[lblax]

recently there was a thread about a florida attack, i do not want to get the dicussion going again as the thread was closed and regardless of who did this or that it was a horrible thing. i'm starting this thread because so many misconceptions by owners of what they believe about there dogs is one of the reason that there are attacks. following are a few quotes from that thread that i would like to resond to

don't think it is acceptable for your dog to attack anyone who doesn't pose a threat. Shouldn't a dog of sound mind be able to tell that a ten year old boy is not "threatening" their environment?? Sadly, if this happened w/ my dog (which it NEVER would); I would make the choice to euthanize her . Mauling a child is NEVER acceptable in my book

dogs are not human and do not think like humans and dogs do not distinguish between adults/children they see them as not dogs period so an attack on a human is just that ,an attack on a human. here is one of the most dangerous statemants an owner can make

Sadly, if this happened w/ my dog (which it NEVER would);

regardless of the tempermant of the dog it can happen at any time and anyone who doesnt believe that there large breed working dogs are dangerous are mis informed.

the next comment worth looking at

Obelix: I am sure you are far more experienced in Rottweilers than I am; however, my opinion of the topic remains the same. I do not think a 10 yr old child hopping over the fence warrants a vicious attack. Shouldn't a dog take time to evaluate the situation; determine if they are in need of defending? What if the child had knocked on the door and walked into the backyard? Are you saying if someone enters your property w/o you, your dog is warranted to attack?? I just think that this goes against what I know of the breed.

dogs simply do not sit back and evaluate situation and again the child thing makes no differance, again these dogs may have if running free played with these children. and while i have 2 very strong good tempermant dogs that i feel safe bringing anyone in my home of any age and let them play or whatever if someone comes into there territory univited and not familier to the dogs they would more in likely be attacked. ive done everything physically possible (as everyone should) to keep the dogs contained and everyone out.

the third point

Temperament
The Rottweiler is basically a calm, confident and courageous dog with a self-assured aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. A Rottweiler is self-confident and responds quietly and with a wait-and-see attitude to influences in his environment. He has an inherent desire to protect home and family, and is an intelligent dog of extreme hardness and adaptability with a strong willingness to work, making him especially suited as a companion, guardian and general all-purpose dog.

actuallythe dogs in question probably fit this to a tee once a fence is breached the wait and see attitude is done. what makes large working breeds dangerous is there owner and sadly enough it isnt usually a lack of training its lack of general canine behaviour by the owner by putting human emotion/thinking processes/and over trust in your animals is the danger. many if not most maulings start out as a non aggresive game with the dog. dogs have drives and this is what they live by period for example lets consider a dog that hasnt been all worked up with outside stimulas just walking down the street or in your yard the dog runs up to someone several things can happen at this point , nothing happens or lets say a person freaks and runs prey drive kicks in and now its a game the ddog will catch you even at this point the calming demeaner of the prey can avoid futher action but people reacte by running pushing kicking which is big fun for a dog , the mauling starts because the dog is determined to catch and hold its prey. the hardder the person trys to get away the harder the dog fights and the more fun it is for the dog.

im going to close this that the real dangers to our breed are owners that belive the following
my dog would never bite anyone
putting human emotions into animals
and believing that dogs actually reason out situations

in closing i think we have the start of a good discussion here but please DO NOT BRING UP THE FLORIDA SITUATION BECAUSE THAT IS CLOSED FOR DISCUSSION