Breeds To Be Wary Of

[airlock]

Hey, My puppy got a bit roughed up by a pair of bulldog like dogs the other week when we were having a walk, and today i met my first bull terrier, it was not a good encounter if i'm honest and i will not be letting my dog any were near Large bull breeds. Are there any other breeds commonly known for being overly aggressive or just a bit untrustworthy around other dogs?

I just want to be able to know when to get my dog out of the area, ive learned not to trust any unknown dogs but there are clearly some that it pays to be no were near by.

I know its not the dogs fault and most of the time its just a bad owner but it does seem like some breeds are more susceptible to aggression problems and i need to know witch they are so i can avoid any possible issues.

Edited November 8, 2013 by airlock

[mixeduppup]

It's not the breed at all and as the owner of a bull breed and seeing people yank their dogs away or walk to the other side of the road when they see my gorgeous dog but not do the same when I walk my kelpie makes me sad. Please don't make sweeping generalizations. Bull breeds are no more prone to aggression than any other breed of dog.

[Salukifan]

Personally I think you should be wary of any dog larger than your dog that you don't know.

Judging by breed may lead you into making assumptions that dogs are "safe" or "unsafe" and its a poor way to establish that.

MUP:

Bull breeds are no more prone to aggression than any other breed of dog.

Sorry, but that's rubbish. Any breed of fighting ancestry or that was bred to guard against other dogs has a higher incidence of dog aggression than some other breeds. The mistake is in assuming that they all will be aggressive and that other breeds won't be.

I am one of those people who will avoid unknown bull breed dogs. Not because I assume that every such dog I meet is aggressive but because I know that if one of them takes exception to my dogs, they will finish what ever is started, ice it and put the little sprinkles on it. You don't selectively breed dogs with a low trigger to dog aggression and a high level of tenacity and expect every single one to be the social butterfly of the dog park. Plenty of owners have learned that the hard way.

Edited November 8, 2013 by Haredown Whippets

[Staffyluv]

Firstly I am sorry your pup was roughed up..

Secondly - there is no such thing as 'breeds to be wary of'...

Each dog should be treated on its own merits.

My boy is a staffy cross - looks just like an american staffordshire terrier. He weighs 27kg and this morning at the vets, he was laying on the floor with a toy poodle licking his face..

Then he played with a bull mastiff in the waiting room, all the amusement of the staff and other clients there.

As a responsible dog owner, I choose who my boy socialises with these days. It is my responsibility to keep him safe from boisterous dogs that might do him harm (he is a very soft dog but can play as rough or as gentle as whatever dog he is with at the time).

If I see rough dogs or lots of dogs at the park, then we go somewhere else.

Edited to add, that I totally agree with HWs suggestion that your train of thought on this could lead you to believe some breeds are safer than others..

Admittedly smaller dogs would do less damage than a bigger dog.

The last dog that attacked my boy was a GSD and he has also been put in his place by a kelpie cross that weighed all of about 10kg and a schnauzer (one of the little ones)..

My point again - you can't base it on breed..

Edited November 8, 2013 by Staffyluv

[Christina]

Keep your puppy on a lead & take a big stick with you on walks. Don't go to dog parks.

Any dog can be aggresssive, its not really breed or size related although small aggro dogs are easier to deal with than big ones of course.

If a loose dog comes charging up to you try yelling sit first. Many do it without thinking.

Understanding dog body language helps but its not always that easy or foolproof.

I always pick mine up if dogs run up but they are toy dogs.

If you want to walk the same route daily maybe do it alone first & check out any trouble that may occur. Not always foolproof either but you may find out where the idiots are.

[airlock]

Personally I think you should be wary of any dog larger than your dog that you don't know.

That sounds like the best option really, best be safe.

[airlock]

Firstly I am sorry your pup was roughed up..

Secondly - there is no such thing as 'breeds to be wary of'...

Each dog should be treated on its own merits.

My boy is a staffy cross - looks just like an american staffordshire terrier. He weighs 27kg and this morning at the vets, he was laying on the floor with a toy poodle licking his face..

Then he played with a bull mastiff in the waiting room, all the amusement of the staff and other clients there.

As a responsible dog owner, I choose who my boy socialises with these days. It is my responsibility to keep him safe from boisterous dogs that might do him harm (he is a very soft dog but can play as rough or as gentle as whatever dog he is with at the time).

If I see rough dogs or lots of dogs at the park, then we go somewhere else.

I know most dogs regardless of breeds are no problem at all and i would never make a judgement based on breed when it came to owning or caring for a dog. i'm just aware that some breeds have certain instincts that have been bred in and are more likley then others to cause problems and i'm just looking for a way of working out how to be as safe as possible. and lets be honest a badly trained beagle is'nt going to cause as many problems as a badly trained bull breed.

[Staffyluv]

Personally I think you should be wary of any dog larger than your dog that you don't know.

That sounds like the best option really, best be safe.

Wary is good - but be careful of making your dog a nervous wreck by not allowing any other interactions and socialising.

