What would the crime rates do if EVERYONE had a large dog?

[wolfman97]

Dogs can bark, bite, and poop.

They cannot, however, shoot back at an intruder.

And guns can't watch your back while you are sleeping. I have heard from a few well-armed people who woke up with a gun in their face.

Lose that fancy named sissy dog and get yourself a Glock. Beware of the armed homeowner.

If you can get past my 120 pound "sissy dog" then you will certainly meet a homeowner who both already knows you are there even if he was asleep when you broke in (perhaps from the screams you gave when you lost your gluteus maximus) and is well-prepared to greet you. No one should be under the impression that getting past that big furry teddy bear means their problems are over.

The crime rate variance, vis a vis canine concentration, would be negligible in this fellow's opinion.

Probably true. Most crime happens outside the home and 100-pound-plus dogs are not really good for concealed carry.

 

[444]

And the gun isn't going to protect your home when you are not there.
On and on and on.

I have to wonder why people take the time to post to a thread when they have nothing to add to the discussion ???????????

 

[Leonard G. Allmon]

A possible answer to the origninal question: I would imagine the crime rate would drop because everyone would be too busy cleaning off their shoes to get into any trouble.

 

[wolfman97]

I have to wonder why people take the time to post to a thread when they have nothing to add to the discussion ???????????

It is like porno. People do it for fun even if it has no redeeming social value.

 

[Mike in VA]

What Sam said.

Pragmatically speaking, tho, given the amount of effort most people put into their kids, I don't think they'd do any better with their dogs, and therefore think this is a dumb idea. It's not like you can legislate good/common sense (otherwise why would there be lease laws?), but a good, well trained dog of any size is a valuable faqmily asset.

These's no shortage of reportage of thugs using large/aggressive/guard-breed dogs as weapons/intimidation, so it'd could quickly get down to 'my dog can lick yer dog . . . '

Good animals contribute to the quality of life on many levels, but . . . . stupid is as stupid does. And I'll hang on to my cellphone, OC, & CCW, thx.

 

[Leonard G. Allmon]

To get serious for a moment, (I AM capable of that, reports to the contrary notwithstanding,) I don't see dog vs gun as either/or, for anyone who has ever had ANY kind of dog would know that they are NOT mutually exclusive, either having its good AND bad points. The primary quality of any family dog is LOYALTY. Regardless of its size or temperament, the dog would be the first line of defense. I well remember our old Golden, the biggest baby and most demanding of affection and attention you could imagine, but when we would go camping in remote areas she would go with us, and to hear that low, rumbling growl outside the tent at 2 am was a comforting sound, because you KNEW that whatever was out there would have to get by her before it could get to us, and that amount of time and that warning would be ample for us to adequately prepare. She is sadly missed.

 

[glockgirl]

I used to work as a veterinary technician, and my advice is: Don't buy a dog from a 'friend', buy it from a reputable breeder whom you've researched and whose references you have actually called and checked; and don't assume that small dogs are any less of a deterrent than big dogs. My in-laws own a Pembroke Welsh Corgi who is fearless (and stupid, but that's another story).

Remember that if your dog bites someone, not only are you liable, but your dog's life may hang in the balance. Get good obedience training often and early, so that your dog is always under control and always knows who the alpha is. Also, check your homeowner's policy before acquiring a dog; some insurance companies specifically exclude certain breeds.

I live with Jake, a 90-lb idiot of a Labrador. He is unbelievably gentle and tolerant of my 16 month old son (look Mommy! I put pencils in the doggie's nose!), and although I'm not entirely certain of his protective capability, he does have an EXTREMELY impressive, deep bark. He always looks vaguely surprised when he barks, as if there might be another, backup dog around doing the barking.

 

[wolfman97]

Good advice. I researched two years before I bought my latest pup. He sounds a lot like yours. You may be surprised. Mine (120 pound Shiloh Shepherd) is the same way about kids. He will take any abuse from a kid and seems like a complete wimp. Then one day a strange dog tried to jump on me. HOLY S**T!

 

[Matthew Courtney]

It takes a real commitment to be a responsible dog owner. I think dogs are great. I have two labs who are very protective of my family. That said, as there are people who shouldn't own guns, there are people who shouldn't own dogs. But everyone should be able to decide for themselves until they commit an act of aggression or negligence.