After last month's fatal mauling of a San Francisco woman by a cross-bred dog that could only be described as a hound from hell, it was only a matter of time before the call to ban certain breeds started echoing across the land.
The Presa Canario, a tough-minded protection dog from the Canary Islands that made up half of the killer dog's makeup (the other half was a mastiff), would likely be at the top of any such list. Depending on your distaste for other large dogs, the rest of the list could be quite long, and it could include everything from pit-bull terriers and Rottweilers to breeds that look "sort of menacing" to some people, such as boxers, Rhodesian ridgebacks and even black Labradors (not to mention all the mixes of any breed that has ever curled a lip at anyone in the last 50 years).
Problem is, breed bans are not only unfair, but they also don't work. Fashions in dogs among those who fancy owning the most aggressive animal on the block change year to year. The Doberman was once everyone's urban nightmare, later to be reclaimed and redeemed as a reliable family dog by the concerted effort of responsible breeders. Once considered so stable a children's pet that one had a starring role on the old "Our Gang" serials, the pit-bull terrier has yet to recover from its turn as the nation's reigning terror. And reputable Rottweiler breeders are just starting to pick up the pieces from that noble old breed's turn at most-feared status.
The people who wish to exploit the physical potential for destruction inherent in any large, powerful dog will find a way to do so, no matter the law against owning such breeds. And both the breeds and responsible people who care about them will suffer as a result. That's why breed-specific legislation is about as fair as racial profiling, and about as effective when it comes to dealing with dangerous dogs.
Mind you, I have no tolerance for canine menaces and the people who seem to delight in owning them. Authorities were correct in euthanizing the dog involved in the San Francisco attack, although I'd rather that laws had been in place to allow it to be done when the animal's aggression became known to people in the neighborhood. As for the couple who kept the dog, I hope they are headed to prison.
The experts agree that although the physical capability and potentially aggressive tendencies in those dogs bred for protection make them more prone to destructive behavior than other breeds, improper training and socialization have a greater role in producing a dangerous dog. So, too, does the flat-out neglect and abuse that many of these dogs endure at the hands of those who are drawn to a "tough" breed.
Instead of targeting breeds, the law should reflect a zero-tolerance stand against individual dangerous dogs of any breeding. While certain bites are unintentional (like the bite someone might get trying to break up a dog fight) or provoked (like the bite someone might get when tormenting a pet), those dogs who are clearly menacing should be dealt with in no uncertain terms. The laws should demand nothing less than muzzles and secure confinement for aggressive dogs, and euthanasia should be a given for any animal involved in an unprovoked attack.
Laws or no laws, the chances of any person facing a dog like the one involved in the San Francisco attack are relatively slim. Statistics on dog bites reveal that we're considerably more likely to be bitten by our own pet than by a stranger's dog. In next week's column, I'll write about how to prevent aggression in your dog, and what to do if your pet ends up a danger to your family or to others.
PETS ON THE WEB
"Biting" is No. 7 on the list of reasons why dogs are given up, according to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, a nonprofit organization of veterinary, humane and breeders' groups formed to get the real story on what causes pet overpopulation and how to deal with the problem.
On the council's well-organized Web site (www.petpopulation.org), you'll find information that challenges assumptions about why pets end up homeless. Behavior and housing problems are significant for both dogs and cats, which suggests that a lot more education is needed so that people won't get pets they can't keep and will know how to raise them to avoid the training issues that cost many pets their lives. Getting good information is the first part of the fight, and you'll find a lot of it on the council's site.
THE SCOOP
I'm sure I'm not alone among animal lovers in that I love to watch wild birds. Whether you're curious about who's showing up at your bird feeder or are involved in a more active form of bird-watching, "The Sibley Guide to Birds" (Alfred A. Knopf, $35), produced under the wing of the National Audubon Society, should be in your reference collection.
More than a decade in the making, David Allen Sibley's book is notable for his truly astonishing illustrations -- nearly 7,000 in all. For most species, in-flight illustrations are included, as well as the standing side view, making identification easier. The guide is also well-organized and easy to use. Every beautiful, informative page in this book is a delight, a masterly work by one of the nation's top painters of wild birds.
QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK
Q: You're way off base on your answer to the woman who wanted information on cockapoos. Maybe they're not "purebred," but they are definitely a breed. And no more of a loving and wonderful a breed can you find! -- D.F., via e-mail
A: I got a quite a bit of mail from cockapoo fans who accused me of snobbery (and worse) for my recent writing on these dogs. I meant no criticism of cocker-poodle mixes, nor was I suggesting they weren't wonderful pets. I've never believed purebred dogs were any better than mixes when it comes to companionship. Or vice versa, for that matter.
Yes, cocker-poodle mixes are indeed loving and bright companions, but these pets are not a breed. Here's the distinction: With a breed, when you mate two animals of the same breed, you get animals just like them. Breed a poodle to a poodle, and you get more poodles.
Cockapoos or any such cleverly named pets are the result of a mating of two different breeds. Mate a cocker to a poodle, you get a cockapoo. Breed a cockapoo to another cockapoo, and you get some pups that will grow up looking like their parents, and others that will like one of their grandparents -- either a cocker or a poodle. They don't breed true, because each cockapoo is the result of two different breed types.
Do I think people should be intentionally producing cockapoos or other mixes for the pet trade? No, I don't. But on the other hand, I also don't think the vast majority of people who are breeding purebreds should be doing so either. That's because they're not doing so responsibly or with the dedication to improving the breed and producing physically and emotionally sound puppies that is the hallmark of a reputable, knowledgeable breeder.
Q: After one of my two cats was killed by a car last year, I'd decided I wanted to keep the other one inside all of the time. But he drives me so crazy with his crying to be let out that I give in and open the door. Any tips? -- G.W., via e-mail
A: Cats are highly territorial, and the day you reduce your cat's territory by cutting him off from the outdoors is the day you're going to start hearing about it. Your cat is astonished at your stupidity at first: "Hey, you! I can't believe you're so dumb that you forgot how to open the door!" Later, he's positively astonished at your failure to respond: "The door! The door! Pay attention! I want something."
Stop giving in. If you allow the insistent meows and pointed stares to wear you down to the point of opening the door, you're reinforcing the lesson your cat has already figured out: "All I need to do is put up a bigger fuss, and I get what I want."
Be patient but firm, and keep him occupied with games and attention. If he likes catnip, get a fresh supply to rub on his toys and scratching post.
Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies," "Cats for Dummies" and "Birds for Dummies." She is also affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or send e-mail to writetogina(at)spadafori.com.
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