Should there be a size limit on domestic dogs?

bb1234567

Some dogs are just too large, I don't think its safe having canines in towns and cities that are too big for even the average sized male to fight off. This is the story that made me think about this .
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2733890/Im-dying-Horrifying-final-moments-jogger-killed-two-vicious-dogs-mauled-biting-father-three-eight-times.html

200lb pound hound. A normal sized man didn't even stand a chance. Is there any need for owning a dog this large? Obviously we should worry more about making people having better control over their dogs but I don't think that'll ever happen, there will always be careless owners. So shouldn't we nip the problem in the bud and ban large dogs, nobody 'needs' a domestic dog any larger than a cocker spaniel, unless for specific reasons such as herding sheep etc.

Roquentin

bb1234567 wrote: »

Some dogs are just too large, I don't think its safe having canines in towns and cities that are too big for even the average sized male to fight off. This is the story that made me think about this .
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2733890/Im-dying-Horrifying-final-moments-jogger-killed-two-vicious-dogs-mauled-biting-father-three-eight-times.html

200lb pound hound. A normal sized man didn't even stand a chance. Is there any need for owning a dog this large? Obviously we should worry more about making people having better control over their dogs but I don't think that'll ever happen, there will always be careless owners. So shouldn't we nip the problem in the bud and ban large dogs, nobody 'needs' a domestic dog any larger than a cocker spaniel, unless for specific reasons such as herding sheep etc.

the temperament of dog is dependent on how it was raised by its owner.

Help!!!!

Would be better to have a law whereby you have to have your dog chipped

Menas

Should be a limit on some people brain size...stop them thinking about crap like this.

Flood

A 200lb pound hound would need freedom not couped up in a semi d in your typical housing estate.

The Backwards Man

I have an extreme view on this. Not only do I believe that many breeds of dogs should not be kept as domestic pets (Huskies and St Bernard's for example), I don't think towns and cities are very good places to keep dogs full stop. Some of them wee yappity things as I don't like them anyway :P, but an urban area is totally the wrong environment for normal dogs.

Kovu

Help!!!! wrote: »

Would be better to have a law whereby you have to have your dog chipped

That's becoming mandatory starting later this year I think.

Large dogs don't have to be banned, that's a ridiculous suggestion. Correct training, exercise and a suitable environment for larger dogs should definitely be enforced before owners are allowed to have them though. Done deal breeders have a lot to answer for in that regard. Breeds aren't researched correctly before being bought, which can be clearly seen by the amount of abandoned huskies n recent years.

bb1234567

Roquentin wrote: »

the temperament of dog is dependent on how it was raised by its owner.

Yes I know, as I said in a perfect world we would make everyone raise dogs very well and have them under control but that will never happen. So shouldn't we just make it impossible for people to own dogs that are both vicious and large. Seeing as its hard to limit people raising dogs badly, we can make people only have access to smaller dogs. A vicious king charles isn't going to kill anybody

raze_them_all_

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8KXWL4al-g

sums it up perfectly imo

Sheep Lover

So if your dog puts a bit of weight on over the winter and exceeds the weight limit? Shoot the fat fcuk is it?

Good time to set up a gym for dogs though I suppose.

My dog is huge and I've never even seen him growl. So, no.

ScumLord

A breed of dog known for its companionship. Big dogs tend not to be as vicious as smaller dogs, generally they have to be mistreated to turn vicious like that.

Over all people shouldn't be allowed to pick a breed, puppy farms should be banned, either you get the dog from someone you know or you go to the pound and pick a mongrel. Pedigree breeding for the most part should be banned entirely, unless it's going to be a working dog.

Oryx

Dogs are only a problem if they arent trained, socialised and exercised properly. Its not a breed or size issue. Irish wolfhounds are gentle giants for example. Great danes can be exceptionally timid.

bb1234567

Sheep Lover wrote: »

So if your dog puts a bit of weight on over the winter and exceeds the weight limit? Shoot the fat fcuk is it?

Good time to set up a gym for dogs though I suppose.

Well not an exact weight limit, but only certain breeds that are generally within an established weight limit should be sold to domestic customers.

Taxburden carrier

Oryx wrote: »

Dogs are only a problem if they arent trained, socialised and exercised properly. Its not a breed or size issue. Irish wolfhounds are gentle giants for example. Great danes can be exceptionally timid.

Too true. The problem is generally at the other end of the leash.

blatantrereg

No.

http://www.dogguide.net/25-hero-dogs.php

Bigger dogs involve much more responsibility. Banning irresponsible owners from keeping dogs would be much more useful and sensible than banning big dogs entirely.

Most owners don't take responsibility for their dogs both in terms of the dog's wellbeing and in terms of making sure the dog isn't a nuisance or danger to others. Free roaming free barking dogs pooping everywhere and walking in front of cars, or dogs that never ever seem to leave their houses and bark lots and lots - these are the norm unfortunately.

bb1234567

Lia_lia wrote: »

My dog is huge and I've never even seen him growl. So, no.

Well you obviously raised him well. Im not saying all big dogs are bad but whats the point in having a large dog who's a potential liability in our cities? Animals are unpredictable, large dogs can kill adults and small dogs can't. So why carry the risk? And Im sure somebody will equate this with why don't we ban cars, cars kill people, or something else equally stupid, theres no benefits of dogs to our society apart from companionship really. And small dogs are just as good companions.

Sheep Lover

bb1234567 wrote: »

Well not an exact weight limit, but only certain breeds that are generally within an established weight limit should be sold to domestic customers.

What's weight got go do with it? Vicious breeds are already on a restricted list as far as I know.

