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gaulirmorn · 10-05-2004, 14:02

Hi Massimo,

I’m so pleased to read your mail!

I wondered if us UK wolfdog proponents would get any response from Europe. Paul has told me that the European clubs are very angry about the whole UK situation, and I was really hoping that we could get them behind us!

I think your mail drop idea is excellent, but of course the idea needs Paul’s blessing before going ahead. If we can get enough people to mail the necessary people, we might just be able to make some kind of difference to the ruling. It’s one thing complaining and bemoaning the lack of understanding in the UK towards the Czech and Saarloos breeds; but if we can get people who actually own the dogs and who can vouch for them on a person level, the authorities over here might just pay a little attention to our plight.

Maybe it’s just wishful thinking but I don’t want to accept the idea that I might never be able to have my dog, and I am willing to back Paul all the way!

What is it about the Czech or Saarloos that makes them terrifying enough to place them onto the Dangerous Wild Animal list?

Again, we come back to the ‘big bad wolf’ syndrome, Little Red Riding Hood being victimised by the ‘Beastie with the big Teethies’! Well frankly, I am at a loss as to how the UK authorities can renege on their acceptance of the Czech and Saarloos due to their ‘dangerous’ aspect, when they ALREADY have breeds on their register that are renowned for being aggressive!

It is my understanding that dogs become banned and restricted due to their threat to society. By threat, I mean those guilty of attacks on humans.

Below is a list of dogs accepted and registered by the UK Kennel Club that have been found repeatedly guilty of bite attacks. The breeds shown are used for illustration purposes only, and should not be demonised. I am merely using them to make the point that there are double standards at play in the UK K.C. I use the information given to underline just how mis-advised the Kennel Club of Great Britain and DEFRA are when it comes to deciding what is, and what is not, a dangerous breed!

Unfortunately, the bite statistics for these breeds are American based as I have found the UK stats impossible to find. All the breeds listed below have been found guilty of aggressive attacks on humans. Those shown in capitols are currently also registered with the UK Kennel Club.

*AKITA;
AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD;
BOXER;
BULLDOG;
BULLMASTIF;
Chesapeake Bay Retriever;
*CHOW CHOW;
COCKER SPANIEL;
COLLIE (VARIOUS);
Coonhound;
DACHSHUND (VARIOUS TYPES);
*DOBERMAN;
GOLDEN RETRIEVER;
*GREAT DANE;
*HUSKY;
Japanese Hunting Dog;
LABRADOR RETRIEVER;
LHASO APSO,
*MALAMUTE;
MASTIFF (VARIOUS);
NEWFOUNDLAND;
*Pit bull "type" (may include crosses or misidentified individuals);
POMERANIAN,
RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK;
*ROTTWEILER;
*GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG;
*SAINT BERNARD;
SHEEPDOG;
Sled-"type" (may include crossbreeds) CANAAN DOG, ELKHOUND, FINNISH SPITZ, GERMAN SPITZ, JAPANESE SHIBA INU, JAPANESE SPITZ, KEESHOND, NORWEGIAN BUHUND, SAMOYED, SWEDISH VALLHUND, NORWEGIAN LUNDEHUND;
TERRIER - TYPE (may include crossbreeds) VARIOUS;
WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER;
Wolf/Dog hybrid, (please be aware that these are direct wolf and dog crossbreeds as bred in the USA, NOT the Czech or Saarloos wolfdog breeds!)
YORKSHIRE TERRIER

* A study of fatalities caused by dog bites from 1979 through 1996 showed that the Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Chow, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Husky, Pit Bull, Rottwelier and St Bernard breeds have all killed one or more persons. In fact, the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in the USA considers these breeds to be the highest risk. Since 1975, fatal attacks have been attributed to over 30 different dog breeds yet the main focus has been geared towards the larger dog breeds: Pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Akitas etc. Both Czech and Saarloos breeds are large-sized, but does this make them more dangerous than small or medium sized breeds?

It has long been summarised that size is indicative of demeanour, i.e., the bigger the dog, the more capable it is to kill. It is a point of fact that a smaller breed is just as capable of killing as a larger one.
FACT – California, October of 2000 - a baby was killed by a four pound family Pomeranian dog.
FACT – Tennessee, February 2002 - a six-week-old baby mauled by a Jack Russell Terrier.

Okay, so both cases are of babies, small in size and completely defenceless, but what about the simple fact of biting a human full stop? Let us question those who are most at risk from dog bites on a daily basis - Vets, Groomers, Kennel and animal shelter staff. Which breeds are they most wary of?

When polled, the majority of these workers agreed that most bites result from the small and aggressive Terrier / Spaniel types. Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Scottish Terriers, Schnauzers, West Highland Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers where all listed time and time again as the culprits of aggressive behaviour!

