From Mutts, a blog by John Woestendiek of The Baltimore Sun, July 7, 2008

Attention, America, or at least all you state and local politicians who are banning or considering banning ownership of pit bulls, Rottweilers and other big, scary dogs: In the midst of your rush to pass breed specific legislation, a new study has shown that the most aggressive dog breed in the world is...






























Yes, the dachshund, the weiner dog, better known in some countries as the sausage dog.

This vicious beast, despite enjoying a good reputation, is at the very top of a list of 33 dog breeds that were rated for their aggression in a study that analyzed the behavior of thousands of dogs.

One in five dachshunds have bitten or tried to bite strangers; about one in five have attacked other dogs, and one in 12 have snapped at their owners, according to the study, which was reported in the London Telegraph.

Before all you dachshund owners start experiencing the same fears as pit bull owners, and begin contemplating how to hide your pet from authorities (a large bun, perhaps?), it should be pointed out that, as a small dog, a dachshund won't inflict the same amount of damage as a large one, or the same amount of headlines.

So you're probably safe. Now that we're all relaxed we can move on to No. 2 on the most aggressive list .... German Shepherd, maybe? Perhaps the Chow Chow, or Doberman.

Nope. It's...



































the chihuahua. Look out, Paris Hilton.

Chihuahuas, even smaller than dachshunds, and the fashion accessory of choice for Paris Hilton and other celebrities, were the second most hostile breed.

According to the study, they are fairly regularly snapping or attempting to bite strangers, family and other dogs.

In third place was another small dog ...































the breed that captured our heart in the television show, Frazier -- the Jack Russell terrier. The study shows beyond any doubt: Small dogs are not to be trusted.

Just kidding, of course. But that is precisely the sort of generalization those passing laws against pit bulls are making. (Then again, they are probably small politicians, who really can't be trusted.)

There may, however, actually be some basis behind my theory that small dogs often display a bit of a Napolean complex -- at least judging from the number that yap and snap at my big dog.

Dr. James Serpell, a University of Pennsylvania researcher who worked on the study, said smaller breeds might be more genetically predisposed towards aggressive behavior than larger dogs.

"Reported levels of aggression in some cases are concerning, with rates of bites or bite attempts rising as high as 20 per cent toward strangers and 30 per cent toward unfamiliar dogs," he added.

Most research into canine aggression up to now has focused on dog bites, but researchers said that data (pit bulls aren't at the top of that list either) is misleading. Most dog bites aren't reported, and because the bites of big dogs are more likely to get reported, they are generally viewed as more aggressive.

The study, published this week in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science, involved researchers from the University of Pennsylvania questioning 6,000 dog owners. Breeds scoring low for aggression included Basset hounds, golden retrievers, labradors, Siberian huskies. The rottweiler, pit bull and Rhodesian ridgeback scored average or below average marks for hostility towards strangers. Greyhounds rated the most docile.

The study also showed that "temperament testing" isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Owners of 67 dogs temperament tested and subsequently adopted from one shelter were interviewed by telephone within 13 months of adoption. The interviews included questions about jumping up, house soiling, separation-related behavior, barking and aggressive behavior.

In evaluating dogs that passed the temperament test used by the shelter, it was found that 40.9% exhibited lunging, growling, snapping, and/or biting after adoption. When barking was included, this percentage rose to 71.2%.

"Our results indicated that there are certain types of aggressive tendencies (territorial, predatory, and intra-specific aggression) that are not reliably exhibited during temperament testing using this particular evaluation process," the researchers said The researchers said temperament tests often fail to identify certain types of aggression.
[Edited 7/14/08 19:52pm]

The rankings of several breeds can be found here: http://blogs.discovery.co...nd-le.html
[Edited 7/14/08 19:58pm]

I knew those damn Chihuahuas would be on that list somewhere!

applekisses said:

They're like land pirranah, aren't they?

If John weren't such a gifted writer and awesome reporter, I'd protest.



Still, I won't take such outrageous claims lying down!!

ThreadBare said:

I thought this might be tough for you.

I live dangerously, though. I still want a Doxie one day!

Lammastide said:

They are!

My best friends have one and I've known her since she was a youngster, so she's cool with me, but if other people come around - watch out!

Although, I can understand why they're like that - they're so little they have to protect themselves somehow.

Lammastide said:

They're awesome little things! Mine was incredibly smart and even did tricks.



But, he did have a disturbing habit of growling at the single mom of two toddlers who lived across the hall from us.

ThreadBare said:

You know, I've never had a bad experience with a doxie, come to think of it. There was a woman who lived down the street from me in my old neighborhood who had a long-haired one and she'd walk him past my house and I'd talk with her and pet him - he was always very sweet.

I saw a tiny little puppy in the pet store today, my Maxie exclaims "look mummy! A chihuahua!" but I read the sign, it was Rottweiler/Malamute cross

ZombieKitten said:

That'd be one hulking Chihuahua! Funny thing is, according to the study that huge dog will be more pleasant!

