Originally Posted By debtee I'm not at all for Pit bulls! They do scare me if one ran at me to attack in the street while walking my boys, they would not stand a chance as Goldien Retrievers have soft jaws and are useless at defending themselves, they would roll over and be killed for sure! However within Australia, I have to say most media reports get it wrong in regards to dog attacks and label all attacks as a Pit Bull when sometimes it's a Staffy or Bull Terrier or a completely other breed that's involved so the number of attacks are actually false! I don't question the poor dogs I question why someone wants to own that breed of dog, as usually they are the type to not do any formal training with them!
Originally Posted By avromark ^^^ I had Lab's growing up. If I have kids I'm going with a Golden Retriever, a Lab, a Mastiff or a dachshund. I have a friend who has 2 Chow's, both are beautiful dogs, 1 is temperamental. However I want a dog that requires less maintenance. The only thing I don't like about Golden Retrievers is the amount of time you spend maintaining their fur (That's why our dogs were labs 1 black, 1 golden). As well with people I know I wouldn't go for a brown lab, they tend to stay "puppies" forever and chew too much. That said even other animals have their share of grumpies, I've met more then 1 grumpy cat. I'm glad mine is a people person.
Originally Posted By debtee ^Labs are lovely too! I have a soft spot for Black Labs! I don't find the Goldies coat hard to look after at all. I have my boys washed one a month by the doggie wash lady Jane who comes to our house with a mobile unit and whom they adore, she's coming today actually. Twice a week I brush out their coat and they stand still and love being preened, takes about 10 mins! What I don't like is their twice a year shed, OMG I don't go anywhere without hair on me and I hate it! LOL
Originally Posted By DlandJB There are steps individuals can take to protect themselves against being bitten by a dog.>>> All very sensible, but it can happen anyway. About 20 or so years ago I was going to a friend's house for dinner. She lived with a group of young professionals and one of them owned a German Shepard which was chained outside. I'd never been to the house before. I got out of my car at the end of the drive way and started to walk toward the house. The dog, chained in the yard, started to bark at me and pull on his chain. To both of our surprise, the chain broke and the dog was suddenly free and lunged at me. I knew at least enough to cover my face and neck and turn my head away (screaming bloody murder) and essentially offered him my backside and legs. He bit me hard in the back of the knee and butt before my friend came running to the door and called him off. I was only slightly scathed -- it hurt and I needed to see a doctor and get a tentus shot..but I was an emotional wreck. I don't blame the dog -- it did what dogs do. But I blame the owner for being such a bad caretaker. Incidentally, she did pay for my medical treatment and I heard later she had given the dog away because she realized she was traveling too much to be a good owner. I still can't be around big dogs very much.
Originally Posted By avromark ^^^ Ruh-row, some of the gentlest dogs are large breed (Newfoundlands, Great Danes, Mastiffs etc).
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >> All very sensible, but it can happen anyway. << Absolutely. Anytime our dog acts in the least way aggressive, which isn't very often, he gets scolded and sent out right away. He very, very seldom growls or barks. When he does growl, it's because someone has startled him out of a sleep or he isn't feeling well. But I'd never assume that he'd never snap if pushed. He's very protective of his family and kids especially.
Originally Posted By DlandJB Actually, I love Great Danes. My late husband's family had one. In fact the first time I met his family we sat around the kitchen table and the great dane fell asleep under the table and put his head on my foot. I was certain if I startled the dog, he would tear my leg off, so I sat there, trying to make a good impression on the family, with my foot and leg falling completely asleep for fear of waking the dog! Later on I got to know him, and he was a sweetheart, except for a tendency to drool (yechh) and when he liked you, he wanted to lean on you -- which was only dangerous to the small children around because he could push them over. But he was a dear dog once I got over my initial fear.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Someone I know with a pit bull swears that they were bred to be aggressive towards each other (they were bred to fight in a pit, hence the name), but never towards humans. A pit bull who was aggressive towards humans was useless and often destroyed in those rougher days when, well, when dogs were bred to fight each other for our amusement. However, if not properly raised that aggression can today manifest itself towards humans, and indeed they tend to not let go once they bite. But how they're raised is key. I don't fear my friend's pit bull at all because I know he was properly raised (and besides, by now he knows me). But here in NYC, many people in rough neighborhoods DO have them as a "tough guy fashion statement" or would-be protection, and I give an unknown pit bull a wide berth.
Originally Posted By debtee I'm sorry to hear you had such a frightening experience DlandJB! That would put you off of dogs for life I'm sure! The minute you mentioned in your story that the dog was chained up I knew it wouldn't end nicely! This is my point, all dogs when they are puppies have the ability to be trained correctly. It's especially needed for big dogs like German Shepard's. Unfortunately for them they get stuck with stupid owners that don't socialize them correctly, leave them alone forever in a backyard and you end up with bored monsters that have to be chained up and they become aggressive. A dog needs lots of care and attention to keep it well balanced, people who are not prepared to do that should not own them full stop! Having said that and at the risk of offending some, I adore dogs and yet I'm still wary of pit bulls and will walk down a different street to avoid seeing one!
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<<There are steps individuals can take to protect themselves against being bitten by a dog>>> My (then 5 yr old) DD was visciously attacked in our suburban upper middle class neighborhood, 3 yrs ago...here are the facts: Nature of attack: The dog lunged at her, as she was simply standing there not even looking at the dog. He bit down on her arm, shook her like a rag doll, and did not let go. Had he gotten her aroud the neck she would be dead. History of the dog: Had never displayed any signs of agression, and had been alone with several kids around the neighborhood over the previous 2 years. Location of the attack: I MY driveway, no owner in sight, no leesh, no nothing. BREED of dog: You guessed it...Pit Bull Rescue of victim: I was standing 5 feet away, I just happened to be holding a 2 ft long peice of re-bar that was lying in my flower bed, which immediately connected with said animal's skull. He let go fairly quickly. End Result: The dog was picked up by animal control, watched for 10 days, and released to the owner. Injuries: None but a few small scars on the arm, and a week of Augmentin cured all. Conclusion: The original owner kept the dog, continued to allow it to roam "by accident." We moved 3 months later, which was already in the works, NOT a result of the attack. We did NOT sue. I grew up with Rotts and German Sheperds. Except for Labs and the usual kid friendly breeds, I would not reccomend a large dog with kids. And NO DOG should ever be left alone with kids. Dogs are dogs, they are not humans.
Originally Posted By ecdc >>Dogs are dogs, they are not humans.<< I tend to think this is part of the problem. Most pet owners are responsible people who care properly for their animals. But there seem to be two other kinds as well: the slackers who own a big dog to show everyone how tough and cool they are, and people who treat their pets as their children. Today there are more couples opting not to have children (nothing wrong with that) but some seem to be getting pets in their place. I loved my dogs too but I've had too many creepy conversations with a few people who quite literally talk about pets as kids. Love them like kids all you want, but remember they're still an animal that will defend itself aggressively if it feels threatened. It's not a child. It's an animal that has been trained to behave a certain way under certain conditions. It doesn't use reason or rationality; just because we think it shouldn't or won't do something, doesn't make it so. It's a fundamental truth that separates them from humans, but some people in love with their dogs forget that basic fact. Again, I can't get over the fact that every story about a dog bite or dog attack has a shocked, tearful owner saying the dog never did anything like this before.
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy ^^^Many times the owners won't even come on camera in the news. Ignorant cowards (the ones who ignorantly get such dogs and don't give them the proper attention/training, or let them roam).
Originally Posted By melekalikimaka I'm glad your daughter wasn't more seriously hurt, DVC_Dad. What a terrifying experience. I don't blame you, JB, for being uneasy around big dogs! There are times when I wonder what would happen if our dog lost it and attacked us. She's a black lab/rottie mix and really incredibly gentle but she's HUGE. When she barks at people in our driveway, her teeth are terrifying.
Originally Posted By avromark <<But there seem to be two other kinds as well: the slackers who own a big dog to show everyone how tough and cool they are, and people who treat their pets as their children.>> You mean like celebs (and other people) that drive around with their dog sitting in their lap, or throw a fit if their poodle can't eat at a restaurant? The ones that spend more on their dogs then most people make in one year? The ones that get mad if guests want to sit down on the sofa?
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle >>All very sensible, but it can happen anyway<< I have a similar story, JB. When I was 14 my friend owned a German Shepherd, and although I'd always been cautious around those sorts of dogs, she got to know me fairly well over several visits and my friend always told me she never hurt anyone. Once when I was over there I was patting her, as I usually did, and she just suddenly growled at me and before I could pull away, bit me HARD on the thigh. It left a huge bruise but I was mostly shocked/upset, and I didn't go near her again - or the new model they got a couple of years later when she died. Of course, I do somewhat blame the owners (my friend's parents) because when her mum asked me to show her the bruise, she said dismissively "oh, THAT'S not bad!" It was absolutely huge and very painful. I think she was just trying to get rid of some of the responsibility. I'm an absolute dog lover but that taught me to be a bit more wary, even around dogs I think I know. I've hated German Shepherds ever since. And DVC, what a frightening story! I'm glad your daughter wasn't hurt more than she was, but how awful.
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle >>The ones that get mad if guests want to sit down on the sofa?<< At the risk of making myself sound like an absolute twit (lol) our dogs (mini poodles) do get to sit on the couch, and although of course guests get top priority I do get REALLY mad when people literally kick the dogs off the chair. They'll both get up if you just say "move", but I've had a few guests whack them in the back or push them off with their foot. Jerks.
Originally Posted By officerminnie In addition to pet owners not properly socializing and otherwise training their dogs, there is also the basic problem of irresponsible breeding as well. People who know nothing of genetics are breeding dogs in puppy mills without any regard to how the dogs are related. I have owned some wonderful Dalmatians, bought from reputable breeders, who were very sweet dogs. But every time a new Dalmatian movie comes out, here come the backyard breeders who think they're gonna make a bunch of money selling little spotted puppies. They don't have a clue about proper breeding and I think that often results in dogs with diminished mental capacities and wacky temperaments. It makes me sad to see that Dalmatians are not too far down the list of biters from the Pit Bull. I also agree though, that most folks who choose a breed such as the Pit Bull are not looking for a warm fuzzy dog. They want the look of the tough guy dog, or they're headed to the dog fights.
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy Using live animals to "accessorize" yourself, ugh...well, the poodle thing I could see, but I'm talkin' about gettin' a dangerous animal you don't know much about and keepin' it locked up most of the time just to look "tough" or "cool". Ugh. <At the risk of making myself sound like an absolute twit (lol)> You know a post has gotta be good when it starts off like that, lol.
Originally Posted By knightnfrees <<Using live animals to "accessorize" yourself, ugh>> Yeah, People getting exotic animals is a problem, too. Remember the story about the guy in NY with the pet tiger? Anytime a movie comes out focusing on a particular animal, kids are going to want it. I remember when the 101 & 102 Dalmatians (live action) came out. There were interviews w/ members of the SPCA and dog pounds talking about how, yes they are cute but they are easily abandoned or dropped off to the pound. They said that people really need to understand what it takes to take care of an animal before they get one.
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy Just another reason to dislike those dang live-action "remakes". (and yup, I heard that too...sad)
