The Journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science recently published the results of a study on aggressive dog breeds. Who made the list of most aggressive, based on the number of bites on humans and dogs – Pit bull, Rottweiler, Doberman, German Shepherd, Akita, Chow Chow or even Dogo Argentino?
No!
Small Dogs!
Of course.
Most aggressive:
Dachshund
Chihuahua
Jack Russel
Any owner of a medium to large sized breed could have told you so. Just walk one of those larger dogs through an urban neighborhood at dog walking time. You and your dog will have to put up with these noise machines and their aggressive behavior every other step of the way. They rage from behind closed windows, yap wildly from the safety of the other side of a fence, and screech from balconies, throw tantrums in cars, smearing saliva all over windows and seats. They even snarl at your poor dog from the shoulder bag of young ladies.
Guess who gets disciplined. Not the small dog!
But seriously, many breeds of small dogs are scaled down versions of larger dogs. Made small to serve specific purposes, such as chasing foxes and badgers out of their burrows, hunting and killing rodents or pursuing game during hunts. There are most likely as many reasons for going small as there are breeds of small dogs.
Furthermore, small dogs designed to perform the tasks of hunting specialists, also had to be bred to act and think independently and without cues from their owners. Just imagine a badger dog in a life and death fight with a badger in his burrow two feet underground waiting for instructions and support from the hunter!
The Dachshund is a very typical example for this type of dog. And, tada, Dachshunds are the most aggressive biting breed of all dogs.
It is not surprising to me. We had a miniature Dachshund for many years. He was the Dr. Jekyll of the dog world. Nice and placid one moment and a raging pair of vicious teeth the next.
He was smart, independent and very, very stubborn. He also ate half the skin of my sister's guinea pig. He stole, killed and proudly brought home countless chickens from the chicken coop of the local nunnery. He kept our neighborhood clear of other dogs and bicyclists. And my father paid a fortune to his female patients for torn nylons.
The dog would sit on the steps leading to the entrance of my father's medical practice, happily greeting all ladies – until their legs just had passed him. Then he would whirl around and bite the ankle! Never failed.
He finally went to live with a hunter as a very successful and happy hunting dog.
Chihuahuas are the second most aggressive.
But you most likely knew that already. These little monsters with a Napoleon Complex greater than the original are the bane of many neighborhoods in Southern California and the tyrants of many a family.
“But he is so cute . . .”
Jack Russel, number three, were meant to chase and kill rodents. They are born killers, high strung, independent and accustomed to doing things their way. Could you ask your human for instructions when you are wedged between haystacks and facing a big cornered, angry rat?
Looking at the list of 'biting breeds', it is obvious that they were intended to do specific jobs; guarding house and flock, herding, hunting small pests and big game.
None were meant to spend a lifetime in some shoulder bag or in a small urban apartment. They are active dogs, independent, with lots of energy and smarts. They are not celebrity toys and couch potatoes. They too deserve a decent life.
Free of frustration and fear.
Fear is a major contributor to aggressive biting. How would you feel if your eye level suddenly were shrunk to 6 inches when everyone around you is at a 6 foot level? With huge feet that could trample on you at any given moment?
It would be scary, wouldn't it?
Is that an excuse for aggressive biting? No, it is not.
Pet owner are responsible for socializing and training dogs properly. We need to train our pets to be good canine citizens, give them sufficient physical exercise to keep them tired, healthy and happy. And we must provide daily mental stimulation to keep their minds occupied in positive ways.
Unfortunately, most people become dog owners by accident. Either they are given a puppy, find a sad looking dog in a shelter and feel compelled to rescue it or through some other coincidence. The majority of these new dog guardians, I daresay, do not know much about the breed they just acquired or about dog training in general.
In many cases the end result is an aggressive dog. Since small dogs are 'cute', they get away with much more than a larger dog. Thus, they are also more prone to join the ranks of aggressive dogs. Because in the absence of clear and determined leadership, the family dog will usurp that role. And defend it viciously and vigorously against all comers, including their own human.
Yes, small dogs too.
Especially small dogs!
You can find the most detailed discussion of the research report here: http://petloverstips.com/ForTheLoveoftheDog/news-updates/the-most-aggressive-dog-breeds-dachshund-1
A more general discussion of 'aggressive dog breeds' is found at this site:
http://dogobedienceadvice.com/which_dog_breeds_are_most_aggressive.php
Both web sites give great insight into dog aggression in general, what causes it, how to deal with it and how to avoid it as much as possible.
PJJ
No comments:
Post a Comment