Prometheus wrote:

Wrong, most domestic dogs will only attack after pretty severe
provocation.

That statement is technically correct, but you have to look at things from the
dog's perspective. A dog, any dog, may be moved to attack by things that seem
utterly innocuous to humans. The resulting aggression may seem utterly
unprovoked to humans unless they speak dog pretty fluently. Simply looking at
a dog, or walking close to it may appear to the dog to be an attack under the
proper circumstances. (This is why it is dangerous to approach any dog that's
running loose, btw. The dog is most likely out of its comfort zone and prone
to nervous aggression. This can be true of even the most docile, well-behaved
dogs.)

Here is a good discussion of aggression in dogs, what causes it and how to
prevent it.
http://www.accesskent.com/Health/Hea.../kcas_bite.htm

I favor Collies and Irish Setters, and I've never, ever
seen one show an agressive side unless someone they don't know is
trying to force their way into their home.

In an earlier post I mentioned the Irish Setter who charged through a storm
door. The reference above mentions collies as a breed that can bite.

The next time you go to your vet, ask him or her about what breeds of dogs are
most likely to bite. The answer is 'all of them'.


No doubt it is *possible*
to train one *to* attack, but I've never seen it done. On the other
hand, it seems that anything in the terrier family will attack unless
well trained *not* to do so. It's not even a fine distinction, it's a
major one, IMO. Size has nothing to do with it- when was the last
time you heard of a Great Dane or St. Bernard attacking someone
without provocation?

Happens fairly frequently. In fact St. Bernards figure on the list of breeds
involved in dog bite fatalities. It's true that terriers of all sizes and
breeds have a tendency to aggression, but the difference is not nearly as
great as you make it out to be.

I hear about Pit-bulls attacking people all the
time, and they're smaller than either of those breeds.

Can you say 'media artifact'? If the dog even looks vague like a pit bull, it
will be described in the media as a 'pit bull' or a 'pit bull mix'. Otherwise
the breed of dog is quite likely to go unreported.

--RC