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Gotta say I'm a little shocked that dog people would say...Dog Aggressive Breed...how does that help with BSL. How do you determine what breeds are DA in the first place? Cos as has been mentioned before we have seen a fair few SWF's that have DA tendencies...okay they aren't a breed...so because they aren't a 'breed' they can't therefore be a DA breed? Even though I've seen a fair few of them be quite aggressive towards other dogs. That would kind of scew the stats a bit.

Don't want to way lay the thread...but...*shaking head in consternation*...

I thinks its perfectly acceptable and a pretty good idea for dog people to know general breed tendancies and act accordingly with them, its got nothing to do with BSL. I AM careful of staffies and other terriers with my dog because I know terrier's can have that tendancy to get frenzied when hurt or overstimulated... fast way to turn a game into a fight imo.

And yes, some breeds have a tendancy to develop DA even if raised "correctly" and socialised well. And this is something ALL dog people should be aware of when looking into breed suitability.

I once saw it breed tendancies towards DA described like this.

"Its the same thing that can make a dog be slammed into a tree by a bull get up and keep working that can also cause DA"

Its worth mentioning that I don't really dislike any breeds because of these things, I'm just aware of them and act accordingly.

Heres Quinn playing madly with my aunties 8 year old Staffy a couple of months ago. never a problem between them in the 2 days we were there.

5732534184_541eb40a30.jpg

7 by Buster-Quinn, on Flickr

Edited by B-Q
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I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but I've always found GSDs to be nasty cowardly dogs who will slink away from another dog when alone but are happy to attack when in a pack. I think that GSDs' have been very badly bred in recent years to conform to the ridiculous standard - the ones I have seen at shows look positively deformed with that horrible sloping back - how they could possibly be a working dog is beyond me! I haven't seen any working line GSDs though - hopefully they are different!

The other breed of which I am always wary is Staffies - I have been flamed in the past for saying this, but it's the truth - during my years as an Obedience Instructor EVERY SINGLE Staffy I saw was dog aggressive.

My GSD is the most social of all my dogs :laugh: The most tolerant and the most submissive around other dogs. Big dorky boofhead that he is!

Is he show or working line?

Oh please tell me you're not going to suggest that makes a difference in this case?!

Why?

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I used to foster Shar Pei's. While most of the dogs were lovely that I met and after careful introductions with my own 2 dogs were great, I must admit to avoiding them if I dont know them as they can be bloody horrible in the wrong hands.

I like staffy's if I dont have my dogs with me, unfortunately I dont trust most of them with my own dogs.

My male crossbreed has issues with any entire male or dogs with pricked up ears/tails, like huskies, malamutes etc. I just find its easier not to take him offleash in populated areas and to be very proactive when we are walking on leash.

My girl however is a total wuss - she submitted to beagle puppies at the first DOL meet I went to :laugh: She is much better these days and actually will interact with other dogs and will play sometimes.

I definately have a bigger problem with well intentioned or ignorant owners rather than their dogs. I was once one of them...but have now learnt :)

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Haven't read whole thread because I'm tired, but I don't really have any breed prejudices as such. Suffice to say I have many prejudices against stoopid owners. Unfortunately said owners often seem to own similar breeds, not the dogs fault though. :stupid:

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Then shouldn't they be called Breeds with dog aggressive tendencies as opposed to Dog Aggressive Breeds?

Pedantic...probably.

I just find it mighty amusing that this forum is often heard to cry "Deed, Not the Breed"...and then start talking about DA BREEDS.

My original post I mentioned "often DA breeds"

Sure, I'm more careful with my dogs around often DA breeds. I've seen too many owners that are clueless to their dogs body language.

I'm wary of labs because I've seen too many people that think that they can't be aggressive. I love them as a breed though.

On reading it a second time I probably could have worded it better but I was only trying to refer to them as breeds with DA tendencies, not entirely DA breeds.