Find some friends with dogs of similar size or with great temperaments and socialise your pup the right way.

[Salukifan]

Personally I think you should be wary of any dog larger than your dog that you don't know.

That sounds like the best option really, best be safe.

That doesn't necessarily mean total avoidance but it does mean learning about dog behaviour and controlling initial interactions with the consent and cooperation of the other owner. Multiple dogs meeting yours should be similarly controlled. I introduce one dog at a time so the other dog doesn't get overwhelmed and I don't let all of mine free until I'm certain we've got a stable situation.

Join a dog training club. Not only will you profit from the training but you'll meet plenty of potential playmates for your pup.

Edited November 8, 2013 by Haredown Whippets

[Staffyluv]

Firstly I am sorry your pup was roughed up..

Secondly - there is no such thing as 'breeds to be wary of'...

Each dog should be treated on its own merits.

My boy is a staffy cross - looks just like an american staffordshire terrier. He weighs 27kg and this morning at the vets, he was laying on the floor with a toy poodle licking his face..

Then he played with a bull mastiff in the waiting room, all the amusement of the staff and other clients there.

As a responsible dog owner, I choose who my boy socialises with these days. It is my responsibility to keep him safe from boisterous dogs that might do him harm (he is a very soft dog but can play as rough or as gentle as whatever dog he is with at the time).

If I see rough dogs or lots of dogs at the park, then we go somewhere else.

I know most dogs regardless of breeds are no problem at all and i would never make a judgement based on breed when it came to owning or caring for a dog. i'm just aware that some breeds have certain instincts that have been bred in and are more likley then others to cause problems and i'm just looking for a way of working out how to be as safe as possible. and lets be honest a badly trained beagle is'nt going to cause as many problems as a badly trained bull breed.

It might also pay you to learn a bit about dog body language.. For instance a wagging tail, doesn't always mean the dog is happy..

A beagle is about the same size as a staffy and could possibly do as much damage to a pup (against a dog of its own size and weight, perhaps not)..

[Weasels]

While I agree with everything else said another way to look at it is from your dog's preference. I find my dogs get on poorly with dogs most dissimilar to them - i.e. they generally get along well with other kelpies, pretty well with border collies, ok with shepherds down to bully breeds where things are often quite tense. So although I love bullys and boofas I generally avoid them to keep the peace.

Edited November 8, 2013 by TheLBD

[mixeduppup]

I've seen dogs die after being attacked by dogs half their size. I've seen a border collie rip a staffy type dog apart (needing intensive care for weeks). there is no breed that you should be wary of. My bullarab is a sweet love pie and everyone's best friend. My youngest kelpie is reactive and I definitely don't trust her around strange dogs. My bullarab girl had a stray dog run up to her the other day and she sat down and calmly waited for me to grab him by the collar and call the ranger. My kelpie can react aggressively if a strange dog comes up to her. There is no rhyme or reason and no specific breed. Best to find well socialised and behaved dogs of AS MANY BREEDS AS YOU CAN and introduce your dog under controlled circumstances. I know it;s scary being attacked but it's best to bounce and not peg a certain breed as aggressive because of one isolated incident.

Edited November 8, 2013 by mixeduppup

[CellarDoor]

I don't really think its a good idea to generalise based upon one experience, nor is it a good idea to label a breed as inherently 'good' or 'bad'. By roughed up, do you mean rough play, aggressive behaviour, or simply putting a rambunctious pup in its place?

In my (in)experience bully breeds can play quite rough, but a lot of breeds do that too. We're lucky to have a very placid lab, but she can play quite rough around certain dogs, and most of the labs and GR's down the local park can play quite rough too. I think it's impossible to avoid certain breeds based upon 'roughness', as there are a lot of factors to consider, such as age, socialisation, and the dogs ability to 'tone it down' for puppies. Our old lab many years ago use to have a bully best friend down the park and they were great :) Staffy's and such aren't seen all too often round here, but there are some friendly ones for sure.

My main suggestions are to ask some people you know from the dog park about which dogs (not breeds) to avoid specifically, especially the dogs that go there often. Or go there without your puppy and watch for a while, on different days and times. Take a read up on doggy body language and how to handle a dog fight. In addition, a good recall can be invaluable. And make doggy dates with dogs you know are friendly :)

[Salukifan]

While I agree with everything else said another way to look at it is from your dog's preference. I find my dogs get on poorly with dogs most dissimilar to them - i.e. they generally get along well with other kelpies, pretty well with border collies, ok with shepherds down to bully breeds where things are often quite tense. So although I love bullys and boofas I generally avoid them to keep the peace.

i think it relates to dogs ability to read each other and preferred play styles. The more different the dog, the more challenging it is for your dog to 'read' it.

Look at Boxers - they tend to spark a lot of reaction from other dogs. I think its because their expression tends to look challenging when its just their head and eye shape.

