Posted on 01/10/2014 12:51:52 PM PST by Slings and Arrows
I was agreeing with you that the numbers were drawn in part from press reports, which I thought was being disputed.
That’s not mine...I lifted the graphic from a mastiff owner on another message board.
Then I misunderstood, and I beg your pardon.
We got a Rottweiler about 4 months ago,I’ve been using the same training for him as I used for the German Shepherds.He’s very easy going around strangers in public,loves all the kids he meets.He’s never shown any hint of unwanted aggression,but by the way he reacts to strange sounds at night I can tell he’ll be a good watch dog as he gets older.
Great examples include St Bernards, Dalmations, and Cocker Spaniels, all of which have had intense "spurts" of popularity, leading to irresponsible breeding and eventually to increased rates of dog bites. Rottweilers, while they haven't had something like that happen, I believe their featured role in some horror movies as "devil dogs" (most notably, "The Omen") have led to bad reputations as well.
My personal experience with Rotties has ALWAYS been good (every one I've met has been a loving couch potato), and in fact, when my best friend's son was being mauled by a feral dog as a 2 year old, their neighbor's Rottie jumped the fence into the yard and attacked the other dog, helping to save my friend's son's life.
Finally, the long term breeding results can really have excellent results. A terrific example of that would be the English Bulldog, which is for all intents and purposes, a "man-made" dog. They can't really breed without human intervention now a days, but in Ancient Rome, their predecessors were banned from the public streets as a dangerous animal. Over the centuries they've been bred to a smaller size and a far more attractive personality.
But you ALWAYS have to remember that all animals are individuals, and absolutely unpredictable.
Mark
Do not have time to post in this place, on iPad, so let me comment on the thing closest to my heart: you are talking to the Queen of allergic GS, the photo shows the dog who is Queeb of allergic dogs. Ask her dermatologist, she has the thickest file ever. She was itchy from the time I picked her up at 9 weeks. She and our other dogs had good food, and Tara nothing but IVD from when she was 1 visiting the derm 1st time.
No one has been through what I have been through with this 1 dog! My sister almost as bad with 2. All pure German.
The greatest dog I ever knew was my last, a half German half American show. Very healthy, tough and bold BUT steady and stable, and merry and playful. She was the best ever, and I kid not. Worst thing, seasonal allergies resulting in ugly pussy sores for the season, but no big deal. German half? I know it’s anecdotal, but I never hear anyone talk about allergy problems in any circle. Not that I have tons of experience!
Tara is a girl, all I remember is she is German, at least all background. Don’t recall specifics would have to look it up! even if show vs. working.
She is the most beautiful dog I’ve seen, including gorgeous conformation and true lovely effortless trot - before the dysphasia really hit her. The derm vets say she is the worst allergy case and her beauty is partly luck, partly testament to our dedication to caring for her.
Hate to say it but she has character flaws from the start, including just plain not good GS traits. But she is a sweet dog, and playful and mine, so we take care of her.
Here ya go. Thunder
thunder_head.jpg
Maybe this will come through. I can never remember where the download of pics are.
http://www.gallantwatchkennels.com/images/shiloh/thunder/thunder_head.jpg
I recall going through my home owners insurance policy, and it specifically banned a number of different dog breeds, including German Shepherds, Dobies, Rotties, and of course, any mix of American Staffordshire Terrier (and I think American Bulldog, though English or French Bulldogs were not mentioned).
Mark
IIRC, the term "bull" applied to a dog dates back to ancient Rome when some dogs were bred for "Bull Baiting."
Mark
Therein lies the rub..."pit bull" is a generic, inflammatory term that control freaks in government and their enablers in the media use for pretty much any vicious dog. Technically speaking the American Staffordshire and the American Pit Bull are the same dog, the former name being applied by the AKC and the latter by the UKC.
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