Protect your pet from being labeled "Bad Breed"

Credit to www.pitbullpress.com for this article ^

[Alylonee]

THERE is a knock at the door. A uniformed official says he has come to take your dog. The dog has done nothing wrong, but his breed has been outlawed in the town where you live. You've had this dog since he was a puppy. He is obedience-trained, licensed and vaccinated. He never runs loose. He has never bitten anybody. And you love him. But it's bye-bye, Buffy, if he's the "wrong" breed.

All over this country - and in Allegheny County - owners of pit bull terriers and rottweilers have been ordered to get rid of them or have them seized by authorities. Now, a small but feisty group called American Dog Owners Association Inc. is battling officials on many fronts to put an end to this madness. The current battleground is Buffalo Grove, Ill., where both breeds are targeted.

Municipal officials don't ban any breed, outright. They just impose rules that the average pet owner can't live with: 8-foot fences, licenses that cost hundreds of dollars per year, proof of $500,000 in liability insurance. "Breed-specific" laws come in response to fear. A couple of well-publicized attacks, and the push is on to ban a breed.

So you say you don't like pit bulls or rottweilers and you would never own one. It's still your fight. They might come after your breed next, especially if it's a breed designed for guard and attack duties. On the local front, those of us who own and love Labrador retrievers should hug them tightly and donate generously to the ADOA. America's most popular purebred dog is also one of the top biters.

In 1995 - the last time I checked bites by breed - Labrador retrievers were No. 3 on the Allegheny County Health Department list. Labs logged 60 bites - right behind the 73 bites reported for pit bulls. German shepherds were No. 1 with 84 bites. There are no bad breeds. There are bad and irresponsible dog owners. There are bad and vicious dogs. Elected officials should go after them. The ADOA will help them devise laws to do so.

The association does not condone or defend bad dogs or their owners. They support laws requiring licenses and vaccinations. They are opposed to dogs running loose. Their main goal is "to promote, protect and defend responsible dog ownership."

"If your breed is banned, the ADOA has no legal standing to help you unless you are a member. And though the group has proved you CAN fight city hall, the cost is high - $20,000 to $30,000 for a full-fledged court fight. The group needs more members and cash donations. "

Their address is 1654 Columbia Turnpike, Castleton, NY 12033. Or check out their Web site, which includes an online membership form, at

No one bats a thousand, but the ADOA has won in court - usually because proposed legislation violates existing federal and state statutes. The group prefers to avert bad laws before they are put on the books. Pennsylvania has a very good "dangerous dog" law that arms local officials with effective remedies against dogs that bite and dogs that fight.

And Pennsylvania is one of 12 states that has laws specifically banning "breed-specific" legislation.

There are 52.9 million pet dogs in this country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Most of us have done nothing as dogs lost ground: breeds banned, dogs banned from parks and limits placed on the number of dogs we can own.

We could learn a lesson from what the National Rifle Association has accomplished with big membership rolls, generous donations and well-paid lobbyists. They fight effectively for everyone's "right" to own guns that maim and kill more people than dogs ever could.

[mg39]

What a coinkisidince: Reader's Digest is having a discussion on dogfigting.

http://64.4.8.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=297ce91c940bb3c391ebd89727e36ede&lat=1041277771&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2erd%2ecom%2fsplash%2ejhtml

[Alylonee]

I love both those breeds also. They are all so beautiful and loyal. Dogs are the greatest friends ever! I prefer "agressive" breeds if you will... Pit's, German Shepherd's, Rotties, Dobies. But I think that's just because after owning or being around most of them, you realize that they are big babies!!! Unless someone tries to hurt you or your family, these breeds would not in my opinion, hurt or go after someone unprovoked.

[Alylonee]

It won't let me get to the link!!!

[mg39]

Okay, do this. Go to http://www.rd.com/splash.jhtml and
click on "In this Issue" on the left, and then on this discussion on the right.

[Humidston]

The Dobie was my first large breed dog and I believed the breeder when she told me I didn't need to train him to attack anyone. She urged us to treat him as if he was any other smaller breed and to discipline him exactly the same. She said not to worry - he would try to defend us (as would any faithful pet) if we were physically attacked.