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I'm wary of any of the terrier breeds if I'm out walking with my dogs- due to past experiences,have had my dog attacked by 3 JRTs- stupid owner had no control :mad they seem to be trouble-makers! Bitey, fast and tenacious!

Due to working in kennels for a long time, have become wary (not scared of) ACD's and Shar Peis and little poms/chihs/silkys in a kennel environment- as they are what we have had the most trouble with.

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I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but I've always found GSDs to be nasty cowardly dogs who will slink away from another dog when alone but are happy to attack when in a pack. I think that GSDs' have been very badly bred in recent years to conform to the ridiculous standard - the ones I have seen at shows look positively deformed with that horrible sloping back - how they could possibly be a working dog is beyond me! I haven't seen any working line GSDs though - hopefully they are different!

The other breed of which I am always wary is Staffies - I have been flamed in the past for saying this, but it's the truth - during my years as an Obedience Instructor EVERY SINGLE Staffy I saw was dog aggressive.

My GSD is the most social of all my dogs :laugh: The most tolerant and the most submissive around other dogs. Big dorky boofhead that he is!

Is he show or working line?

Oh please tell me you're not going to suggest that makes a difference in this case?!

Why?

Because it makes no difference what background Kavik's dog is from - he sounds like a lovely GSD with a good temperament. Mine are all show lines and are also lovely dogs who get along well with others too. Not one nasty, cowardly dog amongst them - nor any of my friends GSDs. Sounds like you've dealt with some pretty awful ones but one would hope that you could see the bigger picture, that there are good and bad in all breeds and the working/show debate doesn't come into it

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It's hard to separate prejudice from 'expectations'. Here are some residual thoughts form running a boarding kennel for several years:

I have positive prejudices toward all gun dogs and feel hurt when they don't justify my expectations (friendly, willing to please). I expect them (espec. Labbies and Goldies) to be awful diggers, and if not well trained, to jump up on people. GSP's are often hard to get in at night and can be noisy.

I am cautious of guarding breeds when they may have something to guard, and some are hard on other dogs.

I am cautious of terriers, bull breeds, and a few other types when it comes to interacting with other dogs . . . years of working in a boarding kennel tells me that some are fine and some aren't.

Herding breeds are often great (apart from compulsive fetching) but tend to fence fight and may get bossy in ways that start non-lethal fights.

I pretty much lost my prejudice against SWF's (little yappers) in the boarding kennel . . . most of them are great.

Kelpies and staffies are the worst, when it comes to escaping. Kelpies go over. Staffies crowd doors.

And of course, any 40 kg + is a problem if the dog isn't well behaved.

Staffies are often lovable clowns. Staffy X = unpredictable.

Greyhounds are sweeties, but not real bright.

Afghans are like greyhounds, with a coat from hell.

Edited by sandgrubber
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Not dogs just owners, doesnt matter if there offlead or not. I'll cross the road just to avoid someone with a dog, you just never know how much control they have over that dog.

Where's the like button.

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I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but I've always found GSDs to be nasty cowardly dogs who will slink away from another dog when alone but are happy to attack when in a pack. I think that GSDs' have been very badly bred in recent years to conform to the ridiculous standard - the ones I have seen at shows look positively deformed with that horrible sloping back - how they could possibly be a working dog is beyond me! I haven't seen any working line GSDs though - hopefully they are different!

The other breed of which I am always wary is Staffies - I have been flamed in the past for saying this, but it's the truth - during my years as an Obedience Instructor EVERY SINGLE Staffy I saw was dog aggressive.

My GSD is the most social of all my dogs :laugh: The most tolerant and the most submissive around other dogs. Big dorky boofhead that he is!

Is he show or working line?

Oh please tell me you're not going to suggest that makes a difference in this case?!

Why?

