The 10 most Manly Dogs

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by The Ditch

The American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS) is a professional organization that objectively tests the temperaments of various dog breeds.
They do this by methodically exposing members of a breed to a series of confrontational situations, then measuring their reaction. The more aggressive the reaction, the lower the score the dog receives. The score is based on the percentage of dogs in a breed that passed the test:
Here are some of the most recent results available. We’ve included some widely considered “most friendly” (like beagles and poodles) and some labeled “dangerous” (like Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and of course, pit bulls.
Warning: you will be surprised by the results!
ATTS Scores by Breed
Afghan: 72%
Australian Shepard: 79.2%
Beagle: 78.2%
Cairn Terrier: 70.7%
Chihuahua: 70.6%
Cocker Spaniel: 81.5%
German Shepherd: 82.8%
Golden Retriever: 83.6%
Labrador Retriever: 91.1%
Rottweiler: 82.3%
Toy Poodle: 80.9%
Yorkshire Terrier: 80.0%
Now, compare these to the pit bull breeds:
American Pit Bull Terrier: 83.4%
American Staffordshire Terrier: 83.3%
Staffordshire Bull Terrier: 93.2%
For this study, the ATTS evaluated more than 25,000 dogs and more than 200 breeds. The average score for all breeds together: 81%. As you can see, when it comes to having a reliably friendly temperament, the pit bull breeds well exceed the average!
You can find these scores and more at www.ATTS.org

Your source completely misrepresents the test in stating that it is proof of a friendly temperment: friendliness is a very small component of the ATTS test. It also looks at protectiveness, alertness, confidence when confronted with unexpected stimuli, etc., all things that a bull terrier will do very well with. A dog can be very unfriendly toward strangers and still pass the test. A dog that is not confident is going to do a lot worse with these tests than a dog that is agressive.

[RubberDuck]

Originally Posted by taco.vidal

For those who indicated pitbulls make great pets, I am genuinely curious as to what traits and characteristics make pitbulls a great pet. As often as I hear that pitbulls are dangerous and should be banned, I hear people say they are great pets and great around kids.

Id like to hear a solid arguement of why someone with an open mind looking for a dog should consider a pitbull versus other breeds. I understand that everyone looks for different traits in a dog based on factors such as family, kids, house and yard, types of activities, etc. But who would a pitbull be good for and why?

Id also like to ask any pitbull owners, what does a pitbull give you that another dog breed doesnt?

I can only tell you why I got a pit bull. I believe very strongly that people considering a dog should be looking to a rescue shelter or the spca. I learned that pit bulls and pit bull mixes are the most difficult to adopt out and have the highest euthanization rates compared to other breeds. This is mainly due to their portrayal in the media. I also heard that black dogs are the hardest to find homes for. Thus, my wonderful dog is a black pit bull from a rescue shelter and is the best dog anyone could hope for.

[old-fart]

Orson looks like a Newfie... big fargin' dog. Great pets, but who can afford to feed them?

In the same vein of "who can afford to feed them" falls one of the coolest dogs ever, the Saint Bernard. I'm a bit shocked that a thread about "manly dogs" hasn't yet included the only one that comes with a fricken brandy cask under it's chin! Having said that, when Mrs. Old-fart and I were still in the dating phase, she lived beside a Sainty named "George". Good god was that thing big. I remember coming over for dinner once, carrying some groceries in and George was out front playing... he comes bounding over to you, slobber flying... not stopping... holy ##$@!@.... George standing over me licking my face... ahhhhh!!!!! Great dog, very friendly, but you need a backhoe to pick up the crap.

Also in the cool dog category would be bassett hound, especially a very overweight one named "Flash".

[RubberDuck]

Originally Posted by octothorp

Your source completely misrepresents the test in stating that it is proof of a friendly temperment: friendliness is a very small component of the ATTS test. It also looks at protectiveness, alertness, confidence when confronted with unexpected stimuli, etc., all things that a bull terrier will do very well with. A dog can be very unfriendly toward strangers and still pass the test. A dog that is not confident is going to do a lot worse with these tests than a dog that is agressive.

The natural temperment of a pit bull towards people including strangers is unbridled friendliness. They are not good guard dogs as they are naturally friendly to all humans.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by RubberDuck

The natural temperment of a pit bull towards people including strangers is unbridled friendliness. They are not good gaurd dogs as they are naturally friendly to all humans.

I'm not commenting at all on the personality of bull terriers, I haven't been around enough to form an opinion. I'm just stating that the ATTS scores are not proof of friendliness.

[The Ditch]

Originally Posted by octothorp

I'm not commenting at all on the personality of bull terriers, I haven't been around enough to form an opinion. I'm just stating that the ATTS scores are not proof of friendliness.

Originally Posted by ATTS

The ATTS Temperament Test focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog's instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat.

ummmm ok, it is still some sort of aspect of the test, and I was stating that it helps show that they can be good family pets, not that they are super friendly. I'm trying to show to people who claim they are bad dogs that they aren't. Any dog can be a bad dog or a good dog. It is up to the owner to be accountable for the training and socializing of their pet.