I followed her advice, socialized both dogs, and never EVER had a moment's concern. In fact, our 12# Yorkie beat up on the Dobie regularly! He'd cry as she locked on his lip and hung on for dear life!

BTW, the rottie was adopted by us when she was mature.

I also will not have another large breed because of higher liability insurance rates. So sad that in these days of lawlessness, we're unable to get a dog capable of protecting our home....

[JudyB1938]

Get a Rat Terrier. Extremely smart and protective dogs. The one we had when I was growing up was my playmate (hide & seek, ball, etc). I saw it almost rip a prowler's leg off one night. Another time, I saw it rip a German Shepherd's throat open when it tried to get into our yard.

[HairOfTheDog]

So I am just not seeing why you have such strong feelings on the subject.

I was going to make one statement and leave... ;~D

I am a dog fancier. I like to watch working dogs work in their designed roles, and marvel at how the breeds are in fact different in temperment and function. It is interesting to me to see how years of selective breeding make various hunting dogs hunt quite differently for the same prey. A pointer is a different animal than a Labrador. A Border Collie herds differently than a Blue Heeler.

It is interesting to me to see how herding dogs, hunting dogs, hounds, and other working dogs have very different features that helped them do a particular job better. It is certainly important to know and understand those breed features when you are selecting a dog to work for you or be your pet. All breeders tell you to carefully consider the job a dog was bred to perform when selecting a pet, and see if those functions will be welcome in your house. Except pit bull breeders. They want you to ignore it. That is irresponsible.

So that is why when I look at the function a pit bull was bred to perform, (The dog was, and still is, bred to fight other dogs to the death) I can't really see how that function would make pit bulls, as a breed, the best choice for a pet in a family setting.

Any individual from any breed can be nurtured into what you want it to be. I know you love your dog as much as I love mine. It takes effort to overcome nature, but it can be done. I know people who have trained a Labrador to point for Pheasant. I would just recommend they get a pointer if that is what they want, rather than create one.

Now you have admitted on other threads that pit bulls are, as a breed, more aggressive toward other dogs than most. Are most people really qualified to control a dog with those traits, without fail, for the entire of the dog? - Remember, one mistake means someone else's pet is dead. My dog getting loose from me doesn't carry those kind of consequences, and I wouldn't trouble myself with taking that kind of risk when I have better choices. So you are right. I have never owned one, and won't.

[Humidston]

Actually we now have a Golden and a mutt. The mutt hits the dirt when anyone advances, but the Golden is very protective.

I know Terriers are tenacious.... Our Yorkie was like that, LOL!

I still miss having a lumbering giant around the house. We used to take the Dobie for drives and when we sometimes left him peering out the car window in a parking lot while we shopped, people would walk waaaaay around our car. All the while, he just enjoyed looking around!

[JudyB1938]

You ayn't never had a lumbering giant until you've had a Great Dane. Best dog in the world as far as I am concerned. But protective? Yeah. Lick the bad guy to death.

Mine has been dead for over ten years. I still cry for him. He always kept me laughing. He was my friend.

[CholeraJoe]

Has Virginia heard about the viciousness of JRT's yet? I know of one who has bitten a host of people, including relatives of the owners and an esteemed member of the medical profession.

[Humidston]

IMHO, the biggest draw-back with large dogs is the fact that their life span is shorter. I guess that's why God made them so charming, smart and loveable.

I know what you mean. I'm STILL heartbroken.

[xsmommy]

i don't know if it is JRTs or just satan's spawn that lives at our house ; )

[Alylonee]

As I have also said though, German Shepherd's, Dobies, Rotties, they are all the same. There are instances of those breeds killing other animals and people. I do not recommend Pit Bulls for everyone. In acquiring a pet, you need to evaluate everything about the breed, that is correct. But you are comparing my Pit Bull to your Labrador.... that is the most off comparison one could ever make. Labrador's are generally not aggressive dogs at all and usually make terrible watch dogs.... The above mentioned breeds make excellent watch dogs and family dogs. My only point is that Dobies, German Shepherds, Rotties, Pit Bulls, are all the same in most respects. You must be careful with any dog of the above breeds. They generally tend to be aggressive with other animals and protective. This just means that in purchasing or adopting one, you must be very selective and make sure that you have the time and energy to train them and care for them properly. I enjoy these breeds, and I personally would never wish to own a Labrador. I personally think they are useless for the type of dog I enjoy having. That doesn't mean I think no one should own them, I personally just wouldn't.

