I met them outside running loose a couple of times when they escaped their yard. When I knelt down and called them, they came right to me. I had also stuck my hand through their gate a few times and gave them a scratch. These dogs weren't really unfriendly, just different, and they weren't interested in causing harm. Had I not had that previous experience, I probably wouldn't have entered their yard, though...

He was great as a puppy. Loved to go to the dog parks. We lived in Manhattan Beach back then. He loved to play ruff and would let bigger dogs roll him around. We'd take him with us to outdoor coffee houses and he was like the star of the neighborhood. People commented on how good natured he was, but one day a Dalmatian bit him and for a while he was only a problem whenever he saw one. I was told he'd change when he was two or so.
One morning at the park up on Main St. in Santa Monica a girl was there with a Pitt that she normally kept muzzled. People worried about that dog, but she was there by herself when we arrived and it was unmuzzled. I wasn't thinking I guess but turned Andy loose. They played for a very short while but the Pitt barked aggressively at Andy, and Andy just snapped. I've never seen anything go bad so quickly. Fierce would only be a hint of how he reacted, but the Pitt got him by the head. Suddenly the reason for their heavy fur around their head became apparent. Andy just stood there waiting for he Pitt to relax it's grip. The girl was frantic and I was tying to pull her dog off Andy – I later learned all you need to do is grab the nape of their neck, and twist – they'll let go. The Pitt relaxed his grip finally and Andy just spun around and tore the Pitts stomach open and pulled his guts out. Then he calmed right down and positioned himself between me and the girl. She was screaming, the Pitt was done for and I was completely shook with a adrenaline rush. I collared Andy and got him back to the car (nice old 250 SE) and started to go back to help the girl, but she'd totally lost it and was threatening me. I could see lawyers in my future, so I just drove away. That was it – never another dog park, and until we moved here, he has always been walked away from people and other animals. Now he's got the run of the place, but the gate is always locked, and everybody knows to call me so I can put him up before they come over.
His groomers love him and say he's fine unless I'm close by. He just thinks I need a bodyguard I guess.
I always need to keep him on a very short leash if we're going to encounter strangers.
In China they used to use them for fences. Walk them around your property when they are young and the will remember the exact property lines and you'll see Chow's facing each other across each others territory with no trouble – just don't think you can ever cross the line. When he was a little pup I walked him around the block and crossed the street before I got to an elementary school. From then on he would cross the street at that very spot, every time.

Thats a scene I really didnt want to visualise in my head. Holy isht.

Dang that is harsh -- better off where you guys are now, that's for sure...

Setting aside what one thinks of any of the breeds mentioned so far, don't discount the effect choosing certain breeds can have on your homeowners insurance.

When shopping for insurance this year, I contacted 8 different companies - every one asked about dog ownership, and when we answered "yes", wanted to know the breed. Once we passed that test, several of them further inquired as to where they were kept (indoors/outdoors), and whether we'd had any "incidents" since owning them. Several insurance reps specified certain breeds, which if owned, would result in denial of a policy or significantly higher rates.

In short...check with your insurance agent before selecting a breed. You might be in for a rude surprise...

Excellent advice "Curly." :D

Yes and no. What defines a Rott? What defines a Pit Bull? What defines a German Shepard. If you don't register them as that and register them as a mutt, you have a good chance of not having to answer the question. Also if you have had insurance then get a dog, I'm not sure if you have to keep them updated.

Nobody is talking about mutts here - all the posts have been breed specific.

Or were you suggesting deception in order to mislead the insurance company? If so - good luck when your "mutt" does something that requires a settlement.

Not suggesting anything. Just saying what I have heard people doing.

Surprised no one mentioned a Boxer. Great dogs, very atheletic and handsome looking dogs(especially with cropped ears). Great with kids... yet can be dangerous as a guard dog. They are full of energy, so if you don't have a yard or don't like taking dog walks... not the right breed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer_dog

Snibble, before I make this comment, I must point out that I defended you yesterday when that ******* from benzworld came on with his gay obsession website devoted to you, but Boxers are one of the worst breeds ever around kids. Among other anectdotes, I know of one such dog who has left the planet for biting a 3 y.o. on the face.......twice, despite being trained in a fairly high end run and living with family since the child was born.

Thanks for your defence... did not know he started something AGAIN yesterday. The guy (Rex) is an idiot and after being banned around 10 times under different user names, turns around and attacks everyone and everything. He's got a forum set up BTW... he's attacking even this forum, and calls on someone as "PLAYAHATTAR":rolleyes:

Regarding Boxers... I've had Boxers in my family and they were ALL good with kids. My mother even had one growing up and would tell me how her Boxer nursed Turkey chicks since she was the only one around when the chicks hatched. Not once did our Boxers attack anyone or bark at any child... although there were incidents where it scared a child and stole his lolli-pop.
Every breeder that I know of would highly recommend Boxers with families and children. It may have that your dog was one of those "bad apples".. which occur in nearly all breeds. People say German Shephards are smart and handsome looking dogs, while I agree... I'd never own one strictly because I was attacked by a loose one as a child and since then would look down on this breed.

Dude -- birds don't nurse. :D

If the claim is large enough, insurance companies will use anything they can to avoid paying out. If you intentionally misrepresented a fact (like the dog's breed)...say good-bye to your coverage.

I agree with you. Boxers make great family companions.

And in case someone did not click on the Wiki link that you posted, here is the section on the Boxer's temperament:

The character of the Boxer is of the greatest importance and demands the most careful attention. He is renowned for his great love and faithfulness to his master and household, his alertness, and fearless courage as a defender and protector. The Boxer is docile but distrustful of strangers. He is bright and friendly in play but brave and determined when roused. His intelligence and willing tractability, his modesty, and cleanliness make him a highly desirable family dog and cheerful companion. He is the soul of honesty and loyalty. He is never false or treacherous even in his old age.[5]


A one-year-old brindle and a 2-month-old fawn Boxer.Boxers are a bright, energetic and playful breed and tend to be very good with children. It's best if obedience training is started early since they also have a strong personality and therefore can be harder to train when older. Boxers earned a slight reputation of being "headstrong", which can be related to poor obedience-training. This, plus their strength might present a challenge for a first-time dog owner. It is also equally true that Boxers have a very long puppyhood and adolescence. They are not considered fully mature until age three, one of the longest times in dogdom, and thus need the early training to keep their high energy from wearing the owner out.

The Boxer by nature is not an aggressive or vicious breed but need socialisation to tolerate other dogs well.[6] His sometimes over-protective, territorial and dominating attitude, most intense in males, can be problematic. Boxers are very patient with smaller dogs but can be aggressive with larger dogs of the same sex. A poorly bred or trained dog is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals.

When we decided to get the Akitas and the Chow,people would approach us all sort of apocryphal stories about a "friend's" Akita or a "friend's" chow attacking young kids. I am glad that we did not listen to them.

BTW,not to change the subject, but the OT section at BenzWorld has become a total cesspool. I lurk, but I don;t dive in...I am afraid I'll catch a bug.

And one more thing just for you Snibble...GO TROJANS--FIGHT ON (but please have your boys at OSU beat the Longhorns!)