So tired of dog breed discrimination

Today I took my three dogs to a dog park. Everything was fine for awhile until a little boy went up to pet my pit bull/boxer mix. The mother ran over screaming "dont you dare touch that beast" I tried to explain to her that Storm is just a puppy and will not hurt a fly but she wouldnt stop screaming about how "dogs like that should not be in public". Well, not long after that I was asked to leave and not bring her back to the park.



Doesn't she look just terrifying? She's 3 months old...

 

awww what a sweeeet face!!! love it. yeah but pitts are only aggressive if they are made to be that way. any dog can be made to be aggressive. she's a baby...you pretty much have a clean slate with her, and she'll probably be a great little girl. at least this is my opinion =]

 

Wow.
Just, wow.
That's not right. I don't care if it's a full-sized pit bull. At dog parks, I presume that the owners know that their dog is socialized well enough to not be dangerous in public. And frankly, I'm more afraid of the little yip dogs than I am of a pit bull.
Is the dog park privately owned? If it's publicly owned, is there city ordinance disallowing the presence of certain breeds of dog?

 

Those wrinkles *.*

Breed discrimination and BLS is a bunch of poop. I'm not even going to get started on it, since once I get going, I'll never stop -_-

 

Its a privately owned dog park. Ill be taking her to the public dog park from now on. The reason why ive been going to this one is because they have a large fountain for the dogs.

 

Aww how sweet. My friend has a huge 150 pound pit bull, the nicest dog I have ever met. That's really screwed up, she should have been slapped, how could you scream at that adorable face. It's not right that you got kicked out.

 

Yea. It just ticks me off. Especially since her precious Dachsund was snarling and snapping at any dog that got near him. And my puppy is banned.

 

Some breeds of dogs are more difficult to handle than others, and some people have no business owning a dog. The combination of these two things is what gives certain breeds a bad name. A number of years ago I owned a pitbull/rottweiler/blue heeler cross so really just a mutt and a good mutt at that but people reacted very similar when I took her out in public. It is a shame and your puppy looks just about vicious enough to lick the leg off a mouse.

Really though, people in general have no idea how to approach a strange dog and if a dog is showing signs of nervousness, they ignore it. Instead of explaining to the child how to approach the dog and ask the owner if it is ok, they do the screaming act. I appreciate when people ask if it is ok if they pet my dog and don't attempt an immediate hug even though I know he wouldn't do more than lick their face. Unfortunately too many people lack this level of respect and seem unaware that a lot of dogs, big or small, pitbull or poodle may instantly go on protect mode when people are rapidly approaching their master/them or other members of their family.

It's not just the fish world that people are uneducated about, dogs rate right up there too, among other things.

 

Yea, I also appreciate when people ask to pet my dogs.

Ive been in a vet office and saw a kid go up behind a golden retriever and pet it and the golden retriever turned around and took a chunk out of the kids arm. If it was a pit bull that had done that all heck wouldve broken loose.

 

Then only time I don't ask to pet a dog (that I don't know) is when I'm at PetSmart and am assaulted by a puppy LOL I never pet a dog that looks un-easy, though, unless it body language tells me it just needs a bit reassuring. But I seem to have the magic touch with dogs, and they all love me

Don't you just love how if one breed does something, its plastered all over the news, but if another does it, no one cares? >=(

 

:;bI have a Great Dane, a Boxer, a pitbull and two small dogs. They are the sweetest things in the world. But when people see me on the street with them they turn and run. I actually had a man jump on the roof of car and scream at me. So, I started walking them 5:00 am in the morning so people didn't hastle me. When people actually take the time to get to know my dogs they usually end up rolling around in the grass with them getting slobbered on. Everyone always thinks my Boxer is this vicious Pitbull. I get very tired of explaining that my dogs are harmless. I do not behave the same way when I see other people's pitbulls or large dogs.:;bb

 

Then only time I don't ask to pet a dog (that I don't know) is when I'm at PetSmart and am assaulted by a puppy LOL I never pet a dog that looks un-easy, though, unless it body language tells me it just needs a bit reassuring. But I seem to have the magic touch with dogs, and they all love me

Don't you just love how if one breed does something, its plastered all over the news, but if another does it, no one cares? >=(

Well, good dogs get put down all of the time because of people that don't show respect for the animal's boundaries, but you're right, most times it doesn't hit the news the way it does for certain breeds. The very fact that animals DO often have to be put down no matter what the breed because of a lack of a certain level of understanding about dogs and how to behave around them is sad enough in itself.

