I had a similar problem a few years ago. An owner was walking his chow through on about 6 feet of leed, and the chow lunged at my dog. Then the owner had the brain surge to tell me to control my dog. Now understand Tubby was at my feet with about 18" of leed from my hand to his neck....no slack. Needless to say I am not the type to put up with stupid. He decline my invitation to continue the discussion off of the area grounds but I had no more problems with him or the dog for the rest of the weekend.

I do not understand people walking there dogs through shows with excess leed. I walk mine at my side with enoguh slack to breath, but otherwise they are at my feet under 100% control. If the move 6" left or right I know. It is irresponsible to walk a dog through a show on a long leed. Too many opportunities for problems regardless of how docile your dog may be, the ones that you are walking by may not be.

Hi Deirdre,

There's a huge difference between aggression and sparring. Not every breed in the Terrier group should be sparred but several of them typically are just to see how they carry themselves and how that expresses into their conformation. Sparring should not lead to a fight. The temperaments in several of the Terriers are supposed to be cocky and they should carry themselves that way (of course each Standard will have their own specific words to describe how each Breed should be and how they should carry themselves). Tail carriage is big in the Terrier group - some should carry their tails between this angle and that angle and some should never hold it too erect or over their backs.

That's completely different from straight up aggression. And without question, none of it is acceptable in our Bulldogs. Yes, there are breeds that are naturally more head-strong but even they should not be aggressive or dangerous at dog shows. I occasionally show American Staffordshire Terriers and these dogs can fight if their temperament isn't right but you will catch very, very few of their breeders and owners making excuses for individuals that are aggressive. As a group, they frown on those dogs because they have a difficult enough time educating the public about their breed. Make no mistake that many Am Staffs are VERY SWEET.

Jay

If more people reported these things then maybe more people would watch over their dogs better..



Kelly
Whitehills Bulldogs
http://www.geocities.com/kellywhitehills

Showing aggression towards another dog is different from showing aggression towards a person..Both should not be tolerated...The anatolian to an aggressive stance where she felt her dog needed protection and when she put her hand down the dog bit her..I dont care if it did not break the skin she was bitten..The dog got away from its owner or handler...Whos to say that next time the dog wont be even more aggressive??It should have been reported..

I was not jumping down your throat just stating my opinion..

Situations vary and I could see where some incidences could be forgiven..But I do not think this was one..or the incident with the great danes..

Kelly

Kelly
Whitehills Bulldogs
http://www.geocities.com/kellywhitehills

everything you said was right, the dog slipped or pulled from the handler who was not minding their dog who cares what breed, their could of been alot of damage if the dog had right out attacked wilson, this is why i was posting my question as i felt it was in a very grey area of an attack, YOUR situation was very differnet from mine, but you did what you thought was the best and who knows maybe it was a freak thing and you did right. I also know alot of times the AKC does nothing about reports unless their is a real stink.
SO please take my thanks for your input on this matter.
judy/wilson

Hi Kelly
I hope I am making myself clear , I am by no means suggesting people should not report incidents of aggression. But her incident was NOT an attack on her or her dog. Dogs who choose to bite , are pretty accurate if he did not break her skin than it was a warning. He very well may have preceived her hand reaching down as an attack on him. I don't know too many people who can't site an incident with either their dogs or themselves who have been on the receiving end of aggression at dog shows and events. I personally in my home am very proud of the tempermants of my dogs and how they have handled aggression shown at them at dog events. I also witnessed a serious bite to a owner handling a bulldog by another bulldog at a dog show even the police showed up and stiches were required to the victim. The whole matter was investigated and NOTHING came of it. Because the victim (IMO) made excuses as to why the dog bit her. And the AKC accepted this and did not press charges. I thought the whole incident was pathetic. And happens more often than it should. I know Bulldoggers who have dogs who show aggression to other bullies at shows and I am sure you do too. They will make claims of how their beautiful show dog got RUINED by someone elses dog and now their dog is aggressive. It is all excuses for aggressive behavior. Maybe I have just become cynical over the whole subject. We had the education of having our Specialty one year right next to the Irish Terrier club and watched them all dsy long encourage their dogs to fight with each other, when I inquired what they were doing. An exhibitor informed me they were "sparring" it gets them going for their performance in the ring. This is INSANE IMO and should not be allowed at dog shows but they did it during the whole Specialty and I did'nt see any AKC Reps or anyone do or say anything to stop it.
Sorry to go on and on , I just want to be clear that I in no way suggesting people should NOT REPORT incidents. And I did'nt suggest that Judy would have been wrong to report her incident, I am merely stating the facts that it was NOT AN ATTACK, it was a warning. My incident IMO was an attack on my dog and as I said I regret not reporting it.
Deirdre

