Dog Stereotypes

Like human cultures/ethnicities, Dog breeds are stereotyped. With Dogs, we know how stereotypes work - a certain behavior is witnessed as occurring by a specific breed and then that becomes the stereotype for that breed. If enough of a stereotype is promoted, then the word spreads - positive or negative and fact or fiction.

I have trained many beautiful, gentle pit bulls, and many aggressive Yorkies. I understand the difference between the two and am in no way discounting the horror of being attached by a Dog. Of the two, I agree, a Yorkie would be the dog-attack of choice.

Yorkies, however, can be very difficult to housebreak. They're one of the toughest breeds to get it or to get it quickly. This certainly doesn't apply to every Yorkie. It does apply to enough that it has become a stereotype.

Standard Poodles and Labrador Retrievers don't typically mature until they are 1.5 - 2 years of age. All German Shepherds will kill cats. All Great Danes are gentle. All Golden Retrievers love water. Stereotypes can be positive or negative or neither.

Stereotype or fact? That becomes the question. Stereotypes are there for a reason and based on some truth. It's very different to judge a dog breed based on whether or not they're easy to housebreak versus one that is considered dangerous and should be banned. Both are stereotypes, one is a consideration and the other can be a tragic mistake.

Many years ago on a Sociology test, the teacher had a series of true/false questions such as: All Irish people have bad tempers...All Black people have rhythm...etc. These were actual test questions because he wanted to see if we had really learned anything in his class. All of the answers to the stereotypes were, of course, false.

Unfortunately, if most people were given a test based on the stereotype of dog breeds, they would fail. Not all breeds are all one way any more than a specific culture of people are. It is up to us to think for ourselves and to make decisions on what breed is right for us based on truth and the particular animal we are considering. No breed should be banned.

Be responsible when looking for a dog and choose the right breed for you. Don't allow the elimination of any breed based on stereotype. Every dog, regardless of breed, should be socialized, trained, and loved!

Gayle Cousineau

http://divadogtraining.com/blog

Dog Trainer and Behavior Modification for Dogs and Their Humans