 

Ive always wanted a Great Dane, bu I was never allowed to have one as a kid. I was told by my mother that they were very viscous and untrainable. No matter how many times I told her they're called "gentle giants" for a reason she wouldnt listen. The only reason why I don't have one now is because I need to save up enough money to get it trained. lol. I don't wanna be dragged down the street and I'm not good with training dogs myself.

 

Well, good dogs get put down all of the time because of people that don't show respect for the animal's boundaries, but you're right, most times it doesn't hit the news the way it does for certain breeds. The very fact that animals DO often have to be put down no matter what the breed because of a lack of a certain level of understanding about dogs and how to behave around them is sad enough in itself.

There was a story once about a guys pomeranian. He was baby sitting his infant neice, and he left the dog and baby on the bed together while he went off to make a bottle for the kid. He comes back and the dog has killed the baby, probably just out of trying to play with it. People just don't seem to understand that dogs ARE NOT humans, and they DON'T think and act like we do, and we can't MAKE them in to people, however hard we try. Not treating dogs like dogs is exactly what gets us in messes like this, and we aren't punished for it, the dogs are. Its stupid.

Well, there we go. I've started

 

Ah, it's ok Akari, I had to take this opportunity to do a little venting myself. I think the two of us could vent for quite some time by the sounds of it. Maybe we'll have to start a thread to do just that.

 

Ive always wanted a Great Dane, bu I was never allowed to have one as a kid. I was told by my mother that they were very viscous and untrainable. No matter how many times I told her they're called "gentle giants" for a reason she wouldnt listen. The only reason why I don't have one now is because I need to save up enough money to get it trained. lol. I don't wanna be dragged down the street and I'm not good with training dogs myself.

That's what my mom thinks about Pit Bulls, even seeing how my aunts Pit acts with the kids. That dog lets those kids do all kinds of things to him, and he just lays there are takes it. If they get too rough, he will eventually take their hands into him mouth and move them away, or just get up and walk off, but otherwise ignores them.

Most of the Pit Bulls (and their human caretakers) problem is that they're terriers, and that really does explain just about everything

Danes are great dogs. Not quite big enough for me, though. I want an Irish Wolfhound Just gotta find one <.<

 

I agree with you 100% Akari. I call my animals my children, but I don't treat them like humans. They are animals. I treat them as such.

lol ive never heard someone say a Dane isn't quite big enough for them

 

I agree with you 100% Akari. I call my animals my children, but I don't treat them like humans. They are animals. I treat them as such.

The only way that I treat my dogs like humans is how I talk to them. I talk to them like they are coherent beings, and as a result, my dogs have a very large "vocabulary," if you will.

lol ive never heard someone say a Dane isn't quite big enough for them

Hey, I'm 5' 11''. I need a my-sized-dog

 

The only way that I treat my dogs like humans is how I talk to them. I talk to them like they are coherent beings, and as a result, my dogs have a very large "vocabulary," if you will.

Lol I do the same thing. The other day, I had a long discussion with Storm about how her peeing and pooping on the floor really upsets me and she needs to work on holding it or letting me know when she needs to go out.

 

Akari, I hope you can afford to buy food by the ton. ;D

Ignorant people make me lose faith in humanity

 

Akari, I hope you can afford to buy food by the ton. ;D

Ignorant people make me lose faith in humanity

That's why you buy a high quality food. Better food is fed is smaller quantities ;D

I've lost faith in humanity long ago. Sad thing is, I'm only 18....

 

We have all heard the saying guns don't kill people, people kill people. Well it is the same with dogs. Some of the thugs, and I use that word kindly, at Venice Beach buy Pit Bulls because they have the reputation for being tough. Then they cut their ears. chain them up, walk them with razors for chokers, and fight them... and then when the dog snaps we say you see another vicious pit bull.arkie1

 

Yep, and all of this prevents a puppy from being allowed in a dog park.

I hope you and your puppy have a great time at the other dog park slashgash... it will be a shame if similar incidents happen there. I hope they don't. There is really not much of a better way to socialize a puppy with other dogs than in a dog park.

 

There are a lot of places that will kill dogs just for their looks.

