2006-11-05 20:18:23 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Different breeds of dogs show different tendencies - if a dog is bred to guard, or fight, it will have been selected for aggressive tendencies - which has led to certain breeds (American Pit Bull for example) being banned (in the UK). However, expression of the tendencies is mainly to do with the owner that has raised/owned the dog. If they teach it to behave, it will behave. Badly treated (and in this I'm including spoilt as well) chihuahuas will be just as aggressive as a badly trained german shepherd (guard breed), but I'd rather get attacked by a chihuahua.
2006-11-05 20:31:49 · answer #1 · answered by caladria 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Domestic dogs have been bred for mild nature. Usually the mildest temperment of dogs are bred over many generations to produce even tempered animals, so it is genetic, although, like most behaviors, there is an environmental factor in that. It can be altered, the training and hsitory of a dog will have a lot to do with their nature, but that is a dog by dog thing. So yes, it can be altered
2006-11-11 10:08:06 · answer #2 · answered by cero143_326 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all dogs are of a 'mild nature'. Many dogs are quite agressive, and many have been bred to be this way.
Chow chows are extremely aggressive, and without careful breeding of mild tempered dogs, are a 4 legged walking lawsuit.
The same can be said of many many other breeds.
Generally speaking, one of the main points of breeding dogs is to insure a friendly and docile temprament. If you want a dog with an agressive temprement, simply take an aggressive female and male.... and the probability is that you will have agressive offspring.
Do this for a few generations of dogs, and you can have your own pack of vicsious animals. Pit bull breeders who breed dogs for fighting do just this.
2006-11-05 20:27:06 · answer #3 · answered by ladykiri 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
domesticated dogs, i think, yes, have genetic codes that make them more gentler than wild dogs. it's because the environment they are in encourage them to be more "kind to the hands that feed them," being brought food instead of hunting it. that makes them more gentle and loyal to their masters. evolution and "genetic memories" affect the offspring of domesticated animals making them more compatible for captivity.
2006-11-05 20:37:40 · answer #4 · answered by fobel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends most animals will turn vicious if they are scared enough.
2006-11-05 20:21:13 · answer #5 · answered by Powerpuffgeezer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