Lammastide said:

My parents had a malamute cross, it was the best dog in the whole wide world

Small dogs are assholes, and I say this as someone who's owned and loved terriers and terrier mixes her entire life. I wouldn't trade my Jack Russell for anything in the world, but I'm not stupid either. My lil charmer, Simon, wears a muzzle in public at all times, no argument.


Lumping all large dogs, or all bully breeds, into one category as vicious or dangerous is insane, and unfair to the majority of those dogs and their owners.

BUT

These are breeds that were bred for hunting and fighting, and so they can't just be treated as big harmless babies either. I think that instead of banning bully breeds, potential owners must be required to prove they know how to handle the animal properly. A special course or license, maybe?

Same goes for smaller breeds like terriers. My own dog I got from a Jack Russell rescue -a group that's devoted entirely to taking care of puppies and young dogs of that breed who were given up because their owners didn't know what they were getting into. Apparently, the family who originally owned Simon were big Frasier fans and had no idea JRT's weren't actually as docile and quiet as Eddie. On top of that, they had a toddler who liked to pull on his ears and tail and couldn't figure out why he'd snap at the kid. So they abandoned him at the vet after being talked out of euthanasia for their "vicious" pet.

I have never met a pit or rott I didn't like. There's nothing cuter than a blue eyed pit. However, just like any other dog they can be unpredictable. But I do think they get a bad rap.

i think a large part of that is the fact that people don't train small dogs the way that they do big dogs. They don't take it seriously when a small dog bites.

JasmineFire said:

bingo
little dogs get away with everything

meow85 said:

Was your dog a challenge to re-train? Or was it even necessary?

SCNDLS said:

i've never met a mean rottie but i've met plenty of people and dog aggressive pits. i don't think that their reputation is totally undeserved.

pit bulls are the perfect example of a dog that human beings have pretty much destroyed.

JasmineFire said:

I think it's because little dog bites do less damage. A big dog bites you, you'll probably need stitches -maybe even reconstructive surgery if it's bad enough. But a little dog bite will maybe break a few layers of skin.

A lot of people with small dogs are way too lenient about behaviours like biting or jumping.

That said, I've only ever seen big dog owners let their dogs run loose. Little dog owners tend to at least obey leash bylaws.

meow85 said:

I work with the Brussels Griffon rescue and I JUST had a dog that was surrendered by his owner after a year because they didn't have time to "train" him. He wasn't a biter but extremely hyper and needy. Well those are standard traits of these dogs and you constantly find people who get them without ANY clue about what the dog's needs are then they wanna blame the dog when things don't work out. I was able to find some friends to adopt him but the lady that runs the rescue was VERY hesitant because they weren't familiar with the breed. I had to convince her they'd be good owners and commit to checking up on him for the next few years. But it amazes me how people acquire then discard dogs because they didn't do their homework.

Lammastide said:

It's a work in progress, but he's improved so much since I got him last January. I've spoken to professional trainers about him, and they say his behaviour might not ever be perfect, especially because 2 of the 3 I spoke to say he shows signs of having been abused, but that he's doing well so far.

I'll probably never get him to stop running away or roaming, because that's just a JRT trait, but it looks like there's a good chance he might eventually be able to go out in public without a muzzle.

SCNDLS said:

A lot of smaller breeds seem to be almost impulse purchases, or bought because the owner wanted a trendy "purse dog" or apartment dog, without taking the time to find out how high maintenence some of them really are.

JasmineFire said:

I've heard tons of stories of people coming across aggressive pits just never had it happen to me. I think a lot of this though has to do with the irresponsible breeding of fighting dogs so even if you get the dog as a puppy they have that aggressiveness bred into them so they may be unpredictable but this is true for any dog. However, I think most of this can be overcome with sufficient, skilled training which most owners aren't equipped or committed to provide.

I agree. I spent a LOT of time training my doxie. Poor thing had a night-workin' only child raising him. No wonder he learned his tricks so quickly. Poor guy was tired.

SCNDLS said:

the funny thing about fighting pits is that they are the sweetest dogs with respect to humans...they just can't be around other animals.

pit bulls require a huge amount of training and i think i've only ever seen one or two who were ever trained well. it's sad, really.

I wonder how a shar pei would rank? Although, if I had to feed this dog a few vials of my own blood every day, I don't think it'd deter me from wanting one.

Lammastide said:

how about all the money you're going to spend on dermatology visits and medications?

think before you purchase, man!

and...

you can't leave a shar pei alone for a week when you go out of town.

JasmineFire said:

they stretch out more when they grow up lol


cheaper just to get a Sharpie

JasmineFire said:

It's all good. He'll have the cat to keep him company!

I hope ya'll KNEW this was coming. I can't pass through a thread about doggies without photowhoring my pride and joy Prince (black) and Marley (red). And also Ollie who was my recent rescue.