Question: To muzzle or not?

[Johnser]

Hi,

Sorry if this has been aproached before, but I would like to get your views on muzzling your Rott's.

I'm not sure of the law in the US or Canada, but here in Ireland, the Control of Dog's act makes sure that if you own a Rottweiler and you have him/her in pubic, then they must be muzzled.

I dont actually own a Rottweiler yet (I'm planning on getting one after the summer), but I have experience of the breed, as a friend of mine has always had Rottweilers in the house, and i find them really no different to Lab or collies in the temperement dept (if brought up properly).

I suppose when i get my Rottweiler, I will respect the law, and muzzle the dog in public, but I feel that with the dog muzzled, it just help to reinforce peoples stereotype of the breed, as a firece dog. I would prefer not to have to muzzle, as I like to be able to play with the dog (catch and Fetch)

I understand and repect that other peple out walking may not have the same views as us on Rottweilers, or had bad experiences with dogs in general. Also you cant leave the decision on whether to muzzle or not to the dogs owner, as lets face it, not everyone who owns a dog (not just Rotts) is responsible enough to bring up the dog properly (socialisation etc).

Anyway, just my 2 cents, just wanted to get your views.

John

[Brooke&Ryan]

Check out this thread. We talked about muzzles awhile ago & had a pretty interesting discussion...

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/sho...ghlight=muzzle


Brooke

[Judi W]

Not sure what your question is, however few places have muzzle laws here in the US unless a dog has shown itself to be vicious.

Please do not believe that the Rottweiler is the same as a collie or a lab. They are not and believing so can get you in trouble. Does that mean they are vicious? No, not at all. It does mean they are a strong minded and physically strong dog with a genetic heritage of guarding as opposed to minding sheep (although they can be excellent herding dogs) or fetching birds. Do not discount genetic selection and influence.

[jasper's_mommy]

Originally Posted by Johnser

i find them really no different to Lab or collies in the temperement dept (if brought up properly).

Not exactly sure what you mean by "temperment" but as someone who has owned many labs, I totally disagree with this statement. Rottweilers have very different characteristics from labs, and certainly from collies. I think if you do some research, and read up on this site you will find that to be true.

[Vivianne]

Hello John,

Unfortunately the law must be obeyed at all times. I can sympathize with you about wanting to interact with your dog (playing fetch) out in public. Does the law apply to your own backyard too? If not then interaction there would do just fine. How about other public venues such as dog parks, training and obedience classes, does that law apply there too?

I’d try to make the dog comfortable about wearing the muzzle too. Since it’s a law in your country I would start him/her at a young age. People have the negative connotation about a dog wearing a muzzle. In my opinion the dog would care less if he were accustomed to wearing it at a young age. Similar to how they get used to their collars and being led by a leash. It’s unfortunate that this law exists in your country.

[Johnser]

Of course your right that a Rott is not the same as a collie or a lab, sorry I may not have worded myself correctly.

By temperement and my reference to the Lab and Collie, was what people think when see a Collie or Lab walking with its owner, they tend to assume one thing, but if they see a Rottweiler with a muzzle on they assume another.

Sorry for the confusion.

[Johnser]

Hi Vivianne,

The control of dogs act here in Ireland covers quite a few breeds from german Shepards to Rodesian Ridgebacks to the Pitt Bull and of course the Rottweiler.

The law covers your dog any where in public, be that parks or in your neighbourhood. Anywhere the dog has a chance of interacting with the public. However it doesnt cover your own yard, so at least I'll have some where to play with her.

I agree with the muzzle training, start young. I just wanted to get peoples opinions on having to use a muzzle.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by Johnser

..here in Ireland, the Control of Dog's act makes sure that if you own a Rottweiler and you have him/her in pubic, then they must be muzzled.

Does the dog have to be actually muzzled??

Years ago I remember seeing a picture of a couple walking a dog (wasn't a Rottie) in a country in Europe (I don't remember which) and the dog had a muzzle dangling from its neck. The law said dogs needed to wear a muzzle when in public, but didn't stipulate WHERE the dog had to wear the muzzle; owners attached muzzles to the collars of their dogs and obeyed the law.

[Raksha]

if it's the law it sounds as if you're going to have to muzzle the dog. Though I have heard of several instances where the dog has just had the muzzle dangle like AngelBunny pointed out. Good luck with that.

[Roxibear]

I thought Irelands dog law was similar to here in scotland. Its only pitbulls here. I would be horrified if muzzling was forced here. That said if its introduced from puppyhood then it wouldn't be a problem. There was a strong lobby here about 10-15 years ago to add Rotties to the DDA. Gladly most owners these days seem to be responsible. Rotties are becoming extremely popular again though which is a concern.

[Johnser]

Actually what a great point, but I think that they changed it in 1999 to state that the dog has to be muzzled, and not just wearing a muzzle.

Here is a copy and paste from the actual act.

The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 442 of 1998) which came into effect on the 1 February, 1999, consolidate and update earlier regulations.

The Regulations place controls on certain breeds of dogs, namely the American Pit Bull Terrier, English Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Bull Mastiff, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd (Alsatian), Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Japanese Akita, Japanese Tosa and Bandog and to strains and crosses of these dogs.

These controls require that:

• These dogs, or types and crosses thereof, must whenever they are in a public place, be kept on a short strong lead by a person over 16 years of age who is capable of controlling them, and

• These dogs must be muzzled whenever they are in a public place.

As I said earlier, I have no problem with the law, just prefer not to.

The link which Brook&Ryan so graciously gave me, was right on the money, great debate, thanks for the link.

My reason for asking this question, was when I explained to some people that I was thinking of getting a Rottweiler, their uneducated response was why do you want to get a vicious dog. This slid the argument towards the muzzle and my opinion, that a muzzle on a dog makes people think that they are vicious, when in fact they may not be. Anyway just my 2 cents.

Another point, on another local forum, a question close to this was raised, and a German Shepard owner said that with his dog muzzled, the Police actually stopped him once and asked why the dog was muzzled? Thats another debate, but I actually very rarely see any of the breeds listed above muzzled in my neighbourhood.

John

[Judi W]

I strongly suggest that you not play games by hanging the muzzle around the dog's neck. That can be a good way to get your dog confiscated.

I once lived in a place with a similar restriction. I had two Dobermans at the time and although they were both older and had never been muzzled, after the first couple of outings, they believed that the muzzles meant an adventure and would bring me their muzzles and leashes when they wanted to go out.

[Judi W]

PS,
Look at it this way. No one can claim your dog bit them or was a danger to them.

[Johnser]

Absolutely. I suppose I never looked at as an extension to the lead! With my previous dogs, when I got out the lead, you can just imagine the reaction from the dogs, tails going mad etc. If I approach it that way, then I dont think that I would feel too bad.

You've just made my day.

John

[groupieindenial]

I don't think we have something in place nationally, I believe individual townships and cities put in place thier own bylaws in Canada. For example the city I live in, Waterloo have banned the ownership of Pitbulls a few years ago. If you already had one, it now needs to be muzzled when out in public. THis bylaw does not apply to Rotties, thank god, although most people thought they were put in with the legislation because it was up for discussion at the time, but axed. So I'm sure I will get some flack as Vegas grows up from people not knowing what the exact bylaw is.