Vick's dogs start a new life

fire-n-ice said:
Under no circumstance should any child be left with any dog of any size unaccompanied - period. Doesn't make a difference on the breed. I've seen more small-dog bites then large dog bites. But it doesn't matter, you should never leave them alone with any dog, or to play on the floor with one. It always amazes me how when company comes to my house, the first thing they want to do is bend down and stick their face in the face of my OEM!!!! :headbang: . I don't understand how people think it's OK to bend down and try to immediately make friends with a dog. There is a proper way to approach, and a proper way to pet a strange dog.

OEMs are bred to be protecters, and she is. I don't allow anyone near her without me present with the exception of my parents - she's a bitch and that's fine with me, she's an only dog and I have no children. No child is allowed around Belle ever, adults are given strict instructions on how to properly behave around her before they meet her. Pitbulls have gotten a rotten name unfortunately, and they are some of the sweetest dogs I've known. Ones who have been fought and been through extensive testing such as the Vick's dogs can have a place in a home which meet all their needs. The dogs who have been bait dogs are more likey to be adopted however, but still must be carefully placed.

When I adopted Belle, she had to go to a home with no children (she grew up in a house full of 6!), no other dogs, no cats and no birds. She began showing aggression and the family became afraid, as they should be.

Bottom line is always be careful around any dog.
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Spot on! It scares the s**t out of me when people have dogs and have no understanding of the responsibility they have in owning the dog... People should need to pass the f-n-i test before owning a dog!! :thumbsup:
 
The reason dogs "act" out primarly is because of their pain threshold. When they reach that threshold, they are forced to react. Small dogs typically have a significantly lower threshold than a larger dog. Of course breed of dog comes into factor as well. A Great Pyrenees has a significantly higher pain threshold than say a Lab. So placed in similar situations a Lab will be forced to react (fight or flight) much sooner or more often than a Great Pyr.

As FNI stated people do not act accordingly around dogs. Especially children. I'm constantly telling my child not to get on the ground with the dogs because they don't understand that kind of play. Size really doesn't have anything to do with dominance. It has more to do with the individual's interact with one another. I've seen quite a few smaller breeds have dominace over larger breeds.

Most people end up getting the wrong dog for the wrong enviroment. Dalmations actually have a higher incident rating in terms of biting than most other dogs. This is primarly do to their poor genetics. If you look at statistics you'll see that many smaller dogs bites have occured than in larger breeds. Since dogs have been involved with humans for hundreds of years. They have been used to protect house and home. Most breeds were selected for their large bark. But now in our modern culture loud barking is considered a nusiance. There is evidence that even during the great migration, dogs were taken with the populace. One of the few animals taken on such a journey. It is evident that they've played a critical role in humanity. It wasn't until about the 1950's (when was the AKC created?) that breeds were dramatically expanded (smaller toy breeds) and their purpose really became misunderstood. People often took in Dobermans, German Shepards, etc as household pets when they have always been breed as guard dogs. Actually, German Shepards were actually used to protect flock. Dobermans were truly bred to protect people... The first one was actually a tax collector that used Dobermans to protect him on his daily duties.

All I'm trying to say is that you really shouldn't immediately dismiss a dog just because of their breed. You'd be surprised at what you may find in what you'd consider a "safe" breed. Many "flaws" in dogs are not because the dog sucks. It's just that people are trying to get them to do things that they were never intended to do.
 
From a vet:
Most of us don't really think about getting bitten or attacked by dogs in our daily lives, but it can happen a lot more often, and quicker, than you'd ever think. Part of the problem is that we are led to believe that there are certain types of dogs that are extremely aggressive and vicious (like pit bulls) when, in fact, some of the breeds that are more likely to bite are those you'd never think about, like poodles or terriers.

About 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year. One million of those need medical attention. About 750,000 children are bitten by dogs each year; in most cases, these bites are from "familiar dogs" -- not strays. Approximately 12 people die each year from dog bites

All dogs can be provoked to bite. There is really no such thing as a "bad breed." Most (if not all) dogs can be properly trained and socialized to be gentle and tolerant. Your dog should be trained to obey basic commands: sit, stay, come, and down. This alone could prevent many dog-biting incidents.

Potentially aggressive breeds:

Llasa Apso: can be cranky with kids

Toy poodles: bite out of self defense

Dachsunds: not very patient

Rhodesian Ridgebacks: very dominant breed

Miniature Pinschers: "big dog" mindset in little body

Pekinese: intolerant

Chihuahuas: prefer adults, not tolerant of kids

Chow Chow: one-person dogs, bite without warning

Giant Schnauzers: very dominant breed, will even challenge adults

Old English Sheep Dog: very protective of owner

Cocker Spaniel: very protective of owner

Rottweilers: very protective

Typically gentle breeds that have "bad boy" reputations:

German Shepherd: great with kids

Bulldog: gentle, playful

Rottweilers: can be gentle, affectionate

Great Danes: gentle, affectionate

Boxers: good with kids

Mastiffs-very docile

"Pit bull" is a bit of a misnomer. There really is no such breed. Generally, "pit bulls" are a cross between a "bulldog" breed and a terrier. They are also known as American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

Most "pit bulls" are not aggressive by nature. They tend to be gentle, playful and loving. However, there are those that have been bred and trained to be aggressive. Even then, they are more aggressive toward other animals, not people.

Often, aggressive "pit bulls" have been abused and/or neglected. These are VERY dangerous.
 
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