Another language question...

[Miro]

Yes Miro you have made it clear you prefer dogs to people. Personally I prefer my own species every time. I find it really sad those people who choose not to have kids and mollycoddle a pair of pooches as their "babies".

He sounds one very sad man.

I don't have any dogs!

The only thing I find sad is that, although there are plenty of people who "choose" to have babies, and/or dogs, but don't want to accept the responsibility that goes with the "ownership" of either "species", apparently only one point of view is acceptably PC. Oh, and the fact that someone can ask a perfectly innocent and intelligent question about language, and the first reply is a rather unnecessary comment about her pet. As far as I remember, the only relevant reply to the original post was the second one from Juanmi, and clearly I'm as guilty as any for the thread going off course, so count me out.

[crazyred]

Any dog classified as potencially dangerous and any other dog over a certain height and weight (I can't remember what that is but I'll find out) needs to be muzzled and on a lead of no longer than 1 metre. A GSD/Belgian cross would be required by law to be muzzled when out in public.

I doubt very much if that is why you are getting funny looks as the police are not even very sure about the law on muzzling. The problem with any dog larger than 10 inches high is because in this part of Spain they are very fond of 'handbag dogs' such as Yorkies, Maltese terriers, Chihuauas etc... So anything larger than that and they quake!!

There, it's your daughter's fault for being afraid! Can't be the dogs fault.

Frank, I actually agreed in part with what you said. I laid no blame on her daughter for dogs biting her in fact, I lay the blame squarely with owners who don't bother to train their dogs or think it's unnecessary to. If my dog even snarled at any child he would be severely corrected but, he doesn't as he knows his place and is properly trained.

[annie_d]

Crazyred, i fully accept what you are saying about your dog being trained but i would hazard a good guess it would go for my daughter at some time. Dogs just do! I would like dogs to be on leads when they are "going for a walk" with their owner and then be free to run without a lead in set areas, be it beach, park, fields, whatever! For my daughter's part, she wouldn't roam there.
Her last bite was from a dog locked in a car with the window open a little way. The owner couldn't believe it had got out of the gap, chased and bitten Rose. It did. We laugh (unfairly) at the number of times she has been chased, barked at, bitten and i honestly can only imagine it is a smell she releases. Poor Rose.

[crazyred]

My dog is always on a lead on the street and is also muzzled (not because he will bite but, because it's the law and he has to get used to it). He gets to run in the campo and on the beach off lead. Reggie has helped quite a few of the children around here get over their fear of dogs as he is really good (I'm not just saying that because he's mine and, I am actually trying to find some therapy work for him).

As it is very important to socialise dogs when they are young so that they get used to the smell and noise of children when he was a puppy yes, we took him to the school every day to get used to the noise of children, being petted (you don't have to ask children to stroke a puppy, they just do it), fallen over, trodden on etc...Some dogs actually find the noise of children running around quite frightening and in some, it awakens their prey drive. I am sure that my dog would definately NOT bite your daughter as he has far better manners. Yes, he barks at people making noise under our balcony and when he sees people rough housing in the pool as he hates to see people fighting. He's also very alert when strange men are walking towards us when out walking at night but, any show of aggression to a child he KNOWS will not be tolerated. I have to make sure of this as I have 2 young children myself (5 & 7).

And before Frank gets on my case no, I can't give you a 100% guarantee that it will never happen but I have put in the work to prevent it. The only dogs who have ever gone for me have been Jack Russells and they don't even have to be muzzled!!!

[katy]

I now declare Marina's thread well and truly hijacked. I bet she wished she never asked, how tolerant she must be

[crazyred]

Well, as this is a discussion forum then why has the thread been hijacked when we are still talking about fierce looking dogs, dog behaviour and training?

PS Marina, I think the reference to short hair is that if the dog is muscular, has a strong jaw and short hair then it could be descended from a Pit Bull and therefore automatically a maneater.

PPS, I apologise if you feel that I may have contributed to your thread being hijacked.

[annie_d]

Marina IS tolerant. Unlike some others.

[Marina]

Katie, thanks for thinking of me. crazyred, no apology needed. Although the thread does seem to have developed a life of it's own I did have a couple of very useful answers to my question and it's highlighted some interesting points about dangerous dogs that I know know I have to look into
I hate the idea that I may have been misinformed by the rescue centre where my dog came from and I would never have taken a dog that has to be muzzled and kept on a short lead! It would seem though, from what I am reading that this might be the case and I do need to find out more. Whatever the outcome, the dog is now mine and I love him to bits!
Anyone know a good dogtrainer east of Malaga?