 

In the past year, I have fostered between 50-100 dogs. The so called "bully breeds" are some of my favs and I always have at least 2 pit bulls in foster. Thank Goodness our shelter is "pro bully". All dogs are temperament tested before being moved into adoptions. Usually, we have about 50% pit bulls for adoption an any given time. Yes, we have lots of pits in the area, but so many do so well during temperament testing, it says a lot about who these dogs truly are.

Pits do require a certain mindset in my experience. You have to have a sense of humor to appreciate them. They do some goofy things and have no idea that they aren't lap dogs.

I have been bitten by a llhasa apso and have been threatened by chihuahuas. However, out of the 20 or so pits I've fostered in the past year (they average 3 months to get adopted out to the right home), I've only had aggression issues with 2. One was my foster, another was being surrendered at the shelter. The foster used to be a bait dog and the dog being surrendered was not properly socialized with other dogs or people.

I have had people grab their children and put them behind them when seeing my dogs, many times I hear "we are looking for a dog that is good with kids that isn't a pit bull".

In my opinion, proper socialization and training of the dog puts more ambassadors on the street and personal positive experiences will help educate the public about these great dogs!

 

Is the dog park privately owned? If it's publicly owned, is there city ordinance disallowing the presence of certain breeds of dog?

Usually, the way dog parks work is that there has been a group of people, usually dog owners, who have been assigned various tasks in running it. In our town, I'm one of a group of 3 who writes up the rules and regulations. Every breed is welcome. The only dog that is banned from the park is a dog owned by someone who's not watching their dog and the dog gets in fights, or the owner has not properly tagged their dog as aggressive (red ribbon around tail). Basically, if a dog creates issues, or should I saw the dog's owner allows issues to be created, then the owner is told that their dog is not welcome.

Here's the tricky part. It doesn't have to be a member of the committee who bans the dog. It can be any dog owner in the park who deems there is a problem. Since dog owners ban together against problem dogs, surprisingly this method works very well.

 

Most people don't have a clue what a "pit bull" looks like anyhow - or that it isn't a single specific breed at all.

I've had people shy away from my smaller dog (25lbs) and ask if he's a pit. He's a pug-beagle cross !!

Mind you, I have also had people convinced he's a miniature mastiff !! That was hilarious

 

my 10lb silky terrier can get nippy with kids who do not know how to treat dogs. I have to be careful when kids are around and want to get in her face. just because a dog looks harmless, doesn't mean it is.. and vice versa.

-j

 

That is just sickening. I don't see how people can be so ignorant.

It's actually weird that I saw this. I just watched the news this morning and there was a woman who was attacked by a bit bull. As soon as I saw it, I though "great. Now people are gonna get all worked up about it". I just hope they don't try to pass any stupid ordinances or anything.

 

Most people don't have a clue what a "pit bull" looks like anyhow - or that it isn't a single specific breed at all.

I've had people shy away from my smaller dog (25lbs) and ask if he's a pit. He's a pug-beagle cross !!

Mind you, I have also had people convinced he's a miniature mastiff !! That was hilarious

Bunch of geniuses

 

Here's the reason behind the "minI mastiff" comments.

Pugsley (photo right) is about 3 1/2 years old there.

Mastiff on photo left is a 6-month old English Mastiff PUPPY ! AND a huge suck, he was a total sweetie.

 

Awww dogs are just awesome. My dog is so nice you could jumping her. And she's mixed with a loin hunting. Ive seen many different pitbulls around there all so nice and the reason they get a bad memo is owners treat them like garbage and then they attack humans cause they think they will be hurt its just sad.

 

Its all fear and ignorance based. Some of the nicest dogs I have ever met were pits. Some of the worst dogs I have ever met were little fiffy things that were spoiled rotten and often named "nippy" because they would bite and being a small dog, the owners thought it was funny.
My family loves dogs - big dogs, and I grew up with them; Newfoundlanders(3), husky/samoyed mix, huge 174 lb shepard mix named Hamish that would not hurt a fly, and a golden/ducktoller mix.

No problems with these guys. Then I move out and my bf wants a Dachsund. Finnigan turned out to be shy, but the sweetest little brat. Then we got Gilligan, and we got him from the breeder later than usual. Well, he was not socialized properly and now we are dealing with a little 12lb terror.

