Rottweiler is the number two breed of dog named in fatal human attacks

This article is about the dog breed. For other uses, see Rottweiler (disambiguation).
Rottweiler

Nicknames
RottieRottWeily
Country of origin
Germany
[hide]Traits
Weight
Male
≈50 kg (130 pounds)
Female
≈42 kg (95 pounds)
Height
Male
61 to 68 cm (24-27 inches)
Female
56 to 63 cm (22-25 inches)
Coat
Short, hard and thick
Color
Black and rust or black and a mahogany
Life span
10-11 years
[show]Classification & standards
FCI
Group 2 Section 2 #147
standard
AKC
Working
standard
ANKC
Group 6 (Utility)
standard
CKC
Group 3 - Working
standard
KC (UK)
Working
standard
NZKC
Utility
standard
UKC
Guardian Dog
standard
The rottweiler,or Rottweil Metzgerhund, was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1931. It is a hardy, intelligent, and even misunderstood breed.
Contents[hide]
1 Description
1.1 Appearance
1.1.1 Size
1.2 Temperament
1.2.1 Aggressiveness
2 Health
3 History
4 The Rottweiler in media
4.1 Books
4.2 Film and television
4.3 Comics
5 References
6 External links
//

Description

Appearance

An undocked Rottweiler in profile
The breed is almost always black with clearly defined tan or mahogany markings on the cheeks, muzzle, chest and legs. The coat is medium length and consists of a waterproof undercoat and a coarse top coat. Rottweiler coats tend to be low maintenance, although they experience shedding during their periods. The skull is typically massive, but without excessive jowls.

Size
According to FCI standard, the Rottweiler stands 61 to 68 cm (24-27 inches) at the withers for males, and 56 to 62.5 cm (22-25 inches) for females.[1] Average weight is 50 kg (110 pounds) for males and 42 kg (95 pounds) for females.

Temperament

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In the hands of a responsible owner, a well trained and socialized Rottweiler can be a reliable, alert dog and a loving companion. However, any poorly trained dog can become a danger in the wrong circumstances. Rottweilers that are well trained and cared for can be as well behaved as any other dog and in general they are fond of children, very devoted, quick to learn, and eager to please. However, if they are not receiving the mental stimulation they need, they will find creative and sometimes destructive ways to elicit it. Such behavioral problems as chewing and barking for attention can be a result of lack of human interaction. The Rottweiler is a working dog that is also good for protection of children, as well as guard duties.
The Rottweiler is a steady dog with a self-assured nature, but early socialization and exposure to as many new people, animals, and situations as possible is very important in developing these qualities. The Rottweiler also has a natural tendency to assert dominance if not properly trained. Rottweilers' large size and strength make this an important point to consider: an untrained, poorly trained, or abused Rottweiler can learn to be extremely aggressive and destructive and, if allowed to run at large, can pose a significant physical threat to humans or other animals. They can be strong-willed and should be trained in a firm and consistent manner. The owner must be perceived by the dog as the leader. If the owner fails to achieve this status the Rottweiler will readily take on the role. Aggression in Rottweilers is associated with poor breeding, poor handling, lack of socialization, natural guarding tendencies, and abuse.
The Rottweiler is not usually a barker. Male dogs are silent watchers that notice everything before they attack. When the male attacks, he tends to go very still, there's no warning growl or movement and are often quite stoic. Females may become problem barkers in order to protect their den. An attentive owner is usually able to recognize when a Rottweiler perceives a threat. Barking is usually a sign of annoyance with external factors (car alarms or other disturbances) rather than a response to actual threats.

