Guest Anonymous Posted October 10, 2002 Share Posted October 10, 2002 For those of you who have owned or own these different breeds, could you tell me if there's any truth to rotties and akitas not being good with kids, other dogs, or other pets? If this is true, can they be socialized to be good members of the family? As far as pits, do they not get along with other dogs or pets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 10, 2002 Share Posted October 10, 2002 Sasha- I currently have two dogs, both female. Harley, my oldest, is a German Shep/Rottie mix. My youngest, Buttercup, is a little over a year, and she's a Chow. I'd have to say I'm interested in breeds that are going to be both loyal and protective of me and, what I term, are "real" dogs *lol* I definitely wouldn't consider myself crazy over small or toy breeds. I don't plan on adding another dog to my family any time soon, but it's important that whoever I bring next into my home can get along with another dog, or possibly a bird. I don't have kids as of yet, and don't really have them around all that often, but that's certainly another factor to consider. I agree, socialization is a huge factor and also, how you treat and train your dog. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepseasnake Posted October 11, 2002 Share Posted October 11, 2002 except for Akitas they kill eat and mame! never have an Akita around anything you want to live :wink: only kinda joking :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 11, 2002 Share Posted October 11, 2002 I own a rottweiler. He and my daughter are the best of buddies, he gets along just fine with my 7 lbs. maltese and my lab is his best dog friend. He just adores the people he knows, which are quite a few, and all of my young neices and nephews. Now, he does have some fear issues, which means a lot of responsibility on my part. He has come a long way with training, behavior modification etc. Strangers make him afraid, but he warms up fast and makes friends with anyone willing to take a few minutes. Now, that is not typical of a rottweiler. A well-bred, well trained etc. rott is very stable, has an excellent temperment etc. I second what has already been said, young children should not be left alone with ANY dog. Even a yorkie, a pom etc. have been responsible for human deaths. I don't recommend any of these breeds to people not willing to take the time they require. They need a job to do. Even if that is going out to get the newpaper, pulling a wagon around the yard while you garden, obediance training etc. In addition to finding a good breeder, I would go one step further and say if you are looking for a pet, find a good rescue. Rescue orgs. temperment test, foster home and get to know their dogs. These dogs are matched with a home best suited to them. And there are a lot of good dogs needing homes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gooeydog Posted October 11, 2002 Share Posted October 11, 2002 A well bred, well socialized pit bull should [b]never[/b] show aggression toward humans. Some pit bulls [b]will[/b] develop dog/animal aggression (of various degrees) at some point in their life. Pit bulls usually start "turning on" (this is a term you will hear often, it means that the dogs have started to show animal aggression) between 1-3 yrs, although it can occur earlier or later. The change may happen over a period of time, with the dog becoming increasingly less tolerable of other dogs/animals, or it may seem to happen overnight (hence the term "turning on"). The level of dog aggression can vary from simply growling at strange dogs within a few feet of them, to literally screaming everytime they see a dog, no matter how far away it is. Often, there are no obvious warnings that a dog is going to be dog aggressive, it just happens one day. A prospective owner needs to be prepared for that, and realize that there may come a time when they'll need to keep their dogs seperated from each other. This doesn't mean that pit bulls can't make good pets. Also, just because they are animal aggressive does not mean that they will be aggressive toward humans, the two types of aggression are not in any way related. If you want a dog that will guard, a pit bull is not the dog for you... if you want a dog that will protect, a pit bull is most likely still not the dog for you. Pit bulls should be friendly towards people, and many will treat strangers like long lost friends. Will some protect their owners? Yes, some will. Some won't. It's not something the breed was particularly intended for, nor is it something their reputation really needs. If you decide you do want a pit bull, and can live with the possibility that they may not protect you, you may want to check with rescue groups. They usually have young adults, so you can have a better idea of their temperment, and whether they'll suit your needs or not. [url]www.pbrc.net[/url] <This is a listing of adoptable rescue pit bulls across the US, there are at least 500 on there, so you stand a decent chance at finding one that suits your needs. A piece of advice about protective dogs though... often the dogs that put up the biggest show of "protectiveness" will be among the first to flee when things go bad and you expect them to protect. Or they'll bite someone they percieve as a "threat", and end up either being shot or pts at animal control because they bit someone without substantial provocation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 12, 2002 Share Posted October 12, 2002 [quote]A piece of advice about protective dogs though... often the dogs that put up the biggest show of "protectiveness" will be among the first to flee when things go bad and you expect them to protect. Or they'll bite someone they percieve as a "threat", and end up either being shot or pts at animal control because they bit someone without substantial provocation. [/quote] This type of "protectiveness" is actually a fear response. It does not apply to guardian breeds as a whole, but individual dogs of any breed with weak nerve strength. A truly protective dog will be calm and stable, able to determine a true threat from a non-threat, and react in a calm but forceful manner