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Breeds and Behaviorby Janis Bradley reprinted from The Bark (April/May 2011)

 

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Reading Suggestions

The Relevance of Breed in Selecting a Companion Dog

Janis Bradley, author of Dogs Bite, but Balloons and Slippers are More Dangerous and Dog Bites: Problems and Solutions and founding faculty member and instructor for ten years at the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, explores the relevance of breed in selecting a companion dog.

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Rafter:  a therapy dog owned by Jane Hirsch - Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina *

Above and beyond their place as family companions and  in traditional service occupations, dogs in South Carolina serve in an ever-widening spectrum of therapeutic roles. The physical and emotional benefits to humans that come from relationships with dogs are now recognized and utilized by psychiatric facilities, assisted living centers, hospitals, schools . . . even prisons.


Today, dogs contribute more to the welfare of individuals and society than perhaps any other time in the history of the human-dog bond.  Additionally, over the past three decades, increased awareness of the importance of humane care and control of dogs, the enactment and enforcement of leash laws, and dog bite prevention education, have all been instrumental in lowering the number of reported dog-related injuries nationwide.

 

*Rafter:  an Australian Shepherd, was a honorable mention for the 2006 AKC Awards for Canine Excellence

 

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South Carolina State Dog:  Boykin Spaniel


The Boykin Spaniel (designated by Act No. 31, 1985) is the official state dog. The Boykin Spaniel is the only dog which was originally bred for hunting by South Carolinians. It has developed into a breed of superb hunting instincts and mild temperament. They are highly regarded both as pets and hunting dogs.


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Yoder: Rescued Puppy Mill Dog

 

Sealed With a (Slobbery) Kiss


One very recent success story keeps taking wonderful plot twists—after being rescued this month from a Tennessee puppy mill, Boston terrier mix Yoder found love with first-time adopter Cindy Stout. “Thank goodness Yoder was transferred to the Charleston Animal Society here in South Carolina. It was love at first sight. He looked up at me with his innocent eyes and barked something akin to, ‘Pick me, pick me!’” recalls Cindy.


It’s been two weeks since Yoder officially joined the Stout family, and so far it’s been fun for everyone. “It’s hard to believe he went through life in a puppy mill,” Cindy says. “He does like to walk on the coffee table and run around the house—though he’s learning what ‘No’ means—but for the first time in his life, he has his freedom. It’s amazing to see.”


Sweet and goofy, this peppy pooch keeps the Stouts laughing. “Yoder is a little clown!” Cindy says. “He likes to run off with the TV remote and one day even brought me the cordless phone. He doesn't chew on either of them. He just likes to tease us.” Teasing, by the way, extends to the family’s 15-year-old pug, Angel. “Yoder likes to sit on her head and she just gives him a little nip—they get along great.”


Though Yoder is beginning to understand commands, when it comes to kisses, “No” isn’t in his vocabulary. “If you’re near Yoder, you’re going to get slobbered on,” Cindy says, laughing. “At night he sleeps on our pillows or right up against us. He also has really affectionate puppy dog eyes, but he doesn't have to do much—we’re already head over heels in love.”

Article:  Courtesy of the ASPCA

 

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National Canine Research Council

 

 

What is a dog bite?

 

While the question seems simple enough, the answer is often not what we imagine.

 

Over the past 3 decades, increased awareness of the importance of humane care and control of dogs, the enactment and enforcement of leash laws, and dog bite prevention education, have all been instrumental in lowering the number of reported dog-related injuries nationwide.

 

 

National Canine Research Council

Over the past 47 years (1965 - present) there have been 20 dog bite-related fatalities in South Carolina, an average of one (1) fatality every 2+ years.

NCRC's 2011 Preliminary Report on Dog Bite-Related Fatalities illustrates the challenge of accurately reporting on these extremely rare, tragic events. Our mission of preserving the human-canine bond obligates us to be as accurate about these emotionally charged incidents as we can, so that they are calmly, correctly and, therefore, usefully understood. Accuracy takes time.

At least six (6) different breeds/types of dogs were reported to be involved in these incidents.* However, a majority of the fatalities were attributed to dogs of no discernible breed, (i.e., very mixed breed dogs).

None of the dogs involved in fatalities in South Carolina had been spayed or neutered by their owners.

The victims were 7 adults and 13 children.

Seven of the thirteen children were killed by chained dogs.

In 1981, a 3-year-old boy was killed by a chained dog. (Piedmont)

In 1990, a 5-year-old boy was killed by his neighbor's chained dog. (Oconee County)

In 2004, a 19-month-old unsupervised child wandered out to the dog. The chained male dog attacked and killed the boy. (Spartanburg)

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In two separate incidents an intoxicated adult was attacked by a pack of dogs. In neither case were the dogs ever located or identified:

In 1991, a 59-year-old man who was intoxicated at the time of his death, and who had a history of seizures was found mauled to death in his yard. (Clarendon County)

In 2003, a highly intoxicated, 37-year-old man was walking home on a rural road when he was attacked by a pack of dogs. (Richland County)

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Three recent incidents (one in 2006 and two in 2007) have resulted in the owners and/or parents being convicted or pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter or felony unlawful neglect of a child. However, of these three convictions, only one case involved imprisonment for the owner:

In Nov. 2006, Matthew Davis, 10, was attacked and killed by dogs in Dillon County. The owner of the dogs, Bentley Collins, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and owning dangerous animals. He received a 5 year sentence.

In Apr. 2007, -21-month-old Brian Palmer was killed by a dog his mother kept either chained outside or locked in the laundry room. The emaciated dog escaped from the laundry room and attacked Brian. The mother/owner, Natasha Wilson was charged with felony unlawful neglect of a child and received a 7 year sentence that was suspended to 3 years probation. (Dorchester County)

In Dec. 2007, 2-year-old Holden Jernigan was killed when he wandered, unsupervised, into the backyard of his grandmother's yard, where a chained dog resided. His grandmother, Tracey Shelton was charged with felony unlawful neglect of a child. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years, suspended to 4 years probation. (Dorchester)

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In Jan. 2011, 9-year-old Kristen Lee Dutton was killed by a dog in the backyard of her grandfather's home. The dog that attacked Kristen had been acquired by her grandfather less than one week earlier. (McCormick)

In Feb. 2011, 66-year-old Sirlinda Hayes was working in her garden when she was attacked and killed by her neighbor's two loose roaming dogs. (Dillon County)
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*Note: In recent years, scientists have established that visual identification of dogs of unknown origin is extremely unreliable; therefore, while we can be sure these listed incidents involved varied types of dogs, we cannot be certain of the accuracy of most breed identifications.

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Despite the reckless, even criminal, behavior of some owners and parents, dogs still pose an incredibly low risk of causing a fatality in South Carolina:

South Carolina: Recognized Risks Year 2007
Tobacco-related fatalities: 5,900
Total (alcohol & non) traffic deaths: 1,077
Alcohol-related traffic fatalities: 464
Bicycle-related fatalities: 20
Persons drowned in swimming pools: 11
ATV-related fatalities: 11
Death from contact w/ bees, hornets or wasps: 2
Persons killed by dogs: 2

According to the U.S. Department of Human and Health Services:

In 2007, nineteen (19) South Carolina children died as a result of maltreatment (abuse or neglect).

In the single year 2007, more South Carolina children died from maltreatment than the total of all children killed by dogs in the state over the past 45 years.

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Fact is, people in South Carolina routinely accept far greater risks from ATVs, bicyles and swimming pools than any that are associated with companion animals.

National Canine Research Council