Aggressiveness

A male runt Rottweiler; puppies that are atypical of the breed standard are often sold by breeders as family pets.
In recent years the breed has received some negative publicity, possibly related to the fact that in the US, the Rottweiler is the number two breed of dog named in fatal human attacks from 1979 to 1998 in a report by the CDC[2]. Rottweilers are a powerful breed with well developed genetic guarding and herding instincts, and prey drive. Dangerous behavior in Rottweilers potentially results from irresponsible ownership, abuse, neglect, or lack of socialization. This tendency may extend towards other animals as well. Often injuries and maulings occur when an owner or passerby tries to separate fighting dogs, or unintentionally triggers a guarding behavior in a dog. The portrayal of Rottweilers as evil dogs in several fictional films and TV series, most notably in The Omen, has added to their negative publicity and popularity among backyard breeders. Rottweilers are banned in many municipalities, some scattered countries, and are sometimes targeted as dangerous dogs by legislation, such as in the Netherlands. Many owners of Rottweilers are forced to obey state leash/muzzle laws, as in Germany, France and Venezuela. Rottweilers are not recommended for people who have little experience with dogs, or understand little about dog psychology and responsible canine ownership.

Health
The Rottweiler is a tough and hardy breed, but potential owners should be aware of known health issues that can affect this breed. Rottweilers are highly prone to be affected by serious diseases mainly to its hips. The most serious genetic health risks a Rottweiler faces are canine hip dysplasia (CHD), subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS), elbow dysplasia, and osteosarcoma. Other conditions which may affect this breed include hypothyroidism, gastric torsion (bloat), torn crucial ligament and allergies.[3] Rottweiler owners should have their dogs' hips, elbows, heart, and eyes tested by a veterinarian before breeding. DNA tests should also be performed to screen for von Willebrand's disease (vWD). Rottweilers typically live between 10 and 11 years.[4]

History
The breed is an ancient one, whose history stretches back to the Roman Empire. In those times, the legions traveled with their meat on the hoof and required the assistance of working dogs to herd the cattle. One route the army traveled was through Württemberg and on to the small market town of Rottweil. The principal ancestors of the first Rottweilers during this time was supposed to be the Roman war dog, local sheepdogs the army met on its travels, and dogs with molosser appearance coming from England and The Netherlands.
This region eventually became an important cattle area, and the descendants of the Roman cattle dogs proved their worth in both driving and protecting the cattle from robbers and wild animals. However, by the end of the 19th Century, the breed had declined so much that in 1900 there was only one female to be found in the town of Rottweil. The build up to World War I saw a great demand for police dogs, and that led to a revival of interest in the Rottweiler. In fact, in the mid 1990s, the popularity of the Rottweiler reached an all time high with it being the 2nd most registered dog by the AKC. [5]
From that time the breed has become popular with dog owners, and in 1935 was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club. In 1936, Rottweilers were exhibited in Britain at Crufts. In 1966, a separate register was opened for the breed.
The first Rottweiler club in Germany, named DRK ("Deutscher Rottweiler-Klub" — German Rottweiler Club) was created the 13 January 1907, and followed by the creation of the SDRK ("Süddeutscher Rottweiler-Klub" — South German Rottweiler Club) on the 27 April 1907 and became the IRK (International Rottweiler Club). The DRK counted around 500 Rottweiler, the SDRK 3000 Rottweilers. The goals of the two clubs were different. The DRK wanted to produce working dogs and did not emphasize the morphology of the Rottweiler. The main stud dog of this club was Lord von der Teck. The IRK tried to produce a homogeneous morphology according to their standard. One of the main stud dogs of this club was Ralph von Neckar.
A popular misconception about the Rottweiler is that the breed was bred for dog fighting.

The Rottweiler in media

Good Dog, Carl book cover

Books
Bruiser,[6] from the Burke series of novels by Andrew Vachss.
Carl, from Good Dog, Carl.
"Hoot," from "Carl Hiaasen."
Tracy Beaker's imaginary pet Rottweiler.
Cupcake, from the Mercy Hollings series of novels by Toni Andrews