to a true threat. If your dog freaks out, with it's hackles raised, it's back end lower than it's front and acts "skittish" while barking up a storm, that's not protection, that's fear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggrolyn1223 Posted October 12, 2002 Share Posted October 12, 2002 Well, I guess nobody except me knows Akitas.You guys are mostly pit people, and im an akita-something else-something else person.I've had an Akita before, her name was Mocha.Okay.The thing is, if you want a dog that will stick to you all your life and act uncaring(not aggresive) around non-family people, AND you have experience owning a dog, you should get an Akita.But they take more time to train then Labs, but Labs are friendly to all people.Most Akitas you get from shelters(if they had a loving family before) will take a long time to think you are family.They stick with the same people all their lives.They take more time to train because most are very stubborn, and like getting their own way.And if they aren't trained right, they can be very aggresive(well, that doesn't mean other dogs shouldn't be trained).That's for the experienced part.That's all I'm gonna put for now, if you have any more questions, I'll try to answer. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggrolyn1223 Posted October 12, 2002 Share Posted October 12, 2002 Oh, I forgot to answer you Q.About kids and other dogs.If the dog(Akita) was raised with a kid in the family, he should be alright around them(gentle kids though.)Remember, these dogs were used in Japan to guard the children whenever they weren't home.About other dogs, I think they just need to be socialised(not sure though). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggrolyn1223 Posted October 12, 2002 Share Posted October 12, 2002 Rotts:Read my story in the IN MEMORY post and you'll know how good a Rottie is if he is trained well, even if he lives outside.I used to have this concept that any dogs living outside would be aggressive.Wrong thought.Sorry for those people that have dogs outside.Didn't mean to be contradictive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gooeydog Posted October 12, 2002 Share Posted October 12, 2002 [quote]If your dog freaks out, with it's hackles raised, it's back end lower than it's front and acts "skittish" while barking up a storm, that's not protection, that's fear.[/quote] I agree, but a lot of people think that when a dog acts that way, it's being protective. They end up encouraging fear aggression, and then wonder why the dog bites someone. I was trying to point out that that kind of behavior isn't really protective. Sorry I wasn't more clear in my post :oops: [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 12, 2002 Share Posted October 12, 2002 gooeydog, I understood your post perfectly. Just wanted to expand a bit :wink: A lot of people wouldn't recognize the body language of fear aggressive behavior. You're absolutely correct in that many people think this is protection. I can't tell you how many people I've heard say, "my puppy is 5 months old and already showing protective qualities" :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gooeydog Posted October 12, 2002 Share Posted October 12, 2002 [i]Everybody[/i] around here thinks their dog is "protective". Of course, when a person even looks at the dogs, they "tuck and run" :-? My friend recently told me that she wishes her rescue pit bull (friendly with everyone, has the temperment a pit bull should have) was more like my dog Goo (not the best representative of the breed, temperment-wise, altough she's gotten/is getting better). I was more than a little mad about that, and carried on for a while about why anyone would want a "protective" dog (and just how fun it is to have one :roll: :-? ). She also said she wished the dog would growl at people sometimes... sure, why not just hang a sign on it that says "I'm vicious, Shoot me". :x :o :o :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smooshie Posted October 12, 2002 Share Posted October 12, 2002 FRUSTRATING trying to bang sense into someone like that,isn't it Goo??? :-? <sigh>...and therein lies the difference between a [i]responsible[/i] dog owner...and one that acquires a breed solely for [i]status[/i] :roll: The responsible owner spends all his/her time ensuring their dog does NOT show unwarranted aggression...while the [i]status[/i] owner spends all his/her time finding ways to [i]encourage[/i] it :x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 i never said in my original post i wanted a dog simply as a status symbol, nor do i want to teach/encourage aggression. as i said, i'm interested in a dog that will be protective of it's owner, property, etc. the reason why i had asked this general question is because i want to be a responsible owner. if you want to post something intelligent on this subject, smooshie, please do so. i think your sarcasm is rather unnecessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbit Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 Whoa, whoa there Mallomar -- Smooshie was not directing that to you, it was a general comment on **SOME** owners and how they view their dog(s) ---- and surely not meant as sarcasm to you. Smooshie is not one to spout sarcasms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 I think we got a little off topic :wink: BUT, fear aggression is largely considered to be caused by genetic factors, refered to as "weak nerves". That is why some dogs who undergo the most horrific experiences can remain friendly, or be easily rehabilitated and re-homed to live wonderful lives, while others who are properly raised, trained and socialized can still demonstrate fear aggression. Case in point: an ethical breeder, or rescue, is of the utmost importance for any breed that has become very popular (well I think for any breed period, but large, powerful dogs are a lot of responsibility) Another point; labs and goldens are not necessarily friendly to all people, large public misconception. In some areas of the county labs account for the largest number of bites. There are rising concerns related to aggression becoming more common in these breeds, as they are