Service Dog discussions
 

SD's are exempt from breed bans, no?

Good question. I have no idea how breed bans effect SDs. The problem is a genetic one. There are some dogs that are more predisposed to violence than others. There is also no real proof regarding breeds that are more aggressive than others.

Technically, yes SDs are exempt from breed bans. But, you know how hard it can be to convince local yahoo cops that SD laws exist, they can be even harder to convince of the breed ban exemption. I would never take a dog (SD or not) that even resembled a pittie into Denver or KC. There was a case last year of a man who's pittie mix SD was seized when he stopped at a gas station in Denver. For the safety of my dog, I wouldn't do it. But then, I won't spend money in a city that has a BSL anyway.

And Jin....I mean Ranger...you know who you are ;)

No dog breed is genetically prone to aggression over another. Its in the breeding and the rearing. As the president/co-founder of an anti-BSL organization, I have more info on this than you ever would want to read! :cool:

I accept that genetics and DNA can have an effect on how aggressive a dog can be. I see it as a recessive gene that crops up only rarely. I do not accept htat puppies born of a give breed (pitties and rotties) are prone to natural agressivness unless bred specificaly for that pupose. I know for a fact dogs bred for agressiviness exist. That is the problem. It is not a natural selection.

Regarding dogs on the proposed lists of banned breeds. For a persopn in search of an SD they should be avoided purely from a legal standpioint since owning one could bring unwanted legal headaches.

Thre are no bad dogs except the one that eats your steak.

I have one mean rottie mix curled up on my feet right now keeping me warm and keeping my blood from pooling in my feet! GRRRR!! :p

I wouldn't go out looking for a SD and choose a BSL breed, but if I had a BSL breed (uhm....like, I don't know...Harley) and they showed a natural ability to do the job and natural desire, I wouldn't rule them out based on their breed. It just means having to be must more aware of problems that you may encounter.

I got lucky in that my SD who I KNOW is 1/2 Rottie (was there when he was born and mom is pure Rottie) does not look like one.....meaning less stupid people comments.

I always thought he was a Newfie mix!

That's what most people think, but I promise...he's 1/2 Rott, 1/2 Aussie. If you go to my facebook page and look at the photo album "The photos that survived Katrina" there's some from when he was younger and before/during the coat change.

Sounds like a mean dog. He means to get that steak :LOL:

excellent query!
 

No, the dogs are not banned with good reason. THERE ARE NO BAD BREEDS! These "bad breed" consistently score higher on the temperament test than other breeds. This means that these breeds have more stable temperaments than other breeds. The problem is that the criminal element has picked them due to their size and power. A pittie, a rott, a Dobie, and a GSD all make awesome SDs because of their loyalty and intelligence. They are no more prone to aggression than any other breed, in fact, just the opposite. It's people's stereotype and prejudice that is the problem.

Yes, because of the prejudice, life with a SD of these breeds will be more difficult, but that is not the dogs fault!