Dog obsessions

The German Shepherd’s bad rap actually comes from the many excellent traits the breed possesses. The average GSD is intelligent, strong and hardworking. Those same traits make them a force to be reckoned with in the wrong situation.

Their role at the side of police officers gives them a look of authority, which can make some people nervous. Overall the breed is loyal and has tons of potential, but can be steered in the wrong direction if mistreated or ill-trained.

When most people think of the German Shepherd dog, they envision footage of police chases where K-9 units take down a fleeing suspect. While this is a positive thing for the public, it also gives people a sense of the dog’s capabilities against a person which can be intimidating.

The German Shepherd ranks close with the Pit Bull in terms of bite force. It averages around 238 pounds, which makes it a formidable foe in a confrontation. This can be a big problem if the dog is not well socialized and trained. While it used to be relatively well liked, it has fallen from public favor mostly due to temperament issues and physical health of the breed.

One factor that some critics tend to forget is that the German Shepherd is a very common breed in many areas. They are easy to find, which leads to irresponsible breeding and poor care by inexperienced or uncaring owners and breeders. Bad breeding can lead to serious developmental and temperament flaws, which can cause individual dogs to be more fearful, aggressive and difficult to handle.

The best way to avoid this problem is to only adopt from reputable breeders who are genuinely interested in improving the breed. Also make sure the dog gets plenty of socializing, exercise and obedience training from a young age. Despite its declining reputation, the German shepherd still holds a spot as the second most popular dog in the U.S. and fourth most popular in the U.K.

The American Bulldog ranks among the tragically misunderstood “bully breeds”, often referred to as Pit Bulls. These breeds are often emphasized in news stories because they are very strong and can severely harm or kill a human being.

They were originally bread to bait bulls and bears, so they had to be very hardy and powerful. Unfortunately their reputation is further sullied by irresponsible people who train them for illegal dog fighting activities or use them for intimidation purposes.

One of the biggest issues that cause poor Bulldog behavior is socialization. Anyone who wants to raise an American Bulldog from puppyhood should prepare to offer significant socialization opportunities to their pet. This should include putting them in a variety of situations with different people of all ages – especially children.

The American Bulldog will naturally form a strong bond with their beloved owners. They may seem reserved or aloof with people they don’t know. Deep down they are very emotional canines who crave attention from their human companion. A Bulldog that’s properly raised and trained will be a loyal pet.

Problems can also arise when owners don’t recognize the limitations of their Bulldog. A dog that is fearful or feeling overwhelmed is more likely to lash out. Owners should be aware of the environment around their pet and be prepared to remove the dog, if the situation becomes too intense for the animal to handle.

American Bulldogs can apply around 235 pounds of force when they bite, which can cause serious damage should they choose to bite a human being. That bite can also be dangerous when the dog doesn’t intend to do significant harm.

In November 2013, a 7 year old girl in Xenia, Ohio was outside playing with her American Bulldog when the dog became aggressive and bit her leg, dragging her around the yard. When police arrived the dog was sitting nearby and the girl was otherwise unharmed. This situation could have been avoided with better supervision by an adult and a better understanding of how a child and large dog should play.