Calls to review dangerous dog list

[Darren]

at which time you progress form Young to Mature - next step, Guppie (Geriatric) - ain't that right TLH?

Now - back to puppies...
I had a bull terrier / blue healer cross - she'd scare the crap outa anyone, but never hurt a soul. I've seen her a sleep when a Western Power bloke walk through the gate - she woek and ran up to him barking up a storm, fur standing on end and dropped onto her back about one foot short expecting a pat on the tummy... Poor bloke looked like he needed a change of underclothes afterwards ...

[Swee_82]

. I've seen her a sleep when a Western Power bloke walk through the gate - she woek and ran up to him barking up a storm, fur standing on end and dropped onto her back about one foot short expecting a pat on the tummy... Poor bloke looked like he needed a change of underclothes afterwards ...

Bit of an occupational hazard I guess... expect the worst.

[shasta]

Personally I think it is very much like firearms, responsibility is in the hands of the owner.

Mostly. We have a 6yo male bluey who's been pretty well trained and is friendly to everyone who's supposed to be in his territory. That includes all the neighbours except next door, who's kids thought it would be a smart idea to stir him up over the fence at times when we weren't around, despite requests to their parents. He's never forgotten and his hackels are up whenever he sees them.

Sadly this means we need to be careful about letting him out the front with us. I'd hate to have to put down a good mate because of someone else's stupidity.

[Burgs]

Unfortunately you have to factor in the "1%" Shasta however 99% of the Cattle Dogs I have had experience with are reactive rather than attacking, that is while he may have his hackles up he "most likely" wouldn't actually do anything unless they stepped into his yard.
Sounds like a real shame and must give you the shits for sure.
No accounting for ill disciplined kids
I thought you would have had a Bulldog

[shasta]

Sounds like a real shame and must give you the shits for sure.

Yep. But a minor irritation in the scheme of things.

I thought you would have had a Bulldog

Nah mate, always had a soft spot for Blueys and the biggest for this bloke.

Interesting that we've had teams named after broncos, steelers, glory, raiders, force etc. But never a one named for the ACD.

[fulvio sammut]

Best dog I ever had was a stray red cloud kelpie. Completely independent, it could climb ladders, find missing children, round up our chooks and yard them, run messages and be able to pinpoint the time for all activities and be waiting in anticipation.

We had a heavy handed neighbour who made the mistake of belting his kids in public and ended up on the ground with the dog on his chest. Never bit him though.

She was the most gentle soul you could imagine, and when we were not around she would wander over to an elderly neighbour and keep the old lady company until we came home.

A good dog is the best companion there is.

[Cowboy]

I've never had a dog myself, or nearby neighbours really for that matter.

It's a tough issue for you guy's who live in urban area's. But to me it still is alot like the issue of firearms. I own firearms, but this means I have a responsibility to use them safely and make sure no one else can use tham in a way that places others in danger.

For both of the cases above I'm guessing that you have assessed that the level of danger is low. It's not about totally removing the risk, just making sure it's an acceptable one. Same as I cannot guarantee I will never have a firearm stolen, I can only keep the risk to a minimum.
I wouldn't have several large dogs around a home daycare centre as I know that I have no chance of controlloing them if the worst happened, one good dog will happily fill all the roles mentioned above. But I also wouldn't leave my children in the care of someone with large dogs at that age.

[jono]

does he look dangerous to you?
if you raise a dog to be agressive then it will be agressive. tis that simple.
temba is scared of everything - when i was walking him the other day a leaf blew in front of him and he tried to run under my legs... he's really pathetic...

but the lawnmower man cant get into my backyard when nobody is home. and the lady who washes them cant get to him or my other dogs because he wont let her open the gate.

[Cowboy]

does he look dangerous to you?

I don't know if he is or isn't, I'll leave that assessment to you.

My point is that under some circumstances he could be. If my children were still too young to know better, and had never been around dogs they could be just as likely to copy what they had watched me do when handling cows ie pick up a large stick and direct where I want the cows to go, only some dogs won't take very well to apparently being threatened with a big stick. In this situation I don't care about blame or fault, only the safety of my children. I would rather not take the risk.

My cows have been and still are the animal that I am closest too, I've had cows that were remarkably friendly. But they could still be dangerous and let fly with a kick capable of breaking your leg under a bad set of circumstances.
It's simply about managing a risk rather than blind faith (our saying is it's the one that you trust that kills you).

[shasta]

Best dog I ever had was a stray red cloud kelpie.

The best dog the town of Dampier ever had was also a stray red cloud kelpie, simply known to all as Red Dog. His owner, a single truckie, had died. Red then proceeded to wander from house to house presumeably looking for him for many years. Always getting a feed and a place to sleep wherever he chose. He rarely missed a barbecue or party and was a frequent guest at Dampier Rugby League Club functions. More than a few of that club's players has woken bleary eyed to find a Red Dog at the foot of his bed after being escorted safely home.

He would wait by the side of the road for a truckie or bus driver to stop and give him a lift and get off wherever it took his fancy to wander around for a while.

The town was devastated when he took a bait and could not be saved. Money was raised and there is now a bronze statue of Red at the entrance to Dampier. He's even had a play written about his adventures and had his story printed on special edition cans of Swan Lager. Some dog that one.

[Burgs]

I believe he actually covered quite a few miles in his time shasta.
I was given a book on Red Dog but haven't gotten around to reading it, I must track it down now that I have remembered.

[shasta]

I believe he actually covered quite a few miles in his time shasta.
I was given a book on Red Dog but haven't gotten around to reading it, I must track it down now that I have remembered.

Yeah, so they say. Been reported as far afield as Carnarvon and Perth AFAIK. But definately all round the West Pilbara.

[Flamethrower]

http://www.randomhouse.com.au/Books/...=9780099429043

I challenge any dog lover to read it without choking up a bit

[shasta]

http://www.randomhouse.com.au/Books/...=9780099429043

I challenge any dog lover to read it without choking up a bit

Good one FT, thanks.

Didn't know about the book until Burgs mentioned it.

[zimeric]

does he look dangerous to you?
if you raise a dog to be agressive then it will be agressive. tis that simple.
temba is scared of everything - when i was walking him the other day a leaf blew in front of him and he tried to run under my legs... he's really pathetic...

but the lawnmower man cant get into my backyard when nobody is home. and the lady who washes them cant get to him or my other dogs because he wont let her open the gate.

99% sure thats a ridgeback/cross in which case I can confirm that they are the least aggresive to humans than all the large dogs. However they need SPACE!! lots of it!!!! hope you have a big yard...