Dogs that bite
are a serious problem in the United States.
Every year, 4.6 million people are bitten by
dogs, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC). Around 17 percent
of these people require medical care. Among
those dogs approximately 10-20 dog bits are
tragic cases where the bite victim is killed.
The CDC has labeled dog bites in America an
"epidemic."
The ten breeds
involved in the most lethal attacks over the
past ten years are Pit Bulls, Rottweilers,
German Shepherds, Huskies, Malamutes, Dobermans,
Chow Chows, St. Bernard, Great Danes, and
Akitas.
In response to
this growing problem, some communities have
banned ownership of certain dogs that are
perceived as dangerous, particularly Pit Bulls
and Rottweilers. Are some breeds really more
dangerous than others?
Breed
characteristics
It's difficult to determine just how much a
dog's genetics determine his behavior, just like
it's hard to know how much of a persons
personality is nature and how much is nurture.
Although it's true that some breeds were bred to
perform tasks that require more aggression than
others. (Pit Bulls, for example, were bred to
fight dogs and other animals for sport). Some
people theorize that Pit Bulls genetics make
them more prone to violence than other dogs, Pit
Bulls have in fact been involved in more fatal
attacks than any other dog over the past 20
years. But breeds that are not bred for
aggression, including golden retrievers, cocker
spaniels, and Yorkshire terriers, have been
involved in fatal attacks as well.
It's also true
that some breeds simply have more ability to
injure people than others do. Though it's no
more likely to bite than a smaller dog, if it
does bite, a Great Dane can do much more damage
than a Maltese, for example. (Even very small
breeds can be dangerous to children, however.)
According to
the American Veterinary Medical Association, the
CDC, and the Humane Society of the United
States, the dog bite statistics from the last 20
years and found that the statistics don't show
that any breeds are inherently more dangerous
than others. The study showed that the most
popular large breed dogs at any one time were
consistently on the list of breeds that bit
fatally. There were a high number of fatal bites
from Doberman pinschers in the 1970s, for
example, because Dobermans were very popular at
that time and there were more Dobermans around,
and because Dobermans size makes their bites
more dangerous. The number of fatal bites from
Pit Bulls rose in the 1980s for the same reason,
and the number of bites from Rottweilers in the
1990s. The study also noted that there are no
reliable statistics for nonfatal dog bites, so
there is no way to know how often smaller breeds
are biting.
Owner
responsibilities
This study supports what many veterinarians have
believed for years: nearly any dog can be
aggressive or non-aggressive, depending on his
training and environment. Owners play a big part
in making sure that their pet is safe around
other people. There are several steps you can
take to help ensure that your dog isn't
dangerous.
-
Restrain your pet.
Unrestrained dogs cause about 82 percent of
all fatal bites. Keeping your dog on a
strong leash whenever you're in public is a
big first step toward preventing bites.
Also, don't encourage strangers to interact
with your dog; strangers and a strange
environment may startle him. If you leave
your dog alone outdoors, your yard needs to
be enclosed with a six- to eight-foot fence,
depending on your dog's size.
-
Socialize your puppy.
Once your pup has been fully vaccinated and
he has your veterinarian's okay, take him to
puppy classes, the park, and the pet store.
Take him anywhere where he can interact with
people and other dogs in a non-threatening
environment. Praise him when he interacts
well with others.
-
Spay
or neuter your dog.
Intact (non-neutered) male dogs are
responsible for approximately 80 percent of
fatal bites. When dogs are altered, they
lose some of their territorial instincts,
including a lot of their territorial
aggression.
-
Train him not to bite.
Dogs will mouth, chew, and bite everything
from your hands to your furniture until you
teach them that it's inappropriate. If your
dog is biting you, or growling at you or
other family members, distract him with a
quick sound, such as a clap or a sharp "ow!"
Then redirect his attention to a rawhide or
chew toy. And be sure to reward him when you
catch him chewing on the right things.
-
Watch your dog's behavior.
This may be the most important part of
preventing your dog from biting. It's easy
for owners to be in denial that their sweet,
furry Fido may be a threat. But if your dog
exhibits any of the following behaviors,
it's time for your veterinarian's help:
growling at, snapping at, or biting family
members; growling or snapping at strangers;
or extreme fear of strangers.
If you see
signs that your dog could be aggressive or
dangerous, you can ask your veterinarian to
refer you to a veterinary behavioral specialist.
While your dog is being treated for aggression,
be careful with him in public. Be sure to warn
strangers to use caution if they interact with
him.
Following
these directions won't guarantee that your dog
won't bite, but they'll certainly make it less
likely. Any dog that is well restrained and well
trained can be perfectly safe, regardless of
breed. The truth is, an irresponsible owner is
much more dangerous than any dog.
