Big Dog Fans?

Question

Is anyone else afraid that with all the breed banning going on, eventually all we will be allowed to have are small dogs?
Not to bash small dogs, but I personally like big dogs, and I am afraid that my right to own one will be taken away.
What do you think?

Doug J - many not dangerous breeds are being banned. In many areas, any breed that even looks intimidating are being banned. All people have to do is say a breed is dangerous, they don't actually have to prove that it is.

Answer 1

It has been proven that BSL/breed bans do not work to eliminate or reduce the amounts of dog bites. I think BSL/breed bans is just another way of AR groups trying to end all dog ownership. I think the media creates the fear of certain breeds and because of the fear that is created by sensationalizing bites from certain dogs, people believe what they hear and back BSL but what they do not realize is that once one breed has been banned, it will open the door to any and every breed being banned.
Here is an example of what will happen if people do not start paying attention to BSL, and my guess is that list will get bigger.
In Italy they started out with a list of 13 dogs on the dangerous dog list and the list has now climbed to 92 and the dogs on the list are not all large breed dogs there are dogs on the list such as Corgis, Schipperkes and Schnauzers.

This is exactly where we are headed if we allow BSL/breed bans. As you see not even small dogs are safe from breed bans.

I believe that stiffer penalties (jail time and hefty fines) should be imposed on people who use dogs for illegal purposes or for people who chose to keep dangerous dogs. I bet if you had to go to jail and/or it hurt your pocket people would be more inclined to research dogs before they got one. People need to be educated about dogs in general, they need to understand pack mentality and behavior. What people need to do is start being responsible when chosing and raising a dog. They need to quit buying dogs based on looks alone and be honest in their ability to handle certain breeds because not all breeds are suited for everyone.
The bottom line is until the law starts making people responsible for their actions and the actions of their dog, BSL/breed bans will change nothing except make certain, if not all, dogs breeds extinct. I fear that if BSL is not stopped eventually we have have to visit dogs in the zoo with the rest of the wild and dangerous animals.

Punish the deed not the breed.

Answer 2

VERY good question. I own a Boxer that SOOOO many people think is a pit bull(due to ignorance and no canine education) so they automatically think she's mean. I have also owned a pit mix, that people were scared to death....and they should be..... Cause she'd try to lick you to death!!! LOL. I believe , as I have said before on previous questions, that some people like the big, "potentially" agressive dogs for some kind of status. These are the irresponsible pet owners. They think it's cool to own a dog that is very protective and it is due to THEM, that the dogs are that way. Kinda ruins it for the rest of us, that know big dogs, or any size for that matter, can be as loving and friendly as we make them. Yes.... there are some breeds that tend to protect more than other breeds, but the safety factor comes in on the pet owner.....There is nothing wrong with a dog being protective over his/her territory, but many breeds were bred for that reason. I hate the fact that uneducated people( in dogs and animals in general) can make life so hard for these animals that WE have domesticated and bred. So to anyone out there... predjudice is not a place for the animal world, and all of you that think it's prestegious to own a killer, wait till something happens and see how it changes your life... Not to forget the fact that a lot of animals are having to be put down due to how you raise your dogs. BE RESPONSIBLE!!! If you don't know how to own an aggressive dog, don't get one.......I feel what your saying and hope backing up your concern makes you feel better. Take care and much doggie luv.. :)

Answer 3

Any dog can be dangerous - many have already said this. As for my personal experience, I was bit as a child by a Boston Terrier. It hurt. It bled, which is more than I can say for the shepherd mix I grew up with (she was mouthy, but rarely drew blood). Who's the dangerous dog here? The probably abused mutt pound puppy or the cute, cuddly purebred Boston? The Boston wanted to play and I was being swung around like a toy - and I don't hate Boston terriers or anything. I never really have. I just learned how to behave around dogs. My mom's cousin (who was swinging me around) instantly realized that our game was a bad idea to confuse the poor dog like that. He took total responsibility.

All dogs have teeth, all dogs bite. I read about a Pomeranian biting a baby's face and killing it. Honestly, people need to realize that some behavior isn't acceptable for ANY dog, including biting, jumping, and excessive barking. If people can't learn consistency, how can we teach our dogs consistently?

I'm afraid it will happen, too, and then no one will be allowed to have any dog at all. Dogs and humans have been around together for thousands of years - why end this friendship now?

Answer 4

All I can say is banning does no good. I too love big dogs - actually have a Great Dane Rescue at my home (www.scgreatdanerescue.com) We have taken in smaller breeds as needed when no one else would but I see no way big dogs have to worry. I'm more afraid for pitties since they get all the bad rap and are wonderful, loyal pets. What I'd like to do is ban bad owners...pass a test to get a pet...require a license to breed your pet...that might help everyone out.

