Talk:Attack dog

attacking vs protecting ... an issue of neutrality

The purpose of an "attack" dog is to protect. Protection is a trait that most of us would consider beneficial; however, it has a potentially adverse side. All dogs have the urge to protect, regardless of their breed or training. I suggest this ought to be the core proposition of the article: if nothing else, it would help balance the article's neutrality and clarify its direction.

Attacking is just one way of accomplishing the dog's main goal, and "attacks" do not have to include injury. A person tripped and pinned by a large dog will probably consider himself attacked; a person barked at by a large dog with raised hackles might consider herself threatened with an attack. (I imagine the spy captured by Sergeant Stubby - the most decorated canine in the US military - would agree!)

I also think that making an example of certain breeds of dogs as attack dogs is not a good way of maintaining neutrality in this article, unless the positive side of their breeding and training is presented as well. For example, Pit Bulls were originally trained to protect farmers from charging bulls. They were bred for strength and tenacious grip, but also for extreme loyalty to humans: so much so that they were long considered to be the ideal family dog!

Finally, I think it is important to distinguish the difference between "attacking" and "fighting".

I hope my observations help! Miss Jaster (talk) 19:22, 27 August 2008 (UTC) Miss Jaster

Rename

Rename to Training of dogs by humans