-linux_lad wrote in message ...
I have a Rat Terrier and two very
large Rottweilers. The terrier seems to be the noisiest, rowdiest one of
the bunch, even though she only weighs twelve pounds.

Ratties and the other terrier breeds were designed to go after rats
and other vermin; Rotties and Dobes were designed for the two legged
varieties. Slight difference in scale but both are fully capable of
nailing you.

My grandkids all learned the same lesson -- don't poke the dog. BTW,
dog also trained not to bite, so the sequence is funny: poke, poke,
poke, warning, poke, growl, warning, poke, snap!lick! Dog's
expression comes out as "Honestly, boss! I was licking and his/her
fingers snagged on my teeth!" All the kids treat dogs with respect and
know the warning signs for an unfriendly dog.

Ontario is making the big step and proposing what British Common Law
has always said -- the owner of a dog is financially responsible for
what the dog does, unless the victim of the dog attack is doing
something he shouldn't like B&E or trespassing. That and bringing in a
off-property-muzzle-law for the assault breeds.

My $0.02Cdn....