Breed Prejudice

[korbin13]

I think everyone has "breed prejudice" so some extent. Whether it be due to a bad experience, personal dislike of the breed or a story they heard from a guy who knows a guy. Staffys & pitbulls probably have the worst public perception, most of which is probably down to the owners and how they are brought up.

You know I had never heard of a pitbull until they brought in BSL!

[Scales of Justice]

I was a member of two branches of the GSDL and have seen many GSD's both dog and bitch and I would not call any of them cowardly, fear biting was a big problem years ago so I'm told this is not the case now thanks to the GSDL.

With GSD's dogs don't like other dogs and bitches don't like other bitches and some don't like either and you are told this on the very first night of training so you keep your dog or bitch on a short lead at all times. They are also stubborn and have a mind of their own at times, shed 365 days per year. There are two types of GSD's, the calm and the hyperactive, I have one of each but not by choice and a desexed dog and bitch are the best combo with this breed. So as you can see I do have a little experience this wonderful breed. Am a member of the Rottie Club and have done Obedience with them too, aren't you sorry you asked.

These are only generalisations. Some GSDs are friendly with everything (and the reverse). Also I don't believe the breed is stubborn, I've found them to be highly trainable and very willing to please even as 9 week old puppies. They would not be used in the forces if they were stubborn and difficult to train. I have owned and trained GSDs to very high levels for many years and I've always been amazed just how quicly the breed picks up on training.

"Two types - calm and hyperactive" - another generalisation. Behaviour depends on many things - breeding, upbringing, training and the owner.

There are good and bad of all breeds. If a Chihuahua were GSD size they may have as bad a reputation (or worse) than GSDs or other large breeds. Our perceptions only reflect our own personal experiences.

Edited June 15, 2011 by Scales of Justice

[blueberrymobile]

I'd like to think I don't have any breed prejudices, more of a healthy respect for certain breeds. Even though I don't dislike or fear any breeds, I do recognize powerful dogs and respect them and tread carefully around them until I know their personality. But it has nothing to do with what breed it is, it's more a wariness in me not knowing how it's been raised, trained, and what it's accustomed to. Though this applies to all dogs, it's much easier to recover from a lap dog turning and snapping at you than one of the larger breeds.

Some of the sweetest dogs I've met have been some of the breeds the general public would probably view as "dangerous". At a vet I used to work at, there was the kindest and most gentle doberman I've ever met. It got to sleep behind the front desk because it was frightened by the other dogs in the kennel area, and always greeted everyone with a friendly tail wag and then returned to his bed. One of my friends owns a deaf pitbull in the US which is the most lovable dog. The instant I sit down on the couch, he's in my lap and licking anything he can reach. He snuggles with her other dogs and her cats and has never shown the slightest sign of aggression.

Coming from the US, it's interesting to see the difference in dogs and here as opposed to back home. I'd never seen a staffy before I lived here, and now I see them everywhere. Though I've met some super snuggly, sweet staffies, I've sadly also met some aggressive ones (this could be said about quite a few dogs). Also, in the US, we don't have any laws about greyhounds needing to be muzzled in public, at least not where I'm from. Though I understand the greyhound prey drive is hard to control at times, it makes me sad to know that these amazing dogs probably get poor exposure from always having to be muzzled when out.

I feel like all dog breeds have their superstars as well as their disasters. Each dog has it's own, unique personality and should never be lumped in with others just because they look the same. At least, that's the way I feel :D.

[MalteseLuna]

Beagles? Huskies? CKCS, Cocker Spaniel, GSP, Viszla, sheltie, Whippet, Boxer? I probably should have said many common breeds have rated barely a mention. GRs, BCs, Kelpies, large poodle crosses (???). Mostly this thread has ended up being about staffy types, SWFs and GSDs and to a lesser extent labs, dobes, rotties... I don't think poor ownership alone can account for them being singled out over and over again.

SWF isn't a breed... unless you want to over generalize all big non fluffy breeds into BNF ;)

SWF is a description of MANY breeds and crosses (well mainly crosses now is what you see on the street).

This is why alot of small fluffy breeds have a bad reputation - over breeding by puppy farms with no selection on temperament... and the fact that they look 'similar'.