Film and television
In the UK tv series Dog Borstal a pet rottweiler appears in a program
Marylin Rexroth's guard dogs in the film Intolerable Cruelty.
Reggie, from Las Vegas.
Arnold, from Entourage.
Cofi, from Amores Perros.
Fang from Dumb and Dumberer.
Gerta and Muzzle/Scout, from Road Rovers.
Killer, from Half Baked.
A Rottweiler was the host of the Xenomorph in the theatrical version of Alien 3.
Mirror-Universe Porthos, from Star Trek: Enterprise (in the "normal" universe, Porthos is a beagle.)
Prince, from The People Under the Stairs.
Snots, from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
Triumph the Insult Comic Dog is a puppet of a Rottweiler.
A Rottweiler appears as the Bueller family pet in Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
A Rottweiler guards the cemetery in the Pet Sematary.
Rottweilers appear as security dogs in Catch That Kid.
Rottweilers chase Gregory Peck in The Omen.
A Rottweiler is (humorously) taken in by Martin Riggs in Lethal Weapon 3, and reappears as his and Lorna Cole's pet along with Riggs' other dog in Lethal Weapon 4.
A Rottweiler (Nugent) appears in the animated film Over the Hedge chasing RJ and Verne and later biting Dwayne.
Rommel in the movie Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties
A Rottweiler kept by Coop and Remer attacks Squeak in Baseketball.
Riff Raff, in the movie Underdog.
Two Rottweilers appear in Conan the Barbarian.
Bruiser falls in love with Leslie, a congressman's Rottweiler in Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde.
Latrell Spencer's pet dog from White Chicks.
Cujo, Brett's dog from Kath and Kim.
A Rottweiler appears as the Callahan guard dog who attacks Paul (Rob Lowe) in Tommy Boy.
A Rottweiler appears in a few scenes in the 2006 horror film The Breed
A Rottweiler chases Sam Witwicky in "Transformers"
A Rottweiler appears in the TV Show, "Drake & Josh". The Rottweiler attacks Drake and Josh while they are in their teacher's house and the dog forces them to lock themselves in the bathroom.
UK tv series Green Green Grass has a Rottweiler
UK tv series Coronation Street featured two Rottweilers
Christmas Vacation 2 features a Rottweiler
The Siege features a Rottweiler
UK tv series "Cadfael"(the rose rent) features a Rottweiler
A Rottweiler appears in an episode of MONK
A Rottweiler is in an episode of Diagnosis Murder
A Rottweiler is in Ripping Yarns (The reluctant Rash)
A Rottweiler is in an episode of Smallville
A Rottweiler is featured in the episode "Good Dog Karl" of the series Maximum Bob
A Rottweiler appears in Close Encounters of The Third Kind
In the new show New Amsterdam, John Amsterdam has a pet Rottwelier.
In the comedy series Black Books, Manny calms a Rottweiler.
A Rotty is featured in the children's 3-D animated movie The Wild when a vicious Rottweiler, toy poodle, and Pit Bull chase the main characters in the streets of New York City.
A Rottweiler bullies Shoeshine near the end of the movie Underdog, teamed with two "sidekick" Pit Bulls
In King Of The Hill episode Dances with Dogs, Bill owns a Rottweiler.
Gianluca Zambrotta owns a Rottweiler

Comics
Max from The Punisher.
Fang in Heathcliff comic

References
^ USRC Breed Standard
^ Breeds of dog involved in fatal human attacks in the U.S. between 1979 and 1998
^ Rottweiler Care - Breeder Retriever, URL dated January 2, 2007
Coile, Caroline, Ph. D., Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds, Barron's Educational Series, 2005. Page 144.
http://www.vansach.com/history.htm
Bruiser and Wolfe, excerpted from Down Here, by Andrew Vachss. Vintage, 2005.
The International Encyclopedia of Dogs; Stanley Dangerfield and Elsworth Howell (editors), Pelham Books, London, 1985. ISBN 0-7207-1561-X

