Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
Originally Posted By: dlundblad
I tend to blame the owners personally regardless of the breed. In this specific situation we have a pack of German Shepherds dangerously running free. They are protective by nature. Most good dogs are. Any breed would act this way if they weren't tied up, pinned up, disciplined etc.
Once again.. It's the owners fault. Banning breeds won't stop the poor owners behavior. As a gun enthusiast, I'm surprised the OP doesn't comprehend this.
I was really kinda poking fun at the overzealous pit bull people. It doesn't take much to get them riled up.
Kidding aside, though, you can't say breed has nothing to do with aggression in a dog. Certain breeds (Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Chows, Dobermans, Shepherds, for example) have had aggression bred into them over decades or even centuries. There's a reason that the breeds I just mentioned account for the vast majority of attacks.
While it is true that a good, conscientious owner who initiates an obedience training program can and most often does make a huge difference, nurture can never fully overcome nature. Along those same lines, no animal can ever be fully trusted.
I say all of this as a life-long dog owner and dog lover.
I can honestly say I have never heard of aggression being breed into a dog. Maybe if the dog was born in a puppy mill or something of the sort to be sold to a pet store? Those are never good choices when wanting to pick out a pet. I could call those genetic disorders.
Then, with all due respect, you don't know much about dog breeding, or genetics in general. And, puppy mills and pet stores have nothing to do with it.
Do I really need to get into a genetics lesson? Take 2 dogs (or people) with like characteristics, breed them, and the result is a litter of puppies in which these characteristics are amplified.
The breeds I mentioned earlier (pit bull terriers, rottweilers, doberman pincers, chows, mastiffs, shepherds, and others) have had strength and aggression artificially selected into their genes through selective breeding for centuries, for the purposes of defense, intimidation and protection (as well as dog fighting).
Why do you think these breeds have the reputation they do?
Sure, any dog is capable of aggression, but certain breeds are known for it, for good reason. IT'S BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN BRED TO BE AGGRESSIVE!
Now, you can say it's the owners' fault all you want...and, I agree with you that how the dog is raised plays a major part. But, to deny that certain breeds are more aggressive than others is just naive.
