Dog Attack In Leominster

The dogs I tend to be nervous of are Jack Russells and Border Collies; both breeds that I've always wanted to own and they are lovely dogs and fantastic pets, but the nasty ones can be very nasty and unpredictable. The scariest moment I've ever had on the beach was when a tiny Jack Russell went for my dog; the owners did nothing [it was last seen chasing a horse]. When I used to have cockers a lot of people were bitten by golden ones that had been inbred to get the colour and, being a breed noted for it's lovely temperament, more likely to have strangers go up to them to stroke them. The nastiest dogs in our village are two springers that live opposite the S.O. and he avoids them like the plague when walking my dog;again one of the nicest breeds of dog you can get so not sure what happened there. Is your dog a blue roan Holly? I melt whenever I see one, especially a puppy. I always wanted a springer as well but they need too much exercise for me [I'm a fair weather dog walked I'm afraid]. But, going back to the original topic, I just don't understand how this dog problem arose as I'm sure there was never a problem when I was younger [unless it just wasn't newsworthy then]. In those days people just used to let their dogs roam around as well; but there weren't the big breeds such as Rottweilers around. Something that has just ocurred to me is that a lot of people have male dogs neutered these days and I have heard that it can affect their temperament [but then the staffies I've seen haven't been neutered].

I think it's better to have male dogs castrated. Aggression is often aggravated by hormones and it can be the same for females as well. Castration prevents male dogs from wandering and can calm them down but if they already have dodgy temperaments it might not make much difference.

No Tegan, my Cocker is a tri-colour - he's mainly black and white but with bits of gold; most women take to him on sight as well, such a pretty dog and, of course, once his tail starts going, well, they are putty in his paws

Our vet told me that she has been bitten twice and both times it was a Springer; I can understand that as mine is a rescue dog whose last chance of survival was being placed with me (poor mutt) but he's not too bad now but that's because I can recognise when he's getting miffed over something so I move him away from whatever it is.

I just don't understand how this dog problem arose as I'm sure there was never a problem when I was younger

I think that's what partly prompted the thread - I have no recollection of 'bad' dogs when I was a child, ours or anyone else's. There were no laws governing certain breeds so maybe it is the owners?

I saw a tri clolour last year; very unusual but gorgeous. My ex used to say that taking a cocker spaniel for a walk was a real babe magnet; maybe these blokes with their pit bull type dogs should realise that!

Now that you mention it, I don't remember problems with dogs either [in the past] but I am guessing there must have been?Perhaps there are more around now, and they don't get enough attention and excercise.I know some unpredictable Springers and also border collies, and I don't like them as a breed [even if they are very attractive.]Jack Russells can be aggressive little things.

A friend who does dog grooming has only been bitten twice and each time it was an Old English Sheepdog. I'm sure the problem these days is that each breed of dog is bred for a specific purpose but people now buy them on looks and not suitability for what they want them for [hence the popularity of Huskies at the moment which require masses of exercise and have no recall whatsoever]. I guess you'd say that my dog of choice, the whippet is a hunting dog but they were also companion dogs and because they do have a killer bite were bred for temperament so they wouldn't use it on people. A lot of dogs like Rottweilers and Dobermanns are bred as police dogs and some lines have aggresive streaks. A dog breeder friend of mine says there's a dog called [I think] the Russian Terrier which is absolutely lethal. Isn't it sad, though, that we're talking about nasty dogs when there are so many that bring so much joy to people; a thousand curses on those who allow dogs to get such a bad press .

I took our six year old JR, Millie, to the vet this morning to be signed off after successful spaying following a womb infection. There was a long wait and she entertained two small children by being cuddled, walked around the room, tickled and even read a story by the little girl who was very curious about the scar. Their mother had brought their spaniel puppy in for jabs and couldn't believe how sweet and patient Millie was with her children as she had heard nothing good about Jack Russells.

Millie's daughter, Peggy, is not so tolerant and I would have asked the children to leave her alone.

It's up to owners to know their dog's temperament and limitations and not put them in a situation they can't deal with.

I also think it's important to feel proud of your dog just as you would a well behaved child.

I'd really like to have a Jack Russell [especially one with wiry hair] but I'll never forget one day when I lived in a shared house going to stroke a dog that was on someones lap and being warned not too; and another Jack Russell bit me on the leg one day. My boss had one that was lovely, too [I used to babysit for him and spent more time with the dogs than the children] but he said she got a bit snappy as she got older. I just know I'd end up with the wrong sort. For some reason I've got a thing about having a Pug; not my type of dog at all;I'm probably thinking about old age and having more of a lap dog. I'm terribly proud of my whippet, although it's the S.O. that gets all of the compliments as he does most of the walking [she's in Northumberland with him at the moment]. I don't think she has a nasty bone in her body [neither did my last one]. I just wish the grandchildren liked her [not cuddly enough]. I can see how problems arise with dogs and children though. The younger one is fine with her; not nervous at all. Gives her a biscuit but makes her sit for itthen says 'gently' as he gives it to her. But the older one, who is afraid of dogs said he wanted to give her a biscuit the other day. then, having made her sit got scared and wouldn't give her the biscuit which confused her and wasn't fair on her at all. That's when little fingers can get bitten .

deeda, thank you for that - I have owned staffies , ( still do ) - if you take time to research their history, you discover that sadly as they were bred for dog fighting, they can be dog aggressive if not socialised properly, but actually had human aggressive traits bred out - they were banned from the ring if they bit a human.

This made them very human dependent - they love their owners and were known as the Nanny Dog for years, unfortunately for the poor little things when the pit bull was banned, morns bought them instead because they share a look - but are a lot smaller.
As will all these things - evidenced by a recent TV documentary , it is not the dog, - every time it is the owner - mistreating, mis socialising and misunderstanding the dog,