Bite Statistics- How accurate are they?

[ilivenanigloo]

German shepherds and other dogs that get a bad rap are dogs more likely to have a bite reported due to their size, but I wouldn't be surprised if small dogs actually have a higher bite rate, though people tend to think it's "OK" because it won't cause as much damage. But, these dogs are also used for police work and home security.

Obviously, it would be insane to include police dogs, but do they? Do they EVER take into account that the dog was right to bite (protecting itself or its owner)? Statistics is essentially lying with numbers, so from where, exactly, do the numbers come?

[clearcreekranch]

I have heard that they also include bites by mixed breeds that are classified as gsd/pits/dobermans when there is no independent verification of the dogs breeds. Small breed bites are often not documented because of the person not reporting them.

[crisp]

They aren't accurate at all. As clearcreek stated above small breed bites are most often not documented, and are far more prevalant. I've been bit by my brother in laws min pin at least a dozen times. Never reported to a hospital as at worst they were minor flesh wounds.

[smyke]

yeah, I bet just a little puncture wound by some old lady's chihuauha will not be reported as opposed to the big chomp with the pearly white fangs of a GSD.

[ChristenHolden]

Bella (NIPED) my mom on the back of the leg. No blood no broken skin and a very small bruse. If it had been anyone else she would have been turned in and labeld dangious. I was out back emptying a kitty litter pan. And mom came over from her house. And when she came around back Bella ran up and niped her leg. My parents are ok with it they know she's going tho a fear stage. And is now scared of mom so now its back to squar 1 and having to be put on a tie out. But my in laws are convinced she will turn on me and DH at any second.:rollseyes: We all know what she COULD have done if she had not showd restrant. Now MIL don't want to visit. I guess something good happend after all LOL.

[crisp]

Originally Posted by ChristenHolden

Now MIL don't want to visit. I guess something good happend after all LOL.

HA!

[ilivenanigloo]

Yeah, the irony is, when I first got my GSD, my dad (GSD hater/fearer) sat me down on the couch and said if she EVER bit me under ANY circumstances, he'd shoot her. Guess who has a fear-aggressive year old mini-dachsund that has bitten (or made serious attempts to) my sister THREE times and tried to bite a little kid minding its own business?

Clearcreekranch, I've heard they often don't even bother classifying mutts and sometimes not even pure-breds: a dog bit, therefore it is one of these breeds! I've also heard stories of idiots getting herding breed puppies and claiming them to be dangerous because, oh my gosh, it chases the kids and nips their heels!

I'm actually concerned Lupa's going to bite someone because she lives with my parents (soon to be fixed; come on October!) and every time we're together and I have to leave my dog with him, I get nervous. I'm worried that, since he thinks GSDs are out to bite every child, that some little kid is going to pet my dog and my dad is going to freak, causing Lupa to see the kid as a danger and try to protect them both the only way she knows how. Hopefully that's far-fetched, since she never really pays him attention anyway. All I know for sure is, a dog is what you think it is and I'm not willing to see if that "you" refers to owner or whoever has the leash at the time.

Is it just me, or are dogs expected to be altruists? Lupa protects me, Good dog, what a hero! Lupa protects herself.....BANG.

[KZoppa]

there was a study done a while back that was about dog bite stats and how accurate they are. When they dug deeper they concluded that Chihuahua's and pomerenians were the most likely to bite. Our dogs only get targeted because they're big. Little yip yaps dont get faulted because most people have this mentality of how the dog is so much smaller than everything around, its just scared blah blah blah. Most little dogs bite because they werent socialized properly and/or were allowed to get away with it without correction. If i know one of my dogs will bite, they dont leave my side when we're out and about and in some situations, they're muzzled as well. Zena will bite but only to protect. As long as i'm not being threatened and my kids arent being threatened you're okay in her book but the minute there is something off about a person, hackles up, growling. They get too close after she's given very clear warning, she's lunging and snapping. And because she's willing to protect my family, she'd be considered aggressive whereas the neighbors yorkie could rip someones face off literally and it would be excused as "he's small and scared."

[ilivenanigloo]

Originally Posted by KZoppa

there was a study done a while back that was about dog bite stats and how accurate they are. When they dug deeper they concluded that Chihuahua's and pomerenians were the most likely to bite. Our dogs only get targeted because they're big. Little yip yaps dont get faulted because most people have this mentality of how the dog is so much smaller than everything around, its just scared blah blah blah. Most little dogs bite because they werent socialized properly and/or were allowed to get away with it without correction. If i know one of my dogs will bite, they dont leave my side when we're out and about and in some situations, they're muzzled as well. Zena will bite but only to protect. As long as i'm not being threatened and my kids arent being threatened you're okay in her book but the minute there is something off about a person, hackles up, growling. They get too close after she's given very clear warning, she's lunging and snapping. And because she's willing to protect my family, she'd be considered aggressive whereas the neighbors yorkie could rip someones face off literally and it would be excused as "he's small and scared."

Exactly. My parents are those people, sadly. My parents and I were hanging out on a porch one evening and a guy from the neighborhood walks up to say "Hey." Lupa, being a wonderful guard dog, starts barking and my mom tells him not to worry, she doesn't bite, not paying any attention to her small dog, who is also barking. The guy says, "Aw, naw, she's just a Germany Shepherd Dog, it's the small one I'm worried about!" He then specifically mentioned chihuahuas as biters. I could have hugged the man. Of course, when we're in bad neighborhoods, my mom notes what a good thing a barking GSD is.

Zena sounds like a great dog and even if she were aggressive, dogs are our creation and we should take responsibility for that. But who would give you any credit for taking responsibility if the dog you have on a tight leash and muzzled were to go after someone?

I could have hugged my potential landlady today too! Yesterday, I saw on the application for a rental property a space asking for the breed and size of the applicant's dog. I called and left a message asking about breed restrictions (may they die a quick and horrible death) and explained that my dog is 7 years old and tiny- 60 pounds on a fat day (oh yes, she's full grown in that picture and I'm 5'4''). Today, I got a message from her saying that GSDs are on the list of aggressive breeds but I know my dog and if she's aggressive and bites someone, that's my responsibility.

[windwalker718]

My sister had 3 Bishons and a Chihuahua... and a GSD... the 1st four were horrible ankle biters, but big lug, who loved everyone was the reason they couldn't get home insurance! grrrrrrrr.....