Basically, a good video about dog breeds and aggression – with one big problem

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The producers of the video below did a pretty good job – on the topic of aggression and dog breeds. Just because a dog happens to be of a particular breed, doesn’t mean he or she will exhibit a particular behavior, aggression or other behaviors.

But one major mistake is made in the video. The reporter states dogs from shelters or rescue groups tend to be more aggressive than those purchased from breeders. BIG ERROR there.

Many of the dogs that end up in shelters or with rescue groups originated from breeders. Some of these dogs are in shelters because families turned them in due to behavioral issues. Why? – Because too many breeders are pulling puppies away from their mothers and litter mates at too young an age and are selling them at 6 to 8 weeks old.

The puppies need more time with mothers, to learn proper social behaviors. So to claim dogs from shelters or rescues might exhibit aggression in a higher percentage, merely because they are from shelters or rescues is inaccurate at best.

Poor breeding practices or acts of cruelty or general mistreatment are the key and unfortunate factors that generally lead to negative behavior in dogs.

And I must add that in my experience, shelter dogs and cats can show gratitude and can offer an adopting family a special kind of love.

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2 thoughts on “Basically, a good video about dog breeds and aggression – with one big problem”

  1. I agree that there are way too many dogs that end up in shelters and rescues that have been taken from mom and siblings way too soon. But I disagree that it’s because of “breeders” as an all encompassing label. Backyard breeders, puppy mills, oops litters, yes, but good breeders know better.

    I adopted two puppies that were too young. One was taken at 3 weeks because the owners were going to put her down instead of taking her to the vet for an eye infection. Both dogs are wonderful.

  2. Yes – since all dogs possess a distinct state of consciousness, being separated from moms too young doesn’t automatically lead to behavioral problems later on. But the odds are greater.

    And I do routinely note the quality breeders are not the problem. It is the puppy mills and other bad breeders who are contributing to the problem.

    Thank you for highlighting this. Great breeders do not sell puppies until they are older.

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