible for most of the fatal dog

attacks in the 'States. Do you know differently?



LilacDragon wrote: Telling someone that they should muzzle their well behaved dog is a bigger load of crap. That is punishing the dog for something it hasn't done.


Muzzling the animal isn't punishing it.



LilacDragon wrote: If you want to know about dog bites - read between the lines in those fabulous headlines you keep reading. "Guard dogs kill baby" tells me that dogs that were poorly socialized and never trained and they were allowed to be in the vacinity of an unattended child. Every single dog fatality that I have read in the last year have involved dogs that weren't vetted, weren't trained and weren't closely supervised. Dogs don't vet themselves or train themselves - so I am guessing that maybe, just maybe, the dog's owner was at fault.


That's beside the point, though.

[Bill Sikes]

LilacDragon wrote: I daresay, there is soooo much more to reading a dog's body language then a wagging tail and I would never in a million years assume that a dog is friendly because it's tail is wagging.


Unfortunately no breeds that I know are entirely predictable!



LilacDragon wrote: The last dog that went after my rottweiler


Ah.

[LilacDragon]

Bill Sikes wrote: Which bit? That smaller dogs are often seen as more aggressive? That many

responsible owners muzzle their animals?

The whole thing. Most of my friends are rottweiler owners. (Go figure.) There dogs are bred by responsible ethical breeders and their dogs are trained in at least basic obedience. They do NOT muzzle their dogs. Why? Their dogs aren't aggressive.

Drunk drivers kill more healthy people every year then anything else - should we outlaw cars?





As far as I'm aware, Rottweilers are responsible for most of the fatal dog

attacks in the 'States. Do you know differently?

Ummm. YES! Here is a link to a website that'll break it down a bit for you. http://www.fataldogattacks.com/statistics.html

Like England - the U.S. does not have a comprehensive method of tracking dogbites nor is every bite reported. It is the onus of the victim to name the breed that bit them and to the doggy ingnorant that is often difficult. I can't begin to tell you how many times people asked me if the boxer I was fostering was a pit bull. I can promise you that if he had ever bitten anyone it would have been classified (wrongly of course) as a pit bull bite.

Rottweilers were the breed to blame in the 80's. Now that is 2006, the media calls every viscious dog a pit bull. Don't worry, another decade marker is coming up and I am sure that another breed will start biting people then.





Muzzling the animal isn't punishing it.

So, muzzling a dog is a big, fat prize!?! Tape your mouth shut every time you walk out of the door for a day and see if you don't feel like you are being punished for something.





That's beside the point, though.


NO. IT IS THE POINT. If everyone was a responsible owner - vetted, trained and socialized their dogs - there would be no more dog attacks.

[LilacDragon]

Bill Sikes wrote: Unfortunately no breeds that I know are entirely predictable!

No, no breed is entirely predictable. But no breed is any less predictable than any other and shouldn't be singled out.





Ah.


Ah, what?

Look, if you don't like the breed - just admit it.

As I stood in a line with my son to purchase a beverage at an outdoor event - my dog sitting calmly at my side minding her manners - a man walking an untrained labrador walked by and his dog lunged at mine. Mine remained in a sit as she was told and the man dragged his dog away snarling and growling.

So, what is YOUR point?

[Bill Sikes]

LilacDragon wrote: NO. IT IS THE POINT. If everyone was a responsible owner - vetted, trained and socialized their dogs - there would be no more dog attacks.


Please will you edit your post? The quoting's all messed up!

[Bill Sikes]

LilacDragon wrote: NO. IT IS THE POINT. If everyone was a responsible owner - vetted, trained and socialized their dogs - there would be no more dog attacks.


I am sure there would be - as I have said, no breeds that I know are entirely

predictable. Do you know of one?

[Bill Sikes]

LilacDragon wrote:

Sikes:

As far as I'm aware, Rottweilers are responsible for most of the fatal dog

attacks in the 'States. Do you know differently?

Ummm. YES! Here is a link to a website that'll break it down a bit for you. http://www.fataldogattacks.com/statistics.html




http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/09/ ... index.html

[LilacDragon]

Ok - well since you don't want to scroll up a post - I will make this pretty simple for you.

A dog is no more dangerous then a gun. Perfectly safe in the hands of a responsible owner.

[Bill Sikes]

LilacDragon wrote: Ok - well since you don't want to scroll up a post - I will make this pretty simple for you.

A dog is no more dangerous then a gun. Perfectly safe in the hands of a responsible owner.


ROFLMAO!

[LilacDragon]

Bill Sikes wrote: http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/09/ ... index.html


You really get off jerking my chain don't you.

That particular article is 6 years old.

I have done my research, Bill. I know what I am talking about. If you want to slap my hand - you will be needing something a little more substantial than a 6 year old newspaper article.

Did you even look at the link I posted? Golly Gee - Karen did her research too.

[Bill Sikes]

LilacDragon wrote: You really get off jerking my chain don't you.

That particular article is 6 years old.


I looked at the link you posted, which is very nearly as old as the article I referred

to. Does that make it invalid, too?

[cherandbuster]

Yes, I am the proud owner of a yappy little dog named Buster. He exhibits the classic chihuahua traits: Barks at people and doorbells, intense loyalty to one or two family members only, and doesn't have much use for other people or other dogs :rolleyes:

I *never* let someone pat Buster until he has at least 'smelled' them. He has the typical Napoleon Complex -- big dog in the body of a little dog.

