Aggressiveness in Large Breeds?

Question

I've grown up my whole life with large breeds and absolutely adore and trust them when they are raised properly. My boyfriend and I are considering buying a puppy and he seems to think that larger breeds are more inclined to bite, even when properly socialized and trained. The breed I am considering is a Vizsla, which is a very gentle breed from what I hear.

How should I convince him otherwise?

Answer 1

Large Breeds are no more inclined to show aggression than smaller dogs. This is an old stereotype which suggests that due to their size they are capable of worse aggression than smaller dogs. All dogs are capable of a certain level of aggression, depending on the breed and size but there is no difference overall.

Large breeds tend to have a slightly higher level of intelligence due to larger cranial space where the brain sits. The Vizla is intelligent and needs to be challanged for it to be happy. By challenge, I mean you need to give it something to do with its free time. If left alone for any length of time, it will become frustrated and start to become destructive as most dogs would, but it needs to learn that you will be home soon and its place is to wait for you.

Alternatively buy it a Kong and fill it with treats or Peanut butter which it will spend hours trying to lick out. Also you could hide treats around the house for it to sniff out and find. Theres also the rollaround ball which you fill with small treats which fall out of the small hole in its side as it moves about.

A dogs aggression is down to two factors. The way it is brought up and trained, and its mental frustration level. If you allow your dog to misbehave as a puppy, or show aggression thinking its cute, then it grows up looking for the affection it gains from being badly behaved. Scoulding at this age can lead to more aggression, and then the dog is put to sleep through no fault of its own. A dog needs to learn its place from day one an no amount of aggression towards any human should be tolerated.

Mental frustration comes from boredom. A dog which spends all if not most of its time confined to a cage, kennel or tied up, builds up a level of frustration through sheer boredom. The food it is given is not processed properly and instead of being nutritious and supplying the dog with everything it needs, instead it builds up an insanely high energy level which sends the dog hysterical. If the chain snaps or the dog breaks free, its mental ability to remain calm is completely drowned out by the energy surge and it goes mad.

Usually they just run around for a while and calm down, but on some occassions, the dog will take off looking for trouble and the first living thing it comes across, it will maul and rag about like a toy. This could be a cat, a smaller dog, or a small child.

Answer 2

Being big does not make a dog more aggressive, it just means more damage can be done in the case of a bite.. Some breeds are more prone to dominance, animal aggression, and guarding than others. But that includes small breeds. Ever been on the wrong end of an angry Chihuahua or Rat Terrier? It isn't nice.

Here is what the AKC says about Vizla's temperment:

A natural hunter endowed with a good nose and above-average ability to take training. Lively, gentle-mannered, demonstrably affectionate and sensitive though fearless with a well developed protective instinct. Shyness, timidity or nervousness should be penalized.

Here's is a bit of history:
"The Observers Book of Dogs" by Clifford L. B. Hubbard Frederick Warne & Co., Ltd., London and New York (page 153 Re: Vizsla, Hungarian Pointer, Yellow Pointer): "One of the five national breeds of dogs in Hungary. The Vizsla is the sole sporting dog, a breed which combines the duties of POINTER, SETTER, AND RETRIEVER. He is admirably suited to the game and conditions of the puszta, being descended from the Transylvanian and Weimar pointers, well equipped for those particular terrains. Today the race is protected by the interest on the Hungarian Kennel Club through their specialists stud book (Magyar Eb Torzskonyv) and records of exported specimens are meticulously maintained. He is particularly in demand in the Debrecen district of Eastern Hungary, where most feathered game seek sanctuary.Height, 25 inches, weight, 70 to 75 pounds, color, yellow only, rather like the sedge shade of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Coat short, close and smooth. Tail docked to about two-fifths."


To translate:
They are bold guardians and have a strong prey drive. They are fast, strong, and agile. That means they can probably get out of a fenced yard with ease and may eat the neighbor's cat. In some cases, the neighbor may not fair well either. They are gentle pets, but they are also tough hunting dogs. They have high energy and many people can't handle that. This dog is not a couch potato. Socialzation, excersise and training are a must . Does this sound right for your lifestyle?

I'm not talking bad about the breed and I'm not saying not to get one. With proper preparation, I think a Vizla could make a perfect pet. I am suggesting you look carefully before you leap. A pet is with you for a lifetime. Make sure it is the best match possible.

I've included a link to a Vizla rescue and the Vizla Club of America.
Good luck!

Answer 3

Aggressiveness is not specific to any breed, large or small. While some breeds are more gentle than others, any dog who is properly trained and socialized from a puppy, and comes from good breeding versus a puppy mill, will not turn aggressive.

AS for the Vizsla, these are great dogs, can require a lot of energy and require a lot of exercise. But wonderful, mid-size dogs.

Answer 4

Vizslas sounds like a good choice. They are more on the medium size, little grooming needs, etc. But since they are hunters- will require a good amount of exercise. Also Viszlas tend to be more aloof with strangers, so not like a friendly lab that will love everyone even strangers. But they bond tightly with their family just as long as you make sure to provide early socialization and training.
Also Any dog has the propensity to Bite, its just that the larger dogs are more studied because they are larger and more powerful, therefore inflicting more harm.

Answer 5

Take a look at the ATTS sats.{http://www.atts.org/index.html}
Some of the biggest dogs as the best ratings while somee little ones have very low ratings. Ask your boyfriend if large breeds are more aggressive why is vets, dog walkers and dog groomers are bit more often by small breeds than by large ones. My vet loves to see my APBT come in because of how well behaved he is.

Answer 6

I have small dogs and a huge dog lol a Chi., Maltese/Pom. mix, and a Great Dane. In my case, our little ones bite more than our Great Dane. I'd tell him, you plan on socializing them a lot that way they like people, but at the same time with it being a large breed, it'd make you feel safer knowing that most people won't come around knowing there is a big dog around you. Tell him to talk to people who have owned both small and large breeds, and see what they have to say, I'd say a large breed is nicer than my two small ones.

Answer 7

Learn and read about different breeds and talk to Vizla breeders. Have him meet the dogs. Honestly, the most aggressive dog I ever met was a chihuahua hell bent on ripping my throat out. My golden retrievers have never been aggressive toward anything. It varies by breed and individual dog, dominance level, spaying and neutering (or lack thereof) and level of training and owner. Size has nothing to do with it.

Answer 8

diverse motives. A small dogs has a turn away in protecting itself. An unconfident one that could no longer get faraway from a perceived possibility feels subsidized right into a corner and "comes out swinging". besides, a lot of people enable small canines to destroy out with behaviors that they might in no way enable a bigger breed. the previous vendors probable did no longer socialize and prepare the dogs on the needed youthful age. I certainly have slightly rescued dogs it relatively is style of like that. She's come an prolonged way, yet nevertheless desires progression.

Answer 9

Google "dog aggression" Show the results to him. Large dogs get REPORTED for biting more frequently than small dogs. As long as he is from a reputable breeder, is well trained and properly trained he'll be fine.

Answer 10

I suggest that you encourage education about the breed and possibly visiting a breeder ot vizsla owner.