Dog Information

Why are people so ignorant when it comes to dog breeds?

Everytime there is an item on the news about Pit Bulls, dog fighting, et al, the rescue centre has a fresh batch of Staffordshire Bull Terriers dumped on them. They had one dog brought back by a woman who got her dog from a rescue centre as a puppy. When it was 2 years old the vet said it looked like a Staffy cross. Did this woman look up the characteristics of Staffys and see how family orientated they are? Did she think 'we've had her for two years with no problems'? No, she promptly dumped the dog as it was 'dangerous'. If people do their homework before owning a dog (or commenting on Yahoo answers!), and find out a little more about them then these poor dogs wouldn't be turfed out of homes, not because the dog is in any way nasty or dangerous, but because of the ingnorance of the owner. I for one found out everything I could about my chosen breeds before making a decision as to whether it was the breed for me, why can't others do this and save dogs from the pound?

Public Comments

1. its breed ignorance i know exactly what you mean some people prefer to get dogs for the way they look or the reputation they have that's what leads to so many be in rescue shelters Its the same with my breed people buy them because ''ohhhhhhhh that looks like a wolf'' then realise they know nothing about the breed and cant cope with them
2. I think people buy dogs on spurr of the moment. I don't think research is something many people do when they decide they want a dog. They find a picture, or see one in the park, or on tv, and decide that they need that dog. They buy on looks rather than temperament.
3. Because as you say, a lot of people are ignorant and dont care.
4. This is a REALLY good question. I've asked it myself. But I doubt we'll ever get the answer.
5. people are lazy and often dont think that there are personality differences from breed to breed....i saw a beautiful female husky at the local aspca who had been labeled as dangerous, because she killed the family cat. if the owner took 2 seconds to read any publication on huskies, they would have known that huskies, on the whole, dont get along with cats. now this poor dog may end up being put down, because the owner failed to understand the dog. when i found that out i felt sick. i wanted to bring her home right there, but i have two cats and another female husky and i dont believe that dogs should be kept outside.*sigh* the best you can do is hope for the best and try to volunteer at local shelters or make donations to them.
6. Well, people arn't that smart when it comes to people breeding, so it's not such a surprise that we're not so smart when it comes to animals that hump anything with legs...
7. Because, hon, not everyone has the compassion for their pets that we do. It is a hard fact of being an Animal Control Officer that I see this daily.. not just because of being a "pit Bull," but because of behavioral problems, or a "new baby.." It's quite sad.
8. I can't agree with you more! So many people get caught up withe the idea of a cute puppy, that they fail to think what it will be like full grown - and what kind off energy level/ temperment the dog will have and the amount of time they can devote to it. I strongly urge people to adopt rescue dogs - not only are you helping out a good cause, you are getting an animal that will love you even more because in most cases it hasn't been treated that well. And don't even get me started on people who buy purebreeds don't get them fixed because they want to breed them! This is one of the main reasons there are so many unwanted dogs abandoned and in shelters today! I know I sound like Bob Barker, but people, spay and neuter your pets!
9. we went to the rescue centre with the intention of a small dog, and ended up with a lab. i already know what they are like, due to working in a rescue centre, but he has only barked once since we got him and he is good as gold 9 days out of 10. he is nothing like i expexted, hes a lot easier work. my neibour has a dog that bit my hubby and theyt wont put him down, they have 2 kids under 2 and i am worried their kids well get mauled. sometimes i think owners just look at a dog and think ahhh, but does anyone ever really know what they are getting in a pet? example-rats are much better pets than hampsters.
10. It is strange. If people realised that there were more attacks by German Shepherd dogs and Labradors on humans (especially children) than any other dogs. Than maybe there would be a influx of these breeds being put to sleep. I wish people would get their facts right before condemning Staffs, English Bulls and other terriers.
11. I think people should be given more advice and be properly assessed as a suitable owner by reputable breeders, pet shops and shelters before they are allowed the dog in the first place. It would prevent alot of cruelty in the long run. It is so easy to get a dog. It should be made alot harder, imo.
12. Its not necessarily ignorance about breeds, more about pet ownership in general. In these days of fast food and quickie divorces, no on is used to working at anything. When you talk to people about commitment to a pet, they don't really see the 10 - 15 years you are talking about, they see a cute lil puppy or kitten that will look so sweet on the settee, til it pees or claws the settee then they want rid of it. I was recently talking to a group of school children one little girl told me, quite seriously, that her mother regularly got new cats and dogs and "kept them til they aren't cute anymore" - some of these animals were sent to the RSPCA, but some were just put out and never let back in! The total lack of compassion and understanding here absolutely horrifies me - and the little girls attitude of "well they aren't people are they" goes a long way in explaining why there are so many rescue centres needed!!
13. animals everywhere are dumped, for a variety of reasons. it really is a shame but it's true people don't bother thinking ahead or doing their homework, as you say. I'm constantly appalled at what goes on with animals, so many people don't think of them as living breathing beings, but as possessions that can be picked up and put down whenever they feel like it. plenty of ignorant people out there. It will never change.
14. Personally, I have little knowledge of dogs and no desire to know more. I don't like dogs, they bite when you are trying to be nice to them, lots of them bark unnecessarily and incessantly and they crap all over the path.
