[Clogs]

I've seen agressive dogs of almost every breed at one time or another. Outright agression is more linked to bad or no training or bad breeding, in my mind, than to a specific breed.

In years gone past, before pit-bulls became the latest craze, German Shepherds and Labradors had very bad press here. But when you looked at the numbers, German Shepherds and Labradors were by far the most popular dogs. (Pure breds, I'm talking here, rather than mutts.)

These days, pit-bulls and pit-bull types are by far the most common dogs around. You just have to look at what is available at the SPCA and what is currently at the pound to see that.

I do tend to steer clear of un-accompanied pit-bulls and pit-bull types, because here in New Zealand, they are often owned by gangs and used as guard and intimidation dogs.

What concerns me generally about these breeds is that originally, they were bred for fighting and holding large animals and fearlessness was a desired trait that was bred for. Just as we have noted about corgis, with their breed tendancy to herd, i feel these dogs have a tendancy to fight and hold. And when they do bite, man, do they bite!

I still haven't entirely made up my mind about the adage that pit-bulls are <i>always</i> dangerous, as I haven't had enough personal experience with them. I have known a couple of Staffies, which are, I believe, pit-bull types, but they were owned by responsible people and I had no issues with them.