Why Dog attacks

Dog bite redirects here. For the song, see Dog Bite (song).
Dog attacks are attacks on humans by feral or domestic dogs. Dog attacks often occur because of the close proximity of dogs to people, and such attacks have become the focus of increasing media and public attention in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.[1] It is estimated that two percent of the US population, 4.7 million people, are bitten each year.[2] In the 1980s and 1990s the US averaged 17 fatalities per year, while in the 2000s this has increased to 26.[3] There is much debate over whether the attacks can be blamed on the prevalence of certain breeds of dogs or whether they are due primarily to the actions or inactions of the dogs' owners.
Dogs are by default (after the clearing of larger or more dangerous predators) the most powerful predators other than humans in many parts of the world. They remain cunning, swift, agile, strong, territorial, and voracious despite domestication; even small ones have large, sharp teeth and claws and powerful muscles in their jaws and legs, and can inflict serious injuries. The lacerations even from inadvertent dog scratches, let alone deliberate or reckless bites, are easily infected. Large dogs can knock people down. To be sure, dogs are far more reliable than other predators of like size (for example, leopards and cougars smaller than some breeds of dogs) and most larger herbivores. Dogs and humans are usually clever enough to recognize the folly of potential threats to each other and avoid danger, recognizing humans as themselves similarly predatory, or have mutual affection that precludes attack.
Should affection or mutual respect not exist (as with feral dogs), should a dog be conditioned to become an attacker, or should someone intrude upon a dog's territory and pose a threat, then the natural tendencies of a predator manifest themselves in a dog attack in which the dog, like all other formidable predators, uses its predatory abilities to defend itself. Extrication from such an attack is difficult because of the dog's power and agility; it is then in charge of the situation.
Contents[hide]
1 Human-dog interaction
1.1 Human behavior as a factor
1.2 Dog behavior as a factor
2 Defense
3 Child safety
3.1 Training and aggression
4 Breed-specific attacks
4.1 Legal issues (United States)
5 References
6 Footnotes
7 See also
//

Human-dog interaction
Education for adults and children, animal training, selective breeding for temperament, and society's intolerance for dangerous animals combine to reduce the incidence of attacks and accidents involving humans and dogs. However, improperly managed confrontations can lead to severe injury from even the most well-tempered dog, much like most humans can be incited to violence given sufficient provocation.
There are many signs that a dog is about to attack, such as growling or snarling. Stiffened front legs and a raised ridge of hair along the spine are signs of an imminent attack. A wagging tail indicates an attempt to communicate excitement, but a territorial dog may hold its tail high and wag its tail as a signal of dominance. A highly disturbed dog may sometimes emit confusing or misleading signals, yelping or jumping. Some dogs are bred to not show any signs of aggression before they attack.

Human behavior as a factor
Many human behaviors (especially by people unfamiliar with dogs) may factor into bite situations. The majority of dogs won't respond to all or even any of these behaviors with aggression, however, some will. These behaviors include:
Attempting to take food or water away from a dog, or moving towards a dog's food or water or between a dog and its food or water, even inadvertently. While possessiveness is a form of aggression and should be seen as a behavioral problem, this is an issue commonly overlooked by the owner, especially when it comes to small dogs.
Attacking a dog or its companions (which could be other dogs, humans, or even cats), or acting in a manner that the dog perceives as an attack (for example, a sudden enthusiastic hug or inadvertently stepping on any portion of the dog's anatomy, such as a paw or tail).
Startling a resting or sleeping dog.
Approaching or touching a sick or injured dog. Note that older dogs, like people, often become "cranky" and develop a tendency to become "snappish".
Related to the previous point, failure to recognize a dog showing signs of insecurity or fear and continuing whatever behavior is causing the dog's anxiety to increase, until "fear biting" occurs. Again, an older or chronically infirm dog is liable to develop feelings of vulnerability and anxiety, and therefore become less tolerant and more aggressive.
Approaching dogs already fighting.
Behaving in a threatening or menacing manner around a puppy in the presence of an adult dog, especially its mother.
Staring at a dog directly in the eyes. In dog communication, this is an act of dominance or aggression. This is more dangerous when on the same visual level as the dog (such as small children), or when the human is unfamiliar to the dog.
Running away from a dog: the atavistic chase-and-catch instinct is not fully lost, and most dogs can outrun and overtake the average human.
Similarly, the natural instinct to jerk one's hands upwards away from an inquisitive dog often elicits in the dog a strong impulse to grab and hold, or at least to investigate, resulting in the dog jumping on the person and thrusting its head towards the raised hands.
Ignoring "Beware of Dog" signs: trained attack dogs, unlike most dogs, may attack an intruder without warning.
Entering a dog's "territory" and behaving in an unfamiliar pattern or being unfamiliar to the dog. The dog's territorialism, powerful senses, and latent ferocity makes almost any dog, irrespective of size, a powerful deterrent to burglars. The territory that a dog recognizes as its own may not coincide with the property lines that its owner and the legal authorities recognize, such as a portion of a neighbor's backyard.

