Ok I will add 2c worth here,
I used to breed and show Rottweilers as a Kennel club registered breeder. I stopped doing so for 2 reasons. Very difficult to find suitable homes, too many 'so called' breeders selling puppies for pathetically low sums. (you cannot raise a good litter of well fed, inoculated, healthy puppies then sell them for $120, which I have seen them advertised for back then. A KC registered and papered dog would be more around the $600+ mark, and you don't make money on doing that either!)
I worked for a Security firm in the UK for a few years as a dog handler, the difference was we did not use 'multi handled' dogs, we had our own dog, trained them (under strict supervision and selection process) and we were the only person to handle that dog, it was our own personally owned animal, similar to the Police but there are certain restrictions placed on security dogs... one of which was you are not allowed to 'release' the dog to pursue a possible law breaker..... hehehehe but 30ft of rope, on the end of a 12ft handlers leash isn't letting it off the lead is it? 
On a serious note, dogs can have issues of personality, they can be nervous. Example: frequently breeds such as a border collie will 'lurk behind' the owners legs and be snarling, this is a 'fear biter' behavior.. this dog under pressure WILL bite out of fear. Public example would be to; enter its owners property, and inadvertently 'corner' the animal blocking its escape route... its under instant pressure and is going to react badly if pushed further.
When the dog is selected for 'man work' of any description it is carefully selected for 'personality'.. viciousness, nervousness, timidity, aggressiveness are not acceptable traits. Any reputable breeder will put down a puppy that has such an obvious defect, or they should, but frequently do not because of the dollar value, or they are simply backyard breeders cashing in on a breeds popularity. A balanced dog of my breed? Would if visiting a new environment, walk in like it 'owned the joint' and have no concern for new items, sounds or people.
The German breeding system has 'breed wardens' these people have every pedigree dog of a breed that is registered to a breeder in a book. Each dog has been temperament tested, checked for 'conformity' to the breed standard not only for genotype, but for character traits as well. Any dog that fails to meet the strict criteria is 'black marked' not to be bred from. The breed wardens will also be involved with the mating selection, to ensure that it is a 'good match'. So there is a huge gap in the control of breeders here and in other countries. One sad example from the UK was a dog that was used prolifically for stud and was a crufts winner for the breeders, but it was a raving nutter for temperament and passed on its traits. Often I used to see aggressive Rottie's, and sure as eggs was eggs ' Dark Charles' was featuring on at least 2 or 3 of the Grandparents/parents bloodlines.
Most owners in reality want a 'Labrador' .... they dont want the work involved in owning an intelligent 'working breed' such as a Shepherd, Rottie, Weirmeraner. They want a dog that will lounge in front of the fire, but they want a dog that will 'protect' them and the property. Working breeds require 'brain activity' as well as physical activity. How often are dogs left tied up outside all day with no input and nothing to do but be bored? Dog training is simply you being 'pack leader' and setting the pack rules. To say a dog will bite if it feels like it is a somewhat over and understatement of fact. If a dog is not taught manners! it acts to how it is allowed to act. A dog that is 'formally trained to attack a human being' is indeed a 'weapon'. It is trained to react to specific stimuli and situations in a specific manner. However, if that dog will not 'leave' on command, there is either a serious flaw in the training or the dogs selection process.
I guess what I am trying to point out is the fact of flaws in both breeder selection, ownership selection and frequently simply owners acquiring a breed with no real knowledge of what is involved in that ownership. Until that is remedied there will always be public attacks that are unprovoked, or ones that did get a provocation, but the bite is not acceptable.
It is an interesting twist of the human psyche, that we own cats, that are allowed to wander anywhere, defecate in anyone's garden AND are allowed to attack (scratch and claw) and we accept that as a cats behavior... now make that cat weigh upwards 0f 20kilos and the relevant size? Suddenly a whole different ball game.
If the road to hell is paved with good intentions; and a man is judged by his deeds and his actions, why say it's the thought that counts? -GrayWolf
has made a bo-bo in his nappies
Originally Posted by 5150
I think it is the owners who should have a license to own a dog. By showing their right attitude and knowledge of dog breeds and behaviour one wold prove mental competence to own and care for these lovely animals, no matter what breed. Unfortunately policing it would not be possible. So it is only a wish list
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks