"Killer Breeds" - Paw Talk

Becki · #1 02-04-2003, 12:41 AM

I have to vent for a moment here... If I hear the term killer breed one more time, my head may explode!!! I've always had a thing for Pitbulls, Rotties, Great Danes.... Well, we're moving soon and Claudia will need a friend so we've been talking about it. My first suggestion was a pit... quickly poo-pooed by Ira with some line about the dog could never be around any future children we may have...Ok, fine, the pit bull is out, I'm not going to just get rid of the dog in the future if we decide to have kids. So, I know Ira had a dog that resembled a rottie in the past and he loved him to death, and rotties don't have the same rep...on to suggestion number two, "honey, maybe we could get a rottweiller (sp?)? This suggestion is met with silence... "what's wrong with a rottie" I ask... I'm kinda nervous about the KILLER BREEDS he says!!!

When he sees that I'm upset he says well, you can get the great dane if you want (he knows thats my all time fave dog)...We're moving into a duplex where are we going to put a great dane?!? I'm more concerned with a GD sitting on a kid and smothering them than I am a properly raised "killer breed" dog! Grrr... And who even said there's gonna be kids!

So, am I being irrational here? This whole thing is driving me nuts!

Jodi · #2 02-04-2003, 09:27 AM

No, your not being irrational. We have a German Shepard and have heard similar comments. It drives me crazy too. Bach is so good with kids - he would never hurt anyone but people act like he is going to flip out and attack. Even when he barks (which is a pretty mean sounding bark) that's all he is - "all bark and no bite".

Some people just don't get it!

BTW, I love rotties!!!!

DirtySouthChins · #3 02-05-2003, 04:47 PM

I don't think your being irrational either.... I used to hear things about pitts, rotts, german sheppards ect, and ya know with my dad being a K-9 cop for 24 years, the breeds never bothered me, it is all about how they are raised. Yes they say that Pitts have this "natural instinct" in them but ya know, I don't believe that either. We recently (3 months ago) adopted a pitt mix she is just over a year, and yes she can get a little rough playing but other than that Zoey is the sweetest dog I have (of course my other 2 are too) but you get the picture. It is all about the training, and love an owner provides the dog with that makes the dog what they are. If you want them to love you and respect you then treat them the same, if you show them no consideration or the love they deserve or don't bother training them, then yes they probably will end up being mean or a "killer dog" as put above, but in my opinion it isn't about the breed it is about the owner and the proper love, affection and training

Oh and I just love Great Danes too, can't wait to get a big enough place to have my own either. They are the biggest gentlest dogs I know (pure breeds that is)

**Scarlette** · #4 02-05-2003, 07:32 PM

Well said NavyWife!

Chrisanne · #5 02-08-2003, 07:23 PM

I don't think you're being irrational either. These breeds are given these reputations due to poor breeding and it isn't fair.

I personally have 2 of the supposed "killer breeds". I have a 130lb German Shepard, and a 110lb Rottweiler. They are both wonderful dogs. They wouldn't hurt a fly. Personally if someone broke into my home I think my labrador would bite first.

#6 02-09-2003, 12:02 AM

No Dogs are killer's it' the way the dog is brought up. If a dog bites someone they should look into how it was trained-jmo

Chrisanne · #7 02-09-2003, 11:35 AM

I agree... it can be about how the dog was trained but it also is about how the dogs are bred. Bad breeding is the largest cause of animals going mean.

Crittercall · #8 02-10-2003, 03:00 AM

Having had a half-dead pit-bull/GSD cross raise up and bite down on the side of my face (stitches in the ear - mine) I'm afraid I'm not the voice wanted on this post.

Of course, I do realize that (1) I usually saw any breed of dog in an uncomfortable situation for them (at the vet clinic) and (2) this particular dog was 90 pounds and nearly dead from having such a bad infestation of fleas - so that tells you something about the owner.

Just curious - if you knew that your dog had attacked someone at the vet clinic would you call the clinic to inquire about the condition of the person or would you ignore the situation? These people chose to ignore the entire thing and never bothered to call and see if I was okay, etc. The dog had not been vaccinated in years, which meant it had to be tested for rabies after it bit me, which they probably considered to be my fault. Obviously not good pet owners!

Lots and lots of breeds out there, and you can hear horror stories about most of them if you talk to the right people. I think you and Ira wll be able to agree on something when the time comes!