Dog behavior as a factor
Many adoption agencies test for aggressive behavior in dogs, and euthanize an animal that shows certain types of aggression. This is not to imply that animals exhibiting signs of aggression cannot be worked with to correct these tendencies. A dog may exhibit multiple types of aggression.
Dominance aggression is most commonly directed at family members (humans, other dogs, even cats) and can be a response to different types of touches, body language, eye contact, positioning (such as trying to move them off the couch or bed) - basically any type of behavior the animal sees as a challenge to its dominant social status.
Fear aggression can come in a number of varieties but can most easily be paralleled to human problems as phobias. Speed of movement, noises, objects or specific gestures such as raising an arm or standing up may elicit a reaction. Many rescued dogs have been abused, and specific fears of men, women, even race are not uncommon.
Protection/territorial aggression is most commonly associated with the dog's tendency to want to defend its home and family (humans, other dogs, even cats).
Possession aggression is most commonly directed at perceived threats to food, water, and toys. In adoption agency tests this is usually the most important type of aggression to test for, since it is most associated with bites, especially bites to children. While it could be argued that this is a subset of either dominance behavior or protection/territorial behavior, its importance must not be overlooked.
Predatory aggression is built on the dog's built-in hunter instinct. Sighthounds, for example, will chase and attack small, fast moving, animals. By itself, predatory aggression is rarely the cause of an attack on a human, although with very large dogs and very small children this is sometimes the case. In attacks against humans, when predatory aggression is involved it is often a contributing factor that escalates the situation, such as the pack kill instinct when multiple dogs are involved in an attack.
Pain-induced aggression is a reaction to pain or discomfort brought on by a medical condition (i.e. injury or illness).
Punishment-induced aggression is most often directed at a family member who goes severely overboard in a misdirected attempt to correct a behavior. While often read by the human eliciting the behavior as dominance aggression it is, in reality, more akin to a self defense instinct.
Redirected aggression is when a dog, already excited/aroused by an aggressive instinct from another source uses an available target to release its aggression.

Defense


If a dog is abused or threatened, It will usually bite, like any other carnivore would do in aggression.
Child safety
77% of dog bites are from a family or friend's pet, and 50% of attacks occur on the owner's property.[4] While it is important for parents to understand and teach their children about how to behave around any animal, they should also understand that dogs think and react like dogs and can sometimes bite.

[edit] Training and aggression
In a domestic situation, canine aggression is normally suppressed. Exceptions are if the dog is trained to attack, feels threatened, or is provoked. It is important to remember that dogs are predators by nature, instinct is something that never completely disappears, and that predatory behavior against other animals (such as chasing other animals) may train a dog or a pack of dogs to attack humans. It is possible to acclimatize a dog to common human situations in order to avoid adverse reactions by a pet. Dog experts advocate removal of a dog's food, startling a dog, and performing sudden movements in a controlled setting to teach the dog who its leader is, to defuse aggressive impulses in common situations. This also allows better animal care since owners may now remove an article directly from a dog's mouth or transport a wounded pet to seek medical attention.
Small children are especially prone to being misunderstood by dogs, in part because their size and movements can be similar to prey. Also, young children may unintentionally provoke a dog (pulling on ears or tails is common, as is surprising a sleeping dog) because of their inexperience. Because of a dog's pack instincts, more dominant dogs may view children or even complacent adults as rivals rather than as superiors, and attempt to establish dominance by physical means. Any attempt at dominant behavior, no matter how tentative, should be firmly discouraged as soon as possible, to affirm to the dog that all humans are pack superiors. To avoid potential conflicts, even reliably well-behaved children and dogs should not be allowed to interact in the absence of adult supervision.
Dogs with strong chase instincts, especially shepherds, may fail to recognize a person as a being not to be herded. They may fixate on a specific aspect of the person, such as a fast-moving, brightly colored shoe, as a prey object. This is probably the cause for the majority of non-aggressive dogs chasing cyclists and runners. In these cases, if the individual stops, the dog often loses interest since the movement has stopped. This is not always the case, and aggressive or territorial dogs might take the opportunity to attack.
Additionally, most dogs who bark aggressively at strangers, particularly when not on "their" territory, will flee if the stranger challenges it. Conversely, there is always the danger of the occasional dog who will stand its ground and escalate the situation. Mailmen, being the classic example, provoke a strong territorial response because they come back day after day to the dog's territory. In the dog's mind they are constantly challenging them for territory and that sets up a learned behavior.

