melzawelza

They are not fit to be pets either A girl I know has one and he was a chronic escape artist, regularly scaling fences and getting out near a very busy road, until one day he was actually hit by a car and sustained serious damage. Plenty of domestic dogs do exactly the same thing, and plenty of Dingoes kept as pets don't. This dog was on another level to any domesticated breed I've ever met. It killed livestock in suburbia on multiple occasions, too. So do many domestic dogs.

They are not fit to be pets either A girl I know has one and he was a chronic escape artist, regularly scaling fences and getting out near a very busy road, until one day he was actually hit by a car and sustained serious damage. Plenty of domestic dogs do exactly the same thing, and plenty of Dingoes kept as pets don't.

So interesting (and infuriating) to see the difference in reporting when the breed isn't a typical media sensationalized breed. RIP little one.

Why does a dog necessarily have issues if they correct a rude puppy in an appropriate way? My dog can run loose with puppies, be around them on lead etc and generally ignores. If they follow her around while off leash she ignores. If they jump on her head she will tell them off. Puppies need to learn while young what is appropriate behaviour with other dogs. I think dogs like mine and (it sounds like) Blackjaq's are a great lesson for puppies - not all dogs want to play with you, and if you persist with dogs trying to avoid you you will get told off.

My girl also is not interested in puppies and ignores them as a first approach. If they jump all over her she will do exactly as your dog did and I also do not correct her - her behaviour is totally appropriate and the pup needs to learn that jumping on a strange dog's head is unacceptable. In fact, I think she's quite good for puppies for this reason - she doesn't tolerate any crap from them! But she has never hurt another dog and is never over the top with her correction.

I find I get more hysteria and outrage after dog-on-cat attacks than any other type of attack. I don't know what it is. I can of course understand being very upset by the incident, but I usually end up with the whole street ringing me up in arms, say the dog is vicious, dangerous, that it will attack a child next and wanting it destroyed. Dogs attack cats.. this has been known since the beginning of time. People seem to have forgotten this

Thanks so much guys, all very helpful and along the lines of what I have said too (that there is a lot of variation even within a breed, and it can be hard to know when getting a puppy whether the dog is going to be higher or lower energy etc). Kirty I did mention Aussie Shepherds for that exact reason but it was in amongst a lengthy post with all sorts of info so I'll see if she missed it of if she's had a look. I've made a few other breed suggestions too, another option for them may be a Lab but I've warned her that Lab puppies can be absolute destructo nightmare dogs when puppies/young adults and she needs to be prepared! :laugh: If anyone can recommend any breeders that she could call to have a chat to that would be much appreciated! I know there are a lot of fad colour breeders in BC so would prefer some recommendations.

Hi all, A friend of mine has come to me recently for advice on getting a dog that fits her family. She is intending to purchase from a Registered breeder (yay!) and is really doing heaps and heaps of research which is great. The dog she really wants is a Border Collie but is unsure if one would be the right fit for her family. She has a 3.5yo and a 1.5yo. Have talked to her at length about supervision with children, mouthy puppies, training etc and she is really going about everything the right way and learning everything she can. She is also prepared to wait if now isn't the right time for a puppy. I've asked her how much time she could realistically dedicate to exercise and she has said an hour a day. Now, I am not a Border person but I am wondering if there are any breeders who have lines that are more laid back and may be suitable for the kind of lifestyle my friend can offer? She understands about mental stimulation as well which I've discussed with her at length. She is more than prepared to look at another breed if Borders just aren't suitable full stop but because Borders aren't my breed I've really gone as far as I can with advising on whether they may be suitable, and I think at this point she needs to speak to a few breeders who could hear her situation and let her know if any of their dogs may be suitable. Does anyone have any breeder recommendations that have dogs that are maybe less performance-bred and more suited to home life with an active family with children that she could contact? ETA: This is her first dog, and her first experience with registered breeders, so I'm hoping that whatever breeders may be recommended will also be open and willing to chat to her about the topic (some are not so inviting!).

And we also have to remember that even with the increase in reported bites in 2012, the bite rate is insanely low for a population of 1.1 million people.

It looks fantastic Sail_Away! Very similar to Cocoa's - she has that same gorgeous red coat, that colour leather and that bling just goes SO well doesn't it!

Wow, you hardly ever hear of such a ban. Well done to the Magistrate.

