Comments on: The truth about dangerous dog statistics

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:47:06 +0000

Yeah, I agree. Like most statistics, these calculations tell us nothing. My biggest issue is that most people can’t identify dog breed correctly. Pretty much anything could be considered a “pitbull.”

By: Tierney Silver-Goeden

Tierney Silver-Goeden — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:12:17 +0000

I just read that site and all of the cases that were reported for the year 2007 and 2008. It really bothered me to read it for several reasons:
#1 They used negative words such as ‘mauled’, ‘ripped’, ‘destroyed’ and more.
#2 They include information on breed, state and sometimes city but they are not including information on health of the dog, mental stability of the dog, owner responsibility, population of the area, enviroment and other factors that may change a dogs behavior. Sure, a lot of the attacks may be by pitbulls but were they trained to be gaurd dogs or mean? Were the owners walking them? Do the dogs recieve proper training and care?
#3 What provoked the attack? Sometimes it can be over-excitement, prey drive or injury. (They did say if the dog and child were alone but not if the dog had high prey drive).
#4 A lot of these attacks happened with dogs that wandered around the neighborhoods. Chances are, those dogs didnt have owners or their owners did not care enough to ensure the safty of their dogs.
#5 Did these parents properly introduce their child to dogs or did they assume their dog would be okay with babies? Did they teach their kids not to run or scream around dogs?

Mostly, I am pretty sure these owners were irresponsible. I doubt the dogs got proper social interactions or training.

By: THAT MUTT: A Dog Blog » Dangerous dog ordinances

THAT MUTT: A Dog Blog » Dangerous dog ordinances — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:41:09 +0000

[...] Dangerous dog statistics that blame “pitbulls” for the majority of dog bites are way off because pretty much any mutt can be identified as a “pitbull.” A ”pitbull” is not a breed of dog, and therefore it is up to interpretation what a “pitbull” actually looks like. The name “pitbull” generally groups together the American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier and American bulldog. [...]

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:25:34 +0000

Yes, all of the German shepherds I know are very sweet, calm and well-trained and socialized dogs. But not all German shepherds are lucky to have good owners. You’re right, it’s totally up to the owners to raise a well-behaved and social dog.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:44:03 +0000

im really suprised that german shepards are really on there i have one and his name is max he is the nicest dog i have ever seen he is also very protective of me and i love him a alot i think the reason dogs can be so agressive is not because of bad dreeding but wheather they get a lot of love from their owner i bet that if i didn’t love max and i treated him like garbage he would be a very dangerous dog. dogs are just like kids if they don’t get enough love as a child then when thier older they will blame everything little thing that goes bad in their life on their parents. that ios what i think i could be wrong but thats what i believe.

By: emily

emily — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:46:48 +0000

hye wow i have a mixed dog of pit german an lab he is the best dog ever untill it gets to the playing part that gets really ruff i don’t know what to do..☻

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 08 May 2008 04:15:36 +0000

I Have a merlequin looks just like your pic. Harley just turned 2 and also she had to be registered with all breed, as ack does not recognize her , even though she is a petigree, i have had so many people tell me how beautifus she is, cant understand the akc. what about a PBGB?

By: lab great dane mix

lab great dane mix — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:41:44 +0000

for the most dog-bite related deaths, all the statistics I came across said roughly the same

By: Lora

Lora — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:48:49 +0000

I am a little surprised that Saint Bernards are on that list. For the most part they are sooo docile and loving. But as other have said, it is all in the breeding. When things go wrong, they go wrong on a HUGE scale because these dogs are soo big. My saints are more inclinded to flop on top of you and smother you than attack and kill someone... lol Lora's last blog post..We have a NEW favorite toy!

By: Abbey

Abbey — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 10:48:13 +0000

I read somewhere if you have a Dane in America its considered a dangerous breed and your insurance premiums can be increased. Its not the story here though…here ‘pit bulls’ also have a bad rap, it was a term that wasnt common , we had bull terriers, staffys..they are all just lumped together now…

The problem as I see it, is owners & breeders of these dogs. It would be nice to think all are responsible, loving people. Some backyarders keep the vicious and breed from them, some owners encourage this behaviour in their dogs.

I just had Chels spayed and have had people tell me I was mad as I could breed her with a mastiff and get ‘good money’ one of our papers has 10 ads for such a mix.

Most Danes are bred to be placid, gentle animals with generations of breeding going into this nature. I am working so hard with her to ensure that in all ways she is a responsible canine but it drives me nuts when we’re out and other dogs off leash threaten her. I used to say nothing, now I tell their owners, if they are around to train their animal and leash it. I think I will start carrying my trainers business card and handing them out…

I don’t know the answer Lindsay, I was going to say public awareness but I think the public is aware. There are many great owners of the breeds you have identified and the others are aware but dont give a damn..its a quick buck.

Abbey’s last blog post..Day 19-20