Are dogs like pitbulls, rottweilders, and dobermans naturally dangerous or is it because of training?

Answer 1

My personal opinion having worked in veterinary clinics (in one way or another) for over 20 years... is that more often than not, the aggression comes from a complete lack of socialization and discipline.

Yes... there are some tempermentally unstable dogs being bred that adds into the mix. An aggressive male or female should not be bred for any reason, because the pups will be more likely to be aggressive.

In Pits, the biggest thing is the "macho" image and the fact that they are VERY VERY VERY animal aggressive... but very rarely truly human aggressive.

Rotties have been completely ruined as a breed by people either wanting 1- a huge dog (they aren't meant to be 130 pounds), or 2- a "tough" dog. This breed has guardy tendencies... they need TONS of socialization as puppies to make sure they are model canine citizens (I've owned one, so I know!). When you have someone with an ego breeding and wanting it tough, you start to get unstable temperments and that leads you down the road we are at today.

Dobermans - I have never yet met a truly aggressive Dobe. I have however met numerous FEAR aggressive dobes who have been products of a complete lack of or inappropriate socialization.

I would get either a Rottie or a Dobie in a heartbeat, from a RESPONSIBLE breeder, but my homeowners insurance would drop me like a hot rock!!!

Long answer made short... I think it's a combination of poor breeding (natural) and lack of training or poor (stupid) training.

Answer 2

I own a pitbull and he is the best dog i have ever had...Now on they are portrayed as very mean..but any dog can be mean and aggressive. Example: My family had a Yorkie for about 4years an one day outta the blue it attacked my sisters face!! An animal will always be an ANIMAL therefore there instincts will never be fully tammed. The way an owner raises a dog does have a great deal to do with the way the dog will behave for the most part. I think the reaon people are so scared of pitbulls is because when in a confrontation they can do allot of damage. It is because a pitbulls jaw muscles actually go all the way up to the top of their head. That makes them very powerfull!!

Answer 3

There is some disagreement on this question. There are many people who believe dogs like the ones you mentioned are dangerous no matter their training.

I've seen too many examples of supersweet well behaved "naturally dangerous" dogs to believe this is completely the case.

Training has just as much affect on a dog's temperament as its breeding. You can train a Lab to be dangerous if you want to work hard at it. Likewise a pitbull (not a true breed at all, by the way but usually refers to Stafforshire Terriors) can be trained to be a total softie. I've lived with a couple of the softies.

The thing to remember about many of the well publisized dog attacts is that female dogs WHO HAVE PUPPIES are always more agressive than at any other time in their lives. A female with puppies, no matter how sweet her nature, no matter what her breeding, should be left alone unless she initiates contact. And children should be kept away as well. Obviously, they want to protect their puppies and they sort of forget that you're friendly while they have young helpless puppies.

I personally don't think these breeds are naturally dangerous; as long as they're well trained, obedient, and socialized

Answer 4

First off, someone mentioned a locking jaw. There is no such thing. Pit bulls have the same jaw structure as any other type of dog.
Rotties, Dobies, GSD have been bred as protection/guard dogs. Instincts are passed along in generations.
Pit bulls are, or at least supposed to be, bred for gameness, and are usually dog aggresive. Dog aggression and people aggression are two completely different issues. A dog that is aggressive towards other dogs does not mean it will be aggressive to people. Also, American Pit Bull terriers are the only breed bred to be absolutely non aggressive towards people. People biters are culled, or at least are by responsible owners/breeders.
BUT, any dog of any breed that is mistreated can be dangerous.

Answer 5

A little of both. Some dogs are born with mental illness, just as humans are.The aggressive breeds seem to have a more noticeable condition, as the Chihuahua who misbehaves in exactly the same way, is rarely bothered with.. but, often the dangerous behaviors are from a LACK of training rather than a conscious training to be mean.

Answer 6

No, I strongly disagree. I own a pitbull and she is the gentleous dog I've ever owned. People and Owners are the reason pitties turn bad. Children should be shown how to play and not pull on dogs tails or hit any dog. Some owners train pitbulls to attack or use them to fight. Pitbulls exceptially mine, is a great watch dog, but also a wonderful pet....

Answer 7

Training mostly. Besides the fact that I've encountered Rottweillers, Dobermans and Pitbulls who were either friendly or hostile, I have relatives who have a pit bull, and they raised him to be an absolute mush. Every time I visit them, he's so happy he's ready to jump all over me and lick me from head to toe. So even the friendly ones can be agressive. If they want to play with you, they're not going to want to stop.

Answer 8

Some dogs are naturally aggressive but that doesn't mean they are dangerous. The training or lack of and their treatment and environment play a major factor in the way they behave. Most dangerous dogs are so because of their owners.
Janet

Answer 9

I've had two dobermans. The 1st one had a mean/aggessive temperment (I ended up returning this dog to the kennel) while the 2nd one was a big lap dog. Both came from the same kennel, had the same father, but different mothers. The mother of the first dog could not be approached by anyone but the owners (I thought she was just protective of her litter), while the mother of the second dog was very gentle and welcomed attention from anyone. In my case you could trace each dogs temperment to their mother. Hope this helps.

Answer 10

they are naturally a more aggresive dog. However, depending on the training and care you were to give them they can actually turn out to be really great dogs in the end. My grandparents always had bulldogs...people were afraid to get out of their vehicles but in all actuality they were really sweet. And had a friend who had a huge rottwieller...I think he was the most loveable dog in the world...the only time he would get "aggresive or mean" was if you were out running around the yard with him...as soon as he would get tired of running he would kinda "wrap" his leg around your knees or ankles and trip you up so you would fall...then he would plop down on the ground and just play...never had much experience with dobermans...but the little time I've spent around them I really don't like them...no matter how kind you are to them or how much you train them...not a dog for me.