Dog Breed Restrictions

[CuriousG]

What do you all think about breed restrictions on dogs? I personally think they are ridiculous, especially being the owner of a breed often lumped in with targeted dogs. I have a staffordshire bull terrier. He looks like a Pit Bull (which isn't really an actual breed) but he's full grown at about 40 lbs. He's actually a little large for his breed. Technically he is not even allowed in our apartment complex because he is considered an aggressive breed, even though he is under the weight limit. I think there should be harsher punishments for irresponsible pet owners. The danger stems from incompetent dog owners, not the breed of the dog. Many of our friends have dogs and we often get them all together to play. My dogs playmates include a 100 lb doberman, an even bigger "pit bull," and a boxer. It's actually quite the intimidating pack to look at, but they are all the sweetest dogs in the world. None of our dogs are under 2 years old, and we have never had any problems with aggressiveness or the like. It takes responsibility to be a dog owner. I think a lot of people underestimate the commitment and the patience it takes to raise and care for a dog properly. It doesn't matter the breed, in fact awhile back a 4 lb pomeranian mauled a baby to death. It just really stinks to see all of these countries and now cities, etc. in the U.S. imposing breed restrictions because of the outrage produced by sensationalized media who are uninformed and wreckless. I saw a story in florida blaming a "pit bull" for an attack on someone. They showed the dog, it looked like a rottweiler mix of some sort if I ever saw one, but it just goes to show you how the media fails to get all the facts in these situations. Oh, and the owner was held accountable even though the dog was tethered and in a fenced in yard AND was being taunted by the victim who was trespassing. Oh well, just don't discriminate based on breed, its not fair to stereotype.

[CuriousG]

Wow, I guess nobody had any thoughts on this subject, oh well...

[Grimey]

I didn't notice this thread.

I think owning a dog is like owning a gun. Dogs don't kill people, stupid pet owners kill people (usually). If your dog injures someone else (and they weren't taunting or abusing the dog), then you should be held liable. If your dog is a breed that statistics show harms more people then others, then you should have an even higher liability than someone who's dog is less likely to injure.

Im' just being goofy, but if animal control statistics show that Flying Rat Dogs injure humans at a rate that is 5 times higher than that of Flying Cuddly Dogs, then you should be held to a higher standard if you own a Flying Rat Dog.

Everyone is going to agree that a tiger is more dangerous than a cocker spaniel. And everyone is going to agree that if my pet tiger gets loose and mauls my next door neighbor, then I should be in big trouble. Well, if statistics show that your poodle is 20 times more dangerous than a cocker spaniel, we can't throw out that statistic because some people like poodles and have really sweet ones. You don't need breeding restrictions, you need tough penalties for people who are bad animals.

I think there should be both criminal and civil implications for you if your animal (dog, cat, horse, bull, snake) attacks a human or otherwise destroys property. Either control your pet or don't have one.

[CuriousG]

It's just like driving a car. If people are incapable of properly handling and maintaning their vehicle, they don't blame the make or model of car and send it too the junk yard. Because someone owns a 500 horsepower supercharged Ford Mustang, it doesn't mean that the vehicle is inherently a bad car and will be involved in an accident. It is the owner's responsibility to be responsible with their vehicle/pet/gun/etc. I just don't like people hearing a breed and assuming the dog is aggressive. The meanest dog I ever met was a Beagle. Two of the sweetest I know are a Rottweiler and a Doberman.

