Law to state which breeds are suitable for you?

[kendal]

this is a debate that is on another forum but i thaught i would post it hear.

[Alan and Lynsey]

This is a tough one kendal, i think the only way someone will get experience with anything is to try it first hand, i had never had a dog before getting meg, i had no idea what to do/ expect from her. i know she is a small dog but if i had the room my first dog would have been a Japanese Akita, which is a bigger breed than a cocker.

i think its down to the individual to decide, but i think a new owner should always look to see what size there dog could become before buying it, there is no point buying a dog you cant control due to it being too powerful, if you look at me i have a small cocker but i would like to think i could control a bigger dog if i chose to get one. but saying that the size of the person is not always important because lorna has two big beautiful great danes and she controls them no problem but again she has alot of experience with bigger dogs, as i said before i think the only way to gain experience is to try it first hand.

if you have a good group of people like this club it would make things easier.


ps; lorna hope you don't mind the mention during my rant, it was a complement.
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Cheers,

Alan, Lynsey, Meg, Peanut and new arrival Bella

[Dave Rowland]

this law could be applied to reptiles and snakes, etc....

I dont think it would workable... if my dad died and then passed a powerful dog to me then I suddenly have a problem if I was inexperienced. So no I don't think it works.

Controlling breeding is the only answer to me, but I am unclear of how to implement or even understand what we have now.
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Quoting Jack: you know me - a complete hopeless case & Sadly - and mark it in your diaries folks as you won't see this happen often - but <gulp> I HAVE to agree with Dave on this.
Quoting Kendal: coulu you decapitate innes for me please

[kendal]

[steve young]

Very difficult to implement something like this.

How do you measure experience? Written exam? Time served with an 'easier' to handle dog. How committed is the owner?

It all depends on the individual and the dog/breed in question. You have strong/confident and capable people that may never have had a dog before but are more than able to handle a more challenging dog.

On the other hand you might have a 'weaker' less able owner who has had 'easy' dogs all their life but that doesn't mean they could handle a powerful breed.

More should be done to raise awareness and set peoples expectations of what life with certain breeds are likely to involve.

Interesting idea though.


Allan says:" if you look at me i have a small cocker"

Doesn't matter about the size of your cocker, it's what you do with it that counts.

Aye Allan, I think you could handle a big dog too:D

Also, you can't necessarily assume a dog of a certain breed will act a certain way.
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Steve Young
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Dogs: Sasha (10 yr Lurcher, male) and Mylo (1 yr Shepweiler, male)
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[Alan and Lynsey]

very good Steve, truly laughed my ass off when i seen your comment.

[Christina McDermott]

This is very interesting. When we got Fergus our 1st kerry Blue, the breeder was on the phone to us for at least 1.5 hours before he told us that we could have 1 off the pups. Then weekly thereafter. Questioning our Knowledge about the Breed. We were fortunate that Marks Mum had a Kerry and I still believe that the only reason we got him was because of this.

Kerries are on the endangered dog list at the KC. The year that we got Fergus 283 pups were registered in the UK. when we got Paddy n Finn last year 198 had been registered and we have 2!! Same process though.

Another problem that they Kerry Breeders have is that because so few are born they are still trying to get the perfect one - which I totally disagree with.

I had some breeders telling me that they would be able to give me a bitch at 2 to 3 years old after they had a litter. I wanted a pup and disagree with this practice. Fortunately I found Sue our dogs breeder who does show but is Very open and honest and I have learned a lot from her. Paddy n Finn were one of 3 and as she could not find a suitable home for the wee girl she kept her. So she has Polly (daughter) Dannan (Mum) Ellie (Gran) and Bob (Uncle) she shows the oldest.

In a sense I do agree with people having experience of the Breed. Its worked for us but I do not think we should have "Big Brother" telling us what we can and can not have. ie. If you offer a Dog a loving home, discipline, and a life that is perfect like we all do to our animals then no one should tell us what we can do. Too many dogs and other animals are looking for their forever home.