We often meet these 2 pits on our wakls and they will try to attack us - with kisses. lol But my little embarrassment tries to attack them - or anyone or any dog he sees. It is fear based, and we are getting him behavioural training (obedience taught him commands, now he needs socail skills).

My point of course is that ANY dog can be aggressive, but it is often the little dogs that are, simply because they don't pose a "serious" threat (not imo, but a lot of owners I've met) and people think its funny to see a little 10 lb dog trying to act tough.

The pit owners laugh at him because he tries to intimidate their dogs. Their dogs are very well behaved, and ignore Gilly while they play with Finnigan (he loves other dogs/people).

Simply, it all comes down to the owners. Instead of banning certain breeds, (like they have in my city, I'm embarrassed to say) they should require owners of "powerful breeds" to attend obedience training, and/or have the OWNERS pass a test!
Because banning pits results in people wanting dogs for the wrong reasons going out and getting another breed - like cane corsos, or rotties, or mixes, etc. Then what? Start banning every dog that resembles a pit? It would be ridiculous.

Another thing - (ok now I'm started) is that there is a huge UNDER reporting of smaller dog bites/injuries or family pet bites that occur in the family, and as well, when it is reported that old yeller bit little Tommy, its ok because it was the family golden lab, not some rogue rabid pit that was out for the kill.

One year in Ottawa, (around the time they were proposing to ban pits), they posted data from dog bite injuries and listed them by breed and occurance rate.
Well guess who was NOT on the short list? Pits. Number one was the golden retriever.

Now, it was a good attempt at keeping pits around, but the results aren't a fair representation, since Golden retrievers are one of the most popular breeds in Canada. Still, its not a breed considered for being banned, even though they attack frequently as well.

Sigh* It's a shame people are so misguided. I love big dogs, and I love pits. I love my boys too, lol but Gilligan is a handful, and I will be darned if he ever bites someone. I am a responsible owner, and we are taking care of it (one paycheck at a time lol).

Oh, and to end on a funny note - since pits were banned in Ottawa, (not sure if its all of Ontario, or just the Capital), people could keep their current pits, but were not allowed to breed ro buy new ones once the ban was instated.
So, people who love the breed would often get "boxer mixes" and they would be labelled as such at vet hospitals, etc. Theres a way around everything lol

 

I just figured I would put my two cents in as well. Obviously by my sign in id I am very much a pitbull lover. I own 2 and find myself often defending the breed but by owning them you do expect this. I have raised pits all of my life and unfortunatelly have also had to defend them all of my life. I doubt it will ever change but its good to know that there are some breed lovers out there. Very cute puppy by the way.

Most people don't have a clue what a "pit bull" looks like anyhow - or that it isn't a single specific breed at all.

I've had people shy away from my smaller dog (25lbs) and ask if he's a pit. He's a pug-beagle cross !!

Mind you, I have also had people convinced he's a miniature mastiff !! That was hilarious

I am sorry but it is a specific breed. The akc recognizes them as one as well.

 

I am sorry but it is a specific breed. The akc recognizes them as one as well.

That is correct. There are a few similar breeds though, like the Staffordshire terrier.

 

That's right on the head

 

Just checked out the AKC website.

Searching for "pit bull" suggests the American Staffordshire Terrier.

Can you show me the AKC link to the Pit Bull please ?