Alot of small/toy dog owners do not train their dogs or even socialise them properly.

I can count the number of times I have seen a purebred Poodle, Maltese, Shih tzu etc on one hand. Most dogs that I see are doodles, oodles, whatever cross is the newest.

It's like the RSPCA saying they have a high percentage of Maltese in their kennels when really they have a high percentage of small fluffy crosses (some that look to have very little if any Maltese)... if it is small and fluffy it must be a Maltese right...

Dogs of any breed can have temperament issues - alot of my "prejudice" with dogs at the park or around isn't because I don't like the breed or think they will attack my dog (or me) but rather their style of play or interaction is too heavy or full-on for a 2.5 kg dog OR the breed has high prey drive which is silly to risk with a toy breed.

[Ker]

It seems that a lot have problems with SWF's.

I have a SWF and she is not any of the things mentioned here. She mainly ignores other dogs, never starts fights, never runs up to a dog and tries to rip their throat out and never looks like she's even thought of biting a human. I don't know what breed she is, as she's a rescue, but she's a maltese something. Lots of Adelaide Dolers have met her at dog meets and she has never caused an issue.

The problem is with the owners of them, not the dog. I don't treat her as a child - she's a dog. She knows it. She knows what she is allowed to do and what she's not. And she behaves far better than the kids.

Please don't write them all off as the same! they're not.

I don't have any breed prejudices. I have prejudices against the actual dogs, if I have had a problem with them. My mum has an Amstaff that's the biggest, fattest, sookiest boy around. I wouldn't like to try and harm my mum with him around, but he's great with everyone.

[corvus]

Beagles? Huskies? CKCS, Cocker Spaniel, GSP, Viszla, sheltie, Whippet, Boxer? I probably should have said many common breeds have rated barely a mention. GRs, BCs, Kelpies, large poodle crosses (???). Mostly this thread has ended up being about staffy types, SWFs small white fluffy crossbreeds, and GSDs and to a lesser extent labs, dobes, rotties... I don't think poor ownership alone can account for them being singled out over and over again.

SWF isn't a breed... unless you want to over generalize all big non fluffy breeds into BNF ;)

SWF is a description of MANY breeds and crosses (well mainly crosses now is what you see on the street).

You do realise this whole thread is about broad generalisations? Just making sure...

I have met a lot of nice little fluffy dogs. Most came straight from the pound and who knows what breeds they are. I don't care. I am impressed by a little dog that will play with my lapphund just as happily and confidently as with my little vallhund.

[Online Pets]

I think everyone has "breed prejudice" so some extent. Whether it be due to a bad experience, personal dislike of the breed or a story they heard from a guy who knows a guy. Staffys & pitbulls probably have the worst public perception, most of which is probably down to the owners and how they are brought up.

You know I had never heard of a pitbull until they brought in BSL!

You arent the only one there. I would go as far as to say most people havnt heard anything about the breed except for the media hype about them being a dangerous breed.

[tarope]

There are many owners of GSD's and Rotties who do the right thing and raise them correctly, that also means making them part of the family but unfortunately it's the bad owners who create breed prejudice.

But there are bad owners in many common breeds, yet not all common breeds have been mentioned in this thread...

Yes that's true, but not all common breeds get the Media attention like some others do and the Media don't blame the owner do they.

[tarope]

I'm not surprised some people are wary of GSDs, Dobes, Rotties. They have the reputation and are sometimes used as police and security dogs, and it is this perception that also aids in those roles (people respect them, some are more worried about being bitten by a police dog than other police methods). If I wasn't prepared to deal with this attitude then I wouldn't have gotten a GSD. In my current area there are a lot of dogs of various breeds, and I have met several other GSDs and Dobes and people don't seem to be scared of them. Where I used to live (which had a smaller dog population and different ethnic mix) people were scared of my GSD.

and tarope - I attended one GSD day with my boy and did a mock obedience trial and the steward collecting leads was scared of my dog! My boy is fairly small and very soft and sooky (and has the body language to match this ) whereas I've never had a problem with instructors being scared of my dog at normal obedience clubs.