Glad your okay!
<br />Glitter Graphics<br /><br />

Hey Jay
I appreciate your input the reason I found the "sparring" so disturbing it def got pretty loud vocally and was disruptive to the others dogs showing , mainly our bullies. A little difficult for dogs to turn their back and stand in a stacked position without moving while there is loud growling behind them.
I thought it very distracting for both dog and exhibitor during our Specialty.
Hope all is well with you
Deirdre

I think any kind of agression has no place at a show. If you think the dog will bite when of leash why would anyone even want to chance it.

The only time I hvave been bit was at a dog show. I was 10 yrs old, standing next to my dad holding his hand, while he was speaking to this woman about her dogs. Of all breeds it was a Saint Bernard that bite me just below the eye and the chest in one big bite. If it had been just a 1/2" higher I could have lost my eye. I don't believe my dad turned her in but told her if he ever saw the dog at another show he would file a complaint.

He never did handle any of her dogs.

Any kind of an attack IMHO should be reported. I agree with you Kelly that owners & handlers have to take responsibility for the dogs under their control. They should be left at home if you can not trust or control the dog. I also believe that if a dog has been reported that it attacked another dog or a person at a show that they should NOT be able to continue to show that dog or bitch the rest of the weekend. No excuse should be acceptable! It's very scary when you know that he/she could attack your dog at any time & ruin them for the ring.

Cathy Crist

www.twistabullbulldogs.builderspot.com

Deirdre. and thats exactly why the anatolian should have been reported..Owners, handlers all have to take responsibilty for the dogs under their control. I dont care what the breed temperment is..If a dog is not trustworthy in public or in a stressful situation then keep it home..

Kelly
Whitehills Bulldogs
http://www.geocities.com/kellywhitehills

I have trained dogs for 20 years police k9 and your right, once it came to the thought of protecting wilson i would of thrown my body over the top of him,
I feel both of your comments are right, if the incident had been more agressive i would of reported it, i felt the owner was more to blame then the breed, as i hate to get breed specific, but i guess we should look at each incident and decide, i just did not want to make a hugh fuss. As for the dane thing i would have once they touched my dog. thanks for your thoughts its always a learning session when people give their advice.
thanks
judy/wilson

n/m

protective and territorily. The standard is pretty clear about the purpose and characteristics of the breed. I would'nt have thought it strange at all. If he/she wanted to bite you or your dog you would have been bit for sure.
He just gave a warning nip for any number of reasons. Most Anatolian owners who truly know the breed will admit they are pretty serious dogs, and not for the faint of heart. But the quesiton of what and when to report is def. a tough one. I myself had an incident this past fall of two loose Great Danes at a Dog Show, one of which charged us out in field where we were looking for a poop spot (lol) and the owner was running behind the dogs screaming. They started to circle Munch and then one started to bite him in the forehead, the other continued to circle. The man came running over and tried to rip my lead out of my hand saying " give me your dog and he will be safe" I was of course kicking frantically to get him from making contact with Munch's head. Finally the other handler made her way over with leads and they got their dogs off. Munch was def. shook up and his head was pink from the bites. I was furious. The man chased me all over the show site explaining that this had never happened before and he was so sorry etc. etc. I did not report it but as the days past I regretted that. I think because of his statement that it had DEF happened before and I am sure would happen again and antoher person may not have been as lucky as me. I think each situation is different and each person feeling about how it should be handled are pretty personal.
I am sorry to hear that happened to you and Wilson and I think you may have been lucky. As a dog trainer I tell all my clients to never get between two dog in a fight but believe me I was right in the middle of the Munch / Dane incident self preservation goes right out the window when you think someone/something may hurt one of our babies. LOL
I hope the owner was at least apologetic for the incident.
Deirdre

Judy,

I probably would have done the same thing as you because there's just too much to go through for what happened. HOWEVER, if something more serious happened, I would not hesitate for one second to call a bench show committee hearing because there is no room for those types of dogs at the shows.

Jay