aggressive tendanceys?

I have been thinking after hearing from several people on differing occasions when they hear about a goldie biting someone or acting aggresively you get the same response 'oh thats very unsual for a golden retriever', but if a different breed, such as rotties, staffies, bulldogs, terriers etc are mentioned u get the response 'yeh thats cos its bred into them'.

So, do you think some breeds have more aggressive tendencies than others or do you think its each individual dog and how they are brought up?

Aggression in dogs is a very complex subject. The causes and triggers of aggression can be many and varied.

This link is a very interesting peice of research into inappropriate aggression in puppies: http://www.dogstuff.info/inapprop_ag...macdonald.html

thanks for the link sb ive read about half of it with great interest and will read the rest tomorrow after some much needed sleep

if u have any other useful sites to do with behaviour it would be much appreciated and of great interest to me

I think aggression is caused by lots of different reasons - genetics, bad socialisation, fear, poor training etc, each case is completley different. Sometimes people mistake dominance in a dog for aggression.

I don't think its fair to generalise that some breeds are more prone to aggression.

The thought behind golden retrievers being aggressive is that, here in the States, they have become grossly overbred due to their popularity, with no thought of temperament. They've always been known as such great family dogs it wasn't a concern. Now it is.

i agree emm.........

Jenny, this is an interesting and informative read on canine behaviour: Dogs : a new understanding of canine origin, behavior, and evolution / Raymond Coppinger and Lorna Coppinger.

ah another book to read i was on the lookout for some more books to read

Hello All,
There is a level of aggresion in all dogs, even in a litter of pups they are constantly battling for supremacy. As owners we can either encourage aggression or try to surpress it, or find ways to channel it in some breeds.