It's not that people have a 'won't happen to me' attitude. 1. Most people don't even know BSL exists 2. Most people do not understand dog genetics or even what a 'Pitbull' is supposed to look like 3. People don't understand that BSL is based on visual ID which sucks other breeds and mixed breeds in because it's unreliable 4. Therefore people buy a 'Staffy X Lab', an 'Amstaff' without papers, a 'Ridgeback X' etc etc and don't understand that their dog could be caught up in BSL - 'why would it be, it's not a Pitbull!'. They have faith that the way Council's ID restricted breed is accurate and only ID's pitbulls, so they have no reason to be concerned for their dog 5. People buy mixed breed puppies and have no idea or don't even consider what they will look like when they grow up 5. Many dogs being seized don't even look like what anyone that knew anything about the breed would consider to be a 'pit bull', so those people would never expect their dog to come under fire 6. People adopt mixed breed puppies and never see the parents, and have no idea what they will grow up to look like And so on and so forth endlessly.

You SEVERELY overestimate the general public's level of understanding of BSL, how it works, how it is enforced, dog genetics and the Pitbull as a 'breed'.

Oh, thanks for the kind words guys. IMO what I do isn't anything special and should be bare minimum, and lots of Council officers here in Sydney are really amazing and are brilliant at what they do, there are so many people i have huge admiration for and am inspired by. The cowboys absolutely ruin it for the rest of us though. I nearly quit six months in because I didn't want to be associated with them. But it's better to stick with it, treat people with respect and keep the cowboys in the minority.

You guys realise that they have just made it super easy to, and clearly have the intentions to, add more breeds to BSL under the menacing category? Owners of any large, powerful breed should be very afraid. They wouldn't have put that in unless they intend to use it. It is positively terrifying, isn't it! As the owner of a rescued bull breed of unknown origin, it really does scare the hell out of me, where this is going.. It is hard, I love bull breeds and can't imagine owning any other breed or type of dog. I also choose to rescue, rather than buy a pedigree dog from a breeder. Don't get me wrong, I would love another pedigree SBT but my heart is in rescue. Buying a property out of town, is looking more and more appealing.. Not even that will keep your dogs safe necessarily... Clarence Valley Council killed a man's 18 'pit bulls' (supposedly) who lived on a property with him, and had never done anything wrong other than exist. They revel in telling the story every year at the Ranger's conference, to a room full of cheering idiots. Their favourite part to tell that gets the crowd cheering is the part where they came to check out the dogs, and one had died from a snake bite. They wanted a certificate of euth from the vet, and of course the owner didn't have that, and had buried the dog. They made him dig up his own dog in front of them so they could scan the body for a microchip to confirm death. That was very cruel and heartless of the rangers to make the man dig up his own pet. Why is it so hard for some people to just be decent human beings. Even if there is good reason to PTS someone's dog, there is no need to carry on like its a celebration. In this case when they were killed for being a certain breed and for nothing else, it's especially disgraceful. : ( That is exactly it. As NSW is a BSL state those of us in Council officer roles are expected to enforce it, it's part of the job. That does not excuse relishing in it, enjoying it and treating people like dirt because they own a dog that was born with the wrong appearance. I refuse to go to the Ranger conferences anymore - it is all about enforcement, stomping your boots and 'getting' people and their dogs rather than progressive animal management. The Australian Institute of Animal Management conference is much more inspiring.

You guys realise that they have just made it super easy to, and clearly have the intentions to, add more breeds to BSL under the menacing category? Owners of any large, powerful breed should be very afraid. They wouldn't have put that in unless they intend to use it. It is positively terrifying, isn't it! As the owner of a rescued bull breed of unknown origin, it really does scare the hell out of me, where this is going.. It is hard, I love bull breeds and can't imagine owning any other breed or type of dog. I also choose to rescue, rather than buy a pedigree dog from a breeder. Don't get me wrong, I would love another pedigree SBT but my heart is in rescue. Buying a property out of town, is looking more and more appealing.. Not even that will keep your dogs safe necessarily... Clarence Valley Council killed a man's 18 'pit bulls' (supposedly) who lived on a property with him, and had never done anything wrong other than exist. They revel in telling the story every year at the Ranger's conference, to a room full of cheering idiots. Their favourite part to tell that gets the crowd cheering is the part where they came to check out the dogs, and one had died from a snake bite. They wanted a certificate of euth from the vet, and of course the owner didn't have that, and had buried the dog. They made him dig up his own dog in front of them so they could scan the body for a microchip to confirm death.

