Are some dogs inherently dangerous?

What do you see??? Aggressive dog, or family pet? (Answer below)

The issue of dangerous breeds is a very hot topic. You can easily find people that will strongly defend either side of this argument.

 In this article we will try to take a very realistic look at the issue of dangerous breeds. It is undeniable that some breeds are naturally more aggressive than others. In most cases this has been purposely bred into the dog for specific reasons such as hunting or even in some cases fighting. However canines are domestic animals. Domestic animal means an animal of a species of vertebrates that have been domesticated by humans so as to live and breed in attaining condition and depend on humankind for survival. The state of Florida defines a domestic animal as "Domestic animal shall include any equine, bovine, animal, goat, sheep, swine, dog, cat, poultry or other domesticated beast or bird."

 So let's take a look at the breeds that are considered aggressive specifically by the insurance industries. The following is a list of breeds compiled by the insurance industry that are often uninsurable or cause insurance rates to increase.

 You may be surprised to find some of the breeds listed above on this list. However this does serve to support the following fact. Any dog can be treated in such a manner to cause unsafe or aggressive behavior. This also leads to an equally important fact that any dog to be treated in such a manner to be completely compatible and safe around humans and other dogs.

 It should be pointed out that the American Pet Association is an organization dedicated to the average pet owner. There may be some dogs in some circumstances that would require training beyond the abilities of an average pet owner. With this in mind it is understood, that on rare occasions, a dog may be found to be more aggressive due to its past circumstances than the average pet owner would be able to realistically handle. For this reason, any act of aggression in a new animal should be taken very seriously. You should seek out the assistance of your local humane agency or certified trainer and follow their advice always erring on the side of caution.

The reality is that almost every case of an aggressive dog can be traced back to the actions of its owner, or in some cases the lack of its owner. The best example of this is the American Pit Bull Terrier. These dog's are very popular among young males. The American Pit Bull Terrier takes very well to aggressive activities such as tugging, pulling and chewing. Young males especially those with little experience with dogs tend to engage in these activities.

 There is a strong need to bring education to pet owners to encourage aggressive activities with their dogs. The American Pet Association is taking on this project when our Volunteer Educator Program.

 Over the past 20 years we have witnessed countless stories of aggressive and fighting dogs that have been rehabilitated into fantastic family dogs that are completely safe to be around even the youngest children. It is an incredible testament to the temperament of companion canines.

 It is imperative when owning a companion animal not to engage in aggressive or distrustful behavior. This is especially true when dealing with the breeds listed above. While it can be quite amusing you should not engage your  dog in behaviors that cause them to growl excessively or gain a dominant position over you or other animals in the home. It is also very important for your dog to be able to trust you. Playing games such as pretending to throw a ball that the confused dog will never find are very detrimental to your relationship.

 Always treat your companion with the kindness caring and respect they deserve. We love and joy they give us in return is priceless.

The answer is that Rocco is a fantastic family pet that has never exhibited any aggressive behavior. His owner knows that Rocco needs to be treated with special compassion due to the fact that some breeds can take to aggression more easily than others.