Martin, did you read anything I put? Where did I "lecture you about Rottweilers" ? I in fact stated that I like them, I am not about to lecture anybody on keeping them as pets. However, all Rottweiler owners must be well aware of their 1) public perception 2) strength and 3) unfortunate statistics where animals who were brought up by irresponsible morons have attacked people, sometimes resulting in their [the human's] death.
Also, I was talking about dogs biting HUMANS, not play fighting with other dogs in the park - there is a big difference, you know. I cannot believe that you'd step inbetween two fighting dogs, let alone two big, strong, traditionally fighting dogs - nine times out of ten, you'd end up getting bitten yourself. Several times I've seen blood pouring from the wounds incurred by owners of dogs stepping inbetween their OWN two dogs fighting, and getting caught in the crossfire, through no intentions of the animals themselves.
Ok, the distinction remains between what sort of misdemeanour a dog should step into the territory where it may be in danger of being put down. I admit that for a nip, that is probably excessive - but we only have the owner's word that it was a 'nip' so where do you draw the lines? I do believe that a person is within their rights to demand that an animal be put down if it has bitten them though - much the same as a farmer is quite within his rights to shoot a dog for hassling his livestock - so that in itself would strongly suggest that the injury incurred was just a nip. However, as I said in my initial post, you were lucky to get away with the injured party not insisting the animal be put down, especially as he reportedly called the police.
Incidentally, are Japanese Akitas not illegal to keep in this country? How many has your Rottweiler come across, in that case?!
No unless someone in government has recently banned them I don't think so. American pitbulls are though.
Your entitled to your opinion Shadow. It's one of my trademarks to get a bit agitated and not read properly.
The Akita my dog accidently bumped into 8 years ago when they were both about 2yo was a big black, scizo-eyed dog. I was scared of it. We lived in the same area. One day, just like the two most boystorous kids in a primary school they had a rumble. I stopped them straight away, and so did the owner of the Akita. Unfortunately he resorted to kicking my one up the backside and we weren't on speaking terms after that. :<3:
I always pull my dog off and shout to the other owner 'get your dog etc' and thats never failed. It does happen with big dogs regardless of the nature of the owner sometimes. Unless you keep them on the lead all there life and treat them like nutters you have to let them be.
What worried me and my mum at the time was we knew the guy had a young kid which we thought was absoloutely nuts (to get an Akita like that when you've got a young baby). Again though, I've seen very friendly Akita's (usually white one's by chance) and I'm not in a position to judge the whole breed.
Honestly, my rottweiler has never 'bitten' another dog; just somewhere in between headbutting and tickling.
Small dogs he just chases round and plays with. For his mental state they are the one's I've always liked to let him play with;
Last year Bigs bumped into another rottweiler twice his size in the quarry, a feckin bear, and we had quite a job seperating them. I got a slight nick on my left arm and that was that. Had my tetnis a few years ago. The other rottweilers neck was at least 12 inches wide.
You panic for a moment but remember, they are focused on eyeballing each other so as owners you just need to make sure you act swiftly and show the dog who's boss. I've got broad shoulders which helps!
I know I've been lucky over the years, but in my experience they are just dogs. I haven't met one yet, either mine or anyone elses that has had the chance to hurt each other.
I am not gloryfyng any of this experience because I know there are dangerous dogs and owners but this has been my experience of having him for 10 years.
He has crofts champions in the bloodline and my only regret was not having the will power to breed him. His temperment has slowly got more fractious as he's got older (nibbles my ankles in the living room sometimes) but apart from that a perfectly sound dog (apart from when post comes which again for 10 years I have dealt with successfully).
Whatever happens on Thursday and whatever we decide to do with the small girl basenji I will not get another dog for a few years. They are so draining and I've got enough in my own life to deal without two dogs. My honest advice to anyone is contemplate whether you think you can deal with getting a dog like a rottie. most will be better to get a mongrel, each to their own.
Mine is a very small and lean rottweiler, I put a picture of him up here once if I remember rightly.
HTH.