Bites from larger dogs, though not unheard of, are declared as occurring far less frequently.

It is clear to me that the media are only interested when a large dog bites. Most people will tend to report a large dog for being aggressive, but will overlook a small dog’s attack. Do they find it ‘embarrassing’ admitting to being attacked by a 10lb fur-ball?

Also, I believe that when large dogs attack it is generally taken out of context, with vital evidence of what provoked the dog being omitted from the story. For example, Maryland, USA was horrified to hear of a 13-year-old boy being mauled by a Pit Bull Terrier. Was this another case of that fatal combination: incompetent owner with an uncontrollable animal?

FACT - when the boy was bitten he was leaning over the garden fence into the dog owner’s yard, teasing the Pit Bull kept there.
FACT - the SAME child had been warned THREE times by the owner to leave her dog alone.
FACT - having experienced severe problems with locals teasing and provoking her dog, the owner contacted the local authorities for advice on how to best protect her dogs, and those stupid enough to aggravate them!
FACT - according to an adult eyewitness, DESPITE having received THREE verbal warnings, this lad blatantly ignored the numerous ‘No Trespassing’ and ‘Beware of the Dog’ signs and continued to trespass on the Pit Bull’s property!
FACT – the dog was not at fault, it was protecting it’s home, and it’s mistress!

FACT – the dog was taken from its owner and destroyed.

Try as they might, the Kennel Club of Great Britain and DEFRA will always be misguided in their attempts to keep Britain ‘dog safe’, because there is no such thing as a ‘safe’ dog breed! All dogs are capable of aggression, no matter what the breed, and wolf content does not lean the animal towards a tendency for bite attacks.

I have experience of both large and small breeds, and I can say with hand on heart, ‘give me a LARGE breed, ANYDAY!’

A dog is no less of a threat to man simply because it is no higher than my ankle! My ex boss had 9 Chihuahuas, which she insisted on bringing to work with her, and I STILL have scars on my hands from where they bit me! I have had chunks torn from my jeans by my ex boyfriend’s Jack Russell, just for trying to get through the garden gate! Okay, so maybe they were both being territorial. But when you consider that another ex of mine had a Doberman Pinscher that could hold a balloon in her mouth without bursting it; or that I have also fed a Rottweiller a pork treat from my lips to hers on the ONLY occasion I EVER met her, and I think you get my point!