Because it makes no difference what background Kavik's dog is from - he sounds like a lovely GSD with a good temperament. Mine are all show lines and are also lovely dogs who get along well with others too. Not one nasty, cowardly dog amongst them - nor any of my friends GSDs. Sounds like you've dealt with some pretty awful ones but one would hope that you could see the bigger picture, that there are good and bad in all breeds and the working/show debate doesn't come into it

I asked out of interest - I know nothing about working-line GSDs & would like to know what they are like as regards temperament etc. I agree with you that I have probably seen some poor examples - the area where I used to live had a large Mediterranean ethnic population - when they have dogs they prefer large, mean-looking dogs and don't socialise them - there was one particular person who used to encourage his dog to attack others :mad . I'm willing to admit that my prejudice is unreasonable (but then, isn't ALL prejudice?) but I have had bad experiences with GSDs and tend to stay away from them.

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In this case, one of the male staffys quickly approached Ricky the GSD who is himself entire and postured up to him and growled. BF did a really great job of just walking Ricky away and getting him to ignore the other dog while I let my labs go and ran over, growled and stomped at the staffy who scuttled away quickly.

I don't understand why you would let your dogs rush towards an entire male staffy who has already showed anti social towards your BF's dog :confused: Would you not just walk away as Ricky's owner did and divert their attention?

I do have breed prejudice's, TBH though any off leash dog makes me nervous. I've had a few bad experiences, and I've also had a dog badly frighten someone else before, so I just tend to steer clear altogether. I more get nervous about wearing the blame should anything happen and it wasn't even my fault. I've paid the price before because of breed not deed and am now very aware of keeping my dogs safe from wearing any blame. Any dogs approach me they'll get "shoo'ed" off any way necessary.

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A few years ago our Big fella (lab ridgie cross) was attacked by a Staffy. It grabbed him by the chest and

he just stood there screaming. I guess I am very wary and will avoid any staffy that I dont know. With that being said, I also do know a couple of lovely Staffy dogs. When our toy poodle was alive and younger, she used to play

with Pete the Pitbull at the beach on a regular basis with no problems. The worst dog I know is a pet shop puchased

swf that lives in our neighborhood. She gets out and goes house to house barking at everyone she see's. She gets every dog in the neighborhood barking.

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I'm not prejudiced, der ....

1. I can't stand any dog not accompanied by a leash and owner.

2. I can't stand any dog that barks non stop and causes a nuisance

3. I can't stand any dog that poops on my footpath.

4. I don't have much time for little white fluffies who more often than not, are the culprits of 1,2 and 3 above.

5. I don't think there is any other breed that lives up to a GSD.

So you see I'm not prejudiced ;) :rofl::rofl: ;)

Really what it all boils down to is that I really can't stand ignorant, irresponsible dog owners.

Edited by Scales of Justice
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As an owner of Bullies, I have been on the other side of breed prejudice.It is really rewarding when someone interacts with a breed they "don't like" - e.g, we used to own a red and white bully, many people think they are only white, or brindle and white- only to discover it's a Bull Terrier :D One of my girls is not fond of strange dogs-when she is walked, I will move off the walkway, put her in a sit, and kindly ask people with dogs not to approach. With dogs she is familiar with, she is great.

After many years as a Hydrobath Operator, I am wary of Border Collies,and Chihuahuas... through no fault of their own, BC'S always seemed to bite first , growl later, because the owner had not groomed them properly :mad Chi's just liked to chomp your fingers at nail clipping time ,lol. Having said that, I wouldn't say I am prejudiced. :)

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i get wary every time i see a border collie coming towards us, off-lead, on-lead it doesn't matter. i've had so many bad experiences with over-intensity and nippiness which i'm sure come from the herding desire and instinct but i hate it and i know my boy hates it. he walks past fine, but they always seem to want to herd and nip at his back end and tail - freaks him out no end so now i change sides of the street or go the other direction.

i haven't had any bad expeorences with staffies, though i've met some uncontrolled and badly behaved ones...