[kelpiecuddles]

Aggressive encounters towards either myself or my dogs that I have had to deal with have included:

maltese terrier

shih Tzu X

miniature poodle

husky

English staffy

Labrador

blue heeler

going by that list i'd say the issues are pretty across the board but in reality I've found most staffy types to be quite friendly. Goes to show that you can have issues with any breed, better to learn to read the body language of other dogs and make realistic judgment based on the individual

Edited November 8, 2013 by kelpiecuddles

[Salukifan]

I've seen dogs die after being attacked by dogs half their size. I've seen a border collie rip a staffy type dog apart (needing intensive care for weeks). there is no breed that you should be wary of. My bullarab is a sweet love pie and everyone's best friend. My youngest kelpie is reactive and I definitely don't trust her around strange dogs. My bullarab girl had a stray dog run up to her the other day and she sat down and calmly waited for me to grab him by the collar and call the ranger. My kelpie can react aggressively if a strange dog comes up to her. There is no rhyme or reason and no specific breed. Best to find well socialised and behaved dogs of AS MANY BREEDS AS YOU CAN and introduce your dog under controlled circumstances. I know it;s scary being attacked but it's best to bounce and not peg a certain breed as aggressive because of one isolated incident.

You miss the entire point of selective breeding. Its to ensure that some characteristics are more common in that breed than in the wider dog population.

You judging all Bullbreeds by the behaviour of your dog is hardly a legitimate sample, especially when your dog is not of a breed or type bred for high levels of dog aggression.

You also have a breed selectively bred for territorial aggression. Are you suggesting all Maremma tolerate strangers and dogs on their turf too?

In my experience, most SBTs, Amstaffs etc are fine playing if its by their rules. They play hard and they like to be the big kid in the playground. They tend to be quite tolerant of smaller, submissive dogs. Challenge those rules and lots of things can happen. Owners who fail to acknowledge what any breed has been selected to be tend to be owners who can have rude surprises.

I know cat safe sighthounds. I make no such assumption about all of them.

Socialisation may modify breed characteristics to some degree but hardwiring can and does kick in.

Edited November 8, 2013 by Haredown Whippets

[Weasels]

While I agree with everything else said another way to look at it is from your dog's preference. I find my dogs get on poorly with dogs most dissimilar to them - i.e. they generally get along well with other kelpies, pretty well with border collies, ok with shepherds down to bully breeds where things are often quite tense. So although I love bullys and boofas I generally avoid them to keep the peace.

i think it relates to dogs ability to read each other and preferred play styles. The more different the dog, the more challenging it is for your dog to 'read' it.

Look at Boxers - they tend to spark a lot of reaction from other dogs. I think its because their expression tends to look challenging when its just their head and eye shape.

Oh gods yes, boxers might as well be from Mars as far as my 2 are concerned!

[mixeduppup]

I guess we all have our opinions. A well raised staffy type dog is a wonderful dog imho.

Staffies were not bred for aggression, they were bred to be family dogs. Their breed has been sullied by gamers but that was not their original purpose.

[WreckitWhippet]

I've seen dogs die after being attacked by dogs half their size. I've seen a border collie rip a staffy type dog apart (needing intensive care for weeks). there is no breed that you should be wary of. My bullarab is a sweet love pie and everyone's best friend. My youngest kelpie is reactive and I definitely don't trust her around strange dogs. My bullarab girl had a stray dog run up to her the other day and she sat down and calmly waited for me to grab him by the collar and call the ranger. My kelpie can react aggressively if a strange dog comes up to her. There is no rhyme or reason and no specific breed. Best to find well socialised and behaved dogs of AS MANY BREEDS AS YOU CAN and introduce your dog under controlled circumstances. I know it;s scary being attacked but it's best to bounce and not peg a certain breed as aggressive because of one isolated incident.

You miss the entire point of selective breeding. Its to ensure that some characteristics are more common in that breed than in the wider dog population.

You judging all Bullbreeds by the behaviour of your dog is hardly a legitimate sample, especially when your dog is not of a breed or type bred for high levels of dog aggression.

You also have a breed selectively bred for territorial aggression. Are you suggesting all Maremma tolerate strangers and dogs on their turf too?

In my experience, most SBTs, Amstaffs etc are fine playing if its by their rules. They play hard and they like to be the big kid in the playground. They tend to be quite tolerant of smaller, submissive dogs. Challenge those rules and lots of things can happen. Owners who fail to acknowledge what any breed has been selected to be tend to be owners who can have rude surprises.

I know cat safe sighthounds. I make no such assumption about all of them.

Socialisation may modify breed characteristics to some degree but hardwiring can and does kick in.

That sums it up quite nicely.

They are more prone to dog aggression that other breeds. You can run a large pack of Beagles together, but you certainly would not be doing the same with 15 or so SBT's.

[WreckitWhippet]

I guess we all have our opinions. A well raised staffy type dog is a wonderful dog imho.

Staffies were not bred for aggression, they were bred to be family dogs. Their breed has been sullied by gamers but that was not their original purpose.

You might want to do some more reading on that one and what the hell is a "staffy type"

Edited November 8, 2013 by WreckitWhippet