He does not like it when someone other than Daddy leans over to give Mommy a kiss -- he goes crazy.

I'm not thrilled with some of his characteristics, but given his size of 4 1/2 pounds, he is easy to control. I've never had a problem with his aggression, but it's definitely *not* my favorite characteristic of his.

I'm still madly in love with him. :-4

Had I done *more* research, I might have gotten a breed that was more friendly to all -- kind of like me. That's really what I wanted in a dog, but I definitely did not get that with Buster.

By the way, a couple of Rotties I know are the *most gentle* dogs I have ever seen. Without a doubt, Buster is *much* more aggressive, but he is more easily controlled. :-6

[Bill Sikes]

lilacdragon wrote:

Ok - well since you don't want to scroll up a post - I will make this pretty simple for you.

A dog is no more dangerous then a gun. Perfectly safe in the hands of a responsible owner.


Sorry for my "roflmao!", I should have actually explained. Regarding your

"gun" comparison, even in the 'States there are limits on what guns you

can own, aren't there?

[LilacDragon]

Bill Sikes wrote: I looked at the link you posted, which is very nearly as old as the article I referred

to. Does that make it invalid, too?


Pit Bull and Pit-bull-type dogs (21%), Mixed breed dogs (16%),

Rottweilers (13%), German Shepherd Dogs (9%), Wolf Dogs (5%),

Siberian Huskies (5%), Malamutes (4%), Great Danes (3%),

St. Bernards (3%), Chow Chows (3%), Doberman Pinschers (3%),

other breeds & non-specified breeds (15%).




Umm. Yep. This is more recent although still not perfect.

You might also notice that there are other factors shown that contribute to dog bites besides breed. And among those factors are things mentioned earlier in this thread.

[LilacDragon]

Bill Sikes wrote: Sorry for my "roflmao!", I should have actually explained. Regarding your

"gun" comparison, even in the 'States there are limits on what guns you

can own, aren't there?


I don't think that I could legally own a rocket launcher. But automatic, semi-automatic it is all the same to the NRA. Well - I suppose that I could apply for some kind of permit for that rocket launcher if I really wanted one.

[gmc]

LilacDragon wrote: I daresay, there is soooo much more to reading a dog's body language then a wagging tail and I would never in a million years assume that a dog is friendly because it's tail is wagging.

Most of the breeds that I admire most have docked tails and are no more aggressive then any of the tailed breeds that have such a stellar reputation. Again - being properly bred and trained is the key.

The last dog that went after my rottweiler while she sat patiently at my side - a labrador with a lovely wagging tail. My girl just looked at her like she was some kind of loon.


I meant in their relation ships with other dogs. Tail signals area crucial partb of communication and often dogs with no talis seem to be aggressive to other dogs because they were attacked a lot as pups, they learn to ttack first and are not socialised normally. Just my opinion so don't ask me to back it up with any kind of study.

Funnily enough I our dog has also been attacked by ladradors, the last time full on by two of them. The owner did admit to having a problem with them attacking other dogs, I rather suspect it was her poor training more than anything else plus she was physically incapable of holding on to them if they were on a lead and tried to break away.

There is also the type of owner that likes having a dog other people are afraid of, there was one guy with the rhodesian ridgeback that was smirking because his dog was running loose and people were hustling away their dogs and children-just a young dog though and harmless and he put it on the lead quickly enough after my dog flattened it and dragged it away. But you could see what it was going to be like though if left with a pillock like him, it was obviously going to be uncontrollable if he kept it and he wanted it that way. That kind of owner annoys.

The only dogs that have bitten me have beem small ones. I recall as a message boy going up a drive and the owner coming out telling me to be careful of the dog, feeling something cold on my back I turned round and there was a great dane looking me in the eye (I was a kid). Big friendly thing, it was the westie that bit my ankle she as warning me about.

[valerie]

Let me just say this about that: LilacDragon, I love you! :-4



A little story I'd like to relate re: dogs going after people who are

fearful...



Weekend before last, I went to see friends in the Sierras. They live

on a piece of property that has a chain link fence around and a gate

across their road. Their 2 largish mixed breed dogs are allowed free

range within this fence. There is a large Beware of Dog sign on their

gate. I've "met" these dogs on 2 occasions., once last June, and

once coming up on 2 years ago, both brief meetings. I pulled my car

up, opened the gate, and drove in. The dogs saw me and came around

but I pretty much ignored them. My friend finally came out of the house

and looked at me in astonishment and asked "Did they even BARK at you?"

and I said no, they hadn't. Now, what is going on here? Probably

the primary thing to note is that I had no fear for those dogs to key

on. I knew I had every right to be there, and I didn't hesitate to come

in. I didn't stand wringing my hands at the gate or trying to say "Good

dog" when they ran up. I had a show of dominance from the get go

and these dogs knew it.



Please don't try this at home, I'm not advocating that. I tell it only

to show that dogs in my experience can respect people who command

that respect. Sadly, I think the vast majority of people with "problem"

dogs are "problem" owners. That's an extremely tough thing to try and

change, regardless of breed of dog.



I try to hammer home ideas when I'm able, unfortunately I think we

are always going to have the cement heads who won't listen.



More should try "NILIF".

[LilacDragon]

valerie wrote: Let me just say this about that: LilacDragon, I love you! :-4






Gosh, Val, I love you too! :-4 :-6