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i get wary every time i see a border collie coming towards us, off-lead, on-lead it doesn't matter. i've had so many bad experiences with over-intensity and nippiness which i'm sure come from the herding desire and instinct but i hate it and i know my boy hates it. he walks past fine, but they always seem to want to herd and nip at his back end and tail - freaks him out no end so now i change sides of the street or go the other direction.

i haven't had any bad expeorences with staffies, though i've met some uncontrolled and badly behaved ones...

No it doesn't. It comes from people owning a breed that is far too intelligent for them to manage. A breed that needs more stimulation than most and simply not getting it. A breed that if it doesn't receive that stimulation and training tends to get a little neurotic. It's got nothing whatsoever to do with herding desire and instinct.

Sorry you've had a bad time with Border Colliesfrown.gif

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I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but I've always found GSDs to be nasty cowardly dogs who will slink away from another dog when alone but are happy to attack when in a pack. I think that GSDs' have been very badly bred in recent years to conform to the ridiculous standard - the ones I have seen at shows look positively deformed with that horrible sloping back - how they could possibly be a working dog is beyond me! I haven't seen any working line GSDs though - hopefully they are different!

The other breed of which I am always wary is Staffies - I have been flamed in the past for saying this, but it's the truth - during my years as an Obedience Instructor EVERY SINGLE Staffy I saw was dog aggressive.

My GSD is the most social of all my dogs :laugh: The most tolerant and the most submissive around other dogs. Big dorky boofhead that he is!

Is he show or working line?

Oh please tell me you're not going to suggest that makes a difference in this case?!

Why?

Because it makes no difference what background Kavik's dog is from - he sounds like a lovely GSD with a good temperament. Mine are all show lines and are also lovely dogs who get along well with others too. Not one nasty, cowardly dog amongst them - nor any of my friends GSDs. Sounds like you've dealt with some pretty awful ones but one would hope that you could see the bigger picture, that there are good and bad in all breeds and the working/show debate doesn't come into it

I asked out of interest - I know nothing about working-line GSDs & would like to know what they are like as regards temperament etc. I agree with you that I have probably seen some poor examples - the area where I used to live had a large Mediterranean ethnic population - when they have dogs they prefer large, mean-looking dogs and don't socialise them - there was one particular person who used to encourage his dog to attack others :mad . I'm willing to admit that my prejudice is unreasonable (but then, isn't ALL prejudice?) but I have had bad experiences with GSDs and tend to stay away from them.

I don't think your predjudice is unreasonable - you can only go off your own experiences, I find it sad that they've been bad when the vast majority of GSDs I know are friendly, happy and playful dogs. If I was in your shoes and had experienced horrible ones, I'd be staying away from them too.

I'm glad that your question about working line was curiousity and not a dig at the temperament of showlines as a whole. If we're ever at the same place together, I'd love for you to meet some of my dogs :)

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Staffy's: dont mind the breed. It is a shame that they can attract the wrong owners.. the yobbos who believe a dog needs to be tied up outside and thrown a bowl of food once a day.. and kicked at least twice a day..

Just to reply to this, I don't think it is only yobbos that are the problem. The dog that is in its yard all day isn't going to attack my dogs.

I am far more nervous of well meaning owners who think all dogs are the same and that their dog will automatically want to play with other dogs. The staffy-types at my local park that get into trouble are these ones. The ones that have cluey owners that actually interact with their dog away from the packs seem to stay out of trouble.

At my local park.. there have been issues with Staffy's, standard poodles, mini poodles, shepherds, pointers, other small dogs, border collies, cross bred mutts.. just about every breed you can imagine down there..

The dog that stays in the yard all day.. may not attack your dog while it stays IN its yard.... It's when it gets out whether by design of the owner or itself.. A poorly socialised dog in the hands of a poor uneducated owner is the problem no matter the breed.

There are some very rough staffy owners around my area....Some of the dogs themselves are nice depsite having crappy owners..It is a credit to whoever bred a few of these dogs for breeding decent temperaments... As an AMO.. I have seen in some areas.. certain breeds attract certain "stereotypes" and people...

Do you happen to live in the Slacks Creek\Woodridge area... there are a few like that round here.

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