Spoon

I'll ask the wife who walks them but I think the blokes would be too busy looking at her large mams than to notice the dog. Seriously though, yes I'd have to say they would do, just knowing the dogs. That said, we have enough land to keep them in and if they do go out it's through the village and not anywhere built up.

It might be the constant show of teeth and the white froth from their mouths that some people find scary. Or just things you read in the press that gives people a pre-conceived idea.

On approach just shout, "Are you Barbara Woodhouses' Grandson" and wait for the answer before proceeding?

Agreed, and also a dose of 'nancyness' thrown in with most people today doesn't help. I've also yet to see a gerbil being taken out on a walk but the thought of it worries me more for the person walking it than my own safety.

HTH.

Ms Gooner 1

People who look like that are quite frankly ignorant!

I walk my dogs and they are quite big. I've seen people cross the road. My dogs have never bitten, not mine or any others that I know. Their not particularly agressive either!

I don't look at ANY dog like that - at the same time, that said, I don't approach any dog either unless its on a lead with its owner with the permission of said owner - I try to teach my kids that too - as whilst my dogs are harlmess and cuddley - obviously not all dogs are the same.

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...ar/misc010.jpg

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...cktreet004.jpg

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...cktreet005.jpg

Suresh

Erm... it would prevent the next child from being mutilated in this way, surely.



No point drawing ridiculous parallels with either cars or guns either as these are inanimate objects and can't make the same killing / maiming decision that large and aggressive dogs can and do do.

Snazy

Would the owner being responsible and keeping the dog under control NOT do the same thing?

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Can we make this a sticky and just delete any new threads on this unsolvable and somewhat sensitive argument. We are just treading the same old ground here.

My opinion is any dog no matter what the breed is capable of an attack, good training and treating the animal with respect will probably all but eliminate the chances of one happening, but never completely. Get a cat instead, far more interesting creatures and definitely not going to savage your offspring.

Takes cover for the inevitable onslaught

Spoon

They may well be ignorant to your dogs capabilities but you can never blame anybody for siding with safety if THEY feel more comfortable.

Spoon

Oh and as lovely as your dogs are, Ms Gooner 1, I'd still cross the road as I wouldn't want to get to my destination looking like I'd jizzed on myself enroute.

Spoon

We get cats on occasion to use as bait but supplies are low at the minute. We are waiting for the village to re-stock.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Where are you? I can give you the number of the local animal sanctuary, they have stacks of unwanted kitties. I am sure they'd be happy at your offer to re-home them

Ms Gooner 1

LOL - they don't slobber THAT bad LMAO

David Lock

Chip - this is all your fault!

Go and find a "Vicious Sheep Attacks Welsh Rugby Player" headline

This and the other thread just seem to go around in rather illogical circles with some pretty blinkered and stupid comments from both sides IMHO.

It seems crystal clear to me that 1) it is the owner who is responsible and 2) the attact is likely to have been much less serious if it had involved a less powerful dog. To blame the dog is just playing semantics as, in one way, of course it was the dog's fault as it did the biting. But that's rather like blaming the knife when someone sticks it in you on a Saturday night.

I get nervous when I walk my dogs if I see a largish dog charging around in the park. I don't want it to come over and "play" as I haven't a clue as to its temperament. Put them on a leash I say and use a bit of common sense. dl

davyboy

This pic actually scares me......I can't help but think it's very irresponsible.

RB5_245

Best post so far in all the threads on this subject

Ms Gooner 1

I think its so sad that you can say that. These dog attacks that happen - don't usually occur with children & dogs that are around eachother all the time. Our dog, Ruby was fantastic and i would've trusted her with my life - thus, i trusted her with my kids. don't get me wrong here - there are mahy dogs that I wouldn't trust with a teddy bear - but she was exceptional - and I'm sure I'll get mobbed on here for saying this by the people who don't ahve dogs, yet the people who do have dogs and children will understand I'm sure what I'm saying.
We also had another dog whom I wouldn't have trusted to be around my children unsupervised - not because he was nasty - but because he was old and my kids being young didn't understand that. So, when the kids were around - we tried to keep him seperate - and when they were asleep in bed - the dogs would be with us.
Generally, depending on which dog would depend on whether they had full roam of the place at night - certain dogs (we've had a few you see) were kept to the kitchen - whilst others were allowed access to the stairs - although generally never came up!

David Lock

Sorry but I agree 110% with davyboy. You cannot trust ANY dogs in that situation.

Obviously the owner was close by but either of those dogs could turn in a second onto that child.

That is very irresponsible ownership and I bet it's not approved of in the respected training manuals. dl

Spoon

What you actually mean is it's the post that in some way agrees with you. Although the post makes a lot of sense as I too have had and been around many GSD's with completely different temperaments, it's still down to the owner to establish the same rules for different dogs in the same environment which takes time and commitment.

I have a 15 month old dog here now that comes from a bloodline that isn't for the timid or inexperienced if proven titles are to go by. His drives have been immense from day 1, far more than any GSD pup I've had before. As a puppy he was very cute to look at but would have been a nightmare as a pet. I just know he'd have been handed back as a psychotic misfit by the average family. Now he's turning in to a superb dog but it's been incredibly difficult to achieve.