Breed-specific attacks
When dogs are near humans with whom they are familiar, they normally become less aggressive. This is because familiarity with their 'pack members' lowers the likelihood of attack. However, it should not be assumed that because a dog has been with humans, it will not attack anybody - even a family member. Caution needs to be taken when approaching new dogs for the first time.
There are studies that claim certain breeds are more likely to attack than others. In a study on dog bites, American and Canadian dog bite-related fatalities from September 1982 to November 2006 by Merritt Clifton titled Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada, cited that Pit Bulls were responsible for 65% of fatal dog attacks.[5] Intact males also bite more frequently than females or neutered males.
Due to the pit bull-type breeds' perceived aggression, owning such an animal is not allowed in many European and Australasian countries and in several US and Canadian localities.[6] Owners are usually fined and in some places there may be 2 month jail time, while the animals are put to sleep in most cases.
Dog attacks on humans that appear most often in the news are those that require the hospitalization of the victim or those in which the victim is killed. Dogs of all sizes have mauled and killed humans, although large dogs are capable of inflicting more damage quickly. The breed called a Pit Bull though, is ranked at the top of the list for severe dog bites that required hospital treatment or resulted in a fatality and far out of its proportion to its number. The Rottweiler is ranked a distant second. But even one of the smallest breeds of domestic dog, the kitten-sized Yorkshire terrier, has been implicated in the killing of at least one human.[citation needed]
It may be argued that Pit Bulls and certain other dog breeds are inherently aggressive towards humans and shouldn't be allowed at all, or that since the breed is so popular, these dogs are often owned by irresponsible owners who provide insufficient training or, worse, aggressiveness training. An opposing argument is that no breed is inherently aggressive towards humans and that regulating one breed simply moves the irresponsible owners to start focusing on breeds that haven't yet been regulated, moving the problem to other breeds. This is one of the positions taken by the CDC[7] and AMVA.[8]
It is difficult to establish the inherent human aggressiveness of a breed in general. To establish meaningful results, research would have to consider such factors as the following:
Are the statistics available reliable for identifying specific breeds? In cases of bites from unfamiliar animals such as strays, the breed description can be inaccurate.
What proportion of a breed's owners are knowledgeable about dog training? When a breed's popularity increases, it might be more likely to be the first choice among owners with no previous experience with dogs because it's a breed which they've heard of. Novice owners might not know how to properly socialize a dog.
What proportion of owners deliberately encourage aggression in their dogs, or keep their dogs in a manner which fosters aggressive traits? This would be a difficult number to discover, because it seems likely that not many owners would readily admit to it. Also even though it may not be intended to train a dog to be aggressive, it is well documented that many dog owners do inadvertently allow a dog to think of itself as dominant.
What proportion of dogs involved in acts of aggression against humans came from a known mother or father who exhibited such aggression? This can happen in any breed, and responsible breeders would generally not breed such a dog. However, as a breed's popularity increases, people who know nothing about breeding or genetics (or who don't care), might breed dogs who otherwise shouldn't be bred.
What proportion of that breed in the community exhibits aggression against humans? Most statistics published show only the number of dogs of various breeds involved in attacks, not the percentage of dogs of that breed in the area who were involved in attacks. Any popular breed is more likely to show up with more attacks because there are simply more dogs, just as a less popular breed will show up as having a higher percentage of attacks because there are simply fewer dogs. The most popular dog breed in America (in 2007) is the Labrador Retriever [1].
One approach which acknowledges that it is difficult to determine the dangerousness of a specific breed takes the strategy of regulating all dogs over a certain size or weight, which would greatly reduce the chance of a dog being large enough to inflict serious harm. This, of course, would remove from circulation most of the hundreds of breeds available in the world today, most of which would never deliberately harm a human.
Although research and analysis[2] suggests that breed-specific legislation is not completely effective in preventing dog attacks, with each new attack, pressure mounts to enact such legislation, despite indications[3] that dangerous dog legislation would be more effective—that is, focusing on specific individual dogs having exhibited signs of aggression.

