Why are some dogs more inclined to get mean than others.?

Question

I read about the family that got attacked by their pit bull and I've noticed that it is mostly, if not only, these kind of dogs that attack people severely--pit bulls, rottweilers, and other breeds (that scare me). I hear more about these kinds of dogs attacking than, say, golden retreivers or damations or even german shepards or st. bernards. Those are also big but it seems to me they don't attack as often. Does it have to do with their DNA you think?

Answer 1

Other dogs attack, but nobody is interested in reading about vicious Golden Retrievers.

Bad breeding is the main reason. Pitbulls are actually excellent with people, if bred correctly and well socialized. They were culled (killed) as fighting dogs (ugh!) if they showed even the least aggression to people.

As a consequence, they are more reliable with people and more temperamentally stable than almost all other breeds.
You can read for yourself: http://www.atts.org/statistics.html

No, it really isn't their DNA, it is stupid people who get a dog because the person wants to feel tough, then they don't neuter it (unneutered males of all breeds are highly implicated in negative human/dog incidents)

I recommend another book: Dogs Bite but Slippers and Balloons are More Dangerous, by Janis Bradley, for more information.

Answer 2

No, you are reading about these dogs only because they are what gets the media's attention. The media gives people what they want to hear, and they have soiled the good name of so many great dogs.

I have noticed that when it is not a pit bull or rottweiler attack, then they say it is a "dog attack'' but never mention the breed! Why? Because pit bull attacks draw in viewers and get people watching. It is simply a trend.

--
and I have to say: it is NOT the breeding because I saved my dog when she was a puppy from a very abusive situation - both her parents were aggressive and used for fighting. My girl does not have a fighting bone in her body. Her parents were both killed for turning on the owners.

Answer 3

It's because the media is fixated on these breeds ! If you really do your research Black Labs are high on the list of attacks, as are any other breed! I've had more little ankle biters be aggressive toward me and others I know than the Rottis, shepards, ect. I believe it is how you train any dog!

P.S. My friend has a golden and it would rip your arm off before my Staffordshire even knew what was going on!

Answer 4

Even when it isn't a Pitbull or Rottweiler attack, if the dog is big and "scary looking" the press calls it a pitbull or Rottie.

Attacks by roving packs of nasty pugs isn't going to have the same impact.

A lot of people are getting pitbulls and rotties to compensate for feeling powerless themselves. Not everyone (certainly not me, I just love my pitbull) but some. And lots of these people try to make their dog mean.

Sorry guys, but a lot of them are young men, 18-25 who don't have the time or won't make the effort to get effective training for their dogs. Then they don't teach the dog any self control and in some cases, by wrestling with the dogs, teach the dog to be out of control.
The guys identify too much with their dog's testicles, so they won't neuter them (did you know unneutered males account for the highest number of dog attacks?)

And people in all breeds of dogs are not breeding for good temperament and health. They are breeding because they happen to have an intact male and female and think they can make money.

But don't blame the dogs. Put into effect dangerous dog laws that punish dogs that are dangerous and the people who own dogs that have been proven dangerous.

Don't take my Pittie Girl and Agility Dog away from me just because of the bozos.

That would be like putting all of Jeffrey Dahmer's family to death because of him.

Answer 5

The media only pays to attention to these breeds. The dogs have a reputation of being nasty and the media jumps all over it. It mostly has to do with the owners and how they raise the dogs, there are dogs in these breeds that do not attack. The problem is that nobody wants to hear about these breeds being good and only look for info that confirms the stereotype.

Answer 6

I have owned two Rottweilers, and neither of them ever bit or attacked anyone. I think a lot of it has to do with the temperament of the parents. Too many people are backyard breeders, and don't take into consideration the temperament of the parents, and the responsibility to breed safely and carefully, they only consider money. I met the parents of my first Rottie before I ever even looked at the new litter of pups. I visited several reputable breeders before I found parents that I liked. Then, and only then, did I look at the pups.

Too many people are backyard breeding pitbulls, without any consideration of temperament. I feel sorry for the breed. I don't believe that they are a bad breed of dog, I believe it is the stupid people who own them and haphazardly breed them that are to blame.

I don't believe that any breed of dog is bad -- it is the people who own them and breed them who are to blame.

Answer 7

It could be genetics but the main reason you hear so much is because because the press loves to play on the stories of these breeds making them appear big bad and evil, and even if the dog is only 1/8 mix of rotti for example it will be a rotti in the newscast.

Other dog breeds bite just as often, the toy breeds more so, but no chihuachua biting is going to help sell newspapers so it does not make the news

Answer 8

It has to do with the tendencies (dominance, defense, etc.) that these breeds were bred for, as well as gender (intact dogs tend to be more aggressive) and circumstances - a tied-up dog is way more agressive than a loose dog, and frequently these bites happen in stupid situations - like someone is feeding their tied-up intact male dog and the toddler falls on top of the dog... ANY dog will use it's mouth to defend it's resource (the food) against the threat (toddler) it's the stupid adult human that wasn't paying attention!
People tie-up a pit to make it mean - you don't do that to a Maltese, so that's part of why the statistics are skewed.... when a maltese bites, there is way less damage, too...
As a Vet Tech, we were always more wary of a cocker spaniel or a chow than we were a rottweiler. And Chihuahuas are the worst biters!

Answer 9

It's all about what the public wants to share. I used to be a dog trainer and I had more aggressive Chihuahas than any other breed. I had pits, rotties, shepherds, etc and it's really about how the dog was raised. A lot of times too, people misunderstand aggression with a dog protecting something or feeling threatened.

Answer 10

I think that these breeds are concentrated on by the media because of certain people that are working behind the scenes. They are planning to start trying to get rid of Labs and Goldens next. It's up to us to stop them. That being said, certain breeds were bred for a reason and they will respond differently to pain or other negative stimuli than a different breed.