So basically, the post you agree with is true but isn't the complete picture.

Martin2005

Can someone who owns on of these dogs please explain why they got them in the first place, I mean whats the thought process?

If you want a dog as a companion then whats wrong with a Spaniel or Lab, you wouldn't get a Pit Bull for it's good looks.

Spoon

It also scares me and serves no purpose at all. The ears on a dog can be very sensitive without warning to the owners. There appears to be some weight on that one ear that could quite easily cause the dog to snap.

Ms Gooner 1

The owner (scottstiukppp ?) obviusly feels VERY safe in that his children are safe around his dog/s.
My kids jump all over my dogs, despite me banging on that they shouldn't. My dogs are big and heavy and very competant to take the weight of a 3 year old. My kids aren't spiteful - or at least I've never had reason to beleive they are. If my kids are on the sofa - the dog will climb up and sprawl out with them (see pics).
I think if a child and likewise a dog are used to eachother from the start - there is no reason why they shouldn't be companions for life. And if that means a cuddle on the sofa - then so be it.
Dogs are what you make them. I bought a puppy once that was 15 weeks old! it had been beaten (i didn't know this at the time of buying it) by the people who bred it. It followed me everywhere - but hated my other half and I just didn't trust it 110% with anyone except me. I had it assessed by a friend of ours who trains protection dogs and is also a boarding kennel - she confirmed my worst fears and the dogs was responsibly re-homed.
I've had my dogs since they were babies - 1 of them since birth as he is the offspring of my late bitch and the other who is curled up with my cat at the moment since 6 weeks. Both are used to my children and accept them as being part of the household.

Spoon

One thing's for sure though. Children WILL be children and dogs WILL be dogs.

All Torque

The Mrs got shot of hers because when our daughter who is 20 this year was born weighed in at just over 4lbs. We brought her home and she was laying in her pram at the bottom of the settee. One of the dogs got on the arm and was looking in the pram at her, they never even got a chance to make friends it was too much of a risk to keep them around.
A few facts about these dogs from an owners point of view
Their mouths will open so wide that a football can be placed inside,
One can sit and chew a nylon bone and totaly disintergrate it leaving a high vet bill to get the shards out of the gums.
If a bitch has a litter of pups you have to place each pup on the teat individually then take it away into a differant room or else there is a possibility that the mother will kill the pup.
In some cases before they are even bred the dog and bitch has to have bags placed over their heads not to be able to see each other. Oh and if the dog bites and lets go its classed as no good, they should and do lock on with the first bite, they were originally bred as fighting dogs therefore they will react if challenged or threatend.

Ms Gooner 1

So, with all that in mind - why DID you get one?

Snazy

I decided to get a dog for companionship, for an exercise partner, and for that sort of mothering instinct, to look after and raise something.
A bit of a challenge.

Choosing a Malamute was done to be a change from the norm. They dont behave like other dogs, their mannorisms are completely different, and their demands high. However they are known for being loyal pack animals, not over protective, and very affectionate. And of course their slightly amuzing habit of talking to you.

2 years of research was done on the breed. Have wanted a Mal for many years now.

Size of dog, he is a very strong dog, but controllable. I dont want a dog I can pop in my pocket.

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

Either your friend is HUGE or thats just cruel

Suresh

As has been proven time and time again owners cannot be relied upon to be responsible. Making an un-enforcable law would help nobody.

The fact is nobody needs a 'pet' capable of murdering an adult or small child who is minding their own business. Anyone who thinks they do probably has self-esteem issues.

How about I get a pet leopard that I train to be as docile as possible? I'm sure all the large dog lovers will be comfortable to be left alone with it, knowing that it has been properly trained by a responsible owner Somehow I doubt it, as I think we all know that you can't get a leopard to change its spots just by talking to it!!

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

To quote South Park.

"My son, I'm not touching this one with a 10 foot barge pole"

My views on this issue (as someone who was brought up with Dobermans and owned a Staffie cross for about 20 yrs) have already been well documented

Ns04

The Snug Rhino

what is the point of these pics? all dog owners have these - adding them to a thread like this is of what value????

i expect most the dog attack victims have them as well!

no one is saying you cant dump your 2 year old on top of your dogs and take a photo.....same as you could hang it by its leg from a window.

scottstiukppp

What are you implying?that iam not fit to be a parent?
The dogs pictured with my son are the softest, most timid animals you could meet,and have not once in there lives showed aggresion.Why are you scared? have you a nervous disposition or something
Its people like you that get on my t*t*.....

scottstiukppp

DONT JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER.....

The Snug Rhino

people are not judging a book by the cover - they are judging dogs like yours as capable of serious damage and your parental style as dubious.

and if you think your dogs were breed for hundreds of years to be one way and yet your cute and fluffy family has negated any of those attributes because you sit babies on their heads...your nuts. (and i have owned my bull breeds than you and have more children so speak from experience)