https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/

Complete List of AKC Recognized Breeds
Affenpinscher
Afghan Hound
Airedale Terrier
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
American English Coonhound
American Eskimo Dog
American Foxhound
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Shepherd
Australian Terrier
Basenji
Basset Hound
Beagle
Bearded Collie
Beauceron
Bedlington Terrier
Belgian Malinois
Belgian Sheepdog
Belgian Tervuren
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bichon Frise
Black and Tan Coonhound
Black Russian Terrier
Bloodhound
Bluetick Coonhound
Border Collie
Border Terrier
Borzoi
Boston Terrier
Bouvier des Flandres
Boxer
Boykin Spaniel
Briard
Brittany
Brussels Griffon
Bull Terrier
Bulldog
Bullmastiff
Cairn Terrier
Canaan Dog
Cane Corso
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cesky Terrier
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chihuahua
Chinese Crested
Chinese Shar-Pei
Chow Chow
Clumber Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel
Collie
Curly-Coated Retriever
Dachshund
Dalmatian
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Doberman Pinscher
Dogue de Bordeaux
English Cocker Spaniel
English Foxhound
English Setter
English Springer Spaniel
English Toy Spaniel
Entlebucher Mountain Dog
Field Spaniel
Finnish Lapphund
Finnish Spitz
Flat-Coated Retriever
French Bulldog
German Pinscher
German Shepherd Dog
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Wirehaired Pointer
Giant Schnauzer
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Golden Retriever
Gordon Setter
Great Dane
Great Pyrenees
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Greyhound
Harrier
Havanese
Ibizan Hound
Icelandic Sheepdog
Irish Red and White Setter
Irish Setter
Irish Terrier
Irish Water Spaniel
Irish Wolfhound
Italian Greyhound
Japanese Chin
Keeshond
Kerry Blue Terrier
Komondor
Kuvasz
Labrador Retriever
Lakeland Terrier
Leonberger
Lhasa Apso
Löwchen
Maltese
Manchester Terrier
Mastiff
Miniature Bull Terrier
Miniature Pinscher
Miniature Schnauzer
Neapolitan Mastiff
Newfoundland
Norfolk Terrier
Norwegian Buhund
Norwegian Elkhound
Norwegian Lundehund
Norwich Terrier
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Old English Sheepdog
Otterhound
Papillon
Parson Russell Terrier
Pekingese
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
Pharaoh Hound
Plott
Pointer
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Pomeranian
Poodle
Portuguese Water Dog
Pug
Puli
Pyrenean Shepherd
Redbone Coonhound
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Saint Bernard
Saluki
Samoyed
Schipperke
Scottish Deerhound
Scottish Terrier
Sealyham Terrier
Shetland Sheepdog
Shiba Inu
Shih Tzu
Siberian Husky
Silky Terrier
Skye Terrier
Smooth Fox Terrier
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Spinone Italiano
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Standard Schnauzer
Sussex Spaniel
Swedish Vallhund
Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan Spaniel
Tibetan Terrier
Toy Fox Terrier
Treeing Walker Coonhound
Vizsla
Weimaraner
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Welsh Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Whippet
Wire Fox Terrier
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Xoloitzcuintli
Yorkshire Terrier

 

Originally by MD Angels:
Another thing - (ok now I'm started) is that there is a huge UNDER reporting of smaller dog bites/injuries or family pet bites that occur in the family, and as well, when it is reported that old yeller bit little Tommy, its ok because it was the family golden lab, not some rogue rabid pit that was out for the kill.

One year in Ottawa, (around the time they were proposing to ban pits), they posted data from dog bite injuries and listed them by breed and occurance rate.
Well guess who was NOT on the short list? Pits. Number one was the golden retriever.

Now, it was a good attempt at keeping pits around, but the results aren't a fair representation, since Golden retrievers are one of the most popular breeds in Canada. Still, its not a breed considered for being banned, even though they attack frequently as well.

I've noticed that Golden Retrievers (and Labrador retrievers) are much-sought-after by people who, IMO, shouldn't own dogs as they are reportedly "naturally friendly, easily trainable, playful, gentle, etc." which they interpret to mean "just feed it and pick up after it and it will always turn out awesome." I've seen quite a number of undisciplined retrievers that quite honestly I wouldn't want to have to work with, and I sure wouldn't trust with any of my nieces or nephews.
On the other hand, my family owns an 80lb. golden/lab X and he wouldn't hurt a fly. He loves people, kids, dogs, does as he's told, and once people get over how big he is they love him.
I think they need to make it so people have to pass a test before they are allowed to have a dog.. or any other type of pet.

 

Its all fear and ignorance based. Some of the nicest dogs I have ever met were pits. Some of the worst dogs I have ever met were little fiffy things that were spoiled rotten and often named "nippy" because they would bite and being a small dog, the owners thought it was funny.
My family loves dogs - big dogs, and I grew up with them; Newfoundlanders(3), husky/samoyed mix, huge 174 lb shepard mix named Hamish that would not hurt a fly, and a golden/ducktoller mix.

No problems with these guys. Then I move out and my bf wants a Dachsund. Finnigan turned out to be shy, but the sweetest little brat. Then we got Gilligan, and we got him from the breeder later than usual. Well, he was not socialized properly and now we are dealing with a little 12lb terror.

We often meet these 2 pits on our wakls and they will try to attack us - with kisses. lol But my little embarrassment tries to attack them - or anyone or any dog he sees. It is fear based, and we are getting him behavioural training (obedience taught him commands, now he needs socail skills).