[ccarol]

Thank you CuriousG for taking the time to discuss this subject. I suppose you have to really be frustrated and have had enough to find a place on the web that lets you post about it.Thank you , thank you, thank you. I'm glad someone else feels the way I do.
I have found even where I live, finding an apartment that allows dogs or even cats is getting difficult due to all of these so called restrictions. We want to move to Florida too but to find a home (mobile) out of a park with land is rare. And the parks lot rent is ridiculously high in some (but that is another subject).
Our dog is loved by everyone that meets her (shepard mix/greyhound?) and is in obedience training right now. If she passes this Sat. she will be certified in passing her training. We figured this would help us if we moved anywhere to let her continue to live with us. She was abandoned and we had recently lost our other g.shepard(purebred) so some people in town told us about her and we loved her at first sight!!Where we are living right now we had the landlord meet her and checked to see if she would get along with their 2 dogs. It worked!!
So I suppose everyplace that we go to check out we will have to have her with us to show them that she is very tame and very friendly. It's really sad to think how many dogs are homeless and can't be adopted because of restrictions. I thought this was a free country but with all the regulations and now this I have many doubts.
Once again, thanks for covering this subject and a place where we can go to let our frustrations out.

[OnceByten]

This topic is under debate right now where I live. This past summer there were at least eight pit bull attacks on people and four (that I am aware of) on other animals.

The newspaper has been riddled with letters pro and con.

I tend to beleive that it is in how the dog is raised and treated by the owner. I also find here in my city that alot of pit bull owners are getting these dogs because they see them as a "toughness" status symbol. That is not to say that all pit bull (or similar breed) owners are all looking for the status symbol.

I just hope that no one in my family comes across ANY breed of agressive dog!

[ccarol]

I take it by your name (OnceByten) that you have been bitten by a dog.? I have too, by a g.shepard but that doesn't mean I dislike the breed! I love g.shepards, always have and always will. Just because they have been put on a list as an agressive dog because of the many reports to insurance companies by homeowners whose dog bit someone and they decided to have their home insurance pay for the medical expenses and probably brought up their dog to guard them and picked by the police to be trained to attack doesn't mean that all of them will attack. Only if they are trained to do it. Any size dog if provoked, in some way or threatened will attack but they have to have the background training to be that way by their owners.

[XoColemanXo]

Well, I have a lot to say about this discussion. Well, somewhat lol I have 2 sweet dogs. One is about 6 years old and he is a german shepard pit bull mix, and he is THE ABSOLUTE SWEETEST dog I have ever seen, and no not becuase he is my dog. I purchased him from a kill animal shelter (I buy my pets there but would never take them there), and the day I purchased him was the day he was to be put to sleep. They told me he was an aggresive dog and had to muzzle him etc. But when I got him home, even the day I met him, he was NOT like that at all. People need to take the time out to understand (like most of you guys said) it is all in the way the animal is raised and treated. My dog is treated like a prince so he has an excellenet personality, but when people hear half pit half shepard all I hear is OMG No I am sorry those are 2 of the most "dangerous dog breeds". And it is next to impossible for me to find a home to rent because of him.

I also have a cat, a Brazillian Mastiff, and a turtle. My Brazillian mastiff is 4 months old , and almost as big as my shepard mix (Luke). and she for now is very well behaved, puppy behavior obvioulsy, but because she is so big there are many restrictions on her also. It makes me sick to tell you the truth. People who are careless and not good with their animals make it bad for the rest of us.

I guess the point of this message is to agree with everyone here lol. Dog restrictions are ridiculous and people need to smarten up :)

[ccarol]

I'm proud to annouce that yesterday, my dog passed the Canine Good Citizen test!!! She attended six weeks of classes with us in tow to class!LOL She will receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club that I can show anybody that she is a well behaved, friendly dog and there should be no reason why we can't keep her with us wherever we live. Not saying that this will work or get her in anywhere, but that we took the time to learn to make her a better pet to have around and always under our control. :D

[pack momma]

Maybe they (the legistlators) should also ban children who are uncontollable brats (no matter their parents are irresponsible, ...etc) or maybe black cars, because they absorb more heat. Just one more example of the world gone crazy, where wrong is right and right is wrong. All that can be done is keep fighting and promoting education and proper canine care and training.
Sorry, I know this is an old thread, but I stumbled on it thru research and just had to add my 2 cents.

