No, He Doesn’t Bite – But I Do | Living with a Large Breed Dog

What’s up, dog people?!

Today, we’re gonna talk about something very near and dear to my heart (and my temper): breed discrimination. What is breed discrimination, you may ask? Well, it’s when people assume that a dog is going to behave a certain way because of the breed it is. For example, people generally think Pit Bulls (really, American Staffordshire Terriers) are mean and aggressive when in reality the breed was used as “nanny dogs” many years ago.

However, I’m going to specifically talk about large/giant breeds such as Great Danes and Mastiffs, because it’s a problem we often face when going out in public with Apollo. We generally get three reactions when we go out with him:

• The Horse Connoisseur: “OH MY GOD IS THAT A HORSE?! You should put a saddle on that thing! I didn’t know they let horses in here! Can I ride him? Can I take a picture?”
• The Scared Human: *walks to the other side of the sidewalk, points and screams*
• The Ignorant: “Oh wow, he’s big. Will he bite me? How does he not eat the little one (Brooklyn)? You sure are brave to handle that thing.

Now, let me start by telling you Apollo’s favorite things in life: ear rubs, food, and sitting on peoples laps. He knows 12 different commands and tricks, walks perfectly on a leash and is in training to become a therapy dog to visit children and people in hospices. He is the sweetest dog that has walked this earth. Now, the first two reactions don’t really bother me. Sure, they get old, but they are harmless. I understand he’s a big boy, 150lbs to be exact. Some people are just scared of dogs, and I understand that. But the last reaction makes my blood boil.

Just because a dog is big does not mean he bites. Just because a dog is big does not mean he’s going to attack any smaller creature. That’s like assuming just because someone is tall they are going to be mean. Right? It makes absolutely no sense. Great Danes make for great service dogs, they are great family dogs, and they love like no other. Large breed dogs’ only flaw is that think they are small.

The worst part about breed discrimination is how detrimental it can be to the breed. With Great Danes, and any breed, you are creating false information that is spread throughout the community and to the dogs. By labeling a breed as “aggressive” or “mean”, you are subjecting that breed (and their owners) to scrutiny. You are wrongly labeling dogs so that it’s easier for evil people out there to mistreat them. So that it’s easier for cities and businesses to create BSL (breed specific legislation). You are making it easier for dogs to be mistreated, mishandled, misunderstood. And it all needs to stop, regardless of the breed, regardless of the size.

So, for those that just don’t know better, I have some tips:

• Instead of assuming a dog is aggressive, ask the owner about their behavior. “How does he get along with other dogs” is much better than “How does he not eat the little dogs”. 
• If you’re comfortable with dogs, ask the owners to pet them. While large dogs may look intimidating, they are often huge babies. By actually bending down and petting them you will learn that for yourself. 
•  Take some time to learn about different dog breeds. There are hundreds of stereotypes about all breeds, so take some time to educate yourself — that way next time you run into an “unconventional” dog, you won’t feel the need to believe said stereotypes. 
• Educate yourself about breed discrimination in your city and take steps to avoid contributing to that. 
• Understand that if any dog (regardless of the breed) has issues, they are most likely man-made. Dogs, like humans, aren’t born “mean”. They are made that way by how they are treated.
• Volunteer at your local shelter. Shelter dogs are some of the most misconstrued, but by taking the time to walk them, see them and love them, you will soon understand that these stereotypes are nothing to take seriously.

My goal isn’t to shame people about their reactions to dogs, but simply to educate them about how to better approach what they may not know. To teach them to respect dogs of all sizes. To show them the love that large breeds — really all breeds — are there to give.

Rant over! Give your pups some kisses from us!

Warm wags,

The GGW Momma