My point of course is that ANY dog can be aggressive, but it is often the little dogs that are, simply because they don't pose a "serious" threat (not imo, but a lot of owners I've met) and people think its funny to see a little 10 lb dog trying to act tough.

The pit owners laugh at him because he tries to intimidate their dogs. Their dogs are very well behaved, and ignore Gilly while they play with Finnigan (he loves other dogs/people).

Simply, it all comes down to the owners. Instead of banning certain breeds, (like they have in my city, I'm embarrassed to say) they should require owners of "powerful breeds" to attend obedience training, and/or have the OWNERS pass a test!
Because banning pits results in people wanting dogs for the wrong reasons going out and getting another breed - like cane corsos, or rotties, or mixes, etc. Then what? Start banning every dog that resembles a pit? It would be ridiculous.

Another thing - (ok now I'm started) is that there is a huge UNDER reporting of smaller dog bites/injuries or family pet bites that occur in the family, and as well, when it is reported that old yeller bit little Tommy, its ok because it was the family golden lab, not some rogue rabid pit that was out for the kill.

One year in Ottawa, (around the time they were proposing to ban pits), they posted data from dog bite injuries and listed them by breed and occurance rate.
Well guess who was NOT on the short list? Pits. Number one was the golden retriever.

Now, it was a good attempt at keeping pits around, but the results aren't a fair representation, since Golden retrievers are one of the most popular breeds in Canada. Still, its not a breed considered for being banned, even though they attack frequently as well.

Sigh* It's a shame people are so misguided. I love big dogs, and I love pits. I love my boys too, lol but Gilligan is a handful, and I will be darned if he ever bites someone. I am a responsible owner, and we are taking care of it (one paycheck at a time lol).

Oh, and to end on a funny note - since pits were banned in Ottawa, (not sure if its all of Ontario, or just the Capital), people could keep their current pits, but were not allowed to breed ro buy new ones once the ban was instated.
So, people who love the breed would often get "boxer mixes" and they would be labelled as such at vet hospitals, etc. Theres a way around everything lol

My 8 yo, 65 pound Lab/retriever mix is terrified of dogs smaller than she is. I took her to the dog beach once, and these people had their two little MinI Poodles ON LEASH that were barking up a storm and attacking any dog that got with in the boundaries of their leashes. Its like, what's the point? Why bring your dogs to a place where they *clearly* aren't happy, and they are making unhappy for any other dog unfortunate enough to get too close? Here are these two little dogs, having puppy heart attacks with 30 or 40 other dogs all running around on a 100 ft stretch of beach, and to make it worse, these terrified little dogs can't get away from what's freaking them out, because their owners are too stupid to let them off the leash (actually, too stupid to not have brought them there in the first place!). UGH!

Oh a more funny note, a neighbor of mine had gotten this cute little ChI puppy, and I took Haley over to go see him (this was before I knew she was afraid of little dogs lol), and they are both off leash, playing in the front yard, and little Max goes over to Haley, all excited, and play bowing, and prancing around trying to get her to play, and she tucks her tail in between her legs and shy's away XD Such a strange dog

I agree, certain dogs should not be given to certain people. If you don't know what your up against, and you're a first time dog owner buying or adopting a large, powerful, or strong willed dog of any size, you better be ready for what's ahead. Some people are cut out for it, though, and those are people that are responsible for the overall well being of the breed in the eyes of the public and media.

Yeah, I believe Retrievers and GSDs, and smaller breeds are higher up on the list than Pits are, always. Stupid really. I'm more afraid (not to say that I'm ever "afraid" of a dog, to date, but I've certainly been a bit intimidated) of the psycho small dogs than I am a huge dog with a mean face and scary bark. Just sayin'.

Ah, loop holes. How I love you ;3 What I really love though, is when Vets go along with it

 

Usually, the way dog parks work is that there has been a group of people, usually dog owners, who have been assigned various tasks in running it.

In the Twin Cities, the municipal parks are run either by the counties or by the cities they're in. A county or city council sets the rules (most of the time one of the rules is a release of the typical leash law). There may be a smaller group created to enforce the rules, clean up, that sort of thing.

That's why I asked. A dog who isn't causing problems can't be banned from a municipal park. The dog is an extension of its owner, and its owner has a civil right to be in the park.
But this doesn't apply in privately owned parks.