Lifted from a comment I made elsewhere on the web.
Is it really the case that German Shepherds are necessarily good with kids? A small boy, the relative of one of my classmates, was playing peacefully, disturbing no one. His aunt's German Shepherd woke up and-with no provocation-ran over and attacked the little boy.
They are also the breed responsible for the most deaths in Germany.
Not that German Shepherds, or any breed, are necessarily bad dogs. But some breeds take more skillful ownership than others.
Also, it's very very irresponsible to say that any type of dog can be trusted to always be gentle with children. Especially bad to make that statement based on breed alone. And no child can be trusted to always be good with dogs, or to always act safely around dogs.
Also, most pitbulls are lousy guard dogs and lousy attack dogs. Why?Because most pitbulls are very friendly towards all human beings (not always to other dogs!). They are, however, one of the breeds that require skillful ownership. Like the German Shepherd and many others. A complex and powerful breed owned by an incompetent owner, may become dangerous to the wrong people. But don't get me wrong, pitbulls are naturally friendly and affectionate to humans.
My words are based on experience gained from volunteering in an animal shelter, and owning a pitbull (sweet dog, but a lot of work. Three hours of exercise a day. A lot of work.)
Is it really the case that German Shepherds are necessarily good with kids? A small boy, the relative of one of my classmates, was playing peacefully, disturbing no one. His aunt's German Shepherd woke up and-with no provocation-ran over and attacked the little boy.
They are also the breed responsible for the most deaths in Germany.
Not that German Shepherds, or any breed, are necessarily bad dogs. But some breeds take more skillful ownership than others.
Also, it's very very irresponsible to say that any type of dog can be trusted to always be gentle with children. Especially bad to make that statement based on breed alone. And no child can be trusted to always be good with dogs, or to always act safely around dogs.
Also, most pitbulls are lousy guard dogs and lousy attack dogs. Why?Because most pitbulls are very friendly towards all human beings (not always to other dogs!). They are, however, one of the breeds that require skillful ownership. Like the German Shepherd and many others. A complex and powerful breed owned by an incompetent owner, may become dangerous to the wrong people. But don't get me wrong, pitbulls are naturally friendly and affectionate to humans.
My words are based on experience gained from volunteering in an animal shelter, and owning a pitbull (sweet dog, but a lot of work. Three hours of exercise a day. A lot of work.)
