Re: [pyrnet] Responsibility

[JGentzel@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/12/00 12:38:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
llamamama@netzero.net writes:

<< Correct me if I'm wrong,  but aren't even pyrenees potentially dangerous
 dogs, if only by sheer size?  >>

Potentially by size and strength, yes.  By temperament and reliability the 
breed is no threat to its family and certainly children.  The breed is 
totally reliable as a breed, only those poor unfortunate animals that are not 
breed typical temperament are the ones that cannot be tolerated.  Those that 
attack unprovoked and family are not correct, they may be deranged or 
mentally ill.  So I believe your question as asked is you are wrong. 

<<Why are there so many pyrenees in rescue,
along with every other breed of dog?>>

Many reasons, all that have to do with our misuse of the breed either 
handling or breeding.

We don't in any civilized society that I am aware tolerate any animal, human 
or otherwise that harms others.  Most areas have animal abuse laws and those 
that do not need too.  There are no free passes in abuse and the same is true 
when our Pyrs attack without justification i.e. a non-guarding situation and 
certainly its family and its children.  A Pyr with the correct temperament 
cannot be made to hurt children in the family.  It would endure all the 
juvenile behavior with the most aggressive move being to move off away from 
the child.  The rescues are a difficult situation.  We work so hard to place 
them when others have been so irresponsible and then we have to receive the 
feedback of their tortured inappropriate behavior.  I have never been a 
strong advocate of rehoming problem dogs.  I just have never came up with 
anything else that makes much more sense.

Joe