anastasia: I was at my local humane society last week,at least 70% of the dogs were pit bulls,a little poodle was shaking and looked terrified from all the barking,it was a sad scene........................in regards to your post,some smaller dogs may be more aggressive,but they don't possess the power to kill like a pit bull,maybe if the individual stood still and let themselves be bitten a few hundred times,but otherwise unless it's a baby,the injuries would be far less than that of a likeminded pit bull

Jim Dandy:

Small dog kills 6-week-old girl in California
October 9, 2000
Web posted at: 6:17 AM EDT (1017 GMT)


LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- A small Pomeranian dog killed a 6-week-old baby while the infant's caretaker briefly left the child unattended to warm a bottle of milk, authorities in Los Angeles said.

The relative, who was caring for the infant girl, found her head buried in the dog's mouth Saturday night, sheriff's Deputy Cruz Solis said. The girl died of head trauma at an area hospital, he said.

anastasia: Yes,I said a baby would be at risk,but cats have been known to smother babies too

Jim Dandy: You never hear about the siezure detection Pit. The search and rescue pit that found seventeen 9/11 victims. You never hear about the drug dog, you never hear about the bomb sniffing pit, you never hear about the seeing-eye pit, or the helping-paw pit, do you?

anastasia: No,the general public rarely does hear about those thankless jobs trusted to breeds such as pit bulls,but sadly that's the nature of our news.I think you know by now that I'm on your side on most points of this issue.

anastasia:  Our neighbors had big aggressive dogs.  I think they were just being territorial and since we had dogs to maybe we were "the other clan."  But I was determined to be accepted by them so I bought some big size doggie treats and offered my peace offerings at every opportunity.  Now their dogs come to visit me.  I have the treats by the door. 

I think small dogs have a tendency to be more high strung and agressive (certain breeds).  I know our smallest Yorkie was like this.  She was a mini but would go after all the big dogs (thanks for the fence which helped her be brave).  She didn't even have any teeth to bit with but she'd bark bark bark at anything that moved.  My experience with larger dogs has been that many of them are far more easy going than the little ones. 

That said, I personally don't feel comfortable with larger dogs unless I know them.  And even my own midsize dog I kept at bay when it came to my grandchildren.  It wasn't worth the risk.  I don't think she (part Spitz part Blue Healer) would have hurt the kids ever, but I was always careful about it.  She was agressive towards strangers and she and I had a battle (which I eventually won) over who the Alpha was to be.  She never bit anyone (nipped at me once when I stepped on her tail...can't blame her). 

I have no more pets now.  The dogs have died and recently the cats have disappeared.  We have no idea what happened to them.  They were always at the door for their meals and at night would come into their little beds (they were the neighbors cats .... long story)  ;)  I'd love to get another one but wifey says no and since the neighbor has plenty, I do get my daily dose of animal contact.  (they even have goats lol) ;)

anastasia: in responce to the Pomeranian killing a six week old.. I suppose it is possible.. I do find the line a bit hard to swallow when they claim the babies head was inside its mouth. I have a Pomeranian and her mouth is tiny.. maybe a barbie dolls head could get inside it.. haha..

I learned last year after watching a pitbull snatch up a pom.. that it is mostly how the dog is treated.. my pom attached herself to me. She gets upset if I don't take her with me. The car gets too hot anymore so most times she is left at home. I babysat my grandson with Iggy there.. she was always so gentle around the baby.. her breed is very showy.. she likes to be the center of attention. She was a Christmas gift a few years back. I never thought I would take to a small breed dog. We had a Chihaua when I was younger. And that dog was mean. We treated it nice. but, if he got excited he would come out and nip ya.. I have seen one or two Chihaua which were actually nice.. but, generally those peeps who own them usually have to keep them in their bedrooms when guests drop over.

We did some research last year when we witnessed the dog fight between my neighbors dogs. I didn't want to go outside and was very concerned for my grandson after that. Unfortunately Pit Bulls always ranked up number one as vicious and the 2nd one was an off breed of them. I can't remember the name. It wouldn't have surprised me if I saw Chihaua up there as well.. but, #3 was a Rotweiller.. personally I wouldn't own any of those breeds. If I were to have gone out and intentionally picked out a dog.. I would have gotten a golden retriever.. they are the gentlest and the smartest of dogs. We raised them when I was growing up and my ginger had so many tumors in her when I started having my children. Heck the babies would climb all over Ginger and you could tell she hurt.. but, she never snapped or growled at those babies.. and every retriever I have met since has been a sweetheart.. Oh well.. I will get off my band wagon..

all in all some breeds have a tendency to be vicious.. mix that with nasty owners and you have vicious.. I still find it hard to think the dog had the babies head inside its mouth..

ScarletRose: Here's one story

Six week olds can be pretty small depending on birth weight.  Sad story all around.  Wish I could find an original source for the story but it's probably too old.