Legal issues (United States)
Although using a firearm against an attacking dog may seem acceptable, laws in the United States which prohibit discharging a firearm in a city, and reckless endangerment may limit the extent to which a person is legally able to defend themselves in this way.[citation needed] Taking such actions where the dog/dogs involved were not acting aggressively towards humans may result in legal charges against the person who shot the animal. Laws vary from state to state and from city municipalities to counties.[4] [5]
Some state laws hold dog owners liable for the harm or damage that their animal causes to people or other dogs. For example, in recent years, Florida dog bite laws have been changed so that prior vicious tendencies may no longer be needed to prove owner liability.[6] In Texas, as of September 1, 2007, `Lillian's Law' has taken effect, whereby the owner of a dog that causes death or serious bodily injury may be charged with a second or third degree felony when the attack takes place outside the dog's normal place of confinement (Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 882).

References
[7]
^ Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998, Jeffrey J. Sacks, MD, MPH; Leslie Sinclair, DVM; Julie Gilchrist, MD; Gail C. Golab, PhD, DVM; Randall Lockwood, PhD. JAVMA, Vol 217, No. 6, September 15, 2000.
^ World Almanac and Book of Facts 1985. Doubleday.
^ World Almanac and Book of Facts 1988. World Almanac Books.
^ Breed-Specific Legislation in the United States. Linda S. Weiss, Michigan State University - Detroit College of Law (2001). Animal Legal and Historical Web Center
^ "Nonfatal Dog Bite--Related Injuries Treated in Hospital Emergency Departments", CDC MMWR, July 4, 2003.
^ Dog Owner Liability, Legal Center For The Injured (2007)
Rover's Law - Megan's Law for Bad Dogs
Dogs Bite but Balloons and Slippers are More Dangerous by Janis Bradley, 2005
Dog Aggressive Behaviors
Footnotes
^ Reuters. "Stray dog pack attacks Albanian town", IOL, 2004-10-13. "An Albanian town had to call in police and hunters after a pack of 200 stray mountain dogs attacked at least nine people. Headed by a clearly identifiable leader, the snarling pack overran the main street of the small northern town of Mamurras, its mayor said on Wednesday. "Even in the movies I have never seen a horde of 200 stray dogs from the mountains attacking people in the middle of a town," Anton Frroku said on Wednesday. He said the dogs bit at least nine people, aged from 20 to 60, dragging them to the ground and inflicting serious wounds."
^ Questions and Answers about Dog Bites The Humane Society of the United States
^ DOG BITE LAW - Statistics about dog bites in the USA and elsewhere
^ DOG BITE LAW - Statistics about dog bites in the USA and elsewhere
^ http://www.dogbitelaw.com/Dog%20Attacks%201982%20to%202006%20Clifton.pdf
^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_bull#Banning_of_pit_bulls
^ Dogbites Bibliography
^ Spotlight on Dog Bite Prevention Week

See also
Why Dogs Bite People
Diane Whipple
List of fatal wolf attacks

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Temperament of labrador retrievers

Labradors are a well-balanced and versatile breed, adaptable to a wide range of functions as well as making very good pets. As a rule they are not excessively prone to being territorial, pining, insecure, aggressive, destructive, hypersensitive, or other difficult traits which sometimes manifest in a variety of breeds, and as the name suggests, they are excellent retrievers. As an extension of this, they instinctively enjoy holding objects and even hands or arms in their mouths, which they can do with great gentleness (a Labrador can carry an egg in its mouth without breaking it)[22]. They are also known to have a very soft feel to the mouth, as a result of being bred to retrieve game such as waterfowl. They are prone to chewing objects (though they can be trained out of this behavior). The Labrador Retriever's coat repels water to some extent, thus facilitating the extensive use of the dog in waterfowl hunting.