so popular, and there are a number of un-ethical breeders out to make a buck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolk9s Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 Sometimes it can be really difficult to know which dog will be most protective. I have 3 dogs, I would have expected my belgian to be the most 'in tune' with me in regards to looking out for me. Perhaps in a truly threatening situation he would be. What I have seen is that my sweet, gentle, kind, calm girl Brittany is the one who will leap to my defense in a flash! OK, a little clarification, I am referring to when other dogs want to play roughly with or near me. She will quickly put herself between me and other dog or dogs and drive them away. She's not even nasty about it, seems to jolly them on their way. She then looks over her shoulder at me with a grin on her face. Sorry, this is probably way off topic, its late, I'm tired and could not resist. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gooeydog Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 [quote name='Smooshie']FRUSTRATING trying to bang sense into someone like that,isn't it Goo??? :-? <sigh>...and therein lies the difference between a [i]responsible[/i] dog owner...and one that acquires a breed solely for [i]status[/i] :roll: The responsible owner spends all his/her time ensuring their dog does NOT show unwarranted aggression...while the [i]status[/i] owner spends all his/her time finding ways to [i]encourage[/i] it :x[/quote] I haven't been that mad in a long time... it just really got to me that when I'm working with my dog to [i]stop[/i] defensiveness toward people, she's actually [i]encouraging[/i] it in hers. When I warned her that if the dog bites someone, it might end up going in for the "big sleep", she said to me, "they can't do that, she's my dog". :roll: The dog has shown signs of dog aggression (not out of control dog aggression, but enough that she should be careful), but she [i]still[/i] takes it up to the school to let it run loose (even though the dog doesn't listen well off leash). Then if the dog kills someone's little fluffball, there will be more "fuel" for BSL around here. But it doesn't matter, because they can't do anything to "her dog". :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smooshie Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 [quote name='Hobbit']Whoa, whoa there Mallomar -- Smooshie was not directing that to you, it was a general comment on **SOME** owners and how they view their dog(s) ---- and surely not meant as sarcasm to you. Smooshie is not one to spout sarcasms.[/quote] Thanks Hobbit :wink: ...Sorry Mallomar if you took what I said as a personal slam.It wasn't directed towards you in any way......In all honesty,Hobbit was right...I got a little off topic and was ACTUALLY responding to [b][i]Gooey's[/i][/b] post about her friend wanting her Pitbull to be more aggressive towards people.(you must have missed that post) :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smooshie Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 [quote name='gooeydog'] Then if the dog kills someone's little fluffball, there will be more "fuel" for BSL around here. But it doesn't matter, because they can't do anything to "her dog". :roll:[/quote] That is the sad thing about her attitude :( .....its not just "her dog" thats potentially going to suffer as a result....[i]EVERYONE[/i] with a BSL-affected breed will have to pay the consequences if her dog hurts someone....Keep chipping away at her Goo...maybe the lightbulb will go on :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smooshie Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 Now to answer the original thread topic :oops: ..... what can I say that hasn't already been covered??? My best advice is to keep on doing what you're doing,Mallomar...take your time..talk to owners and read everything you can about all three breeds then decide from there which you think would best suit your lifestyle and situation....,Then either find a good breeder(thats breeding for temperament and stability) or a reputable rescue and don't be afraid to ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS...people that are raising or rescuing dogs for the love of the breed will be more than happy to provide you with any info they have,and help match you with the right dog. I actually think breed rescues are more apt to give you both the pros AND cons of owning a particular breed,because they don't want to see the dog have to be rehomed later on...sooo,even if you decide to buy a pup,I would still contact your local rescue just for additional info :D Oh also,I'm not sure where you're located,but considering the breeds you are interested in, it might be a good idea to check into the BSL policies in your area (if there are any).Good luck :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepseasnake Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 Just dont buy an Akita those dogs were bred by Lucifer to kill humans for soul harvest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepseasnake Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 what about a Chow I've heard that they are naturally protective but kinda mean with strangers I'd bet with some training mixed with insticnt a Chow would be a shoulder to lean on when the bad guys come to get you, plus they are quite large dogs and so would provide good visual deterant as well, I dont know much about them though just rumors and a friend of mine has one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smooshie Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 [quote name='deepseasnake']what about a Chow [/quote] Actually,I think Mallomar already has a Chow...check out some of his/her other posts :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smooshie Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 [quote name='deepseasnake']Just dont buy an Akita those dogs were bred by Lucifer to kill humans for soul harvest[/quote] :o .................. :lol: :lol: :lol: Halloween must be REALLY fun at YOUR house,Deep :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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