Hmm, and from what I've observed, the reason they do that is so they can pretend they haven't seen them defecate.** Quite honestly, this utterly selfish and antisocial section of society has adversely affected my lifestyle: first of all I was unable to use my local park because of the brain-dead cretins 'exercising' their bull terrier-type dogs (think 'solid muscle, bone and sinews, and vice-like jaws'?) even though my taxes pay for its maintenance but they don't pay anything. Secondly, because of the unwanted attentions of so many dogs and the concomitant unpleasantness between me and their aggressive/defensive owners, plus the unbelievable amount of fouling, meaning that during my pastime of walking, for literally 95% of the time I had to keep my eyes glued to the ground - and even then I would get home and find it in the cleats of my boots. So I am now unable to walk through my local (extensive) country park. ** a few weeks ago I overheard one dog walker tell another one that she 'adds a laxative into their (she had 4 dogs ) feeding dishes, so that their defecations were impossible to 'pick up'. And I've just remembered an article in my local rag a while back about an attack (in the main park of the town) on an elderly woman with varicose veins, and she had to be blue-lighted to hospital. She was losing so much blood that apparently it became a life or death incident. And I can't imagine the pain she must have experienced.
Well, I pretty much agree on all that. I hate it when somebody else's dog jumps on me. I don't allow my dog to jump on me (or anybody else), although I have had problems with my boxer "picking on" people who have small dogs that they allow to crawl all over them. IMHO, he views them as weak, and jumps up on him, if I'm too far away to stop him. I can't stand dogs that don't know the basic command of "sit." To me, that's so basic, and it calms dogs down fast if they know it.
Looks like my questions and observations have brought about an embarrassed silence from you dog owners. Maybe it's a case of 'the truth hurts'? On t'other hand it might be the equivalent of keeping a low profile due to a guilt complex.
There is no best breed. They're all different in different ways. What's a total disaster is when people pick a puppy ignoring the characteristics of the breed. My dog is a Xoloitzcuintli, fully coated. Xoloitzcuintli are a breed that came out of nature without human meddling and they're a bit strange. They lack the "I adore humans" gene. My dog likes me, he's great with kids, but he's not a cuddly lap dog. For some reason I've never figured out he is so frightened by drums it's embarrassing.
I love to read historical fiction, especially stuff about what happened before written history. I can remember which author(s) it was but one story was about humans first interacting with wild dog and how they eventually formed a brotherhood with humans to hunt and survive in the Ice Age. It is interesting to think how a single species has changed so much and in so many ways over those thousands of years. They were as adaptive as Mankind, each adjusting to when, where, and how they lived.
In the 5 hours I was out walking yesterday afternoon I heard 72 'come on's, 43 'good boy's, and 37 'good girl's. Oh and 1 '(expletive deleted)' when one of the dogs belonging to a bloke who was sitting on a bench drinking a gigantic and steaming McD's coffee jumped up onto him, causing most of the liquid to spill into his lap.
Jean Auel's Earth's Children series Michael and Kathleen O'Neal Gear's First North Americans series William Sarabande's First Americans series
I like Boxers, a friend has one, and when she sees me, it is really great, I give her scratchy behind her ears, and she is happy. I was at another house visiting a friend, and she loped over, saw I was Ok, and she ran back home. Never had a Dog do that before.
Best dog breed, hands down is a Border Collie. They will brighten up a dull day and make you smile everyday.
The most trainable, but beware because the same trait that makes them trainable means it is almost impossible to break them of a bad habit if you let one get started for the same trait that makes them so trainable. There is more than 1 variety but two that are VERY different. The larger ones are herding dogs, usually black and possibly some white. There also is a smaller border collie, often white, which are the dogs you'd most often see doing tricks in circus acts. The BEST of course depends on your goal.
I am on my second BC. He is so smart it is scary. He isn't 4 months old yet and can pick out certain toys by name. He understands when I tell him it is time to go outside and he understands quite a few commands, he can sit, roll over, and lay down to name a few. My first BC was sure he could talk and would actually try to talk to you. I hope the one we have now will be as smart.
The best dog breed is the Hungarian shepherd dog aka the puli. Both black and white variety. Very intelligent and playful. Also looks good.
I like most dogs (well, all dogs as long as they aren't vicious), but I've read that mutts are actually usually the most healthy and the most friendly and easygoing dogs.
They are a beautiful little dog. - - - Updated - - - Cats can be good dog trainers, especially with the fast draw claw trick.
IMO Labs are the best dogs: very intelligent, very trainable, gentle and loving, great with kids, friendly, good natured, and they look and act like a real dog, no pushed in faces or cutesy appearances.
That's just propaganda. The numbers of fatalities due to dog attack (41 last year from all dog breeds, historically its in the 30-40 a year range) are trivial, so few as to be a statistical anomaly. And the number of serious injuries is also small. Dogs are ubiquitous in the USA, half of all homes have a dog. Dogs live with people of all ages and sizes, 24/7, some people treat their dogs as part of the family. And yet incidents are statistically few. By the way, what is a "pit bull"? Its not even a breed.
