I had to giggle, " most aggressive dogs"

[cheapcheap_jeepjeep]

I would have to agree with the list also even the border collie. I own a border collie that can be the sweeted dog ever one minute and the next snap at you. I all have 7 other dogs so 8 total. I one dog that I find if not trained right and socialized alot is an Norweigan Elkhound. I have two of them Great dogs 95% of the time but they are also a little to much of a guard dog. GSD is still a puppy at 11 months but at 80 lbs she looks mean when she runs at you barking or not. Any dog can you good or bad it depends on US as humans to make the dogs a good dog.

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Yes it is funny.. No one would peg a Weiner Dog as being the top most aggressive breed.

But seriously, I have worked rescue for 15 years in RI and worked with many pounds and shelters and clinics and I am telling you the worst dogs we see are the ones people would never guess, the Labs, Goldens, Chihuahuas, Poms, GSD's, etc.
And I think it's a matter of the way they are raised, alot of people assume these well known breeds are "safe" and give them a mile right off the bat with their kids and home and never set boundaires based on the fact that ____ breed is supposed to be a great family dog, and then in a year they just cannot wrap their little heads around why Fido bit Jr. or his friend and now needs to go to the pound...
Unfortunately it's the same syndome if you will with alot of the people who purchase Great Pyrs and other Livestock Guardian Dogs, they hear all theses almost super natural stories about the dogs innate qualities and that they come naturally and no training is needed, but then come here and cannot understand why he ate their chickens when they just tossed him in with their animals with no training...

It's like these dogs are doomed from the get-go due to humans who won't do the research.

Just because a dogs breed is LABELED as a great family dog does not for one minute mean it will be born knowing exactly how to react to every kind of stressor that comes with kids and rowdy family life. Were you born knowing how to use the toilet, walk, read, write, and eat? I think not.

And I completely agree the Evil Little Dog statement. It's SO true. I have a 5 pound Chihuahua male who is much better than he was when I got him in April, but who rules the 8 year old 110pound Black Lab and gives everyone that "I'm gonna bite you if you come any closer" look. Though he hasn't ever bitten anyone. I socialized the crap out of him when I got him when I noticed that he was acting like your typical Chi, snapping at people when they came close, etc. Now he just gives "the look" but will tolerate petting and my Mom ticks him off on purpose and kisses him and he just looks at me like "Come on, REALLY?" "Fine, I'll put up with it because you want me to."

Having a good dog is not Rocket Science. I know the secret and I am not about to tell you that you need to pay $19.95 to get it. Listen closely:

Socialize.
Train.
Socialize.
Train.
Socialize.
Train.
Socialize.
Train.
Repeat over the entire life of the dog.

For the record, I have never met a Pitbull, Rottie, Dobie, Bulldog, etc. that I didn't like.
I did meet a nasty Akita once but he was rabid and couldn't help wanting to eat me.
I helped put him down and it was heartbreaking. But the rabies shot I had to get afterwards hurt alot worse.

 

[Chickenmaven]

I am petrifed of Dachsunds and Chihuahuas!

 

[PineappleMama]

Well that is NOT good.

We have two doxies and Matt is half Chihuahua (supposedly)...

 

[PaintedGemsRanch]

When it comes to family our dobie, Roxy, is the most loyal dog. Even as a pup she let our infant son crawl all over her. Friends come to our house and see him "riding" her and they freak! "Oh my, she wont hurt him????" We have to explain to them that just becuase shes a doberman doesnt mean shes aggressive but dont think you can come walking into our backyard or our home and think youll get away with it. Our really good friend is still afraid to come into the backyard if he sees her out, even if she knows you she will still bark/growl to let us know someones here. I couldnt ask for a better dog for our one year old though. So loyal! Oh.... we also have an Aussie, same thing goes for her too. Gentle with her family, but a great dog for protection.

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Me loves a red and tan dobie

Beautiful dog!
I love her ears!

 

[3goodeggs]

I love the pictures of all of your dogs!
The ONLY dog bite that I ever had was when I was three and tried to kiss a weiner dog on the nose.
A wiener dog hanging from your upper lip isn't a good thing.
On the up side, as I have aged, the scar is starting to blend in with the wrinkles, so it isn't as noticeable.
But YEA, absolutely, small dogs give me the nervous Nellies. I worry the entire time I am around them...and no more kisses. I am a quick learner. Give me a big dog that I can pet without bending over any day.

