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Edited on Tue Aug-21-07 07:37 PM by johnaries
they would have found examples of even poodles - yes! poodles - performing vicious attacks.
And what about the example given here of a German Shepherd attacking a child and the child's dachshund killing the Shepherd by ripping it's throat out?
Are dachshund's more vicious than German Shepherds?
NO, personally, I love German Shepherds. Although, I personally prefer Shepard mixes. The best dog I ever had was a Shepherd/Basenji mix. Although the pound I got him from didn't know the father was a basenji, only that his mother was a German Shepherd. My vet was the first one to recognize him, and luckily I worked with a friend who showed basenji's professionally and had several ribbons. I learned a lot from her. He was the best dog. He had all of the best qualities of both breeds. He was my best friend. We frequently went camping together, and I know he saved my life on at least one occasion - if not more. I still miss him. And, yes, he did turn and try to bite me once. That was when he found the place he wanted to die, and I tried to pick him up and carried him home because I didn't want him to die - even though he was well past the average age for both basenji's and Shepherd's. He did let me carry him home - only to disappear the next day (even though he could barely walk) so he could die in peace. Rest In Peace, Asimov, my friend.
Sorry, I didn't mean to get all teary eyed.
ANYWAY, I currently have a "box" puppy (guy sitting in front of the local grocery with a bunch of puppies in a box yelling "free to a good owner!") that he claims is a Pit Bull/Bull Dog mix. I'm not sure about the Bull Dog, but he definitely looks like a Pit Mix. With a beautiful brindle coat. He "mauls" me every day. As soon as I get home, he gets just so excited to see me.... I keep tying to remind myself to trim back his claws. I have scars! But, it's my fault because I keep forgetting to trim back those claws of his. He's just happy to see me!
As far as the "jaw pressure" and all that I keep reading about - people forget that one of the reasons the breed was so popular with hunters was their ability to pick up and hold the downed prey in their jaws without mangling it. As for my puppy, I have played with many many dogs and my hand has been inside of many dog's mouths. All ages, puppy to adult. Despite all the brouhaha over the jaw pressure of a pit bull, I have to say that I have never encountered a "gentler" more careful mouth than my Pit Bull mix. So, my personal experience only emphasizes what hunters have stated for generations.
BOTTOM LINE: You cannot judge a dog by it's breed, anymore than you can judge a human being by the color of his skin. Yes, some breeds may have some general tendencies as to height, weight, etc. As for personality - just like in human beings, it's an individual thing and has NOTHING TO DO WITH GENETICS!
Blaming or praising a dog for it's personality based on it's breed is the same as Eugenics. We've already been down this road with humans. Why would we think it is different with dogs?
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