Answer 5

Yes I am afraid of loosing my pitbull puppy. Hes 3 months old,the most sweetest dog,loves everyone! Im sorry they should not ban the breed because you know what the problem is, the person behind the leash. Then people like myself have to give up their inocent dog because people are ignorant and like to fight the pitbulls.Pitbulls are the most mistreated dog. It sickens me that people get there kicks off of fighting these sweet animals. Also Do you know they only get a slap on the wrist for doing this!!! Im sorry I truely believe that you should have a permit and a background check or even classes how to raise a big dog. And im sorry but if people think this bsl law is going to stop the bad guys from mistreating and fighting other breeds then they need to do more homework! the BSL law targets everyone that owns a breed that they think are bad, you try to deturmine what is atrue pit out of a lineup of dogs! Ill bet my bank account that you cant on the first shot...Also people who think they are so called "born to fight" need to get educated. My pit wouldnt hurt a fly.

Ok here is something to watch that will blow your mind what these poor pitbulls go through and the sick people involved AND THEY ARE BANING THE BREED!!!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=737567328566379082&pr=goog-sl

Answer 6

I am scared too. People think it is a simple solution to ban a breed but what they don't realize is that people will continue to be irresponsible with other animals such as small dogs, cats, or even wild animals and as long as we are not stopping the irresponsible owners the inflicted injuries will continue and I'm affraid that people will not realize that until it is too late. I also fear that smaller dogs will not be able to preform many of the service dog tasks that larger dogs do such as police work, seeing eye dogs, and cardiac response dogs. Cardiac response dogs are trained to place bodies in the recovery position so that the elderly people do not throw up and choke on it while the dog dials 911 and allows the police and paramedics into the house. Smaller dogs are not strong enough to accomplish these tasks and they are better suited for dogs that everyone calls bully breeds. My Rottie is very lovable and I will do whatever I have to in order to keep him. I've sent out so many letters to legislatures regarding breed bans but unless they see more letters against it than for it they will lean to who they know will re-elect them or their party.

Answer 7

I work in rescue, and believe me dogs are being banned at an alarming rate. A town in New Jersey banned Labs, and a town in New York proposed 15 breeds to ban, don't know the entire list but Australian Shepherds and English Mastiffs were on it. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are on lists to be banned in several areas. Nordic breeds (Siberian Huskys, Malamutes, and even Chinooks) are very common on banned breed lists. Very scary. Of course, these laws go through because people say things like, "oh, MY breed won't be banned", "they won't go THAT far", or "they are just getting rid of the bad breeds!". The general public is so uninvolved in politics, they do not know what is going on at town meetings or state houses. We would rather read about Britney! If you are interested, you can find info in good all breed magazines(DogWorld is easily available) or through breed clubs and the AKC or UKC.

Interestingly, I get my up-dates from HSUS, but many of their reps are all for breed bans. PETA has actually fought FOR banning in several areas. If you don't like the breed bans, you better watch who you support. The other rather sneaky way of getting dogs banned is anti-breeding laws. (Don't get me wrong, I'm all for altering pets, all of mine are!) At least PETA is a little more up front about their intentions- Until there are NONE, adopt one- HSUS isn't that straight forward yet!

Answer 8

I don't think it is right to ban a pratical breed because they are "dangerous" It's not the breed, it's how the people who own the dog train it. My beagle mix could be just as dangerous at half a foot than any pit if I trained him to be. He may not be able to fight as good...lol. I think thye should ban dog breeding until the local shelters clear out a little, but that's a diff. story!

Answer 9

Yes, I worry.

In Minnesota they are proposing to ban all wolf-hybrids, chows, pits, rottweillers and akitas... and any mixes that contain those breeds.

As someone who has worked for 17 years in Samoyed rescue I have pulled Sams out of the pound and shelters IN MINNESOTA that were labled "wolf mix", "chow", and "akita mix". If that law passes a LOT of dogs will die... including some that weren't intended to.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/minnesotabreedban/

There are states who are proposing bans on Mastiffs and Mastiff mixes... I am concerned my Bernese may be mistaken for a mix... and technically the breed was founded on the Mastiffs the Romans had.

Strange thing with all the breed banning going on... in 15 years of working as a dog training consultant I've only been bitten 4 times... and all four times by different minature poodles or poodle mixes.

Answer 10

Some of the smallest dogs can be the nastiest. I know that a large dog could potentially cause more damage though. I have a staffordshire bull terrier (for all the ignorant people out there, this DOES NOT MEAN PIT BULL!!) and he is the sweetest dog you could wish for but they get a bad reputation because of their history and stupid owners. True they don't always get on well with other dogs because of their fighting history but dogs that were aggressive to humans were generally killed anyway. This sounds harsh but bred a very loyal and loving dog. I don't think breeds should be banned but individual dogs should be looked at depending on what they are actually like.