Can animals be born "bad"?

stsarina

nonnatus wrote: »

To get back to the thread, I ALSO have always been led to believe that golden cockers are not wired quite right. They are always aggressive and I believed it was to do with the breeding involved with getting the solid golden coat - something else got sacrificed!

It's called rage syndrome, and is recognised as a major problem with golden cockers particularly, but also with other solid colours within the breed - have a Google if you're interested. It's far from common, but it does occur, and having had firsthand experience of it, it's devastating for everyone involved to have to have an otherwise healthy and much loved dog PTS.

Hillbilly2

stsarina wrote: »

It's called rage syndrome, and is recognised as a major problem with golden cockers particularly, but also with other solid colours within the breed - have a Google if you're interested. It's far from common, but it does occur, and having had firsthand experience of it, it's devastating for everyone involved to have to have an otherwise healthy and much loved dog PTS.

I believe more common I the reds? Sometimes called red rage, but yes, all solid colours can suffer. They often fixate on one person and no-one else can control/touch it.


Its true we have "domesticated" animals, but our modern lifestyles are a step even further for a lot of pets.


I would say all extreme negative behaviour can have a source found in ability to cope/medical issues.


I know of people trying to treat a Bengal for aggression. They have it in a flat with no garden.. no surprises the behaviourist has advised it needs an outdoor lifestyle!

meritaten

some breeds are 'known' to be aggressive - that is why they are chosen as 'guard dogs'. and some breeders breed to that gene forsaking all others. then wonder why they have psychopathic dogs and that breed then gets rejected by the public. Its a shame, as most responsible breeders also breed to the 'people friendly' gene.
Take the Staffy - used to be one of the most people and child friendly dogs in the world. today, unless you know the breeder and the ancestry of that dog ..........you run the risk of having a dog bred by idiots who wanted 'aggressive' dogs. True to breed, they are wonderful dogs. a few generations later they can be true 'chav' dogs. especially where the breeder has brought in American Pit Bull genes.