Maybe the steward was just a volunteer and speaking of All breeds Clubs, my GSD girl started obedience at 4 mths with the GSDL. when she was 12mths old I joined the local all breeds club which had training on a different night so I could attend both as I wanted to socialize her with other breeds as she was only used to other GSD's.

On the first night everyone stood in a line and the instructor came along and checked that people's check chains were around the right way. When the lady instructor came to me, my girl jumped up on her to say hello.

Well this lady jumped back and screamed ahhhhh I said why did you do that, she won't hurt you she's still a pup and all she said was "I didn't know, I didn't know". :D

Later that night this same lady was telling everyone, if you allow your dog on the lounge or bed one day that dog will attack you.

The other thing I noticed at all breeds,was a person with a dog that was very DA and PA everyone called the dog a GSD but was cleary a cross. People see these crosses and blame the poor GSD.

Edited June 16, 2011 by tarope

[PetSitters]

There are many owners of GSD's and Rotties who do the right thing and raise them correctly, that also means making them part of the family but unfortunately it's the bad owners who create breed prejudice.

But there are bad owners in many common breeds, yet not all common breeds have been mentioned in this thread...

Bad owners do create breed prejudice with poor management of dogs suffering temperament flaws, but bad owners of dogs with stable temperaments don't create breed prejudice in terms of wariness and fear, so is it really the owners or the dog?.

[tarope]

I was a member of two branches of the GSDL and have seen many GSD's both dog and bitch and I would not call any of them cowardly, fear biting was a big problem years ago so I'm told this is not the case now thanks to the GSDL.

With GSD's dogs don't like other dogs and bitches don't like other bitches and some don't like either and you are told this on the very first night of training so you keep your dog or bitch on a short lead at all times. They are also stubborn and have a mind of their own at times, shed 365 days per year. There are two types of GSD's, the calm and the hyperactive, I have one of each but not by choice and a desexed dog and bitch are the best combo with this breed. So as you can see I do have a little experience this wonderful breed. Am a member of the Rottie Club and have done Obedience with them too, aren't you sorry you asked.

These are only generalisations. Some GSDs are friendly with everything (and the reverse). Also I don't believe the breed is stubborn, I've found them to be highly trainable and very willing to please even as 9 week old puppies. They would not be used in the forces if they were stubborn and difficult to train. I have owned and trained GSDs to very high levels for many years and I've always been amazed just how quicly the breed picks up on training.

"Two types - calm and hyperactive" - another generalisation. Behaviour depends on many things - breeding, upbringing, training and the owner.

There are good and bad of all breeds. If a Chihuahua were GSD size they may have as bad a reputation (or worse) than GSDs or other large breeds. Our perceptions only reflect our own personal experiences.

Generalizations my bum, these are Facts. Facts I have seen with my own eyes and been told by people in the club that have bred and owned this wonderful breed for over 40 years.

It's clear that you have never been to GSD training and seen stubborn GSD's, well I have both dogs and bitches One dog was the best in the class he did every thing very well, sit, drop, stay, and walked very well on the lead. Then at about 14 mths he turned into a real bastard, wouldn't do anything except try to fight other dogs.

The owner was in shock and asked what she had done wrong,the Instructor said your dog is starting to mature and will be like this till he's two to three years old.

My own dog at about the same age would stand in the yard and refuse to come in, when I went near him he would fall over and just lay there. I had to get a lead to bring him in,he did get better but still can be stubborn when he wants to be.

My girl was a stubborn monster from 10 wks,she was the worst one at obedience and I had a hell of a time just walking her. Then at about 14 to 15 mths I noticed a big change and by 18 mths was much better, but can still be stubborn when she wants to be and still hyperactive at 8.5 yrs. The Instructor once told us when asked about stubborn GSD's said some are stubborn, some are very stubborn and some are real bastards.

People should be made aware of the true facts of any breed before they buy,so as not to realize later that this breed is not for them.

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

Corvus

I think I got lucky with my evil hound. And I just encouraged the friendly side of her but it was there from the first day I had her as a 10 week old puppy from the AWL! So much for pound dogs being basket cases.

Though she is a basket case around busy roads - terrified. And I haven't tried to desensitize her because I'd be happy if she stayed away from them.

Inevitablue

I think ACD have kelpie and dingo in them. Dingos definitely have had thousands of years to hone their problem solving skills...

