Who's to blame? - the dog or the child?

[tigwig]

My sister in law has a rottweiller (sorry spelling) and yesterday it bit her 8yr old daughter very badly on the cheek resulting in her needing 16 stitches. She is not very good with animals I have to say and has apparently being playing with the dog for over an hour before it had had enough and flipped. I personally feel that these kind of dogs have the nature to 'turn' at anytime and would never 100% trust them around a child but on the otherhand I know that most dogs are fine until they are pestered by kids. So mum felt she should have the dog put down but they haven't as the child begged her not to! What do other's think? What if the dog does it again? Are they completely safe with kids?

[lankeela]

The adults who allowed the child to pester the dog are to blame! And for gods sake, why would you give this dog away to anyone else if you know it bites? No rescue would take it unless they lied about it having bitten, and that is not fair. And no respecting Rottie breeder would want it, they are doing their best to breed dogs that don't bite people. Either they train this child not to pester the dog or else they have it put down. However, although I don't know the dog, I think it must be a saint to not have bitten the child before, and if it was being pestered for an hour it must have been a last resort. They are not on the dangerous dogs list, and the majority of Rotts I know have super temperaments and are no more likey to 'turn' than any other breed. Its just that if they do, they cause a lot more damage than say a Jack Russell.

[craft1948]

Close Chuck.....the head makes a great loo brush....

[woofgang]

lankeela Rottie rescue might take the dog on the strength of one bite under severe provocation...I think all kids (and adults) should be taught how to behave around dogs the same way as they are taught to behave around cars, cookers and so on. Its no big deal and can save a lot of pain and heartache.
A month or so ago i saw a toddler run up to a staffie who was sat minding his own business outside a supermarket. She ran up behind him and gave him the most enormous wack on the bum. The dog didn't even jump, he just turned around and grinned at her...no it wasn't the kids dog. Now setting aside that IMO leaving a dog tied up on its own outside a shop is risky, if that dog had reacted as I would have done if the kid had hit me that hard from behind with no warning, ie yell and lash out without looking, the kid would be in ITU and the dog would be headlines and probably dead.
WE BRING DOGS INTO HUMAN SOCIETY.
THE DOGS DO NOT CHOOSE TO BE HERE.
WHEN THINGS GO WRONG ITS THE FAULT OF HUMANS.
I'll stop shouting now

[LoftyLottie]

As Woofy says rescue organisations often do take on dogs that have bitten. And people will take them on as well. It depends on the circumstances. I doubt if a breeder would take them back because breeders generally are in the business to make money rather than for dog welfare reasons.

[lankeela]

Lofty Lottie that is an outrageous thing to say. Every breed rescue I know of is run by responsible BREEDERS who care very much for their breeds. Most of the work they do is to rehome dogs bred by irresponsible breeders or 'pet' people who don't realise what is actually involved. Breed rescue may indeed take this dog, although Rottie Welfare is full to the seams most of the time, and there are often more deserving cases than a dog that has bitten.

[LoftyLottie]

I suppose I am a 'pet' person then Lankeela! My dogs are certainly pets and I am proud of it. I stick to my statement that breeders are generally there to make money. They don't give their dogs away.

I could say more but will refrain. I don't want to be outragious again ;o)

[RATTER15]

Lofty, "I doubt if a breeder would take them back because breeders generally are in the business to make money rather than for dog welfare reasons."


I think most breeders would take them back, I know many Wolfhound breeders all over the world, I would be amazed if a Wolfhound breeder refused to take one of their dogs back, I know a fair few that have in fact taken them back, we have assisted in this type of rescue/retrieval ourselves. I think its a little harsh to say that dog breeders are in the business of making money, whilst they can make some good money with breeding certain breeds, I think most people breed for showing purposes, for the development of the breed and any money made from breeding is usually spent on keeping the breeding lines going, not really profit making. Of course if you are talking puppy farming, that is a whole different ball game!!

My experience of breeders is mainly centred on Wolfhound breeders, i don't see other dog breeders being so different.

We hope to start breeding our wolfies in the not to distant future, I know we would always take one of our dogs back without question, its a bit like turning your back on your own children, Well I know that's how wolfie breeders would see it.

IMHO :-)

[lankeela]

'They don't give their dogs away' - how much do you think it costs to breed a properly reared litter?

[jaydah]

The dog had little means of escape from the tormenting child and so retaliated; corner any animal at your peril.

To often pets are humanised and we forget their instincts. The owner is an irresponsible carer of the dog. Given the right environment (big dog = space) this dog would be a loving pet. I had a gentle, loyal rottie, sadly passed.

[LoftyLottie]

Dare I say I don't like the idea of showing dogs either! ;o)

I am keeping quiet now.

[LoftyLottie]

Lankeela, it's a business of course there are costs as there are in any business and I am not denying the costs are high, but they wouldn't do it for a loss would they?

[LoftyLottie]

Sorry, my comments about showing dogs were in reply to ratter

"I think most people breed for showing purposes, for the development of the breed and any money made from breeding is usually spent on keeping the breeding lines going,"

I

[RATTER15]

I expect a lot of breeders make a loss from selling puppies. I hasten to add that
"A Breeder" will not be permitted to register as an "accredited Breeder" if this is their only line of business or makes up the larger part of their earnings.

Breeding dogs is very seldom done to make money apart from providing themselves with the finances to keep the dogs and to enable them to pursue their love of dogs.

[LoftyLottie]

I stand by my first comment about Dog Breeders jaydah. ~Why do you think I have backed off?

[jaydah]

Disagree Ratter, breeding dogs is for finance; even crossbreds are sold on.

[jaydah]

do you mean Jeff LL ?

[lankeela]

Actually many DO do it at a loss. For many it is not a business it is a hobby, and they will spend any amount of money to persue that hobby, an occasional litter to breed something to keep doesn't even come near the amount spent on promoting their chosen breed. My own breed has very few puppies in a litter, often only one or two, so the breeders breed to keep something and the price of selling perhaps one puppy doesn't even cover the stud fee on occasions. However, if people will go to puppy farmers who advertise in their local free ads then those are the breeders who are making money. No health tests done, no matching owners with pups, no follow up aftercare and certainly would not take them back. If you have the money, you get a dog. Please don't tar all dog breeders with the same brush.

[LoftyLottie]

Yes I do. Sorry. Getting my 'j's mixed up!