Dog bite statistics
- Thread starter janie1234
- Start date
Janie - It may be difficult to get good stats on this. The CDC and AVMA did a study that looked at 20 years of bite data, but found that it was unreliable since small dog bites don't get reported and breeds are very often misidentified in reporting.
The CDC has quite a bit on their web site about it.
As a note, both organizations oppose breed ban legislation.
The CDC has quite a bit on their web site about it.
As a note, both organizations oppose breed ban legislation.
janie1234
Cathlete
Hi Gayle, . . yes I saw that on the CDC website and I saw that they think that is unreliable.
I'll go check out the AVMA website.
My kids karate teacher is a breeder of German Shepherds that compete in Schutzhund competitions and he knows my history with my dog that I had to return to shelter. I came to him several times for advice. He is expecting a liter to be ready by October which is a good amount of time before I am emotionaly ready for another dog. He has 2 left and offered to sell me one with added training and support.
Thing is everyone keeps telling me that all German Shepherds are dominant and agressive. I mean you even mention German Shepherd, Rotwiller, Pitbull,Boxer, Akita or Chow Chow and people think you are crazy for wanting to own one. I mean the evil judgemental looks I get when I tell people that we had to bring my dog back and when I tell them I want a Shepherd. I can't tell if I want to cry because it brings up memories of Georgie or if I want to smack them and flick them in the ear for their ignorance.
I couldn't believe that there are some states that actually ban Pitbulls.
msmik
Cathlete
Breeds may have a tendency towards certain traits, but it is by no means a given. I have two chow chows and they wouldn't hurt anyone. They are so lovable it's ridiculous. I had a different one years ago, and she difinitely was not as lovable to others as these two are. But even she was never aggressive, just wouldn't let anyone but us touch her.
Animals are like humans, everyone is different.
Annie
Animals are like humans, everyone is different.
Annie
dreamyjeanie
Cathlete
When I was growing up, our family use to foster german shepherd puppies for the Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. We had several of them over the years and none of them were aggressive. In my adult life, my mother has had shepherds for years and the grand kids could always come around. My question to you is: is your mind made up about a shepherd? Do the standard traits of the breed fit you and your family's life style? Have you researched different breeders? Some breeders breed for protection, some for show, some for just loving pets. Obviously the protection lines are going to be bred for the capacity for more aggression. You can probably learn more about about a breed by talking to different breeders and owners than from statistics. Unfortunately statistics do not tell someone how the dog they pick will be. I had a golden retriever puppy (normally a mellow breed) that bit me wen she was 4 months old and drew blood. Also one does not know the situation that led to the statistic. For example, I know someone whose dog bit their grandson. It wasn't because he was aggressive, but because the child fell on the dog. I want to commend you for taking the responsibility of finding the right dog so seriously. I wish you the best in finding a puppy that is right for you and your family.
Jean
Jean
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rjroubi
Cathlete
Oh my.....my dog Katie, previously a shelter dog, is a shepherd mix and she is the sweetest wimp around. Heck, if a burglar came to our house she wouldn't bother to get out of bed.
I'm certainly not a dog expert but I tend to think all dogs are unique although certain breeds may have a higher propensity toward aggression depending upon how they are bred (as Jean so eloquently communicated).
Good luck finding your "new best friend."
I'm certainly not a dog expert but I tend to think all dogs are unique although certain breeds may have a higher propensity toward aggression depending upon how they are bred (as Jean so eloquently communicated).
Good luck finding your "new best friend."
fit44
Cathlete
Janie,
My neighbor breeds and shows GS. His dogs are amazing! I've never seen dogs so obedient. He is the one neighbor that that can have his dogs off lead and never take one step out of their yard unless their owner told them to. I think he is competes Schutzhund too, he gives all the commands in German.
My neighbor breeds and shows GS. His dogs are amazing! I've never seen dogs so obedient. He is the one neighbor that that can have his dogs off lead and never take one step out of their yard unless their owner told them to. I think he is competes Schutzhund too, he gives all the commands in German.
fit44
Cathlete
Excellent points Jeanie!