Chrisanne · #9 02-10-2003, 12:26 PM

That sucks Critter... I am sorry you had to go through that.

I would totally have called to inquire about your well being. Not to mention having the dog put down. Of course, my dogs would never be in that kind of shape. They are rotten.

Becki · #10 02-10-2003, 03:04 PM

Geeze Critter! I could definetly understand you being a little wary. Had that been my dog that bit you, I would have been calling you everyday and felt responsible for everything, including your medical bills and not been surprised if the dog was put down. The people that owned that dog are the ones that make it so hard for the breed... NO dog should have been in that condition, especially with no shots!

We'll probably wind up with a mutt puppy from someone around here, there are SO many homeless dogs here and NO ONE fixes thier dogs

I was just kind of disappointed that Ira of all people would start spouting about "killer breeds" (and of course I'm not used to being told no, lol)

Crittercall · #11 02-10-2003, 03:23 PM

I'm not really familiar with the "N" word either, Becki!

And I wasn't using this as a plea for sympathy or anything like that - I guess just trying to help you guys see the side of the dogs that has such a bad reputation and why. And I can't talk about anyone wanting "pure-bred" dogs, since I have three - because you have to be careful with those because you have people breeding popular breeds and getting all the bad traits just because they are trying to make some bucks off of popularity.

I would be surprised to hear that phrase coming from Bubba, too. But he loves his frou frou dogs, birds, small fuzzies just as much as I do.

I think that my bottom line opinion is that you have to remember that they are ANIMALS. No matter how many human characteristics we try to give them, and sometimes no matter how we raise them we shouldn't be surprised if they still come through with something that lets us know that even though we've raised them like our kids they are still animals and will act like animals sometimes.

lulu · #12 02-13-2003, 09:58 PM

If it matters much-I have a Dane and she is not considered a "killer breed". Danes are known for being "GENTLE GIANTS"
Yes, they sit on you, and yes my kids have been sat on by accident but, no one was smothered. LOL they were just a bit aggrevated at her. A great dane is a great dog to have. They think they are the size of a chihuahua and I don't recall ever hearing her growl. They are very terrioritorial but not mean! Their looks are worse than their bites! They are not known for jumping fences either! I think do mostly to being to heavy! I am sure they could if they wanted but for the most part--Danes are not outside dogs, and they are great companions!

lulu

babypd · #13 02-23-2003, 06:25 PM

Your not being irrational at all. I know someone who has a girl Pit and they have a little baby. That dog is great around the little baby. One time, the baby was playing with the dog, and the dog was the one who was afraid of the baby!! That's funny! Also, I was watching a program on Animal Planet, and this lady from England has a Pit and a Parrakeet, they showed how the Pit would play so gently with the Parrakeet and how they loved eachother! It's sad that Pits and Rotts are classified as "Killer Breeds". The jerks who raise these dogs to be "killers" are the ones to blame, NOT the dog. I am a greyhound lover myself, but am considering to be a Pit mommy in the future!

BrendaLynn · #14 03-09-2003, 10:17 PM

I think that ANY dog over 50lbs can be a "killer" and it might not be fair to the individual dogs but clearly all the dogs mentioned so far ( except the great dane, I personally haven't heard of any anyway.) have had incidents of attacking people. You may find it annoying but you should also concider that a lot of insurance companies won't insure you for your home if you have a breed that is classified as a dangerous breed. So the costs of keeping one of these dogs gets very expensive not to mention the constant threat of someone potencially taking your dog away from you if it ever has ANY altercations with a person.
I had a Rottie and I loved her with all my heart but people are predudiced against them and it made moving from place to place a living nightmare because of her breed. And the thought of losing her was gut wrenchinly heartbreaking to me. I vowed that until the day i know I am never moving again I will not put another beautiful Rottie in that position or myself.
I hope you'll at least concider that and not hate people for having legitamit fears of these animals.

#15 03-22-2003, 10:38 PM

I with you all too. I have owned German sheps, rotties, and pits, and not once did I have any trouble with kids or small animals either!!! The only thing that makes a dog go bad is a bad HUMAN!!! you treat your dogs bad they will learn it. It has nothing to do wth a breed. I feel for you. You should get what YOU want I am sure it would be great, you would teach it love and it would never do anything. SOME PEOPLE!!!!!