I agree with your assessment of your fear, very strange. Small dogs have been declared dangerous, don't you worry. Any fear or bias against an entire 'type' or breed of dog is irrational, including yours. Yep - I know that all too well... being a normally logical thinking type of person... but that fear/phobia is there nonetheless... *grin* BUT - I certainly don't advocate the declaration of all small breed dogs as dangerous - I just approach them with more caution is all. ... and Dogmad, I know of a couple that were declared dangerous after attacking kennel hands in the pound... but that's a bit different to the ones out in the general public that really should be declared but aren't because some people believe "they don't do that much damage"... T. Sorry, my post was directed at Dogmad. Yes, your bias against an entire type of dog is irrational but it's a bit rich of Dogmad to be the one to point it out considering her posting history. Regardless, it's clear from your post that while you have a fear you are rational about it and realise it is your own issue rather than being based in any kind of reality in regards to all small dogs being a problem. Something I couldn't say for the person who decided to try and pick you up on it. Pot, kettle and all that.

They're small-ish but strong :laugh: They absolutely excel at weight-pull events in the States and here in Australia now that it's started up. They'd have no problem pulling a cart and typically absolutely love to do it. One of the first Australian-Bred APBT pulled a 2100kg Landcruiser. I'll try and find the photo of him with it. Also agree that a Rotty could be a great option too. No worries, hope the links are useful and good luck! Found it! McConnell's Revhead, pictured pulling a 2100kg Landcruiser, weighing only 24 kilos himself :) Pedigree with photos

Currently if a dog attacks a cat off it's own property it is most likely to earn a Dangerous Dog Declaration. The incident is viewed the same in the legislation whether it's a person, a dog or a cat. Only vermin is excepted. The Menacing thing might allow some dogs to get menacing rather than Dangerous for these incidents, although it's unlikely as most dogs will kill or do a real number on a cat if they get to them.

They're small-ish but strong :laugh: They absolutely excel at weight-pull events in the States and here in Australia now that it's started up. They'd have no problem pulling a cart and typically absolutely love to do it. One of the first Australian-Bred APBT pulled a 2100kg Landcruiser. I'll try and find the photo of him with it. Also agree that a Rotty could be a great option too. No worries, hope the links are useful and good luck!

It's the best. This was my BFF for the week - Mumford - who is deaf. An absolute sweetheart. Sorry for the hijack!! No more photos I promise :laugh:

Sounds great, but it's in New York though? Or have I got that wrong? Oh yes they're in New York, I spent a week with them in May. I'm not saying the OP could adopt from them but just showing her that Bull Breeds can excel at this work (a lot of people don't believe it to be true! :laugh: ). Plus, they've got some great international resources there that might be helpful for her. Oh right :) haha I don't know why I didn't realise that :laugh: Wow that must have been a fantastic experience to spend a week with them! I'm very jealous! :) It really was, they're an incredible, inspiring organisation in the work that they do - the assistance dog stuff is only a small part of what they do overall. Their internships are run numerous times throughout the year and are free so if anyone is ever in the USA and are interested it's worth applying - they're only a less than 2 hour train ride from NYC and it includes your accommodation on-site (where you get to bunk with a gorgeous rescued Pit Bull!). :)

Sounds great, but it's in New York though? Or have I got that wrong? Oh yes they're in New York, I spent a week with them in May. I'm not saying the OP could adopt from them but just showing her that Bull Breeds can excel at this work (a lot of people don't believe it to be true! :laugh: ). Plus, they've got some great international resources there that might be helpful for her.

Bull breeds can often excel at this kind of work - Animal Farm Foundation have an assistance dog program using rescued 'pit bull' dogs (bearing in mind that the term 'pit bull' in the states includes the APBT, Amstaff, SBT and any mixes that look vaguely similar to those breeds). The program is really successful and the dogs do really well. Animal Farm Foundation - Assistance Dogs program There'd be many, many suitable dogs in rescues all around the country that would thrive with a job like you are describing. Good luck in your search! ETA: They have some great international links and resources for assistance dogs on their website too: Assistance Team Resources

I agree with your assessment of your fear, very strange. Small dogs have been declared dangerous, don't you worry. Any fear or bias against an entire 'type' or breed of dog is irrational, including yours.