Just for the record. Therapy Dogs, Inc. has registeded as working Therapy Dogs. 151 - Rottweilers
100 - Doberman Pinchers
43 - Siberian Huskys
253 - German Shepherds
35 - Bernese Mountain Dogs
11 - Rodesian Ridgebacks

Didn't see any Chows or Am Staffs on the list but, this is just a sampling. TDI, Inc is not the largest registar of Therapy dogs in this country.

The point being, these dogs would NOT be certified and exposed to a very vulnerable portion of the public in Nursing Homes, Seniors Centers, and YES Hospitals if they were horrible and dangerous animals. In fact, as a Tester for Therapy Dogs, Inc. I have failed more little terrier type dogs for their aggressive behaviors toward humans and other animals. The largest reason for failing of the larger breeds is that they mature later and are still unable to control their exuberance in keeping their feet on the ground, or that the owner/handler needs to participate in more training and socialization.
It is also true that most dog bites go unreported, as minor injuries, again these being commited by much smaller breeds unable to inflict the degree of damage as a larger breed, but in no case any less aggressive.

There!!!~ my 2 cents, no change necessary ;)

[Noseypoo]

Here's your change ... I agree. {toothy}

[ccarol]

Well said pack momma!!! Glad to hear they do use German Shepards for therapy dogs! Now try to convince everyone I have contacted trying to find an apartment that allows dogs!!! Every ad in the newspapers I check everyday says they won't allow dogs. Now I may have to give up mine just to move to be closer to my husbands job which is like giving up a child!! My dog was a gift from my husband 3 yrs. ago because our other german shepard passed away and we were both lost without her and even folks in town felt sorry for us so they found out that someone had a puppy they wanted to give to a good home. That's how we got our dog. And now, we most likely will have to part with her. I'm so mad, it's just not right that everyone that leases apartments think that all animals do wrong. We are responsible pet owners but that doesn't matter to them. So if we find a place to rent in another city, our dog can't go with us.

[csabback]

I have a Chow Chow and I am in an english class where I am required to write a research paper. I have chosen to write about breed discrimination. If anyone has anything that could help me with this topic that would be great. Sources...etc. The paper is comparing racial discrimination to breed discrimination.....I also want to focus on breed restrictions and such. I know there are more breed restrictions than I am thinking of so if anyone has any information please email me. Thank You so much!

[ccarol]

Well it's time for an update: we moved and I had to let my german shepard go. Luckily my sister ended up with her but she lives an hour and a half away! I miss my dog soooo much. I'm just not the same person without her. I did see her about a month ago and she was so glad to see me she pushed me up against the wall with her feet on my shoulders! Immediately grabbed her ball that she had when we let her go and wanted to play. She stayed by my side while I visited with my sister. If I ever have the chance to take her back, I will. My sister has a dog anyway so she wouldn't be alone without one!! I guess people don't realize that having a pet will keep you healthy, mentally and physically.

[jamesglewisf]

Hello, again! Stick around and post.

[Mike_413]

I got into an argument tonight with this woman who disagreed with me. I mentioned that I thought poodles were mean dogs or among the meanest and less friendly than most dogs who are usually considered meaner especially Rottweilers(I don't have much experience with Dobermans who seem to be almost extict these days anyway). This woman kept telling me in a rude way "your wrong." Geez lady, first of all I know I'm not wrong. I have spoken to many people who agree with me that poodles are indeed nasty little dogs possibly because of their size but the bigger ones are mean too. In fact chiauauas(sp) are also pretty mean. My point is Poodles unprovoked are the meanest dog. The typical mean dogs(or dogs that are usually considered meaner ie pittbulls, rotties etc) probably are a lot meaner and will do more damage if you provoke them but to insist that poodles are nice friendly dogs is simply nonsense. Is there any one here who agrees with me. Please tell me I'm not crazy. Lol.

[Justawoman]

I haven't ever been around a poodle to make that call. I clean houses and I have a couple who have two chihuahuas. I love those little girls. They are so sweet and excited each time I go over there. This makes my second family to clean that has had this breed of dog and I have never had the problem of them being mean.

I think it depends on the owners to and what behavior is allowed. We had a schnauzer and most people were afraid of him. They had heard they can bite and be tempermental. We didn't allow this behavior in Scooter. He tried being this way when we got him as a young dog. Friends of ours had a neighbor who had a schnauzer who was a cat killing machine and would bite the neighborhood children.

So I honestly think it depends on the owners personality and what behavior they find acceptable in their pets. Most cats I know can be distant and hate strange people. Not our cat, she will sit in anyone's lap that will let her. She doesn't hiss, growl, bite, or act all territorial. But my grown daughter's cats do and so does my brothers. They don't discipline their pets/children.

Even our neighbor with a doberman doesn't have a problem with her dog's behavior. Narnia is the sweetest dog. Now our neighbor with two pitbulls that is another story. But then again our neighbor is unsocial, mean, nasty, and doesn't care about his home or neighbors.

So I am sticking to my assessment that is the owner and not the animal.

[pack momma]

I've been around dogs of all types all my life, and I can tell you that the behavior of any dog will depend on a number of factors. Disposition and temperment of the individual dog (irregardless of breed) Training and handling of the dog by his/her owners, and when applicable, history and background of a dog that has been passed around or suffered a traumatic event.

As far as your argument with your lady friend, she just loves poodles and has had sweet ones. I've known lovers (poodles) and terrors (poodles) both big and small. Stick brat of a toy poodle, yorkie or some other pocket pooch in the body of a doberman, rottie, or chow and see what you get.

Bottom line for most dogs, is training, socialization, training, socialization.....
for the lifetime of the dog.

[sexyscorpio75]

I think apartment complexes should have breed restrictions. I have a chihuahua and now I have a new neighbor that has 2 pit bulls. My neighbor leaves his back door open and the pit bulls get out on his patio and start barking every time I walk my dog outside. I think it it only a matter of time when they start to try and jump the fence. I carry a knife with me every time I walk my dog. I figure if it comes down to it I will protect my dog and myself. I think my dog should not have to live in fear just to go potty. However, if the dogs ever try and harm me and my dog.... I will sue my apartment complex for not having a breed restriction in place.

[jamesglewisf]

You should move to an apartment complex that has the kind of breed restriction you want. You will be just as much at fault as the apartment complex if you think you live in a dangerous place and do not move.

[Dude111]

Welcome to the site!

Im sorry the owner doesnt keep better control of his dogs,I HOPE THEY DONT DO ANYTHING TO YOU OR YOUR DOG!

[TysonPit]

I'm so happy to see so many people with my same thoughts. I'm currently searching for an apartment in FL and can't find anywhere that will accept Pit bulls. (Clearly I have one (: ). A friend of mine found him wandering the streets as a puppy and gave him to us. He is the sweetest thing in the world. ok so, I need to do an argumentative essay for school and have decided to select breed restrictions in housing. ok so this is kind of like brain storming for me, so let me know what you think... So I think that restrictions shouldn't be totally lifted but lessened. I was trying to figure out the guidlines though. first i thought the property manager/landlord could meet the dog, get a feel for them, all that good stuff. Then, ccarol gave me a great idea! the pet owners could provide a certificate from training stating that they passed or how well they did and what kinds of issues they still had. on this certificate it would say whether the dog barks, jumps, licks, likes kids, hates men, are potty trained etc. This way the property manager/landlord would know exactly what he's getting into. Because lets face it, sure big dogs have big barks, but its the little ones that are the most obnoxious and all dogs are terrors sometimes lol. The way I see it, breed restriction in animals (dogs for the sake of my essay) is almost exactly like any sort of racist or prejudice. ok so far thats it, like i said just brain storming. I know its long, I thank all of you who actually read this :) Oh yeah and thank you again ccarol!

[jamesglewisf]

I never thought FrappyDoo would help with an essay!

Welcome aboard. Tell us what grade you get.

[Dude111]

Yes please do share it with us :)