Amen I lived with two wonderful Doberman's. Am now on my third Belgian Tervuren. Haystack you probable know the short hard verity of the Belgian, the Malinois which are used as K-9 As with any dog. You should know what you are getting into. THERE ARE NO BAD DOGS JUST BAD OWNERS ---but then there is Andre the demon child-but his problem is to much mischief.LOL
First I'll say I own pits, so I know something about what hysteria can do to a good breed. AND I'll say that pits are not suitable dogs for everyone... not because it's not a wonderful family dog, but because they are terriers, large terriers and an owner needs to understand that aspect of them. Just like a malinios owner needs to understand their keenness or a border collie owner needs to appreciate that breeds obsessive drive.
It's not that Fila's aren't good dogs, it's that they're working dogs with a job they take very seriously and that job includes aggression towards humans. There's a huge difference between what they've been selected and bred to do and what a 'pet' dog is and there's the rub. 90% of folks can't get that through their heads. Just like the wolf-hybrid craze... not a suitable pet. When your average Joe and Jane can't even be bothered to train their dog to heel, what makes anyone think that they'll be responsible about separating and protecting a dog like this?
Kathy clearly understands the nature and work ethic of her breed and that's grand. But others will not be so scrupulous and there are plenty of idiots out there who just want to make a buck from the latest fad breed or use an aggressive dog to boost their 'manhood'.
And I suspect we have more lawyers per capita here in the states than they do in Brazil... 20 years ago the average dog bite liability settlement was $50,000. Heaven only know what it is now... but many homeowners insurance will not cover certain breeds... pits, GS, Rotts, Dobies.
It's not that I am for or against this breed. I just see trouble on the horizon.
But it will take the heat off pit bulls.
I think they need to change the laws, so when a dog that has been made mean and attacks a person, the owner is punished. Now the poor dog is put down and the owner gets a slap on the wrist. Until there are "teeth" in the laws this will keep on going. Also I wish they would make the newspaper write the truth-many times they label a dog a "pit" when they are not. My sister has 2 Staffies many call this a mini pitbull which they are not- those 2 will lick you to death, infact you have to worry more about being injured by their wagging tale than their teeth.
Staffies are recent derivations of the pit... they're called staffies because AKC won't recognize pit bulls. And that is what most pits are like, too. Goomy love muffins.
And it is true that many biting dogs labeled as pits are not.
But if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
And making owners responsible for biting dogs would not protect the Fila... they have been bred to bite people they don't accept as family. That's their job as much as herding is wired into border collies.
What I'm curious to know... Kathy, do these dogs respond to Schutzhund training such that you can put a Bark & Hold or Off on the bite?
I'm leaving til Sunday, so I won't respond, but I would be interested in knowing how hard wired the bite is.
Blessings all,
Jay
I just have a greyhound, and he's a big ol' couch potato and he's scared of box elder bugs. And chickens, sheep, llamas, goats, and pretty much anything else on our farm. I like the breed and I like their personality (he's my 3rd) and I think they have a weird reputation as needing a lot of exercise because they are track dogs but in fact they are very, very lazy and not at all hyper so they really don't need a lot of exercise. After a 20 minute walk, he's looking at me like "Ummm....can we go home now....pleeeeezzz..."
My first greyhound was funny on her very first walk. About 15 minutes in, she lay down, and she would not take another step. I had to carry her home, about 2 minutes at a time (75 lb dog). Somebody drove by me when I was carrying her and said "So that's what it means when they say you take your dog for a walk." Every time I put her down, she just dropped to the ground and would not move. Of course, once I got her back home, she retired to her dog bed and slept for hours. I eventually got her up to about 30 minute walks, but that was pushing it.
You are thinking of the Am Staff which is a newer breed.http://www.akc.org/breeds/american_staffordshire_terrier/
A staffie is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier which is a much older breed. And lot smaller-more like a small tank. http://www.akc.org/breeds/staffordshire_bull_terrier/
I have 5 dogs, a 120 lb Akbash (also protective of the family and wary of strangers), an 80 lb male GSD, a 60 lb female GSD, a 45 lb Border Collie and a 20 lb Boston Terrier. Guess which one is dog aggressive and the only one to have bitten a human?
My cousin's husband is one of those who should not have a Fila...he is actually upset that it is submissive to the older family dog. Fortunately the woman who was bitten understands dogs and Filas in particular and took responsibility for being bitten.
Even in Brazil they are viewed with as much awe and respect as love. A dog bred to protect the family from wild animals and criminals on the frontier, is not a suitable choice for a suburban family neighborhood. My cousin is doing the best she can to keep everyone safe. He is a good dog in the wrong place.
CMoxon, I just read your posts on caring for Snowball on his very bad day and just thought I'd let you know that I am available to be adopted. Heck, I'd even pay my own airfare. :-) Z
The Boston Terrier!!! LOL
One I went into a feed store-they had those big collars with the spikes. I told the employee there that if some one wanted a truely mean dog they should get a Chihuahua- he cracked up and said I was right.
I get really mad at a man that I once worked with-back then I had a 100 pound Dobe-he asked me how could he make his dobe puppy mean- I let him have it. He was feeding the puppy gun powder. It was too late Poor puppy died. If you want a Dobe that will died to protect up, you teach it to like people and to love you. A "mean" Dobe bites in fear. One who knows people can react intelligently when he/she needs to. My boy bite-more like nipped- twice and both times he gave the people fair warning that what they where doing was wrong.
I didn't read the whole thread, but got far enough to read about chicken diapers.
I saw a program on PBS(public broadcasting system) and it was called the History of the chicken. It is wonderful and worth watching, or purchasing. I've loaned my copy out, but it has not returned to me.
Anyway, there is some very educational, factual stuff in it, but also many heartwarming stories of chickens and their owners.
One lady brought her frozen chicken back to life with mouth to mouth, and heart compressions, and kept it in a playpen in front of the TV so it could warm up.
Another lady had a house chicken that wore little "panties", and also swam in the pool with her.
You strike me as someone who would really enjoy it:
http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=1428832&cp=&sr=1&kw=history+chicken&origkw=history+chicken&parentPage=search#Details
it has an absolutely perfect 5 star review. It really is great. I think I need to re-order another copy, in case mine doesn't find its way back ;0)
I just ordered another copy, after reading the reviewers comments. They reminded me of some of the great stories.
The last story is the best :0), but I won't spoil it for you.
MichaelZ - did you get left out in the rain too?! LOL!
Seedpicker - thanks!! That looks great- I will order it!
Let me know if you watch it.
I'd like to know what you think :0)