 

[PaintedGemsRanch]

Quote:
Thank you... we were so sad that that one ear didnt stand but it makes her, her

 

[thebritt]

I, too, worked at a vet clinic and have volunteered at the Humane Society. The only bite I ever got was from a SEDATED chihuahua! I went to pick it up after it had it's pre-surgery sedation and it managed to latch onto my pinky fingernail...OUCH! Blood everywhere! I think the beagle is the only breed on the list I've never had a problem with. As mentioned - it's generally the owners' fault with these tiny dogs. They're allowed on the furniture, carried around, and rarely taught to be good DOGS. We have a Chi/doxie cross that my DH has allowed to get away with anything - feeds her off his plate, laughs when she snarles at anyone but him (then he takes it personally!), etc. She's now dying due to an enlarged heart - probably in part due to the stress of always thinking she has to be in charge (we have 6 other dogs). I love that show "It's Me or the Dog" when Gloria Stillwell tells the owners of snappy little dogs to put them on the floor the second they get defensive of their space/person on the couch. The owners are so reluctant, yet when they follow her advice, it's like INSTANT behavior modification!

 

[Sunny the Hippie Chick]

I have owned a

*German Shepard.. Big sweety. Unless they saw some one holding a gun. If she met someone she didnt like. She would get between you and them, and start pushing you in a different direction.

*Border Collie... Sweet dog. Not a mean bone in her body. But she did like to run off. But she alway came home.

*Blue Heeler mix (Australian Cattle Dog) Most loyal dog I ever had. Reserve with strangers. Not unpredictable. But if some one hit me. She would go after them. Other than that the best dog I ever had. She live 14 3/4 years. Also she was the healthest dog I ever had. She only passed cause she didnt make it through surgery when she was having a tumor removed from her leg.

*Chihuahuas.. Oh my. I have one that is the sweetest thing you ever met. She would love on any one. I have one that is scared of every thing and every one. I cant even pick him up if he is standing on the floor. You have to wait for him to get on your lap. Then I have one that is the most hyper thing I ever saw. We nicknamed her spaz. Then there is my most socialized of the group. And the meanest. NO one I mean no one can touch her if they are not imediate family. If I take her to the vet they have to put a muzzle on a chihuahua. Its hard to find one in such a small size. She had to have surgery. I put the muzzle on her. After the surgery they took it off while she was in the recovery. I went to pick her up and no one would go back there to get her. They all drew straws and that person didnt want to get her either. So I had to go back and get her out of the cage. No one will get in my car with her in there. This mean chi used to be friendly. Until one day some one didnt properly introduce themselves to her. Let them smell them first. And they just picked her straight up. And she bit them on the face. After that, she has never been the same. No matter how much training you give her. I tell you one thing. After all these chis die of old age. No more of them for me.

*Great Dane/ Bull Mastiff mix. The best kids dog in the world. My cousin that was only 3 could do any thing to that dog. His favorit thing was to count the dogs teeth. She would just sit there with her mouth open till he got done. Many many times you would find them both sleeping on the floor together. And if the kids was crawling around on the floor the dog was very careful not to step on him. It actually looked like Mocha the dog was walking on her head to avoid hurting any one. Same with the cats. She was very very careful never to step on any thing smaller than here. That was the best dog I ever had. She was so young when she died. At 2 1/2 years old. She was abused when I got her. And from the abuse, caused problems that couldnt be fixed. But even though she was abused. She never took it out on any one. Maybe she knew we saved her and gave her the best last 2 years of her life. If I had the room and could afford the feed bill. I would get more Danes.

My mom has owned

*Pitts. They are the most loveable and loyal dogs. I would trust them with any thing. Kid or cat. My moms pit named Spud would groom the cats and a pet rabbit. Was the greatest dog with little kids that I have ever seen. I have never seen a mean one yet. But I do know they are out there. But its not the dog. Its that they were raised to be mean. And/or no training.

*Lab.. (May have been a mix)The most unpredictable do I have ever see. Killed every animal smaller than it. It would deskin any thing the size of a raccon and down. I wouldnt have trusted my kid with that dog for one second. It was actually put down because it was so mean. But it was never mean to adults. But being put down was better for the dog, better than someone getting bit. And no, training never helped that dog. But I have seen many many great labs out there too. Im thinking it may have been a mix, and what it was mixed with made it mean. Ive never seen a mean lab before him. And there are alot of labs in the area.

My grandma owns
*Chow and Golden Retriever Mix. Just those two breeds. That is the most friendly dog I have ever seen. I thought it would be a bit more mean. Nope. He will bark. But after he meets you for a few minutes. He wont stop bugging you for attention. And kisses. And more petting. But he is a bit hyper and likes to jump. But he is still a bit young. The jumping problem has almost been trained out of him.

Thats my long winded view on dogs. But there are good and bad dogs in every breed. And mostly depends on their training. But its not always a training issue I dont think. Cause even the best trainer can still end up with a mean dog.