Dog obsessions

07/11/2022

The German Shepherd’s bad rap actually comes from the many excellent traits the breed possesses. The average GSD is intelligent, strong and hardworking. Those same traits make them a force to be reckoned with in the wrong situation.

Their role at the side of police officers gives them a look of authority, which can make some people nervous. Overall the breed is loyal and has tons of potential, but can be steered in the wrong direction if mistreated or ill-trained.

When most people think of the German Shepherd dog, they envision footage of police chases where K-9 units take down a fleeing suspect. While this is a positive thing for the public, it also gives people a sense of the dog’s capabilities against a person which can be intimidating.

The German Shepherd ranks close with the Pit Bull in terms of bite force. It averages around 238 pounds, which makes it a formidable foe in a confrontation. This can be a big problem if the dog is not well socialized and trained. While it used to be relatively well liked, it has fallen from public favor mostly due to temperament issues and physical health of the breed.

One factor that some critics tend to forget is that the German Shepherd is a very common breed in many areas. They are easy to find, which leads to irresponsible breeding and poor care by inexperienced or uncaring owners and breeders. Bad breeding can lead to serious developmental and temperament flaws, which can cause individual dogs to be more fearful, aggressive and difficult to handle.

The best way to avoid this problem is to only adopt from reputable breeders who are genuinely interested in improving the breed. Also make sure the dog gets plenty of socializing, exercise and obedience training from a young age. Despite its declining reputation, the German shepherd still holds a spot as the second most popular dog in the U.S. and fourth most popular in the U.K.

06/11/2022

The Rottweiler is another breed with a very dangerous reputation. These dogs are built to be powerful and can become aggressive if they are not properly trained. While the Rottweiler may look scary, it’s actually known to be obedient, devoted and is very eager to work with its owner.

The breed possesses great herding and guarding instincts. The public’s negative view generally stems from owners who were irresponsible and caused serious behavior problems in their pets. They can also be very territorial, which means they are more likely to show signs of aggression when strangers are nearby.

Rottweilers are frequently used as guard dogs in film and media, which furthers their reputation as an imposing and dangerous breed. They are quite intimidating, with a muscular build and large size. The average female weighs between 77 and 105 pounds while males can reach between 110 and 132 pounds. That’s a lot of dog coming at a person should the Rottweiler decide to attack.

Unlike Pit Bulls and other fighting dogs, the Rottweiler was actually bred for herding and protection. Their history is believed to date as far back as Ancient Rome, where they may have descended from rugged drover dogs which were prized for their intelligence and guarding instinct.

One of the most dangerous characteristics of the Rottweiler is its strong biting ability. This breed can out-bite the Pit Bull in terms of force. The average Rottweiler can manage around 328 pounds of pressure when biting. To put that into perspective, the average adult person can produce around 120 pounds of bite force.

The good news is that despite its bad reputation, the Rottweiler is generally good natured, obedient and eager to work. When properly raised as a pup, this breed can serve as a helpful, confident companion. It’s good for protection but owners should still use caution when the dog is around children or strangers.

05/11/2022

After three big, bad bully breeds, it may seem strange to have a canine that’s so small in stature appear next. To their owners, Chihuahuas are adorable little dogs with big personalities.

To other, they are tiny tyrants. The Chihuahua can be loyal to a fault. They often intimidate strangers and are not recommended to have with children because they are easily provoked and will bite. This has earned them a very negative reputation among those who are not Chihuahua enthusiasts.

Physically, the Chihuahua doesn’t look intimidating at all, that is until it decides to bare its pearly whites. This breed isn’t scary because of its large size or muscly build. What makes it intimidating is the way it reacts and behaves.

The Chihuahua tends to take up the role of guardian of its owner and territory. They are fiercely devoted and it isn’t uncommon for the dog to attach itself to a specific person. When the tiny canine feels their human is being threatened, they won’t hesitate to take action. To them, they are doing their job. To us, they are possibly threatening a house guest or another pet.

Chihuahuas are also not good with other dogs. They are generally ok with dogs of the same breed (or a mixed breed that’s at least part Chihuahua), but may threaten or attack any other canines. This challenging personality is what has led to the breed’s negative reputation.

On the positive side, a person being attacked by a Chihuahua is far less likely to sustain life threatening injuries compared to someone being attacked by a larger breed. Their size is no excuse for owners to ignore their dog’s bad behavior. Even a small dog can cause painful damage that requires medical attention.

Good obedience training and socialization are a must to help tame the Chihuahua. Owners should still be aware of their individual dog’s personality to avoid potentially negative situations with other people and animals.

04/11/2022

The Boxer is sometimes considered another member of the Pit Bull category. They have the same strong build and powerful jaws, which immediately make some people uneasy. The Boxer is very energetic, which can lead to problems if the dog isn’t given enough opportunities to exercise.

They are smart, but require positive reinforcement more than correction which can make them difficult to handle for inexperienced owners. Despite their bad reputation, the Boxer is the seventh most popular dog breed in the United States.

Unfortunately a big part of the Boxer’s reputation comes from its looks rather than its behavior. This canine looks very similar to one of the breeds that people love to hate: the Pit Bull. It possesses a square build that’s very muscular. There’s no doubt the Boxer is a powerful dog, but its temperament isn’t the same as some of the breeds it is often associated with.

Most owners find that Boxers are good with people, including children. No large dog should be left alone with a very small child, but older children generally have no trouble with a well-adjusted Boxer.

Misunderstandings can lead to tense situations, which is part of the problem with this breed. The Boxer is very hyperactive and has a lot of energy. It’s known for being playful and often loves to run around, sometimes making a lot of noise. For a child, this can be intimidating – especially if the Boxer accidentally knocks them over or trips them.

To prevent a negative situation between Boxers and human beings, the owner needs to give the dog plenty of exercise to work off excess energy. Obedience training should also be provided to ensure that the dog will respond when commanded to sit down and stay put. Keeping the Boxer’s rambunctious antics at bay will help ensure everyone’s safety.

03/11/2022

The American Bulldog ranks among the tragically misunderstood “bully breeds”, often referred to as Pit Bulls. These breeds are often emphasized in news stories because they are very strong and can severely harm or kill a human being.

They were originally bread to bait bulls and bears, so they had to be very hardy and powerful. Unfortunately their reputation is further sullied by irresponsible people who train them for illegal dog fighting activities or use them for intimidation purposes.

One of the biggest issues that cause poor Bulldog behavior is socialization. Anyone who wants to raise an American Bulldog from puppyhood should prepare to offer significant socialization opportunities to their pet. This should include putting them in a variety of situations with different people of all ages – especially children.

The American Bulldog will naturally form a strong bond with their beloved owners. They may seem reserved or aloof with people they don’t know. Deep down they are very emotional canines who crave attention from their human companion. A Bulldog that’s properly raised and trained will be a loyal pet.

Problems can also arise when owners don’t recognize the limitations of their Bulldog. A dog that is fearful or feeling overwhelmed is more likely to lash out. Owners should be aware of the environment around their pet and be prepared to remove the dog, if the situation becomes too intense for the animal to handle.

American Bulldogs can apply around 235 pounds of force when they bite, which can cause serious damage should they choose to bite a human being. That bite can also be dangerous when the dog doesn’t intend to do significant harm.

In November 2013, a 7 year old girl in Xenia, Ohio was outside playing with her American Bulldog when the dog became aggressive and bit her leg, dragging her around the yard. When police arrived the dog was sitting nearby and the girl was otherwise unharmed. This situation could have been avoided with better supervision by an adult and a better understanding of how a child and large dog should play.

02/11/2022

02/11/2022

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