Viscious dogs!!

[1Harvey]

On the way back from walking Harvey this evening a sheep dog came bounding towards him, off his lead, snarling and bearing his teeth. Dave instantly pulled Harvey's lead tight, thinking that at least if he came any closer he could 'get the boot in'... then it charged at him attempting to bite. Dave said he was going to give Harvey a fighting chance and so slackened off the lead... Harvey thankfully defended himself (he is quite an imposing dog) and the sheepdog backed right off. Dave said from inside a house close by he heard the dog's owners (sounded like Gypsies) yelling at their kids (who were no more than maybe 8 or 9!!!) for letting the dog out!! It infuriates me... no wonder Copeland Borough Council have imposed a ban on dogs off lead - these irresponsible few spoil it for the rest of us! Lucky Harvey will defend himself or there's no telling what might have happened!!!

[Steve]

Very pleased to hear Harvey is Ok, I used to have that same problem with JB nearly everywhere we went dogs running loose would attack him for no reason whatsoever (JB was always on an extension lead in public 'cause the little beggar would never come when called) he always lay down and in a couple of instances on a particular walk was attacked by a Doberman, again irresponsible owners spoiling things for everyone: but I mustn't get started on that subject. just glad Harvey is unhurt Best wishes Steve.

[Samsmum]

So glad Harvey was O.K. and defended himself.
It is not always dogs running loose that are a menace.
When we had Meg, I turned a corner with her right into an elderly man with a little Jack Russell. The little beggar whipped round and snapped at her heels. After that, if a small dog came towards us, she would stand behind me till they had gone. Fortunately it has not happened with Sam, so I don't know how he would react, but it is not a nice situation, and people should be responsible for their dogs' behaviour.
Best wishes - Samsmum (Joyce).

[lynn wise]

So sorry to hear that poor Harvey was got at, I think sometimes it upsets us more than our dogs. It really is frighteneing when this happens. Hope all well now at your end.
When Timber was here we regularly had run ins with other dogs, I'm sure that his size and colour had a lot to do with it as he was quite a pale cream boy. The dogs that had a go at him are now really pally with W & W, so colour I'm sure played a part in it. Timber wasn't the type of boy that went looking for trouble, but it did find him and he would usually just turn his shoulder towards the other dog and grumble. Then it was me that got the shakes, he was over it in a flash!!
for Harvey, or should that be dad.

[Steve]

Again Lynn you have explained it to perfection JB was very pale so I agree colour may have something to do with it!, either that or they're just too handsome & the other dogs are jealous

[lynn wise]

Our thoughts exactly Steve Let's face it, they don't come better looking than Goldens do they ?

[milo's mum]

what a good job Harvey was able to defend himself. but i have to also agree with samsmum in that it isn't always dogs off lead. we too used to come across a very unsteady elderly couple who both needed a cane to walk with a very boisterous yappy minature poodle that would go berserk whenever it saw milo and george on their walk (on lead may i add). my two would ignore the poodle and keep walking. one particular day the man crossed the road in front of us with his dog(who was going mad pulling and barking like crazing - he didn't need to cross so don't know why he did) started waving his cane and shouting at them so they both barked at him. he had a go at us then saying people shouldn't be allowed to have big dogs. there was a few words of reply that i won't put to print ( no threats though we're not that bad) needless to say that we Always passed on opposite sides of the road after that.
a lot of small dogs like to show their dominance with large dogs but in our case i think their owner was even worse.

[lynn wise]

Says a lot about the folk with little yapper snappers.

[1Harvey]

It's funny now you mention it, it's not the first time a dog has gone for him but I never associated this before with his pale colour... or sheer beauty! Harvey himself is not an angel, there is an alsation in the local area that Harvey took a dislike to the instant he saw him as a puppy (only a month or 2 younger than himself), it just happens that this dog is twice his size and apparently one of the few (if not only?) dogs that could hold his own against a pitbull. Perhaps Harvey has little dog syndrome there? Who knows, we decided to change his walking route though because although the alsation has a beautiful temperament, that is only likely to last so long. Otherwise Harvey is really good when meeting other dogs... what a curious breed they are

p.s. Harvey enjoyed his big hug!

[hairydog]

Dogs will be dogs, for some reason my two dont like a certain spaniel that we sometimes meet, and yet we know of another spaniel that looks exactly like the one they dont like and they like him!! but its all dog behaviour, there are subtle changes and looks that dogs will tag onto, even before we know.
We met a young Rottie the other day, he crossed the road when he saw us, I stopped and said is he friendly and the young man said yes he is, but most people are afraid of him so they cross the road, so we crossed the road,to meet him, he is only a young pup 8 months old and he needs to meet other dogs, they had the usual dogs greeting, I was watching the dogs closely looking for any signs of agression, we didnt have any, and before we knew it they were all happily wagging tails and sniffing...the young man thanked me for doing this, as he said Rotties get a bad name and for someone with 2 goldens to come and say hello it meant a lot to him. I told him people should never label a breed until they have met them, and think, animal first, then breed, then name of dog...Sounds like the sheepdog Harvey met could have been just defending his territory, and Harvey picked up on the signals, and defended himself,which just came natural to him,and once he showed the sheepdog he could defend himself the sheepdog backed off...I am sure next time if they meet again the sheepdog will stay away from Harvey....

[sammingtonsmythes]

Awful for you glad you're ok
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