15. I had a staffie for years. Brilliant dog. Never the less it is a bull terrier and responsible owners must realise they are potentially dangerous. My dog was under better control off the lead than on but around animals and strangers children it always went on the lead. The ignorance you describe is understandable but - Your? Well yours is downright dangerous. Particularly to your dog. All that has to happen to condemn your dog is for someone to fear it might bite them and for the dog to be close enough to do so! There is no defence!!!!!!!!! Be a responsible owner and look after your dog!
16. Yep totally agree with you. I have always owned GSD's but I have always loved English Bull Terriers anyway have two now and I doubt I will ever have another breed of dog again I absolutely love them with all of my heart they are natural clowns ever so cheeky and very intelligent. My two are such sweeties I have never had two dogs that are so well adjusted and good with other dogs and children, cats etc. My partner and I waited 1 1/2 years before getting our two we did our reasearch and really looked into what we were getting ourselves into. And I have got to say they were and still are so easy to have around I look forward to getting up in the mornings for my cuddles with them and going for long walks because they love being out and about so much. Even when were walking them they have got there cheeky little eye on us waiting to have play time and a good old run around. I think people should take a dog for what it is everyone knows bull terriers are strong powerfull dogs it's self explanitory. Just giving a dog back to the shelter is non excusable because it is apparently dangerous, any dog can be dangerous if you don't want that risk don't get a dog!! Simple! Just thought I'd add my mother tried to adopt an Akita/GSD, again we have had GSD's and other large dogs for over 20 years so she knew what she was letting herself in for, anyway she brought him home on trial we have a JRT also. The Akita/GSD was supposedly great with children and dogs etc, well the 1st thing it did was snap at my neice as she walked past to go to the loo(she is 12) and within the two days we had him he nearly killed my JRT three times and almost splattered our cats too plus the thing with my neice. We took him back we were all devistated as we had been visting him there for weeks and weeks building a great bond with him and he was such a lovely dog. We complained to the RSPCA that they in fact knew nothing about this dog told them what he did etc. Some of the staff were really rude but the receptionist who we knew told us afterwards that he had a history of doing it and the manager just wanted shot of him! I lost all faith in that shelter afterwards which is why I now buy my dogs as puppys, I know people will disagree with that but it is my own personal choice. P.S. He got re-homed near to us and he is now a very happy only dog.
17. i agree with you on this issue !! and i did the research,before getting my rottweiler. i love pit bulls but i wanted a bigger dog.one of my friends got 2 pit bulls,from the shelter & they are very friendly.this woman your reffering to,should never have gotten that dog !! i could never abandon my dog !!!
18. You said it they are ignorant. Few will ever take the time to learn because most are lazy too.
19. Could the answer be to your question that people don't really no what a Pit Bull dog looks like, Staffies are so inter bread now that some of them don't look like a staffie, and when they have been in the news it has also been stated that not a lot of vets no what they look like either.so i would say instead of condemning people for what they think they are doing right think about the reason this woman did what she did, i love Staffies and i know several people who have them but i will be quite honest i don't know what a pit bull looks like and I've been a dog owner for over 30 years and don't think i am ignorant about breeds.
20. I totally agree with you, my next door neighbours own dog kennels and they refuse any breed of dangerous dog like that to come in there.
21. staffies are amazing animals but in the uk they r used to fights so a lot of ppl are scared of them but its the people who dont give a sh*t about the animals it breaks my heart totally
22. totally agree,i own a staffie that a user thought she could call nasty and vile! he is of course far from,he is a loving dog that previously saved my younger brother from being mauled by another dog! i am advertising my puppies at the moment and it was amazing just how man 1-2 year old staffs are now being re-homed. again do your research becore buying save the dog passing hands five or six times. how unfair is that!
23. It's ignorance, and the fact they believe everything they hear. Plus some people just cannot be bothered. I would have every dog going, plus cat, but my oh says no lol, quite rightly too, else Id be the mad lady with all the animals.
24. The problem is SOME of them ARE violent. I have seen several Staffie dogs attack other small dogs. One woman has two and she has to walk them on short lead WITH muzzles on. Obviously if they ARE brought up in a family and socialised they are OK, like any dog... Most breeds CAN be vicious if mistreated or not handled well. A lot of big dogs are boisterous and over enthusiastic. They are often not walked enough, suffer boredom and end up being frustrated and destructive due to surplus's energy levels. Some small dogs are very yappy and snappy... they too can give nasty nips. Its about RESPONSIBLE ownership and training.
25. I completely agree. When I got my newest family member two years ago I knew he was half Am Staff and half Rotti, and did not enter the decision to get him on the spur of the moment. I did research on the breeds, talked to my vet ( who was in his seventies and said great things about both breeds, but is now retired), my new vet, and people with these breeds of dog. I also insisted on meeting both parents, and agreed I'd like to keep in contact with the people( they never bothered to try and return any calls, even though I just wanted them to know how good he was doing). People need to educate themselves about any major decision, including getting a dog!
26. I have a staffy and he is lovely. Don't people know that any dog can switch when I was younger my parents had a yorkshire terrier and it was the most vicious thing on this earth .The thing is people tend to believe what they read in news papers instead of doing research.