On hols at the moment, still in the uk.
Was taking our cute and fluffy little hound for a walk in some hills near where we are staying yesterday morning.
From a distance a could see 2 humans and 3 dogs coming towards us.
They got closer and I saw the dogs were a large mastiff type and the blokes were wiry, tattooed and vest wearing. The dogs were off the lead.
Must admit my first thought was to turn and head in the opposite direction. However picked our hound up and walked on.
The other dogs were not put on the lead although one of the lads did hold onto the collar on the biggest one.
Short chat (with me still feeling uneasy) and transpires these dogs were Johnsons American Bulldogs.
The blokes were friendly enough and no issues from the dogs but why did I feel a twinge of fear/apprehension?
Stereotyping? Out of my local area comfort zone.
Regardless, I did wonder if the dogs had the desired effect for their owner.
Also wondered what someone would actually do if dogs like these decided to take a dislike for another animal or human.
Mute point obviously, but did make me think.
The blokes were friendly enough and no issues from the dogs but why did I feel a twinge of fear/apprehension?Stereotyping? Out of my local area comfort zone.
Stereotyping is a natural human response for a reason. We are evolved to look for signs of a possible threat. One way is by classifying people from a distance, very crudely without actually interacting with them, using the limited data available.
Always interesting when the stereotype turns out to be inaccurate, though. Will it affect your apprehension the next time you meet a similar group?
Is a mute point like a moot point only silent?
i think it's natural, and yes, the owners have those type of dogs for that exact reason.
if they decided to have a go, and manage to get to you, you're in big trouble, the men would be pretty powerless IMO.
I had two very big Brindle Mastiffs take a dislike to me on the bike a few weeks back. luckily one was on the lead, and the guy managed to grab the other just as it was about to start attacking, he apologised with the classic "Bikes spook them". Why have you got it off the lead on a well used bridleway then???
Moot it is.
However, in a way you can understand why folks who encounter real or imagined hostile / threatening situations on a more regular basis see the need to equip themselves for protection - should the need ever arise.
Dogs and 'hard' types. I'm old enough to remember German Shepherd > Doberman > Rottweiler > Staffie cross type > 'Wolf' look type > Mastiff size......
My anxiety was not helped by the fact that the previous day a few of us had to assist a lady who was walking in a park with her 2 small children and rescue Greyhound which was then attacked by a German Shepherd which was off the lead. Thankfully the idiot owner managed to catch his dog but not until the Greyhound had been chased by it, it's coat torn to shreds under its neck (thankfully no other significant damage to the dog itself) and the lady and the kids reduced to hysterical tears. The idiot owner then simply skulked away. Police were called as it looked like a potential disaster waiting to happen. The other folks who lived nearby said it had happened with the same offending dog and owner before.
Difficult isn't it. It's wrong to judge someone on their appearance alone, but being right doesn't do you any good if you get your head kicked in.
Back when I was a student, I worked part-time in a bowling alley. They had these pointless staff training quizzes for each department, I think primarily so that they could put a bit chart on the wall to 'prove' how well trained we were. One of the questions was something like, "a customer comes in with long hair, tattoos and a leather jacket, what would you do?"
I think I answered something like "say, 'hello Dave, what can I get you?'" I never did work out what the "correct" answer was, whether they thought I should be alerting security because obviously everyone with a leather jacket is a troublemaker, or whether it was an exercise in not being judgemental. Sadly, I strongly suspect it was the former.
You didn't go for the 'always get the first punch in' option then?
We have a regular in the shop. A man mountain type, shaved head and covered in tattoos. Guy Ritchie would love him in one of his films.
He is one of the kindest , gentlest people I've ever met. He is also head master of a school in Wimbledon and so incredibly passionate about his job and pupils.
[i]Also wondered what someone would actually do if dogs like these decided to take a dislike for another animal or human.[/i]
I certainly wouldn't want to be holding my dog in my arms if they decided to go for it...
I certainly wouldn't want to be holding my dog in my arms if they decided to go for it...
Neither would I but mine weighs a ton and rolls in crap.
They were also probably stereotyping you with your 'cute and fluffy little hound' 😆
Is a mute point like a moot point only silent?
See, see its not just me!!
Dont pick your dog up, if the other dogs come over for a sniff it could easily get out of hand.
American bulldogs are indeed big scary dogs though.
This greyhound had a torn coat? But not cuts? Wasnt a greyhound then, they have almost no coat and tear very very easily. If it was fluffy it was a lurcher most likely.
[i]Neither would I but mine weighs a ton and rolls in crap.[/i]
So that's your response to "I certainly wouldn't want to be holding my dog in my arms."
