Dangerous Dogs

[JayP1]

Recent headlines about dogs attacking people and other dogs have highlighted how powerful and dangerous dogs can be - is it the breed of dogs or the breed of people that own them, that are to blame?

Interesting to see peoples' thoughts...

[Arese]

I think it's in the genes of some breed of dogs to naturally see every other animal as a threat, and therefore attack when they feel threatened. Couple that with irresponsible owners that do little to suppress that behaviour and you have a problem.

Maybe there should be some form of dog licensing? If there isn't already.

[y2blade]

it is more to do with the way the dog is raised/treated/socialised imho

I blame the owners

[off_again]

Some dogs are more prone to behaviour that is not appropriate than others, but this is the minority rather than majority. You can get a truly nasty dog, but you can nasty Poodles, Labradores and such like. Its more down to the owners. The owner has the biggest affect on the behaviour of the dog and its the owner that needs to take responsibility - personally, I would go for higher sentencing for owners rather than letting them get away with it.

I am sick to the back teeth of owners of dogs who run amok, bark, growl and bite people and children as well as dogs, explain it away with a 'they just get carried away' or 'they just want to play'... that's not playing. Bloody morons....

[JayP1]

I've seen it a few times when owners with the pitbull type dogs kick and beat their dogs in the street - I suppose to make them aggressive.

That type of dog is becoming a chav status symbol, a bit like Burberry a decade a go.

[g3rrd]

Deed NOT Breed

http://www.bullbreedadvisoryservice.com

In my opinion by far the biggest problem for ANY popular breed is the totally selfish and irresponsible breeding for profit brigade.

The only reason for breeding is if your dog can "improve" the breeds gene pool.

[carmadgaz]

I have met several dogs that would normally be classed as gentle getting agressive and visa versa.

Was at a mates the one day when the doorbell went, they said to the Staffie they have to 'see them off' so the dog went growling and barking at the door, as soon as the door was opened however the dog trotted past the person at the door and went for a wander around the drive. She would never attack as she's too soft but people assume they are an agressive breed.

Its a bit like children, if they aren't told what is acceptable on you will have trouble.

[JayP1]

There is one for sale in the Misc classifieds, without papers - not sure whether that is good or bad?

edit with link:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1381896.htm

Edited by JayP1 on Wednesday 16th December 11:24

[ChunkyloverSV]

g3rrd said:

Deed NOT Breed

http://www.bullbreedadvisoryservice.com

In my opinion by far the biggest problem for ANY popular breed is the totally selfish and irresponsible breeding for profit brigade.

The only reason for breeding is if your dog can "improve" the breeds gene pool.

+1 . The problem is irresponsible owners. The stories that get reported focus on a illegal breed being the main issue but that is not the main issue. The issue time and time again is people leaving a strong powerful dog alone unsupervised with a infant/ toddler. Bull breeds might be stocky and boisterous but they are still terriers underneath.
My Staffie shows the same traits my two Jack Russells show, the 'ratting' things in their jaws swinging them side to side. and a determination and fearlessness towards game.

So its quite easy to see what goes wrong definitely when there is a 20kg+ bundle of muscle that can jump over 5 foot, and has a bone crunching bite. The infant/toddler does not stand a chance, however the blame gets put on the dog.

[Tiggsy]

Some dogs are more prone to problem behavior than others...couple that with bad owners and you have issues. It's no good just focusing on the owner and ignoring the breed.....the worse hoodie in the world will not cause much damage with a jack russell (no matter how nasty the dog is). And while many "scary" dogs are fine with a great owner you will still find a lot have behaviour traits that are hard to get rid off.....lots of bull breeds are not great with other dogs for example - not a huge issue but a pain when you want to wander the park without concern. Whenever i walk my lurches (which couldn't care less about other dogs) it always interests me when other people have to put their dogs on a lead when they see us coming....what a lousy way to walk the dog (imo)...and i've been there with a bull terrier that was great but wouldn't tolerate another dog sniffing him repeatedly so was safer on a lead.

Its no different to gun law....an AK47 is more dangerous than an air rifle....though both could kill in the wrong hands and both could be quite safe in the hands of someone sensible - but you have to draw a line and thats why you cant buy an Uzi at Tescos.

I would introduce a license and chipping scheme (subsided for pensioners) and give police the power to destroy any dog that doenst have one - how many good owners would say no to such a scheme (chipping is a great idea anyway) yet how many hoddies would bother?

[ChunkyloverSV]

JayP1 said:

There is one for sale in the Misc classifieds, without papers - not sure whether that is good or bad?

edit with link:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1381896.htm

Edited by JayP1 on Wednesday 16th December 11:24

Looks like a normal Staffie they stay lanky until they get to about 18 months when they get stocky.

[becksW]

Generally it is owners at fault, have to add not every single time but majority of time it is.

Recently had puppy cocker spaniel, very sweet pup on first visit to puppy party. Came in a coupole of weeks later to be wormed and puppy very bitey, not just play biting. A chat with owner by one of the nurses revealed some basic but very major errors by owner. Luckily owner listened to advice and now pup much better again, had we not seen pup's behaviour when we did that could easily have ended up being a problem dog.

Staffies, we see an awful lot of them and I'd say apart from being a bit hyper they are usually very good natured but strong dogs! They are good with people but it's other dogs they can be a problem with.