I don't know anything about breeding, but I've spent some time on dog forums. Almost all the reputable breeders say they breed for temperament.
I like the lifetime support you have with a reputable breeder.
Mckmain
Cathlete
I will tell you my experiences running in my neighborhood for 24 years when it comes to dog bites. Big dog's scare you and those little dogs...they will bite!! I have been scared by the biggest and bit by the smallest. My opinion is for the most part it is the way a dog is trained as to see how he will behave. The dogs I have had the most trouble with have inconsiderate owners that have no control over thier dogs and let them run free. The breed I am most fearful of is the Rottweiler. I have a soft spot for German Shepherds and have not ever had an issue with them. There is a big gorgeous one in my neighborhood that gets loose from time to time. When Rex shows up at our house I call the owner and play with the dog until the owner gets here, he is very gentle. My dogs are always in a fenced in yard or in the house. Good luck with your new puppy...
Smack 'em with a big stick! (I would kick 'em and call 'em names, too, but I'm just mean like that)
It sounds like you'll have a lot of support from this breeder. I've also known some really sweet GSD's...actually I don't think I ever one that wasn't! My guess is that if he competes in Shutzhund, then he's probably breeding for a temperament that leans toward obedience.
Good luck!
janie1234
Cathlete
Smack 'em with a big stick! (I would kick 'em and call 'em names, too, but I'm just mean like that)
It sounds like you'll have a lot of support from this breeder. I've also known some really sweet GSD's...actually I don't think I ever one that wasn't! My guess is that if he competes in Shutzhund, then he's probably breeding for a temperament that leans toward obedience.
Good luck!
Thanks everyone. Thanks Gayle, . . . I'll be sure to bring a stick with me and hide it in my back pocket.
I try to say to them that it is not the breed it is the deed and that small dogs can bite just as much as the big dogs they just don't leave that big of a mark as a big dog can and don't go reported. Then it just turns into this whole heated debate of which dogs bite more. I would love for someone to do a study. I also get told that it was because I was not a leader to Georgie and that it was my fault that he was dominant, . .which really makes me mad.
I've actually met the pappa GSD he was super sweet and VERY obedient, . . he brought him to karate class and had him off leash. Kids were poking, and petting him and he just sat there cool as a cucumber. He speaks German and the breeder can trace his blood lines, . .he literally has a family tree chart that he gives to the families that he sells to.
Here is his picture. He is the one on the bottom named Jager.
http://www.vomnapaweinberg.com/males.html
Momma is Winni second from the top.
http://www.vomnapaweinberg.com/females.html
The breeder is a super great amazing guy and he really helped me out with advice about Georgie. He is so open about coming to meet his other dogs and about how he will help me pick out a puppy.
fit44
Cathlete
Beautiful dogs! I don't know anything about the breed, but your breeder sounds like a winner!
mspina
Cathlete
Sounds like you have found a great situation Janie!!!!! Seriously, knowing a really good breeder is the BIGGEST first step. Ask lots of questions about temperment, etc., but if he's local and willing to help you, I think you have potentially found a winner. Shepards are great dogs since they take to well to training - I think they are gorgeous!!!
janie1234
Cathlete
Thanks Cynthia, . . Mspina. I'm super nervous. I love, love, love the breed and I know it will be a good year before I have a good jogging/hiking buddy (the breeder says no running for a year because of the developing hips), . . .but I can't wait to have my own furry personal trainer.
Cynthia next month you get your furry baby right? Post pictures.
Cynthia next month you get your furry baby right? Post pictures.
fit44
Cathlete
Mom is due around June 23.
