discusion on agression/behaviour in dogs/animals (reposted)

[Tanitsja]

dont think anyone said that

its rather a discusion of why animals that do turn agressive have, and in most cases we seem to agree that its not due to genetical reasons alone

though then the further discusion is what is set to most cases, and how or when can you say a dog is an exception to most cases

[mads159]

It is NOT TRUE THAT ROTTWEILERS ARE AGGRESSIVE!!!! I OWN THE BIGGEST AND CUTEST ROTTWEILER!!!! HE'S 1 AND HE'S A BIG LOVABLE SOFTY!!!( OR BABY) WHOEVER SAYS THAT ROTTWEILERS ARE AGGRESIVE HAS TO HAVE GUESSED OR SOMETHING!!!! SAYING A ROTTWEILER IS AGREESIVE IS LIKE SAYING A PITBULL IS DANGEROUS!! I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE THAT SAY ROTTWEILERS ARE AGGRESSIVE!!!!! THEY NO NNNNNNOOOOOOOTTTTTHHHHHIIINNNGGGG ABOUT THE ADORABLE AND LOVABLE ROTTWEILER!! I DON'T CARE IF SOMEBODY SAID THEY HAVE BEEN ATTACKED BY A ROTTWEILER EITHER LIED TO GIVE THE ROTTWEILER A BAD REPUTAION, OR MET AN ABUSED ROTTWEILER!!!! THE ONLY REASON WHILE ROTTWEILERS AND PITBULLS ARE AGGRESSIVE IS BECAUSE THEY ARE ABUSED BY THEIR OWNERS AND PUT INTO ILLEGAL DOG FIGHTS AND STUFF LIKE THAT!!! IT'S NOT THE ANIMAL'S FAULT!!! THEY WERE TRAINED BY THEIR ABUSIVE OWNERS TO BE LIKE THAT!!! I DON'T CARE WHAT BRITAIN SAYS!!! I DON'T CARE AT ALLL!!!!!! BRITAIN KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT THE ROTTWEILER!!!! I SAY NOTHING!!! NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING!!!!!!! THE ONLY REASON THAT THE ROTTWEILER WOULD BE AGGRESSIVE IS BECAUSE IT WASN'T TRAINED AND/OR IT WAS ABUSED. PEOPLE EVERYWHERE INCLUDING BRITAIN NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR ROTTWEILERS AND PITBULLS. I'M NOT SPEAKING JUST FOR ME AND MY BREED OF DOG, BUT ALL OWNERS THAT HAVE CUTE DOGS THAT PEOPLE SAY ARE THE MOST AGRESSIVE IN ANY PLACE LIKE THE ROTTWEILER AND PITBULL.

[Bratterratt]

I agree with you, mads159. I had two Rottweilers and they were probably the LEAST aggressive dogs I've ever seen in my life. It wasn't because they were old, we got them as puppies. They didn't have health problems, so that wasn't the cause. They were just naturally sweet animals. They would have let any thing and/or anybody walk into our yard, and they would great them with a wagging tail and a big kiss, no matter who the person/animal was. I do not agree with people who think specific breeds of dogs are more aggressive than other breeds. It all depends on the dog, his past, his past and present owners, etc. And I ESPECIALLY don't agree with people who think that German Shepherds are aggressive and mean. They are simply intelligent, which scares many people. I hope that none of this offends anyone, because I would hate to do that.

Bratterratt

[Kholran]

First of all, mads, please don't yell. Typing in all caps isn't very polite forum behavior.

German Shepherds are the number one biters in the US. In terms of fatalities, GSDs, Pitbull-type, and Rottweilers have consistently been the top three. The data is there (CDC Study, 1979-1998). The reason is that they are guard dogs, and they are large. The reason they (Shepherds and Rotts) were bred is to protect (originally sheep), and they still have those instincts.

