"Most shelter dogs are mutts like me."

[Jeff Corey]

In today's first press conference with President-elect Obama, he said he wanted a hypoallergenic dog because of his daughter's allergies, but also a shelter dog. He then made the title statement. Maybe some shelter has a labadoodle - they're mutts and hypoallergenic.

[Darat]

That's a bit of a fallacy. Some labradoodles share the shedding characteristic of poodles in that they don't moult heavily however it is rare that it is dog hair that is the allergen. The main allergen is found in dog saliva so a labradoodle is likely to be just as problematic for someone with a dog allergy as any other type of dog. In fact (being the owner of a labradoodle and being allergic to dogs) I think it may intensify the problem since I find I am more allergic to my dog than I was to the Afghan hounds I've owned.

[Jeff Corey]

In a related story, "Does your leetle dug-a bite?"
http://news.google.com/news?q=bush's+dog+bites+reporter&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf8&um=1&hl=en&sa=X&oi=news_result&resnum=1&ct=title

[Darat]

I read that report and if the attack was "unprovoked" then the dog should be destroyed and the owners prosecuted for keeping a dangerous dog.

And I am being serious - dogs that attack people are dangerous animals and should not be pets.

[dudalb]

This is going to be Socks the Cat all over again.

[PhantomWolf]

I read that report and if the attack was "unprovoked" then the dog should be destroyed and the owners prosecuted for keeping a dangerous dog.

And I am being serious - dogs that attack people are dangerous animals and should not be pets.

It depends on your definition of "Unprovoked" and "Attack". Barney reacted to having a stranger shove his hand at him by nipping and backing off to get away. Aren't we always telling kids not to pat dogs incase they react this way? Heck our cat here would take off your hand if you tried to pat her, it's took me nearly 3 months to get to the point where she's accept me patting her, does that make her dangerous and in need of destroying?

While I might agree with you if the dog had attacked a reporter who was doing nothing and seriously bitten him, in this case the reporter invaded the dog's space and the dog reacted in the only way he had to get the guy to back off.

[Darat]

(As always all I can go by is the reports that I have read so of course all the "facts" I am using may be wrong.)

This dog did not just "snap". By snap I mean when a dog quickly moves its head and snaps it teeth down but doesn't actually bite or make contact - this is a warning sign and is usually not a matter for much concern depending on the circumstances.

However according to the reports this dog actually bit and that's a completely different matter. The fact this is a small dog and its bite only caused a minor injury is fortunate but does not mean that this should be treated as anything but a dangerous animal that will attack people.

[Jeff Corey]

I read that report and if the attack was "unprovoked" then the dog should be destroyed and the owners prosecuted for keeping a dangerous dog.

And I am being serious - dogs that attack people are dangerous animals and should not be pets.
http://wolf.ok.ac.kr/~annyg/english/image/pic_5.gif
The French had a cure for that.
But seriously, I never stick a finger at an unknown dog. I let them sniff the back of my fist. Then see how they respond.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I commend them for getting a shelter dog and hopefully a mutt.

[Tiktaalik]

I hope they get a shelter dog - but there's also the possiblity of a rescue dog if they want a purebred.

A lot of purebred dogs are removed from shelters by rescue groups who then foster and evaluate them (and usually provide spay/neuter and vaccinations) and then adopt them out for a nominal fee.

I got both of my dogs that way, my brother got both his dogs this way and is fostering one. These are also dogs that would eventually often be put down if left at the shelter.

As far as Barney goes, I've seen the clip again and again and again. The reporter was an idiot. You should never reach over a dog's head like that, especially when he isn't looking at you. The dog was obviously startled and snapped reflexively. The fact that he actually momentarily contacted a single finger was not a bite. My dogs have done worse than that when taking treats out of my fingers and accidentally snagging me with their teeth. Why would you put a dog down for something they do naturally which is not their fault? Learn to live with other species, for Pete's sake. They share the freakin' earth with us.

[Jeff Corey]

Our Belgian Tervuren is a rescue dog from their networrk. We drove from NY to NC to get him.
and I agree with you about how to approach a strange dog. On the way back at rest stops, I had to keep telling people with kids going, "Pretty doggie, can I pet him?"
'Sorry, sir/ma'am, but we just got this dog and don't know if he's friendly."

[LibraryLady]

My sister's late dog Missy once nipped me in the same way, causing a cut on my thumb. It was entirely my fault--I violated doggie etiquette by doing the same thing as the reporter, startling the dog by putting my hand over her head.

I was applying first aid to myself with a piece of ice and pressure to stop the bleeding (fingers always bleed heavily), and I swear, that poor little peke mix got up on my lap and looked at me sadly. I know we shouldn't anthropomophize, but she apologized.

The doctor got it all cleaned up and there was no permanent damage.

I vote for the rescue dog. Often they are from people who wanted a status dog of some sort and had no idea about how to take care of an animal. A Bijon Frise might be good--they are indeed low allergenic.

[PhantomWolf]

(As always all I can go by is the reports that I have read so of course all the "facts" I am using may be wrong.)

Surely the better one to go by is the video of the incident?

This dog did not just "snap". By snap I mean when a dog quickly moves its head and snaps it teeth down but doesn't actually bite or make contact - this is a warning sign and is usually not a matter for much concern depending on the circumstances.

If you watched the video you'd see that, other than the making contact, this is exactly what it did.

However according to the reports this dog actually bit and that's a completely different matter. The fact this is a small dog and its bite only caused a minor injury is fortunate but does not mean that this should be treated as anything but a dangerous animal that will attack people.

This is why I suggest watching the video of the incident, other than making contact due to the closeness of the hand it was clear that the dog was reacting to the reporter shoving his hand at it in what the dog took as a threatening manner. It the reporter had been minding his own business and the dog had tun over and bitten him I'd be in full agreement, but that wasn't the case, the reporter violated the dog's space and got a warning nip to back off.

[Darat]

Surely the better one to go by is the video of the incident?



Probably....

[grayman]

I've had my "Pound Puppy" Molly for about eight years now. She sheds constantly, snores, breaks wind, and has a grumpy disposition toward strangers.

Just like me. :stone028:



And I wouldn't trade her for anything.