Dog

[lunoob]

Hi Lunoob,

strange coincidence, have a look at our former dog, he died in april 2007.
A terrier as you can see with white socks and a white collar, like yours,
only smaller he was 8 kg.

Be carefull, the vets always told us that especially terrier are very sensible dogs,
never ever give cortison it can provoke cushing disease. They have a bad
reputation these bull terriers but I have know a lot that are the most lovable dogs
one can imagine, it all depends on the owner.

Any idea how old she is?

Janvl

She's around a year old now.  She seemed to be about 8 months when she first showed up.  She had all her adult teeth in - but not all of them all the way in.  And she was still chewing on everything - so she probably was just finishing that 'teething' thing.  She has also increased a little bit in size, so my best guess is around 1 year old now.

Our Lilly is the most submissive and affectionate dog I've ever seen.  In fact, the very first encounters Bennett (our big dog) and I had with her, she rolled over and exposed her throat (she still does this frequently.)  Then after some reassurance, she was wagging her entire body. 
The other side of the coin is that she's an absolutely hyperactive freak!!  She is such a powerful, high-energy dog (and a bit clumsy) that she's liable to damage something or hurt someone a little accidentally. 

Also, she's very young, so much of this will pass with maturity.  I know the reputation of this breed.  But all terriers are to be regarded as killers.  That's what they are - every last one of them.  Even the little Yorkies are born killers.  If you don't think so, show one of them a rat. 

However, after knowing some good American Pit Bull Terriers and doing some research, I've come to the conclusion that the bad reputation should be ascribed to the bad owners who make them vicious for their own sport - and breeders who breed them for gaming (fighting).     

After all, I know some people who are born killers, and I'm not afraid of them just because of that.   

She's learning quickly what's acceptable and what isn't.  Bennett is a good teacher.  He even stops her from stealing our food if we forgetfully walk away for a moment.

I believe we are quite fortunate with the animals we have.

[janvl]

You are absolutely right!

"I believe we are quite fortunate with the animals we have."

There are no "bad dogs" only bad owners. Our first one had to be tought
not to attack other dogs, cats etc. and like with humans, the individuals that
get the wrong start can get bad, no big difference between dogs and man there.

Let's just remember what a dog is, "the wolf in the living room" a very social being
but with his genetic heritage.

Jan

[MeeMaw]

You are absolutely right!

"I believe we are quite fortunate with the animals we have."

There are no "bad dogs" only bad owners. Our first one had to be tought
not to attack other dogs, cats etc. and like with humans, the individuals that
get the wrong start can get bad, no big difference between dogs and man there.

Let's just remember what a dog is, "the wolf in the living room" a very social being
but with his genetic heritage.

Jan

I agree!!!  I have a nephew that has never owned any breed but Pit Bull. None of the dogs he has owned have ever been vicious (he's a good trainer) and the one he has now would rather fetch the tennis ball or lick your knee-caps off than hurt you - she's a lover.  I think the way they are trained is key - if they are allowed to be vicious or trained for it, then they are. However, my nephew is very careful where she goes (their back yard is fenced) and how far away from him she gets, simply because of other people.
 

[rji]

There are no "bad dogs" only bad owners.

Of course, as with all generalizations, there are cases where this is simply not true.  You should count yourself lucky that you have never had to put down an animal because of something beyond your control, like neighbor kids teasing the animal when your back is turned causing the animal to get mean with all kids.

[lunoob]

There are no "bad dogs" only bad owners.

Of course, as with all generalizations, there are cases where this is simply not true.  You should count yourself lucky that you have never had to put down an animal because of something beyond your control, like neighbor kids teasing the animal when your back is turned causing the animal to get mean with all kids.

I think that's a good point.  I've met a dog that was just so maladjusted that he couldn't keep from biting . . . viciously.  Still, I think the reality is that the blame doesn't go on the dog.  Even if we can't solve the dog's problem, I don't think the dog caused it or had to turn out that way.  In that sense I think it's not a 'bad dog'.   

[janvl]

Hi,

Neighbour kids teasing is something that can be avoided. It is not easy
but possible.
If you train your dog well enough it can even withstand these kind of
harrasment, most dogs that know their place do not get agresive, they try to
flee, so giving them a place to flee to, is a good thing.

I am not such a great lover of big strong dogs but most of them are mere
victims of people that think they need a dog like that to hide their lack
of personality.

In general I like the german law that allows you to have a dog like that if
you show that you can handle it and if you show the dog does not have a
serious flaw of character, they call it the personality-test for the dog.

Jan

[conholster]

I am not such a great lover of big strong dogs but most of them are mere
victims of people that think they need a dog like that to hide their lack
of personality.

That's actually a pretty mean thing to say. We are all different, our dogs are all loved members of the family. No more, no less.



You mean big dog like that? Just a big giant dufus who's super happy all the time. He loves ppl, to the point when it's not funny anymore. Say hi to Mickey and he's your friend for life

[janvl]

OOPS,

just put it wrong!
Of cause I did not mean it this way.

I meant those kind of people with the agressive steffordshire terriers
made like that to impose.

I never ment all big dogs, just absolutely wrong put,
I apologise with shame.

Jan

[conholster]

Dont worry, no need to apologiese. Think I might have come on to strong there.

[rji]

I am not such a great lover of big strong dogs but most of them are mere
victims of people that think they need a dog like that to hide their lack
of personality.

That's actually a pretty mean thing to say. We are all different, our dogs are all loved members of the family. No more, no less.

I didn't think it was that mean, let's face it there are people that over-compensate for various personality traits.  They usually drive Hummers or bright red Porsche's 

[Jaws]

let's face it there are people that over-compensate for various personality traits...

... or smaller than normal physical traits.    

[conholster]

I am not such a great lover of big strong dogs but most of them are mere
victims of people that think they need a dog like that to hide their lack
of personality.

That's actually a pretty mean thing to say. We are all different, our dogs are all loved members of the family. No more, no less.

I didn't think it was that mean, let's face it there are people that over-compensate for various personality traits.  They usually drive Hummers or bright red Porsche's 

I thought that was called mid-life crisis

[conholster]

let's face it there are people that over-compensate for various personality traits...

... or smaller than normal physical traits.    

I got the opposite problem http://www.cars-directory.net/gallery/nissan/micra/1991/nissan_micra_2873387_p.htm