Lenore
There are so many breeds that are better suited as pets. Yes the dog is not doing anything morally wrong in its being but it still kills and seriously injures others in spite of itself. It is not a pet and should not be bred in any area as pets for civilians. If you want to see them keep them in a zoo. I treat dangerous breeds like a gun. Most people don't need one and those who get them often don't use them responsibly. Remove the gun and people don't get hurt. Remove that breed same result.
Sorry we differ on this. I have been attacked by dogs and know what it is like and feel all this talk of owners responsible is like closing the door after the horse is out. The owner is not there and the dog will not stop.
Hugh
Yes Hugh , we differ, but it is understandable, because you were a victim of a dog attack.
I have been bitten when I work at the Animal Hospital, it was the bigger breeds that bit me.
It was the smaller breeds which I dub the ankle bitters.
But there is also a difference here, I am not afraid of dogs, I respect them, the potential power, especially in the jaws area. Certain breeds are not to be trusts, and because of that respect has to be given to that. I still say the human factor is at play here. As humans are stewards of the animal kingom, since humans have domesticated these animals to be our companions and humans train and used these animals for there purposes, whether it is a job like a border collie with sheep, or a German Shepherd for a Guide Dog for the Blind, or a Hunting Dog for hunting, or just to be loving companion for company. ALso the Pit Bull or Rotweiller for Guard Dogs. It is humans that create puppy mills, that for the sole purpose is to over breed, and interbreed to be sold at pet store's , while the those dogs live in unclean, underfed, in cages too small to move around, with out vaccinations to keep disease away.
This is the breeding ground for unstable dog, thus creating the dangerous unpredicatable dog.
So I agree that the dog , has a historical, genetically, background, but it is the humans that have created the situation that producted a unstable type of dog, through abusivness toward the animal in their care. Dog are packed animals like the their cousin the wolf, Because humans have domesticed the dog, the human owners are their pack.
In my own experience as a dog parent, I am the Alpha leader of my home. Because Missy is a mix breed of border collie, lab, shepherd mix, Missy is quite an intelligent dog. Because of my experience working at an animal hospital, I was shown how to train her, and to maintain that Alpha role in the pack. Missy is now 10 years old, I am coming up with the decision of put her down, prior to my move into the apartment. In my knowledge experience , Socialization is the biggest key for a well trained dog. I am the type I cannot go for a walk with out saying hello to the dogs that is being walked by the owner, I usually will say hello to the dog , bend down to pet the dog, before I say hello to the owner. Even if the dog is a lone I will talk to the dog, while still walking.
One day long ago, Sara and I were walking down John Street there was one of those ankle biter small breed dog, came running down a drive way, barker it head off, and as previous experience would come around the ankle. This time as it approached, I barked back. Well that dog went yelping back to its yard. Sara laughed all the way down the street.
Dog can sense fear.
Beside most dogs can recognize a dog lover given a chance.
Yes we will differ Hugh, but I believe experience is the reason for that difference.
Enclose is some stats for Canada, on Dog that Attack.............
Thanks for the conversation:
Lenore
NATIONAL CANINE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Fatal Dog Attacks - CANADA
A spate of recent attacks by Pit Bulls and Rottweilers have unleashed a storm of negative publiclity and sentiment towards these two breeds in a number of areas in Canada.
In an attempt to gain a better perspective of the problem with canine aggresson towards humans and to disprove the current perception that severe and fatal attacks is a phenomena exclusive to Pit Bulls and Rottweilers, the following information is presented.
Fatal Dog Attacks - Canada: 1983 - 2003
1983 (2) Farm Dogs Roaming dogs kill child (Edmonton)
1987 (1) German Shep X Chained dog attacked child (Vernon)
1988 (1) German Shep Unsupervised child (Quebec)
1990 (1) Chow Chow Attack on newborn (Ontario)
1993 (1) Sled dogs Chained dogs kill child (N.W.T.)
1993 (5) Sled dogs Attacked by loose dogs (Alberta)
1994 (1) Maremma Sheepdog Family dog killed child (Ontario)
1995 (2) Am Staffs Drunken man provoked dogs (Ontario)
1995 (2) German Sheps Killed by uncle's dogs (Saskatchewan)
1996 (?) Strays Child killed by stray dogs (Manitoba)
1997 (1) Sled dog Chained dog w/pups (Saskatchewan)
1998 (?) Sled dogs Pack chained on sea ice (Iqaluit)
1998 (1) Bullmastiff Playing w/neighbor's dog (Ontario)
1998 (
Lab/Huskies Xs Mother & son killed by pack (Newfoundland)
1998 (6) Strays Boy killed by strays (Manitoba)
1999 (1) Husky X Neighbor's dog (British Columbia)
1999 (1) Husky One of 24 chained dogs (Quebec)
1999 (1) Husky X Grandfather's dog (N.W.T.)
1999 (?) Strays Girl killed by starving dogs (Alberta)
2002 (2) Lab X & Rott Attacked in field (Ontario)
2003 (3) Rottweilers Boy wandered into yard (New Brunswick)
2003 (4) German Shep Xs Grandmother's dogs (Manitoba)
It should be noted that there is no national recording system for the documentation of fatal dog bites in Canada. The NCRF, while researching and documenting fatalities in the US also recorded any and all fatalties that occurred in Canada that were discovered.
Since the focus of NCRF's study was primarily those attacks that occurred in the United States, there is the distinct possibly that some additional Canadian dog-bite fatalities may be missing from this list. Nonetheless, this list appears to be the only recording of fatalities available for Canada, and may be considered a fair representation of the types of fatal dog attacks that have occurred in Canada over the last 2 decades.