10-05-2004, 14:02	#20
gaulirmorn Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 17	Hi Massimo, I’m so pleased to read your mail! I wondered if us UK wolfdog proponents would get any response from Europe. Paul has told me that the European clubs are very angry about the whole UK situation, and I was really hoping that we could get them behind us! I think your mail drop idea is excellent, but of course the idea needs Paul’s blessing before going ahead. If we can get enough people to mail the necessary people, we might just be able to make some kind of difference to the ruling. It’s one thing complaining and bemoaning the lack of understanding in the UK towards the Czech and Saarloos breeds; but if we can get people who actually own the dogs and who can vouch for them on a person level, the authorities over here might just pay a little attention to our plight. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking but I don’t want to accept the idea that I might never be able to have my dog, and I am willing to back Paul all the way! What is it about the Czech or Saarloos that makes them terrifying enough to place them onto the Dangerous Wild Animal list? Again, we come back to the ‘big bad wolf’ syndrome, Little Red Riding Hood being victimised by the ‘Beastie with the big Teethies’! Well frankly, I am at a loss as to how the UK authorities can renege on their acceptance of the Czech and Saarloos due to their ‘dangerous’ aspect, when they ALREADY have breeds on their register that are renowned for being aggressive! It is my understanding that dogs become banned and restricted due to their threat to society. By threat, I mean those guilty of attacks on humans. Below is a list of dogs accepted and registered by the UK Kennel Club that have been found repeatedly guilty of bite attacks. The breeds shown are used for illustration purposes only, and should not be demonised. I am merely using them to make the point that there are double standards at play in the UK K.C. I use the information given to underline just how mis-advised the Kennel Club of Great Britain and DEFRA are when it comes to deciding what is, and what is not, a dangerous breed! Unfortunately, the bite statistics for these breeds are American based as I have found the UK stats impossible to find. All the breeds listed below have been found guilty of aggressive attacks on humans. Those shown in capitols are currently also registered with the UK Kennel Club. AKITA; AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD; BOXER; BULLDOG; BULLMASTIF; Chesapeake Bay Retriever; CHOW CHOW; COCKER SPANIEL; COLLIE (VARIOUS); Coonhound; DACHSHUND (VARIOUS TYPES); DOBERMAN; GOLDEN RETRIEVER; GREAT DANE; HUSKY; Japanese Hunting Dog; LABRADOR RETRIEVER; LHASO APSO, MALAMUTE; MASTIFF (VARIOUS); NEWFOUNDLAND; Pit bull "type" (may include crosses or misidentified individuals); POMERANIAN, RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK; ROTTWEILER; GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG; SAINT BERNARD; SHEEPDOG; Sled-"type" (may include crossbreeds) CANAAN DOG, ELKHOUND, FINNISH SPITZ, GERMAN SPITZ, JAPANESE SHIBA INU, JAPANESE SPITZ, KEESHOND, NORWEGIAN BUHUND, SAMOYED, SWEDISH VALLHUND, NORWEGIAN LUNDEHUND; TERRIER - TYPE (may include crossbreeds) VARIOUS; WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER; Wolf/Dog hybrid, (please be aware that these are direct wolf and dog crossbreeds as bred in the USA, NOT the Czech or Saarloos wolfdog breeds!) YORKSHIRE TERRIER * A study of fatalities caused by dog bites from 1979 through 1996 showed that the Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Chow, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Husky, Pit Bull, Rottwelier and St Bernard breeds have all killed one or more persons. In fact, the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in the USA considers these breeds to be the highest risk. Since 1975, fatal attacks have been attributed to over 30 different dog breeds yet the main focus has been geared towards the larger dog breeds: Pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Akitas etc. Both Czech and Saarloos breeds are large-sized, but does this make them more dangerous than small or medium sized breeds? It has long been summarised that size is indicative of demeanour, i.e., the bigger the dog, the more capable it is to kill. It is a point of fact that a smaller breed is just as capable of killing as a larger one. FACT – California, October of 2000 - a baby was killed by a four pound family Pomeranian dog. FACT – Tennessee, February 2002 - a six-week-old baby mauled by a Jack Russell Terrier. Okay, so both cases are of babies, small in size and completely defenceless, but what about the simple fact of biting a human full stop? Let us question those who are most at risk from dog bites on a daily basis - Vets, Groomers, Kennel and animal shelter staff. Which breeds are they most wary of? When polled, the majority of these workers agreed that most bites result from the small and aggressive Terrier / Spaniel types. Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Scottish Terriers, Schnauzers, West Highland Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers where all listed time and time again as the culprits of aggressive behaviour! Bites from larger dogs, though not unheard of, are declared as occurring far less frequently. It is clear to me that the media are only interested when a large dog bites. Most people will tend to report a large dog for being aggressive, but will overlook a small dog’s attack. Do they find it ‘embarrassing’ admitting to being attacked by a 10lb fur-ball? Also, I believe that when large dogs attack it is generally taken out of context, with vital evidence of what provoked the dog being omitted from the story. For example, Maryland, USA was horrified to hear of a 13-year-old boy being mauled by a Pit Bull Terrier. Was this another case of that fatal combination: incompetent owner with an uncontrollable animal? FACT - when the boy was bitten he was leaning over the garden fence into the dog owner’s yard, teasing the Pit Bull kept there. FACT - the SAME child had been warned THREE times by the owner to leave her dog alone. FACT - having experienced severe problems with locals teasing and provoking her dog, the owner contacted the local authorities for advice on how to best protect her dogs, and those stupid enough to aggravate them! FACT - according to an adult eyewitness, DESPITE having received THREE verbal warnings, this lad blatantly ignored the numerous ‘No Trespassing’ and ‘Beware of the Dog’ signs and continued to trespass on the Pit Bull’s property! FACT – the dog was not at fault, it was protecting it’s home, and it’s mistress! FACT – the dog was taken from its owner and destroyed. Try as they might, the Kennel Club of Great Britain and DEFRA will always be misguided in their attempts to keep Britain ‘dog safe’, because there is no such thing as a ‘safe’ dog breed! All dogs are capable of aggression, no matter what the breed, and wolf content does not lean the animal towards a tendency for bite attacks. I have experience of both large and small breeds, and I can say with hand on heart, ‘give me a LARGE breed, ANYDAY!’ A dog is no less of a threat to man simply because it is no higher than my ankle! My ex boss had 9 Chihuahuas, which she insisted on bringing to work with her, and I STILL have scars on my hands from where they bit me! I have had chunks torn from my jeans by my ex boyfriend’s Jack Russell, just for trying to get through the garden gate! Okay, so maybe they were both being territorial. But when you consider that another ex of mine had a Doberman Pinscher that could hold a balloon in her mouth without bursting it; or that I have also fed a Rottweiller a pork treat from my lips to hers on the ONLY occasion I EVER met her, and I think you get my point!