[FlamesAddiction]

No word of a lie, a friend of mine had his ear nearly torn off by a pit bull when he was 12. I watched it happen.

We went to another kid's house and they had a pit bull as a family pet. I stayed outside the gate because I tend to be weary of them. My friend told me that it was ok and that he plays with the dog all the time. So there he goes leaning over ready to greet the dog as it came barreling out of his dog house and the friggen dog lunged at his face and started mauling him. The owner came running out and got the dog off him.

They gave us the same old song about how he was such a good and friendly dog, and he had never done anything like that before - which was probably true.

I have heard the same thing about cocker spaniels. They can be nice and friendly their whole lives and then suddenly get the urge to attack for reasons we can't understand.

[The Ditch]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

They gave us the same old song about how he was such a good and friendly dog, and he had never done anything like that before - which was probably true.

I have heard the same thing about cocker spaniels. They can be nice and friendly their whole lives and then suddenly get the urge to attack for reasons we can't understand.

I think it is false to say these dogs will just "get the urge to attack and do it".

I think Ceasar is right on meeting new dogs, no touch, no talk, no eye contact. Dogs can get very protective of certain things, one being their pack. Anecdotal evidence can be used to support almost any claim with dogs. There was a pomeranian that chewed off a babies face a while back and killed it.

Again, if you want to own a larger or stronger breed dog than you need to take more responsibilities and be aware at all times.

[flip]

back on topic.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

very manly dog.

[The Ditch]

For my on topic contribution:

Bull Terrier

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by The Ditch

ummmm ok, it is still some sort of aspect of the test, and I was stating that it helps show that they can be good family pets, not that they are super friendly. I'm trying to show to people who claim they are bad dogs that they aren't. Any dog can be a bad dog or a good dog. It is up to the owner to be accountable for the training and socializing of their pet.

Fair enough, I guess your point is a bit different from the website you quoted, which incorrectly stated that higher ATTS scores mean less agression and more friendliness.

I tend to agree that any dog can be a good dog or a bad dog, and so much of it lies in the responsibility of the owner (and, to a lesser extent, the breeder). That said, I think the danger with bull terriers is that a bad bull terrier is going to be a lot more dangerous than a bad chihuahua, or even a bad retriever.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by The Ditch

Again, if you want to own a larger or stronger breed dog than you need to take more responsibilities and be aware at all times.

I agree with that, and I think that is the problem. Pit bulls are somewhat high maintenance, and if the wrong person gets one, the dog is capable of serious damage. They are impressive physical specimens. You can go wrong with any breed of dog if you are not responsible, but pit bulls can do a lot more damage than many breeds and they need a keen owner to train them properly. They aren't the easiest dogs to train for people who don't have the time or patience. They're not dogs for beginners.

[Burninator]

This is the manliest dog

[guzzy]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I think you need to remove pitbulls. Yes their tough dogs, but they're also unstable, and bred to the point of insanity. They're not good dogs to have in your community.

I think you need to educate yourself about dogs. Pitbulls are not unstable they are a product of their evironment. Maybe we should remove white trash from the list of humans while we are it.

Pitbulls, when socialized properly and given the proper amount of attention, are one of the greatest and smartest dogs you will ever own. I used to own one and if it wasn't for the simple minded thinking of the general public....I still would. I hated dealing with the constant negative conversation with people about these dogs.

They are fantastic dogs in the community if you don't live in Forest Lawn.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Barnes

Rottweilers are probably the most aggressive dogs. Here is a picture of mine displaying some of the breeds most aggressive traits including stealing your seat on the couch, hoarding the cushions, sitting in a position that allows them to pounce at a moments notice and smiling at you so you drop your guard for the impending attack.

They're terrible dogs to have around for all reasons stated. Wait'll she's all grown up and she starts flopping her big frame in your bed. Try pushing 100lbs of fur and tongue off your couch. The big yawn that sounds like "ralph" will have you running for the hills.

Oh, and word of warning to any baby snatchers, they do get aggressive sometimes.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by old-fart

Orson looks like a Newfie... big fargin' dog. Great pets, but who can afford to feed them?

In the same vein of "who can afford to feed them" falls one of the coolest dogs ever, the Saint Bernard. I'm a bit shocked that a thread about "manly dogs" hasn't yet included the only one that comes with a fricken brandy cask under it's chin! Having said that, when Mrs. Old-fart and I were still in the dating phase, she lived beside a Sainty named "George". Good god was that thing big. I remember coming over for dinner once, carrying some groceries in and George was out front playing... he comes bounding over to you, slobber flying... not stopping... holy ##$@!@.... George standing over me licking my face... ahhhhh!!!!! Great dog, very friendly, but you need a backhoe to pick up the crap.

Also in the cool dog category would be bassett hound, especially a very overweight one named "Flash".

The meanest dog I ever owned was a Saint named Patch. When he got around two years old he just went Cujo for some reason. He mauled my mom's arm one day and that was the end of him.

[4X4]

My large family has always had dogs. My sisters tend toward little yappers that have the gall to bite your ankles as you walk away from them. Bigger dogs just seem more secure about themselves.