[Marina]

Thank you Annie

[annie_d]

Because my daughter won't be coming with us when we move permanently to Spain my husband is going to get a dog. He is a big man and so wants a big dog. Any advice? (I will be having cats)

[zanuck]

Annie_d
A Bouvier de Flandres, weighs 40-45kg, originally used for herding cattle; also used during WWII and possibly before and after as a police dog.
Ambles along a bit like a bear.
Ours lives with a cat and gets on fine with him (cat's been here a year, the dog ten); but likes nothing better when on the morning walk to chase a cat away. She then walks with a spring in her step and her head held high.
Check this link:
http://www.art.co.uk/asp/sp-asp/_/pd--1 ... s_1955.htm

and nobody even start the debate about docked or undocked Bouvier tails..............

[crazyred]

Annie, I think it depends a lot on yours and your husbands experience with dogs, where you live, how much time you will be spending with it, how much training you can put in, and of course the type of looking dog that appeals to you. All dogs will get on with cats (even dogs with high prey drive) as long as they are introduced well and they know that the cat is off limits.

I personally like dominant breeds (potentially dangerous) like Staffs, Pit bulls, Presa Canarios (my current dog), Bull terriers etc... but, these dogs need an experienced handler who can implement proper training as they are dominant and need to know that you are the alpha leader. Get on the internet and google some large breeds and see what you like. Also, make sure you research the temperament and possible health problems and try to make sure (if buying from a breeder) to see both parents

[kevin77]

It's so important to be the alpha leader!

[crazyred]

It's so important to be the alpha leader!

Yes it is Kevin77 and if more people paid more attention to this type of training, I can assure you that there would not have been so many attacks by dogs. It's exactly this kind of flippant attitude towards training which has caused so many children to be mauled to death and not just by dangerous breeds but by labradors, border collies and even a Jack Russell! And in response to another flippant comment made on the Dangerous Dogs thread no, I'm not a big man, I'm actually a 5' tall 8 stone woman and have owned and trained bully breeds since I was 11 years old.

I won't be posting anymore as it seems from some of the flippant and frankly immature comments that some of you think that owning a dog is a bit of a joke and a laugh until it takes chunks out of someone, and then yet another breed gets added to the BSL. Pretty soon the only dogs we'll be able to own are Yorkies, which were original bred to kill large rats in the mines so can be pretty savage too!!

[annie_d]

I will be the one at home all day and there is no way i will be an alpha leader. I think my husband would like one of the scary ones but i feel strongly against that as it will be me at home with the dog most of the time. We are in the campo so plenty of running space.
Neither of us have owned dogs but we do understand the enormity of the commitment but I don't think I will be able to fulfill the responsibilty sufficiently well, to be honest.

...looking at the "bear like" dog site now!

[annie_d]

crazyred, a thought just occurred to me. Would an older dog be preferable? Already trained?

[Heston]

Annie D..why cant you be an alpha leader ..its even easier if your at home all day
If you havnt had a dog before I would reconsider a big breed you really need to know what your doing or a big breed with whats normally classed as an easy going temprement ( ie Labradour ) however as previously said any dog can take a chunk out of you.
I have two rottweilers and my old boy was a rescue dog in the UK ( dumped because he got too big....same old story) and he has been a lvling loyal companion for the past seven years. He was a qualified pat dog in the UK which meant he went into old peoples homes and hospitals to cheer people up..he was a real ambassador for his breed and he cured my newphew of his fear of dogs.
I now also have a female 1 year old and have had a real battle on with her to be the Aplha male but with persistance and love I now am..as for children I would never leave any dog with any child alone both are umpredictable..you have to train your dog but you also have to train your kids

[annie_d]

Heston, i think i can't be an alpha leader with dogs as i have a "funny feel" about them. I'm not scared but they make me feel sick. The thought of the bones under the skin makes me sick. I KNOW! I KNOW! Cats have bones too. I didn't say it was a rational thing! What i am hoping is that my husband decides we can stick to cats.

[Heston]

A fear is a fear I can run a 3minute mile when I see a spider!!

[katy]

So do I, but can happily rescue a mouse from the cats if its still alive.