We will make a trip to visit our puppy when he/she is 4 weeks old (out of town breeder), but he will not join our family until late August. I'm getting excited and nervous too! It's been a long time since we had a puppy in the house.
lrayburn
Cathlete
Janie,
A really interesting study was published in the journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science in 2008. Essentially, the dogs most likely to bite are not the dogs that are most likely to be reported for biting. I can't seem to link to the journal article itself but there is a link to the abstract on this blog entry:
http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/news-updates/the-most-aggressive-dog-breeds-dachshund-1
According to this study the breed most likely to bite is the dachshund followed by the chihuahua. It is interesting reading and makes sense based on what I see.
Lisa
A really interesting study was published in the journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science in 2008. Essentially, the dogs most likely to bite are not the dogs that are most likely to be reported for biting. I can't seem to link to the journal article itself but there is a link to the abstract on this blog entry:
http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/news-updates/the-most-aggressive-dog-breeds-dachshund-1
According to this study the breed most likely to bite is the dachshund followed by the chihuahua. It is interesting reading and makes sense based on what I see.
Lisa
hokypoky
Cathlete
Hi Janie! I would get a GS in a heartbeat ... they are great family dogs. From your previous posts, I think you are so diligent on training, watching behavior, and doing your homework that you would be a great GS owner. Here in Colorado, everyone seems to have big dogs so I've never heard anything negative. So many people here run/hike/bike with their dogs.
I think it's hard when people make generalizations, though I know of course, that's how you judge a breed. My DH had a Chow Chow when I met him, which had been horribly mistreated. Buddy turned out to be a sweetheart but was nervous around kids so we were cognizant of that. On the other hand, his mother's Chow Chow, which was not related, would let kids grab onto her fur and drag them around the neighborhood. Her name was Sushi.
I think it's hard when people make generalizations, though I know of course, that's how you judge a breed. My DH had a Chow Chow when I met him, which had been horribly mistreated. Buddy turned out to be a sweetheart but was nervous around kids so we were cognizant of that. On the other hand, his mother's Chow Chow, which was not related, would let kids grab onto her fur and drag them around the neighborhood. Her name was Sushi.
I have my second German Shepherd now and I love this breed. They are very loyal and loving. They tend to be territorial and protective of their family and property. I don't mean that in a out of control scary way either. I wanted a dog that would protect me and my kids while my hubby was at work and works weird hours. My first German Shepherd was named Vader and he was my baby, he was very loving of my kids and adored my youngest and me. He never was a problem with strangers unless he sensed they should be around me, the kids, or the house. He was very playful and sweet. He never bit anyone or was a menace to the neighbors or anything. German shepherds are smart and hate to be separated from their people, the need to protect and keep everyone together is a very strong instinct indicative of the shepherd breed which is way they make awesome guard dogs, and police dogs. I don't blame the breed if the dog misbehaves its more an issue of the owners and upbringing and breeding. If you love your dog and he loves you back unconditionally there is not a problem. Its always the bad situations that get the headlines and not the millions of great positives that specific breeds have that don't get the press.
I now have a new German Shepherd puppy and he's so cute. I love german shepherds and no one bothers me when I walked by prevous german shepherd which is nice. He never caused any problems but he intimidated people just by being what he was a big male German shepherd not because of an bad behavior. He was a sweety. I love big dogs!
janie1234
Cathlete
You see isn't that interesting. Thanks for the link Lisa. I was trying to tell my neighbor's dog sitter who thinks I'm a nut for wanting a big dog that small dogs, . . well all dogs have dominant agression too but because they are small and more manageable that they probably don't get reported.
There were 2 people that really, . . .just really hit me below the belt when I told them that Georgie had to go back. I really wanted to, . . I don't know throw gum in their hair or put spicy mustard in their coffee. It was so hard to stomach. I'm still very much so emotionally raw and sad about Georgie. I even think the shelter is getting annoyed with me for calling them all the time to see how he is doing. He was in bite quarantine for 10 days and when I called yesterday the behaviorist said that he was not doing so great. That he bit a tester when they tried to grab his collar and that he mouthed and nipped when they did a "hand test". I think she was trying to make me feel better by telling me to move on but after that call I just balled and cried like a baby. They are testing him in 3 more days after another quarantine.