How many more times

[Polly_45]

we can argue deed not breed but the odds are stacking up against Rotties aren't they...what's the answer, how do you ensure responsible homes and good temperments?

Edited after a quick search on the BBC news site brings up the following Rottweiler attacks, I stopped looking once I got to 15 months ago.

27/12/2007 1 year old boy killed by relatives rottie
18/12/2007 man charged after rottie attacked and bit another dog several times
14/12/2007 kennel worker loses one arm and may need other amputated after rottie attack
22/08/2007 6 year old girl needs plastic surgery after being mauled by two rotties
28/06/2007 man charged after 2 rotties attack and bite pony
13/03/2007 teenager bitten on hand and leg after being attacked by a rottie while walking in the park
17/01/2007 9 year old boy in hospital after 3 rotties chase him into his own home and attack him
27/09/2006 12 year old girl mauled by rottie in park, needs 30 stitches
24/09/2006 5 month old baby killed by 2 rottweilers

Must say the animal incidents are not relevant at all, as all dogs are capable of fighting or mauling livestock as they are predators.

Unfortunately most of the reported attacks on children have been entirely due to human lack of supervision, often with dogs known to be aggressive or unused to children at homes of friends or relatives, not in the child's own home. People anthropomorphise Animals to such an extent that they expect them to behave and understand things in human terms.

Young children will be perceived with their fast movements and high pitched voices as prey in any dog not habituated to them, and if it is a large dog a lot of damage can occur.

This is nothing to do with breed Rather human stupidity.

I am sure I could find many more attacks by Jack Russells or Border Collies both with a high chase or prey drive, but these do not make headlines in the same way.

I remember some years ago a baby being killed by a terrier when left alone with the baby who began to cry.

The only Rotties I know are very well bred ones and they are very slow to react and behaviour ringside and on the benches is exemplary. The ones that come to our local Pet obedience classes tend to come from one good local breeder and they are some of the best natured dogs we get, as most of the rest of the various dogs come from the dogs home, and many have issues.

The more stupidity around dogs I See and hear about the more I think owners should have to pass a Test before having a dog, and have a license to own, maybe in weight categories like Driving Licenses. You would have to pass a higher test to own guarding and large breeds, have passed written and practical competency tests.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Less

It's both, some dogs just aren't right for the home environment no matter how well it normally behaves, any dog can turn nasty.

I agree with Less. How many times have we heard people say parents should be made responsible for the actions of their children (usually with regard to anti social behavour)?
I think that animal owners should be responsible for their animals actions. If your dog kills someone you should be treated as though you killed them yourself. How many peole would want big dogs when we start seeing dog owners in prison for their 'pets' action?

[derekgas]

I bought two rotties, kept one and my son head the other, I trained mine and she was perfectly well behaved in any situation, my son unfortunately saw his as an aggressive dog, as a result, my dog never showed the slightest aggression, my sons dog used to attack other animals and never looked comfortable near people, I therefore truly believe that a pets temperament is down to the owner.

[cashman]

go back 50 or so years n Alsations were the equivelent of "Devil Dogs" i was born into a home that owned one, it was the mardest dog you ever met, but to my memory mum n dad never left me alone with it. i am with all who say its down to the owners. No dog whatever breed should be left with babies,small children,etc, the fact that this poor mite was in the arms of another kid,is a differant arguement to me.

[steeljack]

seems to me the folks sticking up for these viscious breeds are probably the same who complain about young people and yobbish behaviour and then act all surprised when the police bring little Shane or Kaylie home stinking drunk and then come up with more excuses than Nuremberg

[magpie]

dogs and little young children should never ever be left alone: not matter what kind of dog it is:

[shillelagh]

Next door has a rottweiller and they got it in March/April this year. He's a lovely dog .. he also was trained as a guard dog in a pub, he belonged to some people who lived in a pub and he was trained as their guard dog, they moved to spain and gave him to someone else who was then living in a pub but only temporary and we all got to know him he used to come into the pub and wander round and lie at your feet when we were playing pool, he was a big softie with a big bark but if the pub shut he knew then what his job was. As they were only in the pub temporary and they knew that they would have to find a home for him and one of my neighbours took him. They have a grandchild and he is not in the house when he comes to visit. Which is not often as he doesnt live round here and when they do come to visit they stop at his dads sisters - because of the dog before that he stopped here.

I think ive said this before about ours a black labrador - my niece when she was a kid and im going back to when she was about 3 or 4 could do anything with him .. even trap him under the chair lift the seat up and when he poked his head thro drop the seat down on his head .. he would have done anything for her. Any kid who tried to come in the garden when she was in it he wouldnt let anyone in mum used to have to shut him in the house. He bit once and that was when my now ex brother in law when he was drunk teased him so much he bit him as if to say now get lost and leave me alone. We still kept him and didnt have him put down till many years later.

I agree you dont leave kids with dogs and more often than not that it is the dog owners fault that the dog isnt well trained, and that dogs can turn we saw it with ours.

[firth_dawn]

i agree a child shouldnt be left alone with a dog. i have a springer spaniel had him for 10 years now but wouldnt trust him to be left alone with any of the grandaughters even though he is a big softy and never hurt anybody and been brought up with all my children. i still keep my eye on him. you just never know if they might turn on someone.

[Bonnyboy]

Unfortunately , things like this will continue to happen. Seems lessons have to always be learnt the hard way and it’s the same for each generation.

[lancashire lad]

These are my two. Reg & Ronnie. If they ever sniffed at anybody wrong they would be put down. Its all down to the owner.

[firth_dawn]

Originally Posted by lancashire lad

These are my two. Reg & Ronnie. If they ever sniffed at anybody wrong they would be put down. Its all down to the owner.

they are really bonny dogs you have. are they staffies

[lancashire lad]

No they are American Pit Bulls. As you can see in the photo I bath them in the local swiming pool. All the kids over ere love them to bits, but I would still not 100% trust them.

[Bonnyboy]

Originally Posted by firth_dawn

they are really bonny dogs you have. are they staffies

They look like Pit Bulls to me

[Bonnyboy]

Originally Posted by lancashire lad

No they are American Pit Bulls. As you can see in the photo I bath them in the local swiming pool. All the kids over ere love them to bits, but I would still not 100% trust them.

Sorry, we must have replied at the same time, the question was aimed at you I know, I could have sworn you were off line...sorry

[firth_dawn]

Originally Posted by lancashire lad

No they are American Pit Bulls. As you can see in the photo I bath them in the local swiming pool. All the kids over ere love them to bits, but I would still not 100% trust them.

i know what you mean as our dog is 10 yrs old now and he is treat like a baby has never showed any signs of aggression but still wouldnt trust him with children as you never know do you they could turn on sum1 if annoyed.