Born Aggressive?

[Sharoo]

I saw the cutest puppy at dog obedience school on Tuesday. It was a Staffy.
Kimba went to smell the pup and it snapped and fully attacked her, not just an "im the boss' show, an actual attack, Kimba shot back between my legs In shock at what happened. The pup still had all its teeth showing, growling and trying to get the Kimba.

I've known the lady for a while (neighbours mum) and she has always had Staffys. He last one was the most gorgeous friendly thing. he would walk to the bus stop by himself everyday and wait for the 2 girls to get off the bus!

I know the lady wouldn't have hurt the dog or anything to have it as agro as that. (The vet suggested the training to calm him down.)

In my whole life I have never seen such an agro dog, let alone a puppy.

Are some dogs just born aggressive? I know some people can train them to be mean & Nasty but I know she wouldn't do it.(She said he was fine with people not dogs)

[rhiannan]

all in the up bringing. maybe she hadnt been socolised yet

[dogforums4everyone]

thats why breeders breed for temperament
maybe the parents were the same?

[Beau]

*Just bumping an old thread* Yes some dogs are born Agressive, or should I say more agressive than siblings. It would be hard to tell what environmental factors lead to agression in this case.

But believe me some dogs ARE born more agressive than others, especially when it comes to bull and terrier breeds and dog agression. Some pups run hot to use the term and will have to be seperated from the rest of the litter for the siblings safety.

I dont see too much wrong with having a DA dog, it is just correct management that ensures it will not be a problem within the community.
Beau

[ChoppaChop]

Originally Posted by Beau

*Just bumping an old thread* Yes some dogs are born Agressive, or should I say more agressive than siblings. It would be hard to tell what environmental factors lead to agression in this case.

But believe me some dogs ARE born more agressive than others, especially when it comes to bull and terrier breeds and dog agression. Some pups run hot to use the term and will have to be seperated from the rest of the litter for the siblings safety.

I dont see too much wrong with having a DA dog, it is just correct management that ensures it will not be a problem within the community.
Beau

Yep , pretty much what Beau has said.

[Occy]

It disturbs me that you would suggest there is not much wrong with owning a DA dog. Having lived with one for the past 11 years I can tell you there is heaps wrong and it is something that should never be encouraged.

I love my dog and wouldn't swap him for the world, but I wouldn't wish him on anyone.

Back to the topic, it is a nature v nurture debate. A dog born with a more nervous temperment is more open to being soured, even whilst with his litter.

A child grows up in a loving family, no abuse, no probs, and when they hit maturity they start to change. They start to do little things, squash ants and flies for the hell of it, things that their parents don't really see or pay attention to. The child turns 15, they are an expert shot because dad takes them shooting at the local club. They know how to shoot safely and how to respect guns. On his 15th birthday the young bloke goes shooting with mates.

the next day they find his mates shot dead.

Was this kid born evil?
Was he conditioned to violence?
Did puberty turn him evil?


Once you've considered that consider a dog I once knew

Lovely puppy, owned by a bogan but still really nice bloke. Dog was conditioned to be pushy and when he was 2 he became aggressive. Attacked my dog - part of what made him DA. Is it nature or nurture? or both?

[ChoppaChop]

Occy I dont see it as we are saying "yep it's normal for an everyday person to go out and get a DA animal"

But the fact remains that many breeds are predetermined to DA , not just our breed.
And correct managment does not mean that these dogs need to be seen any differently.

In a rescue situation then yes , I will not rehome an aggressive dog ( unless it is to an experienced , correctly governed home)

But as a par for the course , a DA animal can live a relatively normal happy existance.

[Occy]

My dog is a happy dog, but in both your breed and mine there are people who look for aggro dogs and I would never rehome an aggressive dog, even to an experienced home.

If your own dog is DA and you can provide a safe and happy environment more power to ya, but I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

[Occy]

CC - are you suggesting that some dogs are genetically geared to be aggressive? If so, why on earth would you breed them - why not breed good specimens of the breed? I can't fathom wanting to breed an aggro shepherd. Are all dogs in your breed aggressive?

[Fedra]

Originally Posted by Occy

CC - are you suggesting that some dogs are genetically geared to be aggressive? If so, why on earth would you breed them - why not breed good specimens of the breed? I can't fathom wanting to breed an aggro shepherd. Are all dogs in your breed aggressive?

Of course some breeds are bread for aggression. Unfortunately. There was a huge problem with aggressive rotties, and many other breeds. For instance, Dogo Argentino is forbidden in AU, yet, those dogs are fantastic, stable, lovely and great with kids. But some moron decided to breed them to fight (people and dogs). Similar with pit bulls. Any responsible breeder will carefully select for looks as well as for character and health. There are breeds that are "sharper" than other, but sharp is one thing, aggressive another. You can control sharp dog and turn its sharpness the positive way, but aggression = unstable and it's not easy to handle and to live with. To me anyway.