It has gradually come to our attention that Vahshi doesn't like tall blondes. Specifically labradors and golden retrievers. He's perfectly okay with small white dogs and nearly all dark dogs, no matter how tall they are. For awhile I thought he had it in for tall dogs in general, but it became apparent that breed was a major factor in his attitude.
His reaction is hostile to nearly all labs/retrievers, even puppies. Luckily, when we spent a weekend away with a friend and her male retriever, Vahsh was submissive to him. Maybe that's because they were in the holiday house already when we arrived? Or because their dog is unusually red? We're going away with them again soon and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be okay again.
We've been watching and taking notes, trying to narrow down what it is that causes Vahshi to go for another dog. "Go for" means that he growls and begins to snap at the other dog's flanks, chasing them round in circles snarling nastily. Which is odd for a staffy - they usually go for the throat, impelled by their dog-fighting genes.
His behaviour isn't 100 percent consistent. Just 90 percent consistent. I have to keep him on lead if I see golden labradors approaching. But I'm wary whenever we're around very big dogs as he's been in stoushes with ridgebacks and boxers too.
Which makes him sound very unfriendly, which isn't the case - we only have a 'hostile incident' about once a month. That's often enough to keep me on my toes.
Labradors and retrievers are lovely well natured animals. Kindly keep your brute away from these lovely breeds!
Posted by: alan b'stard | Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at 05:14 PM
Oh, I've encountered quite a few dog-aggro labradors. And they are renowned for snatching food out of innocent children's hands - and mouths if they can ;-)
Posted by: susoz | Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at 05:35 PM