COMMON MISCONSEPTION: Pit Bulls were not originally bred for dog fighting. They can be traced back to when butchers needed cattle from the field and the Pit Bull was trained to grab the Bull by the nose and bring him back to the owner. They were also bred for courage, strength, loyalty, and they have huge hearts. They want nothing more than to love and be loved. They are very high maintenance and are only for people who want a companion and a best friend. They give you all their love and attention and they expect the same in return. If you want a dog that will mind his own business and stay out of your way, a Pit Bull would not be your dog of choice. For instance, Christmas time, we wrapped toys and treats for Buddy under the tree, he would've been offended had it been any other way. He also insisted on inspecting everything that anyone opened. When I drive around in my car, he sits in my front passenger seat. They are just like little people and don't know that they are dogs! They are great with children, have a high pain tolerance that enables them to put up with a lot of kids day to day abuse. These are all wonderful qualities and only a few that the breed possesses.

And I believe that if you work with your dog, YES, you can control 100% of the time how your dog acts... but no, not everyone is qualified to have a Pit Bull, or any other animal for that matter.

Just this weekend, my dog and all my families dogs, German Shepherd's, Rottweiler's, Labs, and some type of Collie dog, were all playing (supervised) and there wasn't one single argument or fight. It's all about what you train your dog to do.

[JudyB1938]

My Dane lived to be 7 years old. Died from cancer.

I have a St Bernard now. She is 4 years old. I hate to think about it. Their lifespan is only 6 to 9 years.

My son has her brother (he bred the litter). It is going to KILL him when his friend dies! I'm serious. He is so attached to that dog, it's unreal. Feeds it steak and everything!

[Alylonee]

Sounds like my roommate, her Pit Bull eats off her plate practically and sleeps under the covers with her.

[JudyB1938]

I had a lab once. Dumbest dog I ever saw. I got rid of it, despite having paid high dollar for it. But the main reason that dog wasn't for me is because it was too hyper. Our personalities just didn't jive. He went to a family with children, so I know he was much happier!

[Alylonee]

I love Dobies, they are wonderful dogs also. You said you have high liability rates? Where do you live? I take it then that laws have been implimented where you live against certain breeds? That's so annoying. You're Dobie sounds like my dog, accept my dog get's beet up by my 3 month old kittens. I can't tell you how many times I have woken up with one of them attached to his face or his ear while he just sits there and cries!!!!

[GovernmentShrinker]

Not so. A German Shepherd has a much longer and narrower jaw, not to mention much lighter musculature in the jaw area. The basic laws of physics and physiology will guarantee very different results in jaw strength.

For a rough illustration of the jaw-shape effect, using your own body: Try sticking your arm out straight in front of you, and have someone start hanging weights on your wrist, until you can't hold your arm up anymore. Then try the same thing, but hang the weights on your upper arm. See how much more weight you can handle in the latter position. And just imagine how much more you could handle if the weight-bearing muscles in your shoulder were twice as large and strong.

[Alylonee]

Funny thing about Labs, it's hit or miss. We had one when I was really young (my parents dog). She was so smart and a really good dog. Her son that we kept was absolutely, well, not all there. Not very smart! I'm just not into labs. They are great dogs for people who want that type of dog, I personally just don't mesh well with them.

[Alylonee]

Oh Geeze, here we go.... are you telling me that you don't think a German Shepherd could or would kill someone if it needed to or if it "snapped." I've read your posts in previous Pit Bull bashing articles, and I don't agree with you one bit. I'm sorry but every large breed dog has the potential to kill someone if driven to that point. In fact, almost any dog is capable of it. Please read the "sad reality" post at the top of this article. Then maybe you can understand why some of these dogs are vicious... look into these dog's eyes and tell me if you see the extent of the abuse that they have been put through. And even after all of that, some of the abused one's still tend to be wonderful, kind, loving animals. If you took any other dog and beet it, burned it, fought it, tortured it (read some of the stories, look at some of the pictures) they would become just as mean, if not more so. There are facts to prove this theory. Sometime today I will send you the other sights that I have explaining the facts vs. myths of the Pit Bull breed.