Personally I think that regardless of what the breed is, you must be over 18 to own it and walk it.

How many times have you seen children walking dogs who refuse to pick up dog mess because it's uncool to be seen by there friends with a bag of crap in there hands.

I think that it should be illegal not to have your dog microchiped, but that a diifernt thread altogether.

An awful lot of "adults" don't pick up either. There is no magic age when maturity and responsibility kick in.

Have to slightly disagree with you here. You can train a dog up beautifully but if your dog has never been attacked by another dog or taken fright of something etc. you won't know how your dog is going to react. What command do you give a dog, if it's being jumped on and bitten by another? There isn't one. The owner has to make some decisions. Now if a 7 stone dog was set upon by another dog, not much chance a small child is going to hold it. An average adult would stand a chance. A dog will fight or run. So I do think that physical strength does have a part to play with some breeds however well trained the dog is.
I do agree though that an adult age wise doesn't always have the social responsibility that they should have.

ok but we are not necessarily talking about small children, the age of 18 and 21 have been put forward. I am the same height, weight and build as I was at 13 so physical strength does not always come into it.
I actually tell my dogs to leave it and walk on if another dog has dodgy intentions ( it works ) and I deal with the other dog myself by telling it in no uncertain terms where to go.

My point was that adults should know better when it comes to pick up they dogs mess, hence they have no excuse.

Whereas children are more worried about what there friends think about them.

megan57collies your right physical strength has nothing to do with it in general, but knowledge of your own dog does, and how to deal with different situations when out with your dog.

Please don’t try to tell me that a child would be able to deal with a dogfight in the same manner as an adult. Most children would either just stand there in fright or run away to get someone else to deal with it for them, by which time one of the dogs could get killed. Common sense and knowledge is more important than strength.

Personally think people should be over 18 to either own or walk a dog. Don't think it should have anything to do with breed though

YES! You have no idea how many teens get pitties because they're "cool" and "tough" . I'd say 22 years at least. For walking, I wouldn't want any child under 12 walking any large breed alone. Not just pitties, it's too easy for a large breed of dog to get away from a small child.

I disagree, I don't think age is the issue. I am responsible for two dogs and am under 18. I love going to dog training, doing obedience and agility. I don't see why I should have to stop my hobby because of my age. Just because someone turns 18, doesn't make them a different person, it's just a number. Granted, they may have matured a bit, but will most likely still want the dog and still get it.

I adore my two dogs and while my friends are going out getting drunk on vodka every Friday night, I'm going to dog training or taking them for a walk on the beach. Is that really a bad thing?

I agree that I don't think SBT's are the issue. Any dog breed could be hard to control. I have been in the situation where my dog was attacked, twice actually, and I was alone and I dealt with it. I didn't stand there or laugh. And I certainly always pick up their poo, no matter who is with me

We're not all the same and I don't think it's fair to assume that every person under 18 cannot control a dog. Similar to deed not breed really isn't it

Of course your absolutely right and I'm sure there are many other youngsters like yourself, but sadly your in the minority I'd be interested to know how you think the problem with youngsters using dogs as weapons and status symbols can be stopped? Although mine is the easy answer I can't think of another way.

I voted 'no it wouldn't make a difference' as I think it would be damaging for these breeds if a law like this was passed. If there was a section for 'yes for all breeds' I would have voted Yes :smt001