In the minds of most children, dogs are warm furry cuddly companions who love to be hugged. However, this isn’t always the case. Different dogs have different temperaments, and all children need to learn how to treat dogs respectfully. This will help reduce the incidence of dog attacks on children, and allow them to live peacefully together.
The term “temperament” refers to a dog’s general attitude and outlook. Dog temperament not only varies between breeds, but between individuals within a breed. For example, working breeds are known to be active and may not like to sit still, whereas terriers can be tenacious and quite strong willed.
When choosing a dog, you do need to consider body size and grooming requirements. It is, however, equally as important to take into account a dog’s temperament. If you have older children, you may be happier with an active dog that will rough and tumble with them. Younger children may prefer a quieter dog. Some dogs are dominant, and less suited to families with younger children. Submissive puppies may be afraid of noisy children, and defend themselves with a nip.
Another important aspect of dog temperament is trainability. Intelligent dogs who are easy to train, and learn what’s expected of them quickly, are easier to teach to fit the family lifestyle. However, these dogs are often easily bored, and may be destructive if they don’t have enough mental stimulation.
It’s often easier to predict temperament with purebred dogs, as they tend to have a characteristic demeanor. Many breeders are now performing temperament testing to match each pup to the most suitable home. If you’re looking for a great dog for your kids, here are a few dog breeds to consider. These breeds are: American Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Pug, and Schnauzer. Although these dogs are usually wonderful children’s companions – patient, playful, and gentle – individuals of these breeds can have genetic or social defects that can lead to aggression.
American Pit Bull terriers are often purported to be dangerous with children but in reality, pit-bull types often make the best children’s companions. The bully breeds are sometimes called nanny dogs or nursemaid dogs because of their fondness for children. Like every breed, Labs, goldens, and the bully breeds all need proper socialization and training to grow up to be friendly around children.
After you’ve chosen a dog with a suitable temperament for your family, you need to teach your children how to behave around it.
Just like children, dogs don’t like to be disturbed when they are asleep. If a child takes a dog by surprise, then the dog may bite in fright. Teach your child not to disturb a sleeping dog.
Don’t let your child annoy your dog while it is eating. It may think your child is trying to take its food, and protect it aggressively. This can happen particularly if your dog is chewing on a bone. If your child is old enough, encourage them to take the dog to obedience training. This will help the dog see the child as above them in the pack, and it will become more respectful of your child.
Children also need to learn how to behave around unfamiliar dogs.
If your child wants to pat a strange dog, they must always ask the handler. Some dogs have a fearful or suspicious temperament, and may bite if approached.
Many youngsters are afraid of dogs, and for these children, the sight of a dog rushing at them is the stuff nightmares are made of. If a dog does rush at your child, teach them to stand very still, don’t scream and don’t look into the dog’s eyes. If the dog knocks them over, they need to roll into a little ball and be very still and quiet.
If you choose a dog with an appropriate temperament for your family, and demonstrate to your child that dogs need to be treated with care, they can live in harmony and share many happy times. Ultimately, a child cannot be the sole caretaker of a dog. In all likelihood your child will do little of the care taking. If your child chooses not to care for the dog despite endless promises, you will be the feeder, walker, cleaner, scooper, and love-giver for your pet. If you don’t want to be that person, don’t get a dog.
Watch the video related to Pit Bull Terriers
Help answer the question about Pit Bull Terriers
About Author
Other articles on Choosing a Dog are available at Woofahs – All Things Pets and in the associated Pet Directory.
*sub*
can’t believe it’s drawn out of nothing, could be a photography!
Pit bulls were originally created in the 1800's in England. The original dogs were a mix of bulldogs and terriers. However, when I say bulldog, I'm not talking about "English bulldogs." The bulldogs in England back then were much bigger than today and they're faces weren't as smooshed. Those English bulldogs looked a lot like today's American bulldogs. They also resemble a breed called an Olde English Bulldogge.
All APBT's are born with floppy ears. The ones with pointed ears have had surgery "cropping" to make them look that way for aesthetic purposes.
whoa!!it looks like a PICTURE!
ur an amazing painter!:D
Incredible! He looks so life like. Just amazing…and what a beautiful subject
Brilliant Willy, Just Brilliant =D
If you are talking about the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier you areally wont be able to tell the differance.
there are 3 different breeds.
the APBT or American Pit Bull Terrier
AST or American Staffordshire Terrier and the
SBT or Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
now the APBT and AST Are pretty much the same breed but reg with different registries.
The AST did come from the APBT when AKC decided to register the APBT they changed the name.
now the SBT is a smaller dog but has the same body type as the APBT and the AST for the most part. The SBT should never have its ears cropped like most of the AST and APBT do.