REPTILEDAN88

Sheep Lover wrote: »

What's weight got go do with it? Vicious breeds are already on a restricted list as far as I know.

What rubbish, they are not vicious but could do more damage than alot of other Dog breeds. I have a Bull Terrier and im under no illusion that hes perfect around everyone or all the time hes good with other people but is aggressive on the approach of other dogs but stops barking etc when they get close enough to sniff, he was attack by 2 dogs as a pup this is why hes like that but is grand with some of my friends dogs. Its not only the breed traits you have to know when getting a dog its the training when you have one it starts from day one be it discipline, house training, recall etc. I have never had any dog on that restricted list try attack me accept a few rottweilers who where guarding a building site which is what they are there to do. Ive lost count the amount of times a yorkie, jack russell, pomeranian etc tried to go for my ankles but I know they are not all like that but alot get possessive especially when treated like a babied lapdog. Train any dog breed well, give them food, shelter, leave them be as they eat and sleep and you'll have a great companion.

Lucyfur

I'm not reading that cos I presume it's sad. But. I just weighed my doggy and he's 121lbs. Like Lia_lia, I've never even heard him bark

syklops

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I have an extreme view on this. Not only do I believe that many breeds of dogs should not be kept as domestic pets (Huskies and St Bernard's for example), I don't think towns and cities are very good places to keep dogs full stop. Some of them wee yappity things as I don't like them anyway :P, but an urban area is totally the wrong environment for normal dogs.

So you don't like small dogs and you don't like big dogs. Ladies and gentlemen, we have Goldidogs!

Dog ownership works out fine in most continental cities. The number one difference between those cities from what I can tell is over here we have a general "F&^k you I can do what I want" attitude, coupled with a general disinterest in enforcing the laws of the land.

Sheep Lover

REPTILEDAN88 wrote: »

What rubbish, they are not vicious but could do more damage than alot of other Dog breeds. I have a Bull Terrier and im under no illusion that hes perfect around everyone or all the time hes good with other people but is aggressive on the approach of other dogs but stops barking etc when they get close enough to sniff, he was attack by 2 dogs as a pup this is why hes like that but is grand with some of my friends dogs. Its not only the breed traits you have to know when getting a dog its the training when you have one it starts from day one be it discipline, house training, recall etc. I have never had any dog on that restricted list try attack me accept a few rottweilers who where guarding a building site which is what they are there to do. Ive lost count the amount of times a yorkie, jack russell, pomeranian etc tried to go for my ankles but I know they are not all like that but alot get possessive especially when treated like a babied lapdog. Train any dog breed well, give them food, shelter, leave them be as they eat and sleep and you'll have a great companion.

Meh, I know which I'd prefer to meet. An angry Terrier or a hungry Rottweiler...

Any dog can be aggressive which is true, but an agressive Pomeranian and an agressive Pit Bull are two different things. And tbh, your Pit Bull sounds like a walking timebomb.

The Backwards Man

syklops wrote: »

So you don't like small dogs and you don't like big dogs. Ladies and gentlemen, we have Goldidogs!

I love love love big working dogs. There's nothing more cruel and unusual than seeing a Samoyed or a Newfoundland on a leash for it's two or three five minute walks a day before it's locked in a house alone while it's owner heads off to work.

Gongoozler

Roquentin wrote: »

the temperament of dog is dependent on how it was raised by its owner.

Equally as much as it's genes. And raised should be expanded to include treated and socialised.

Sheep Lover

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I love love love big working dogs. There's nothing more cruel and unusual than seeing a Samoyed or a Newfoundland on a leash for it's two or three five minute walks a day before it's locked in a house alone while it's owner heads off to work.

This, or two alsatians locked up on a tiny patch of grass in the back of some council house. People without adequete land should not be allowed to own dogs.

Flood

Sheep Lover wrote: »

People without adequete land should not be allowed to own dogs.

1 acre per kg minimum.

Luke92

Nobody should own animals ever. Too dangerous

Custardpi

REPTILEDAN88 wrote: »

Train any dog breed well, give them food, shelter, leave them be as they eat and sleep and you'll have a great companion.

While that may well be true, how do we ensure that owners actually are responsible? There are plenty of "dangerous" dog breeds that are fine once you know what you're doing, but the reality is that if some moron in a small house wants to buy a large mastiff breed & not train or exercise it properly that dog will be a ticking timebomb of pent up agression. Not the dog's fault of course but how do we actually stop idiots from buying unsuitable dogs?

marklazarcovic

id say 200lbs is a fair bit of a stretch aswell

RonanP77

I used to have German Shepherds and I never saw either of them get in any way aggressive toward a person. If I ever decide to get another dog is will be a German Shepherd cross.

I live in a rural location with a 1 acre garden and I walk and run a good bit so I know it'd be a good home for a bigger dog. A small dog wouldn't be able to keep up with me on runs.

syklops

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I love love love big working dogs. There's nothing more cruel and unusual than seeing a Samoyed or a Newfoundland on a leash for it's two or three five minute walks a day before it's locked in a house alone while it's owner heads off to work.

Well I agree with you there. Hopefully the dog gets its own back and destroys the couch, knocks over the TV, creates Lake Eerie sized puddles of pee in the kitchen and chews their favourite Nike Air Max.

Unfortunately this happy result rarely ends there and next thing you know the poor animal is in a shelter somewhere.

That said, I know some owners of large dogs and the dogs are very well looked after with plenty of exercise. Mistreatment of dogs isn't just the preserve of the town folk. I see plenty of dogs chained up down the country despite having ample room to move around in and plenty of space for walks.