After having a few breeds, I can say that I'm a rottie guy for life. Both rotties I've had (well, one of the was a longtime roommate's) were far and away the best dogs I've ever had. Loyal as hell. My dog can't stand not knowing where I am at all times. When I'm camping and I take off on the quad, she patiently sits at the mouth of the trail she saw me leave on. I never have to tie her up because she won't wander out of earshot because that'd mean that she can't see or smell me.
When my ex took her camping without me, she never left her side.
When a guy handed her a beer that he dropped and then made a sudden movement to catch before it hit the ground, she leapt like a cat to get inbetween them and growl at him. No biting, no barking, just a firm growl of warning.

They are the best dogs ever. You can poke them in the eye and pull on their ears and if they don't like it, they'll just move their head. The ex's nephew rides Moxie like a horse and feeds her carrots. I can put a morsel of steak in my teeth and she'll gently take it without even touching me....... I can go on and on about how great my dog is, but this post is really meant to help dispell the myth that rotties are psychopathic killing machines.
Obviously you wouldn't let your kids play with a junkyard dog, but as a family pet and friend, they are unbeatable. IMO.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by octothorp

...I tend to agree that any dog can be a good dog or a bad dog, and so much of it lies in the responsibility of the owner (and, to a lesser extent, the breeder). That said, I think the danger with bull terriers is that a bad bull terrier is going to be a lot more dangerous than a bad chihuahua, or even a bad retriever.

We have two dogs: A one-year-old Borzoi (perhaps the least manly big dog on the planet) and a five-year-old Australian Shepherd.

I love our Aussie and generally think that she is a terrific dog for our family; she is incredibly affectionate, sensitive, playful and gentle with our kids, our other dog, and the cats, but does this make her a "friendly" dog? Not in my estimation. She is frequently dog-aggressive, has issues with unfamiliar people, and little tolerance for unfamiliar toddlers. My wife is a professional dog trainer, and she stopped taking her to work to demo because she was so temperamental outside of the house. Taking her for walks is difficult because of how she reactes when we encounter other dogs, and having people over to the house is challenging.

I think the same issues that my Aussie has are what is likely to affect many Pit Bull Terriers, and why I would not classify them as "friendly". Like our dog, I expect that Pit Bulls are great around the house, with family, familiar friends, and with familiar animals. But much like our Aussie, Pit Bulls can be highly territorial and insular: protective of the pack. What makes Pit Bulls especially dangerous is that if my Australian Shepherd decides to attack an outsider, I can pry her off of him. When a Pit Bull finds the determination to do so, his owner cannot.

Certainly, ownership responsibility and training is an important factor when it comes to any dog's behaviour, Pit Bulls and Australian Shepherds included. But a couple of things to bear in mind: first, not all dogs within a specific breed are the same. Our Aussie comes from a line of high-performance and championship dogs (winners of the sporting group at the Westminster three consecutive years now), but most of the females are also aggressive. I've met other Australian Shepherds that are not. Many times, selection within the breed plays a part. Second, we still know so little about dog behaviour that there really is no such thing as the perfectly predictable dog, especially when instinct is still a major factor. Our Borzoi breeder also had cats, and was incident free for over twenty-years. Then suddenly, without warning, three of her older—and what one would consider most "predictable" dogs—chased and killed the cat that they had lived with for over a decade. My Borzoi is actually terrified of the cats (it's hilarious), but because of centuries of breeding, there is no way in hell that I will trust him not to suddenly decide to eat one. It is what he has been bred to do.

[RubberDuck]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Like our dog, I expect that Pit Bulls are great around the house, with family, familiar friends, and with familiar animals. But much like our Aussie, Pit Bulls can be highly territorial and insular: protective of the pack.

That is incorrect. Pit bulls are not highly territorial, or insular. Those traits are not characteristic or typical of the breed, they are taught/learned by individuals. Pit bulls are often incorrectly catagorized as a working breed and thus do not share working breed tendencies like being territorial and protective.

From official UKC Breed Standard:

Characteristics

The essential characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier are strength, confidence, and zest for life. This breed is eager to please and brimming over with enthusiasm. APBTs make excellent family companions and have always been noted for their love of children. Because most APBTs exhibit some level of dog aggression and because of its powerful physique, the APBT requires an owner who will carefully socialize and obedience train the dog. The breed's natural agility makes it one of the most capable canine climbers so good fencing is a must for this breed. The APBT is not the best choice for a guard dog since they are extremely friendly, even with strangers. Aggressive behavior toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and highly undesirable. This breed does very well in performance events because of its high level of intelligence and its willingness to work.
The American Pit Bull Terrier has always been capable of doing a wide variety of jobs so exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog's versatility.

Link:
http://www.arba.org/AmericanPitBull1BS.htm

[HalifaxDrunk]

Originally Posted by FireFly

I think a Beagle would be a great dog for your "small but manly" requirement.

I second that, Beagles are great!

I'm in the Labrador Retriever camp, I may be biased since I'm on my 3rd now. I had a Yellow Lab/Doberman mix in high school, he was awesome! I miss him.