The APBT and AST are both USA breeds but
the SBT is a breed from the UK. it is not as popular in the USA as the APBT or the AST.
Here is a little history on the APBT and AST .
the APBT was the only breed to make up the Am Staffs.
when the AKC decided to start the Am Staff breed they used only UKC registered APBT. they did change the name to get away from the fighting history of the breed though.
in 1898 the UKC was formed for the purpose of registering the APBT as a pure breed. this was the 1st breed the UKC did recognize but later they did become a multi breed registry and the 2nd largest and 2nd oldest registry in the USA.
then in 1936 the AKC did also register the APBT but did change the name to Staffordshire Terrier. then later in 1972 changed the name again to American Staffordshire Terrier so they would not get confused with their English cousins the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
from the AKC site
"These dogs began to find their way into America as early as 1870, where they became known as Pit Dog, Pit Bull Terrier, later American Bull Terrier, and still later as Yankee Terrier.
In 1936, they were accepted for registration in the AKC Stud Book as Staffordshire Terriers. The name of the breed was revised effective January 1, 1972 to American Staffordshire Terrier"
as the AKC doesn't recognize the APBT as a pure bred dog they really give little to no mention of them in the history of the breed and no mention of the UKC either.
hope this helps a little bit…
Edit to add:
althought the Am Staff and the American Pit Bull Terrier where the same breed in the beginning they are both been bred very differently. orig the Am Staff was bred primarily for show and the APBT was for fighting they have become very different.
The UKC does allow the Am Staffs to be registered as APBT so some people are crossing the 2 lines in UKC. I know of many people that call them Pitter Staffs ( an unofficial name)
The AKC will not allow the APBT to be registered with their registries at this time though.
Also People have been breeding the APBT and AST lower and thicker to make the low rider type of dogs. Many people believe others breeds may have been added tot he APBT or AST to make this new breed of dog.
They have also started their own registry and they are being called American Bullies.
here are some registry links for you
AKC AST
http://www.akc.org/index.cfm
UKC APBT
http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite.nsf/WebPa…
ABKC American Bully
http://www.abkcdogs.org/
AKC SBT
http://www.akc.org/breeds/staffordshire_bull_terrier/index.cfm
UKC SBT
http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite.nsf/e63329fac2fcceaa8525735c0061eb4d/b6077e9cd67178798525741600537076?OpenDocument
Any dog will guard but if you are going to use your dog as JUST a guard dog the possibility is he will turn aggressive in all situations.
If he is going to be a pet and you want to know if he would guard you then i would say that most dogs will protect their family if they have to.
In Ontario, pit bulls are banned under existing legislation (October 2005). There are tougher restrictions on breeding, tougher rules for current owners of pit bulls and other restrictions. This legislation will also affect other "dangerous" breeds.
Since the legislation, I haven't heard of charges being brought against owners – the legislation might lack "teeth"! But another thing that is important to remember is that there needs to be enforcement officers to lay charges, etc…
One thing I don't understand from your question is the word "scoucers". What is that?
Great talent Der Mann.
Excellent work. Pleasure to watch. Perfect music
))
both dogs are very good companion dogs. How well they get along depends on you and how they are introduced and treated while together.
no breed of dog,large or small should be allowed in public off lead.
i don't blame you for being afraid for your 3yr.old.
a staffie is a powerful dog and the injuries they inflict are horrific when they attack.
now,that being said,i have 2 staffies.there is no better breed around a child than a staffie if the dog has been properly socialized. none any worse if they have not.
mine have been.if you ever consider getting a staffie or even a mix you should get it when it is very young and be sure it is spayed/neutered.
a pack leader needs to be established right off to give the pup some sense of security because just like a child,they crave limits and boundaries.this lets them know where they stand within the family.
a "spoiled" child is not really a happy child and neither is a "spoiled" dog.if you really want to learn more about the breed you can go on line and type in American Stafforshire Terrier and it will take you to a number of sites .
also a good site for all breeds is http:/www.nextdaypets.comdirectory/breeds
please don't condemnn the breed condem irresponsible owners.
FYI,staffies used to be called "nanny dogs" because they are so good with children.
if you can stand one more piece of advice.cesar milan has some excellent books on dog psychology.if you get the chance pick one up.it will help you in future with any breed you chose to get.
long answer i know,i hope it helps you .
http://www.netpets.com/dogs/healthspa/case4dock.html
It is common for a lot of BYB's or others to dock, but that being said in both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the APBT breed standards, it states tail is not to be docked.
Nice work, you did pretty good.
You’re really good man. You’ve got excellent talent.