Previous ACD I've lived with have not been so friendly with other dogs, tho one that was a kelpie x heeler was pretty good.

Mine is developing dog park agility too. She turns these really tight circles like the Red Baron doing loop the loop to get behind the other dog that was chasing her... Only the jack russells can manage that, but they don't have the straight line speed... And it's so cool when you see a dog run just fast enough to keep the chasing dog interested. Whippets love being chased but haven't mastered the art of keeping the other dog interested. Mine is a big tease.

However there are some dogs that want to play with her, and she just blows off. Often the over the top little oodles. A few of them she's tried and after all their play bowing and stuff, they turn tail screaming if she says "lets go for it". A bit unfair.

[MalteseLuna]

Beagles? Huskies? CKCS, Cocker Spaniel, GSP, Viszla, sheltie, Whippet, Boxer? I probably should have said many common breeds have rated barely a mention. GRs, BCs, Kelpies, large poodle crosses (???). Mostly this thread has ended up being about staffy types, SWFs small white fluffy crossbreeds, and GSDs and to a lesser extent labs, dobes, rotties... I don't think poor ownership alone can account for them being singled out over and over again.

SWF isn't a breed... unless you want to over generalize all big non fluffy breeds into BNF ;)

SWF is a description of MANY breeds and crosses (well mainly crosses now is what you see on the street).

You do realise this whole thread is about broad generalisations? Just making sure...

I have met a lot of nice little fluffy dogs. Most came straight from the pound and who knows what breeds they are. I don't care. I am impressed by a little dog that will play with my lapphund just as happily and confidently as with my little vallhund.

Okay fair point - although I still think that swf is a much larger generalization than saying "I have issues with breed X, Y and Z".

I have to say I wouldn't feel comfortable with my little dog playing with any dog significantly bigger than her - no matter how well meaning the bigger dog is... one mis-step and there goes my dog (or at the very least a very $$$ trip to the vet). I do let her play with dogs that are still 2-3 times her size (small but not toy) but large dogs similar becuse it's an accident waiting to happen.

Again I feel alot of small dog mis-behaviour is due to the owners... who treat toy/small dogs like babies and don't train them or give them boundaries.

[MonElite]

I do have breed prejudices, I think that most people do, am I wrong?

After all certain breeds have bee bred for certain purposes so if you know the characteristics of a breed you coud automatically assume just basics.

I have actually capitalised on people having breed prejudices. I have dobermanns. I wanted a guard dog, I wanted a dog that when I walk it at night people will think twice about aproaching me. And I have that. My Rex was super human friendly yet just because of his breed people would clear the footpath. It used to annoy me sometimes when people were going overboard with fear, but reality is - I wanted a dog that didnt look friendly. If I wanted something friendly looking Id get a Golden or a Sheltie.

I now have 3 mean looking things at home, and think that someone would have to be a fool to try to break in to my yard.

All based on breed prejudice.

[Zug Zug]

I just lost my bichon last week. He was definitely small, white and fluffy. And he was a perfect gentleman. If any of you had met him, you would have been forced to agree. Not an aggressive bone in that little body anywhere. He could disarm and charm even the most nervous young child or snarly dog.

I used to be scared of Boxers. This is because I was badly attacked by my Aunt's boxer when I was 22. But I love them now. Went out of my way to make sure I met some nice ones. Took a while, but I'm over it and I'm glad!

[trinabean]

I just lost my bichon last week. He was definitely small, white and fluffy. And he was a perfect gentleman. If any of you had met him, you would have been forced to agree. Not an aggressive bone in that little body anywhere. He could disarm and charm even the most nervous young child or snarly dog.

I used to be scared of Boxers. This is because I was badly attacked by my Aunt's boxer when I was 22. But I love them now. Went out of my way to make sure I met some nice ones. Took a while, but I'm over it and I'm glad!

Zug Zug I'm sorry for the loss of your bichon, he sounded like a lovely little guy.

I'm glad you got over your fear of boxers

[NZVizsla]

I'm not a Terrier fan; I will never say never, but it would be very unlikely that I'd ever go out and buy or adopt one; Same goes for Chow Chows and Shar Peis.

Just not my kind of dog.