Sorry for the rant but I fell stongly about this.

Christina
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Christina

http://www.kerryblues.info/

http://www.secondchancekennels.org/index.php

[Lorna]

I don't mind at all, Alan. Thank you for the compliment. My Grandma bred Bedlingtons but was the local rescue centre as far as the locals were concerned. Because of this I grew up with lots of odd dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, geese...
My Mum had German Shepherds. When I was growing up I lucky I was always around animals.

When I home check for SGD rescue, I have to ensure that the people are suitable to take on our dogs. Strength isn't in it. We do prefer experienced owners of big dogs, but understanding all that is involved in your chosen breed is what is vital. A lifestyle that suits the breed is necessary.

Breeders, GOOD breeders, do check suitability.

I do not see how this could be governed by an authority.
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Regards,
Lorna, Basil & Poppy
Great Danes are not substitute children. They are much more important than that!

[Suzanne H]

Responsible people put a lot of thought into which breed to get and responsible breeders only give their dogs to people who they think deserve them.

We knew what we were getting into - our dogs are exactly what they say they are on the tin ie be prepared to go outside...a lot.

It's a nice idea but unworkable - what about crossbreeds?

Clamping down on irresponsible breeding might help, but but bear in mind you can bring another human being into this world without a by your leave. Put a stop to irresponsible human breeding and you'll solve the dog problems over night .

[lynn 01]

I have to agree with Alan on this one. If I had had to be tested prior to getting Bubbs I would never have been lucky enough to have her. I had no experience at all with dogs prior to her but although there has been a lot of trying times we are getting there together
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My life belongs to a Collie

[Isabel]

I think it is really important for people to do research on the breed of dog they may get to check that they have the time and capability to suit the dogs needs. Unfortunately there will be people out there who would get a certain dog type whether it suited them or not and wouldn't care about the outcome of it. I think dog licensing would probably be a good thing but i don't know how easy it is to police. Lots of things are illegal but people still do them and get away with it.

[Jack]

Some excellent and well thought out and argued posts.

I think owners, POTENTIAL owners of "strong" breeds OR Alpha dogs IRRESPECTIVE of breed should be tested to check suitability (and yes it IS evident from birth which pup is and will be the Alpha of them all).

I feel very strongly that some form of legislation should be brought in to protect the DOGS. Given the breed that is my total heart and soul I am sick of numpties having them and failing to control them thereby giving all well socialised and mannered Staffs a bad name and causing people to not give a damn about the abuse they suffer at mans hand.
Don't even get me started on what I think of the scum who abuse and force them to fight.

This legislation would be nigh on impossible to police though - we all KNOW Pit Bull Terriers are banned in this country yet I have seen at least 2 or 3 in my local area alone. These dogs were VERY well under control and evidently well loved and cared for (and yes I had HUGE kisses and cuddles from them lol) but the vast majority are not. Add to the fact they are increasingly being crossbred with Staffies it is getting more and more difficult to establish what is and is not a Pit or Pit cross. If the law can't even get that right what chance does this legislation stand?

As someone else has already said - you see humans breeding indiscriminately and dragging their kids up so they wouldn't give a stuff about OR be willing to participate in this scheme.

I'd like to see each and every owner of ANY animal undertake some basic training to prove they can handle ANY animal and perhaps more stringent courses for those who favour "strong" breeds - I'd be more than happy to do it. Perhaps the way forward is to include it within the school curriculum to ensure you get each and every single person at an early point of their life - call the lesson Animal Welfare perhaps and encompass EVERY aspect of care from grooming/feeding through to basic first aid, how to train and lovingly control your animal down to how to SAFELY break up a fight? Again - I'd be happy to be involved in that - in fact I would LOVE to teach that!!!!!! Maybe then we'd see a LOT less cruelty happening in this country? Food for thought methinks
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk