BlackPhx
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quote:
There are a few other breeds that should be included, as being "known aggressive breeds", including collies, akitas, and labrador retrievers. [ORIGINAL: purepleasure
Akitas do tend to be animal aggressive, they don't like other dogs on their property and can even snap at one another even though raised together. They can also be some of the most loving, intelligent, loyal, protective, and calm dogs I have ever owned. Right now we are fostering a female Akita rescued from the shelter and will probably end up keeping her along with our male. Yes they have had their posturing days and two fights, both of which they stopped the minute I ordered them out of it. Keiko is extremely protective of both Buttah and I and warily watches anyone who comes to the house, but isn't aggressive about it. You just know she has an eye on you. She is also a kisser, rides in the car without complaint for hours or bouncing around, goes to her bed when ordered to and takes food offered as gentle as a kiss. She has learned most of this since we have had her. Komodo is a good ol' boy in attitude and has a wicked sense of humor. He is constantly laughing at life, gently moves you away from me if you are yelling and waving your arms by leaning against your knees and using all 150 lbs to move you back. The entire time he wags his entire body as if to say sorry but I have to do this...No offense.
They like any other breed of dog are the product of their upbringing. Establish yourself as alpha, maintain that position, and train them without abuse and you have a companion that can't be beat. In Japan they were bred to hunt bear and deer, work as farm dogs protecting the home, and even as babysitters while the parents worked around the house and farm. A large breed, they tend to lay out of the way in a house where they can see you but not be underfoot.
The worst thing that happens is that a breed becomes popular. The minute they do (winning Westminster can be the downfall of a breed, or having a Prominent Person like a President keep them) the puppy mills go into overdrive and indiscriminate breeding occurs. Excessive Inbreeding, breeding of those with genetic disorders (hip displasia, deafness, blindness, skin conditions, asthma, heart disease) and behavior problems are almost standard with puppy mill dogs. They have produced Springer Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels (soft mouthed dogs) that are neurotic and biters, Collies whose skulls are so narrow there is barely room for intelligence, Deaf Dalmatians, Overly aggressive Bull Terriers and Miniature Pinschers, Shar Pei with turned eyelids and skin problems and and a myriad of others. A good many of these are the ones you hear about biting, rampaging etc. Patronizing pet shops that buy from puppy mills encourages these problems.
Know your breed and their requirements. Border Collies with no work to do become problem dogs, their instinct is to herd and they are nippers..it is what they were bred to do to move sheep and cattle where the herder wanted them. Collies were not bred to nip but to intimidate with size, Akita's to protect and hunt, Springers and Cockers to hunt birds, The Majority of the Terrier breeds were bred to keep down vermin (rats, weasels, mice to name a few). Knowing the breeds history can save you a lot of time and grief as you train your own dog. Very few breeds were designed to lay up on a couch and eat doggie treats all day. They need to work or be exercised in ways that use their instinct under your control.
Your Control.
Despite what many "group classes" will tell you, not every dog is going to respond to the same type of training. Know the psychology of the breed as well as the individual and train with that in mind. Some dogs will work for 30 minutes to learn something and do it every day until they get it right. An Akita for example will learn in 15 minutes, do the exercise only as long as it amuses him, but won't forget the training. Remember how much you hated learning things by rote? So do they. Teach and move on and they will learn a tremendous amount in a short period of time. It took 10 minutes for me to teach Keiko where her bed was and what the command go to bed meant. She obeys it immediately, sometimes reluctantly, but obeys. The same with Komodo who didn't even have the command Sit in his language when we got him.
Bad Breeds? No. Bad Dogs, yes, Bad Owners definitely, Many who don't think they ARE Bad Owners..but if you don't take the time to train your dog, to socialize him and to BE the Alpha you are a Bad Owner.
I will fight against Breed Specific Legislation every time it comes up. It is hard enough dealing with the Home Owners Insurance companies without giving them State Sanctioned reasons to deny people insurance.
More Mutts have bitten people than all of those breeds combined, but they don't make the news. More Miniature/Toy Poodles, Pomeranian and Chihuahua have chewed on people of all ages than the others combined, BUT, they can't do the amount of damage the bigger breeds can so generally the wound is cleaned, an antiseptic salve is put on it and a band aid applied without a bite report. It doesn't make them any less dangerous. Often they are fear biters..you are so much bigger, your a threat and they attack instead of running.
I really wish people would stop blaming the animal for their own actions or lack thereof. The breed ain't bad, just as no race is bad..but there are bad dogs and people in both.
poenkitten
< Message edited by BlackPhx -- 3/25/2009 1:35:42 PM >
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RE: Breed Specific Legislation Own any of these? - 
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