All great things...if people can keep 'em to themselves

There shouldn't be laws against dogs, there should be laws against the idiots that want them...

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

I'm diggin' the grey fellas coat.

I've owned Great Danes and boxers for most of my life. My Danes were wimps...they would hide behind the shed when someone was over...all bark, no bite.

My Boxers are a bit different. I have one, the Alpha of that group, that, if I or a member of my direct family were threatened or in danger, would chase you, hunt you down and finish you off. He'd also be the first to take a bullet for me. He is an American Standard. The second Boxer, a German Standard wouldn't leave my side, licking me to nurse me back. He was the one that licked my face after I passed out last week, then helped me get to the home phone so I could call my wife.

The third is useless as dogs fo. He's a rescue that spent the first 9 months of his life in a cage, only let out once a day fro about an hour or so...they didn't know anything about the breed and otherwise abused him by doing this to him. It took 8 long months to get him to understand that he's part of the family, and that none of us would do him harm. Now he thinks he's a lap puppy, always acting like a baby until one of the women folk of the house picks hum up and coddles him...useless, I tell you, but part of the family no matter how you look at it. he was bred solely for his coloring and skeletal structure...he's absolutely perfect in those manners, but has major skin conditions that require a special diet, weekly baths with special shampoos, etc. He, by far, has been the most expensive boxer we've ever had.

I rather like the imposing appearance of the two breeds listed above. I'd rather someone be a bit nervous around them and NOT approach my wife or kids when they are out on a walk. But, I know they are well protected by these dogs if something ever happens.

As for Pits...They can be great dogs, but there is too many bad breeders out there and not enough good blood lines for me to trust bringing one into my house. It would take years to research each breeder to find one that I'm willing to work with.

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles

Unfortunately statistics don't tell the full picture and as with any other statistic, one must look behind the numbers. There is no doubt that these dogs can be aggressive (but usually towards other dogs as that's what they are bred for) and there no question that they have the strength to inflict serious damage.

But if you neglect the fact that they are also the most abused breed, and the type of owners that seem to gravitate towards them, then the statistics begin to lack substance.

It would be like like arguing that because fewer people are likely to be shot in a country that does not allow personal gun ownership; therefore all countries should ban personal gun ownership.

Well... of course countries that don't allow guns will have less gun crime but should that mean that you, a responsible individual should be banned from owning one?

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With best regards

Al

Very well said mate.

Soap-opera actor Nick Santino committed suicide after beloved dog euthanized - NYPOST.com

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

Since Pit Bulls are bred specifically for the purpose of killing other dogs, that in itself means that they should be treated as potentially dangerous animals and that care should be taken with them when they are around other dogs. That being said, any dog's temperament is affected more by how socialized they are by the owner, IMO, than they are by genetics. Dogs that are used to being around people and other dogs are generally better behaved dogs, no matter what the breed. One must, however, recognize that pit bulls have been bred for a purpose: to fight and kill other dogs. Any responsible owner should recognize that they do not own a poodle, and act accordingly. Small children and other dogs are simply not safe around this breed.

As said above, there does seem to be a bigger reason for their bad reputation. Houston, for example, has a real problem with pit bulls and pit bull mixes that have been abandoned by the tattooed and ear-ringed apartment dweller set. Most of these losers want to own a pit bull to prove how tough they are, and they mistreat the animals in order to make them more vicious in order to inflate their low-life egos. When they end up abandoned, they attack other pets, kids and joggers, and give the well mannered ones a bad name. A lot of dog owners here have taken to packing heat when they walk their dogs for fear they might run into one of these vagrant dogs.

I've been around some Great Danes, boxers and a few pits. The GD, were basically, left for wild or penned up. SO it would be hard to judge the breed from them. Still, fairly imposing dog. The female was afriad for her own shadow. I did surprise her one night, and she spun up from the floor with her teeth inches from my throat. Mintues latter, she was quivering wanting to be petted.
Boxers also seem to be imposing. I'd take my brothers fishing with me. He'd bark at people, wanting them to come pet him. I think simular to yours, he was left alone to much when a pup. He did good sensing, if you wanted to play rough or not. Also, I think he understod basic words or sentances. They are or can be very protective. I have been attacked by one. I pushed the envelope. I was warned she would bit. Fortunately, I was quicker. Its kind of fun to throw a boxer in the air.
I don't trust pitbulls. I don't know exactly why. I will say, that some I have been around, it was probably more a lack of training by the owners.
Tom

Sshh... he owns a gun.

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'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

My family dog sat a pitbull that was a rescue from a shelter. Best dog ever! He was a puppy so he had to be taught to not do certain things but he was very loving and never showed any signs of aggression.

Great Danes are generally considered great family dogs, as their temperment tends to make them couch potatoes, and lap dogs, like most large breeds.

In my experience, I've been around great pits, rots, and dobies; and I have also been around absolutely terrible owners of the same breeds, but never at the same time.

Michael Vick seems to enjoy the breed.....

The problem with pits is the inbreeding, mother to son, father to daughter which results in a stability problem. They can be nice and pleasant to be around for years and then WHAM! they twist off and go for the jugular, leg, or whatever happens to be in the vicinity.....


they can climb trees or fences and get into your back yard without you knowing it, and when they attack you or your pets, it can result in serious injury or even death. As a result of their attributes, Denver, Colorado has BANNED the breed.....


Pit bulls, the perfect unstable, unpredictable weapon......

Due to the chart listed above, we had to take out a $100k liability policy on each of our Danes when I lived in Ohio.

Our Danes were some of the best pets, as you described. Moses, our prized stud, had his own loveseat in the house, and only myself or my mom would sit on it...everyone else would cause him to pace back and forth, staring at them. LOL

It broke my heart when we had to put him down...best damned friend I've ever had.

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles

Don't remember where this picture came from so please delete it if needs be.

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Lol! Smashing photo.