I have a lab/ shar pei mix who is about 75 pounds and the sweetest, most lovable dog.. but still people assume that she is not to be trusted, just because of her size!! what gives??
2006-07-24 09:59:48 · 25 answers · asked by Bean 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I know. I own 3 dogs. 2 VERY large Mastiffs 150 lbs. and 200 lbs. and a large weim about 90 lbs. People are terrified of my dogs, if they don't know them. They are kinda scary looking- The mastiffs look like living Gargoyles. But, they are the most mellow, sweet, big babies. Affectionate and loving-They don't understand how big they are, and sometimes scare people when they walk up to them. It's an ongoing learning experience. People always assume the worst in every situation.
2006-07-24 10:23:39 · answer #1 · answered by mcghankathy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is called a culture of fear...people hear something from a friend of a friend and they think it is absolute truth without forming an actual opinion based on experience. This can be compared to a flock of sheep who when scared will ALL run off the face of a cliff or into more danger because thier ignorance and fear blinds them to all reason....That is why they put goats in a flock of sheep because they have common sense and can lead the sheep in the right direction... The people you meet that assume big dogs are dangerous, are sheep. The people you meet that know any dog any size can be dangerous without being prdjudice towards one or the other are the Goats...
2006-07-24 10:12:04 · answer #2 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of people have had bad experiences with big dogs.
Consider that what you think is "cute" behaviour in your dog might not be seen the same way to someone who doesn't have a dog, or who has a smaller dog.
To be fair, no dog, of any size, should be trusted alone around children under 8 (IMO) or with a smaller dog they don't live with. Even the best-tempered dog can reach a breaking point and attack other dogs or kids.
Otherwise, don't take it personally. Don't expect everyone to love your dog, same as you don't expect everyone to love you, your kids, or the kind of car you drive. As long as you're happy with your dog, that's all that matters.
2006-07-24 10:04:03 · answer #3 · answered by dogmelissa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you aware that there are dogs in this world that have a severe medical condition which causes them to be that way? My mother for instance is one of those. She is a truck driver that has bad knees and a bad back from driving the truck but you probably do not care about that case either. Oh well I am not one of those people I am 6'4" 245lbs and I exercise every day. I would love to see you say something like to my mother in front of me. Probably never happen though you are probably just an internet tough guy. I doubt very seriously you would say that to someones face. Just my thought.What do you think. Oh I am sorry you probably do not have a brain. I on the other hand will be happy to buy you a plane ticket to come here and see if you have the nerve to say that to someone I know.
2006-07-24 10:02:54 · answer #4 · answered by littlebylittle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try having a 6' 6" great dane that tips the scales at around 200 pounds.
He stands taller than most three year olds when he's on four feet.
You got it easy with a lab mix.
its a proven fact that smaller dogs are more prone to biting small children, or biting in general.
2006-07-24 10:02:16 · answer #5 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to admit that I am guilty of that and I should know better. I have 2 Pomeranians and my dad has a huge mixed breed. (110lbs) His dog is a gentle giant, literally, while mine are not. I think it's because in the human mind, we look at a bigger dog and if it happens to be aggressive, we wouldn't stand a chance if it attacked. If a small dog attacked, it could only attack your leg. With a bigger dog, they are much stronger and they could easily jump, go for the throat and kill you. Which is why I think people are more skittish around bigger dogs.
2006-07-24 10:15:35 · answer #6 · answered by Pom♥Mom Spay and Neuter 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People are afraid of what they don't understand. It's not the big dog's that you have to watch out for, they will come at you head on. It's the little ones that you have to watch out for, they will sneak up behind you.
It could also be that the person that you are dealing with could have been attacked as a child, or some excuse or another.
Good luck.
2006-07-24 10:06:14 · answer #7 · answered by venus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Size is intimidating to people, I have two great danes and two dachshunds a cat and a parakeet and they all get along. The dogs are protective of their crates but when out of them are all over everyone, our male dane will back up and sit in peoples laps
Some people just have a natural fear of larger dogs..
2006-07-24 10:05:24 · answer #8 · answered by judy_derr38565 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a 195 pound rottie(se was 5'3 standin on her hind legs) obvisously she was HUGE!The mail man the ups driver kids, all loved her she was so nice, but this one place wouldn't let us get insurance cause we has her!She was the sweetest of our dogs ar smallest is the meanest.Alot of the small dogs i've meet have been very mean.I think its cause people think they can fling off a small dog but a 75lbs dog would be harder.
2006-07-24 10:04:31 · answer #9 · answered by Becky D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because criminals use big dogs to protect their stuff (drugs & stolen stuff) and they train them to be mean. And when something happens the news tell about how someone was attacked by one of these big dogs and it puts fear into people. They don't tell that the dog was beaten and starved and thats why their mean. I like dogs but I have to agree I have known more people to be hurt by small dogs
2006-07-24 10:14:46 · answer #10 · answered by miracle man 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