There's a thing called "Suspicion" in dogs. Some breeds, like hounds, retrievers, pointers, and spaniels, had the "Suspicion" bred out of them. They are generally happy-go-lucky and will accept strangers with wagging tails. This goes back to the days when villages had a single pack of dogs, and any of the townsfolk could use them to hunt their food. The dogs had to be accepting of everyone in the town. Then there are other breeds, like the shepherds and guard dogs, that had Suspicion purposely bred into them. They are wary of strangers and outsiders, because these people are potential threats to whatever it is that they guard.

Now then, German Shepherds and Rottweilers have a high level of Suspicion. They are more likely to react aggressively to a stranger entering their territory, and because of their size and strength, more likely to do serious damage. Another fact of dog bites is that the majority of attacks are towards children and occur ON the dog owner's property. So you've got your GSD in your home, and you have a child. That child has friends. Kids aren't always good at thinking things out. Your child's friend forgets his backpack on his way out the door. He thinks it's no big deal to go back in and get it. The dog, who has instincts to protect the home and the members of its family, has other ideas. This person who was a guest a moment ago has become an intruder, and a guarding breed is going to protect the home and family whatever way it can.

Similarly, GSDs and Rottweilers are more likely to be used as Guard dogs and are more likely to be left chained or fenced outdoors. There are plenty of studies that show outdoor dogs are more prone to aggression and other behavioral issues. Add to that the already high suspicion level and you have a dog that will aggressively defend its yard or space from intruders.

Another thing to keep in mind is breeding. German Shepherds and Rottweilers are both pretty popular, and had HUGE booms in the past. Instead of cautious breeders who chose the temperaments of their breeding stock VERY carefully, you have people who just wanted to make a quick buck. There are A LOT of GSDs and Rottweilers with behavioral issues, including aggression problems. Any trainer or behaviorist will tell you that. When I worked in the shelter, Rottweilers were one of the worst breeds to get, and were almost ALWAYS sent out to a Rottie rescue in the area. They are VERY prone to cage aggression (guarding their space), and don't kennel well at all.

I'm glad that your Rottweilers and Shepherds turned out to be wonderful dogs. There are good and bad in every breed. I'm a huge supporter of Pitbulls and I'll be the first to say they can be AMAZING companion animals. BUT there ARE bad ones. There ARE aggressive ones. Just like there are good and bad Golden Retrievers, or good and bad Irish Setters or good and bad Saint Bernards. I have never and will never support ANY bans on ANY breed for that reason. There are many many many causes and factors that go into whether or not a dog is going to be aggressive. To say that ALL Rottweilers or ALL Pitbulls or ALL GSDs are aggressive is just as ignorant as saying they're all wonderful.

And that's all I have to say about that. XD

[Cecelia]

I totally agree Kholran!
There can be agressive dogs of any breed for further proof. I'll use the dogs in my neighborhood. On the short route that I walk my poodle there are many dogs chained outside. The first that I come across is a total mutt who is very sweet the next is a German Shepherd and a Beagle. They are very sweet as well. Then there is a Labrador Retriever. I know his owners and I'm allowed to visit him. Skipper is the most amazing dog for the limited life that they give him on a chain. The other dog in Skippers family is a Boxer. She is 1 year old and is starting to be a bit territorial. I normally stay away from her. beside Skipper are two adult boxers that are very territorial and defensive of their space. They growl and bark at Cuddles and try to break their chains. I stay away from them as well. Then there are two dogs in a chain link fence that look like Pit Bull mixes. I had a chance to interact with one oonce and she immediately laid down and rolled over before showering me with doggy kisses. The pit bulls are sweet as well. The maltese is sweet. There is a borzoi mix and a lab that are nice dogs and then las but not least there is Baxter. Another Labrador. He is very dog agressive and defensive of his territory. He used to be such a sweet dog but now he defends his yard too much.

So there are many different dog breeds in my neghborhood. Some are very nice and some are not. It is just the individual dog and their family enviroment.

[Knight]

Guys, ur taking what i said the wrong way....if you look at my earlier reply u will c that i used the word usually. I never said always.