Another Darwin Award Winner

[Gunthr]

An off-duty canine police officer was walking his work dog down the sidewalk, on a leash, in his own neighborhood this morning. His dog, a German Shepard bred in the Czech Republic and who answers only to commands in German, had previously lost some of his teeth in the line of duty, and he now has stainless steel teeth (inplants) in front. (looks evil when he growls)

Another man was walking his two pitbulls across the street from the canine officer, but one of his dogs was not on a leash. This dog ran over to the canine dog and began aggresively barking at him. The canine officer kicked the dog away. The pitbull persisted, and the canine officer smacked it on the nose with the end of his work dog's leash.

The pitbull's owner saw this and ran across the street as the canine officer was walking away, and cold-cocked him in the side of the head.

I don't think I need to describe what happened next, other than to say that this man is my nominee for today's Darwin award...

[Mini D]

The only creature that fits stereotypes better than a pitbull is pitbull owners.

MiniD

[Curval]

The shepard took on this guy AND two pitbulls?

Amazing.

[Mini D]

German Shepards are one of the most protective dog breeds... if not THE most protective.

MiniD

[Curval]

Yea, I know...I've had shepards exclusively since a kid.

I lost my last shepard in June 2000 and have not been able to bring myself to get another dog yet, but this time I will be going for a lab due to the protective issues.  It is great in some respects, but it can be problematic.  My kid's friends, for example.  I do not want to have to explain to a child's parent that their kid got bitten because he/she was play-fighting with my child and the dog "took it" the wrong way.

Still...that must be one tough shep to take on two pitbulls.

[Mini D]

Yeah... their strength is their curse.  Sheps also have a reputation for attacking parents while defending children from punishment.  I could never really bring myself to completely trust one.  I would also go for a lab instead (any news on when Toad?).

MiniD

[Dago]

Labs are great dogs no doubt, but you cannot find a better family dog than a Golden Retriever.  We had to put ours down this last summer due to aggresively spreading cancer, and it was the hardest thing I have ever done.   He was great with kids, just so easy and mellow, and he lived to please.


dago

[Curval]

Which sheds less?

May as well ask here...the wife is going to ask me this if I suggest a retriever.

[Gunthr]

When you hear about this incident, you can really picture the fur flying can't you? The loose dog was a pitbull pup. Turns out the other dog still on the leash was a mixed lab. I don't have all the details, except that what happened next is that the work dog bit and held the pitbull owners arm, as trained. The officer was staggered, but identified himself and told the pitbull owner that he was under arrest for battery, and warned him not to move or the dog would rebite. When the guy calmed down a bit the officer told his dog to release the bite and the other guy secured his dogs which were running around. The officer dialed 911 on his cell phone, the guy was transported to the hospital for minor lacerations,  then to jail, where he bonded out. Family members were allowed to secure his dogs. The officer refused treatment.

Coldcocking the officer was uncalled for. The guy was charged with Battery, and he was cited for allowing a loose dog which caused the whole thing.

[midnight Target]

LAbs have shorter fur but both shed.

[Gunthr]

Dago, I absolutely agree on the Golden Lab as a great choice for a family. A long time ago I used to work an internship at an animal hospital, and the Golden Lab is the friendliest most stable large dog I've seen. The Vet who owned the place had one called "Hap" short for "Happy", which fits thier temperment perfectly. Little kids can pull thier ears, tails, ride on thier backs, dress them in clothes, etc, with no problem. Thier calm disposition is well documented.

[capt. apathy]

between a lab and a golden retriever?  virtually no difference in the shedding.  actually no real difference in the dogs other than hair color.  they share all the same traits.  the only differences I've ever seen between the 2 where more likely do to personality of the owners tahn any sort of difference in the breed.

the story is prety amazing though.  shepards are great dogs but I've never seen one that could take on 1, let alone 2 fit pit-bulls.

BTW- mini-D, most pit-bull owners aren't like the stereo-type anymore than most pitbulls are.  the problem both groups have is, the ones who fit the stereo type get more exposer.

  the owner discribed in the story is the kind who will own the problem dog.  they buy the dog and take it with them everywhere, they have too, they bought the dog to 'show people how tough they are', and it doesn't work if you leave the dog at home.

it's the same type of guy who when he gets his concieled weapon permit has to show it and the gun to everyone he meets.

[Mini D]

My wife was reading up on keeping gophers out of gardens.  The best method, it seems, was to get a dog.  They said any dog would do except one: The Golden Retriever.  This was because the Golden, by its nature, loves all creatures.

MiniD

[Thud]

Originally posted by Mini D
German Shepards are one of the most protective dog breeds... if not THE most protective.

MiniD

I guess you've never met a Hungarian Kommondor...

[Dago]

'show people how tough they are'

yup, familiar with the type/mentality.   I always say they think it gives them a bigger "unit".  Same with showing your concealed weapon.  No doubt both results from some deep seated inferiorty issues, always trying to show how tuff they are.  

dagp