My whippet has played with plenty of staffies no trouble at all but I am aware that staffies have this trait but so are plenty of other breeds, recently had a dalmation brought in that had been bitten in several places by an out of control collie. O' of the dalmation had to kick the collie off his dog in the end. They couldn't see the owner.

Pitbulls etc are loyal to their owners which is why they will fight to almost death because the owner encourages them to keep going and they trust their owners, very sad really but it can mean they are great family pets if brought up appropriately (You don't tend to see that here due to being a banned breed but in America there are plenty of family pitbulls)

[becksW]

JayP1 said:

There is one for sale in the Misc classifieds, without papers - not sure whether that is good or bad?

edit with link:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1381896.htm

Edited by JayP1 on Wednesday 16th December 11:24

You can't really call a breed pedigree if it has no papers to back it up. For 5 months old it is quite tall for a Staffie, could be a different breed line to what I'm used to but I'm not convinced that's a pure Staffie.

I have a Whippet but I wouldn't say he's pedigree due to lack of papers (he was a rescue) I have had him looked at by a breeder and judge of Whippets who confirmed he was a Whippet but I still have no background on him. Not that it matters because he's great and we love him with or without papers

[Dr Phibes]

JayP1 said:

I've seen it a few times when owners with the pitbull type dogs kick and beat their dogs in the street - I suppose to make them aggressive.

That type of dog is becoming a chav status symbol, a bit like Burberry a decade a go.

Yup that's the main culprit, certain breeds being used as drug dealers protection, not one second of thought is given to the requirements of the breed they purchase, eg diet, exercise, temperament its just fashion and function.

ANY dog can be dangerous some breeds more than others I am still scared of Jack Russell's as my uncles hated me, but its was a proper farm working dog not a pet doing what its breed had been doing for 200 years or so. Now a jack russell can only do so much damage but certain breeds where created purely for fighting, baiting, guarding etc, "proper" breeders have tried to remove this as much as possible but its still in their DNA and mistreating dogs, poor socialisation at an early age, incorrect levels of exercise and deliberate training of their core instincts to come to the surface don't help the poor dog its no surprise when the "promising footballer or rappers" little bro get mauled.

Back street breeding has a lot to answer for, proper breeders would never breed from a dog that showed one moment of aggression or indeed any medical issues ie hip dysplasia, but these scumbags are just after a profit and the brainless who buy from them just want the status symbol.

Wrong dog in wrong hands = trouble.

Edited by Dr Phibes on Wednesday 16th December 11:56

Edited by Dr Phibes on Wednesday 16th December 11:57

[becksW]

Dr Phibes said:

JayP1 said:

I've seen it a few times when owners with the pitbull type dogs kick and beat their dogs in the street - I suppose to make them aggressive.

That type of dog is becoming a chav status symbol, a bit like Burberry a decade a go.

Yup that's the main culprit, certain breeds being used as drug dealers protection, not one second of thought is given to the requirements of the breed they purchase, eg diet, exercise, temperament its just fashion and function.

ANY dog can be dangerous some breeds more than others I am still scared of Jack Russell's as my uncles hated me, but its was a proper farm working dog not a pet doing what its breed had been doing for 200 years or so. Now a jack russell can only do so much damage but certain breeds where created purely for fighting, baiting, guarding etc, "proper" breeders have tried to remove this as much as possible but its still in their DNA and mistreating dogs, poor socialisation at an early age, incorrect levels of exercise and deliberate training of their core instincts to come to the surface don't help the poor dog its no surprise when the "promising footballer or rappers" little bro get mauled.

Back street breeding has a lot to answer for a proper breeders would never breed from a dog that showed one moment of aggression or indeed any medical issues ie hip dysplasia, but these scumbags are just after a profit and the brainless who buy from them just want the status symbol.

Wrong dog in wrong hands = trouble.

Edited by Dr Phibes on Wednesday 16th December 11:56

They don't have to be back street breeders to breed irresponsibly. There are those supposedly well respected breeders that look past the bad hips, nervous temperaments etc just because they have bred a show winning look. Sad but true.

[g3rrd]

Dr Phibes said:

proper breeders would never breed from a dog that showed one moment of aggression or indeed any medical issues

If only this where true. I know in my chosen breed, Staffords, the show world was a hell of an eye opener!
Whether it is the Kennel Club, Breed Clubs, Puppy farmers or back street breeders, unfortunately Money is still the King.

[y2blade]

g3rrd said:

Dr Phibes said:

proper breeders would never breed from a dog that showed one moment of aggression or indeed any medical issues

If only this where true. I know in my chosen breed, Staffords, the show world was a hell of an eye opener!
Whether it is the Kennel Club, Breed Clubs, Puppy farmers or back street breeders, unfortunately Money is still the King.

well said

[JayP1]

Would anyone agree that it would be easier just to phase in an ouright ban on the breed for new dogs, as it is probably impossible to make sure they don't fall into the wrong hands?

[g3rrd]

They tried that with the original DDA.

Even if they did manage to eliminate all breeds of the "type" whatever was left
next in line would become the new fancy!

[BiggusLaddus]

JayP1 said:

Would anyone agree that it would be easier just to phase in an ouright ban on the breed for new dogs, as it is probably impossible to make sure they don't fall into the wrong hands?

Which breed? At the moment staffs and pit-bulls are the popular media devil dogs from hell, but in the past it has been rotties and GSDs.

What next, mastiffs, bulldogs, dobermans? With the exception of andrex puppies (and possibly dalmations if disney re-release the film), any working or former fighting breed has the potential to be demonised.