Labs, like other dogs, may often tend to dig like this 3 month old and are generally very friendly with other dogs, like this German Shepherd.
Labradors have a reputation as a very mellow breed and an excellent family dog (including a good reputation with children of all ages and other animals)[8], but some lines (particularly those that have continued to be bred specifically for their skills at working in the field rather than for their appearance) are particularly fast and athletic. Their fun-loving boisterousness and lack of fear may require training and firm handling at times to ensure it does not get out of hand - an uncontrolled adult can be quite problematic. Females may be slightly more independent than males.[8] Labradors mature at around three years of age; before this time they can have a significant degree of puppyish energy, often mislabeled as being hyperactive.[23][8] Because of their enthusiasm, leash-training early on is suggested to prevent pulling when full-grown.[24] Labs often enjoy retrieving a ball endlessly and other forms of activity (such as agility, frisbee, or flyball). They are considerably "food and fun" oriented, very trainable, and open-minded to new things, and thrive on human attention, affection and interaction, of which they find it difficult to get enough. Reflecting their retrieving bloodlines, almost every Lab loves playing in water or swimming.

This sociable lab pup has become acquainted with a kitten.
Although they will sometimes bark at noise, especially a degree of "alarm barking" when there is noise from unseen sources, Labs are not on the whole noisy[8] or territorial, and are often very easygoing and trusting with strangers, and therefore are not usually suitable as guard dogs.[8]
Labradors have a well-known reputation for appetite, and some individuals may be highly indiscriminate, eating digestible and non-food objects alike.[22] They are persuasive and persistent in requesting food. For this reason, the Lab owner must carefully control his/her dog's food intake to avoid obesity and its associated health problems (see below).[22]
The steady temperament of Labs and their ability to learn make them an ideal breed for search and rescue, detection, and therapy work. Their primary working role in the field continues to be that of a hunting retriever.

Inherited disorders

Labs are somewhat prone to hip and elbow dysplasia,[31] especially the larger dogs,[32] though not as much as some other breeds.[33] Hip scores are recommended before breeding.
Labs also suffer from the risk of knee problems. A luxating patella is a common occurrence in the knee where the leg is often bow shaped.
Eye problems are also possible in some Labs, particularly progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts,[34] corneal dystrophy[31] and retinal dysplasia. Dogs which are intended to be bred should be examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist for an eye score.
Hereditary myopathy, a rare inherited disorder that causes a deficiency in type II muscle fibre.[35]
There is a small incidence of other conditions, such as autoimmune diseases and deafness in labs, either congenitally or later in life.[5]

other disorders

Other disorders
Labs are sometimes prone to ear infection, because their floppy ears trap warm moist air. This is easy to control, but needs regular checking to ensure that a problem is not building up unseen. A healthy Lab ear should look clean and light pink (almost white) inside. Darker pink (or inflamed red), or brownish deposits, are a symptom of ear infection. The usual treatment is regular cleaning daily or twice daily (being careful not to force dirt into the sensitive inner ear) and sometimes medication (ear drops) for major cases. As a preventative measure, some owners clip the hair carefully around the ear and under the flap, to encourage better air flow. Labradors also get cases of allergic reactions to food or other environmental factors.

Obesity in lab

Labs are often overfed and are allowed to become overweight, due to their blatant enjoyment of treats, hearty appetites, and endearing behavior towards people. Lack of activity is also a contributing factor. A healthy Lab should keep a very slight hourglass waist and be fit and light, rather than fat or heavy-set. Excessive weight is strongly implicated as a risk factor in the later development of hip dysplasia or other joint problems and diabetes, and also can contribute to general reduced health when older. Osteoarthritis is commonplace in older, especially overweight, Labs.