Trouble is that has been done already and unduly restricts the lives of so many people and their dogs.

In some parts of Germany All dogs that reach a shoulder height of over 40 cm (approximately 16 inches) at full maturity or a weight of over 20 kg (44 pounds) are subject to dangerous dog regulations in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

All these dogs have to be kept on lead at all times.

This includes many breeds that are most popular in the UK.

Of the 20 most popular breeds in the UK of 2006 this would cover:

2006 Top 20 Breed Registrations
23-Jan-07

Ranking, Breed, No. of registrations

1. Retriever (Labrador) 45,700
2. Spaniel (Cocker) 20,459
(well large male could just reach the 40cm,as standard is up to 39cm)
3. Spaniel (English Springer) 15,133
4. German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian) 12,857
5. Staffordshire Bull Terrier 12,729
7. Retriever (Golden) 9,373
9. Boxer 9,066
11. Rottweiler 6,575
16. Bulldog 3,522
17. Dobermann 3,388
18. Bull Terrier 3,361
19. Weimaraner 2,744

Now multiply the annual registration figures by 10 at least and you will have an idea of the number of dogs that could be affected.

Out of interest breeds that are actually listed as dangerous (the ones with a star are subject to outright ban) requiring special regulation in Germany are (I have enboldened those I know are present in the UK and underlined those subject to an outright ban):

- Akbas (known here under the Anatolian shepherd umbrella))
- Alano
- American Staffordshire Terrier *
- Bandog (bullbreed crosses with staff)- Berger de Beauce (Beauceron)
- Berger de Brie (Briard)
- Bullmastiff
- Bull-terrier *
- Cane Corso
- Carpatin
- Chinesischer Kampfhund (Chinese fighting dog)
- Dobermann
- Dogo Argentino
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Estrela-Berghund
- Fila Brasileiro
- Kangal (known here under the Anatolian shepherd umbrella)
- Karakatschan
- Karshund
- Kaukasischer Owtscharka
- Komondor
- Kraski Ovcar
- Kuvasz
- Liptak (Goralenhund)
- Maremmaner Hirtenhund
- Mastiff
- Mastin de los Pirineos
- Mastin Espanol
- Mastino Napoletano
- Mioritic
- Mittelasiatischer Owtscharka
- Perro de Presa Canario
- Perro de Presa Mallorquin
- Pit-bull terrier*
- Polski Owczarek Podhalanski
- Pyrenäenberghund
- Raffeiro do Alentejo
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Römischer Kampfhund
- Rottweiler
- Sarplaninac
- Slovensky Cuvac
- Staffordshire Bull-terrier*
- Sürdrussischer Owtscharka
- Tibetanischer Mastiff- Tornjak
- Tosa Inu

The breeds of dogs listed here are classified as generally or potentially dangerous under the regulations of one or more of Germany's states. Other breeds not listed might also be subject to regulations. Dog owners interested in bringing their dogs with them to Germany are advised to contact state authorities for more information.

*These breeds are prohibited under all circumstances

A link to this information here: Germany.info : Information Services: Consular Services: Customs Information

Not true a few years ago a dog reportedly a Jack Russel killed an infant in the UK. I have been googling it for ages trying to find it.

It was reported either on the Radio or TV news.

The most common victims of dog attack are children.

There are two main reasons. Many dogs are not used to and frightened or hurt by the child, and secondly their fast movements and high pitched voices often screaming bring out the predatory drives in dogs, who again may not associate a child as human.

Another reason is when it is a child involved because of the size of them the injury is greater, so is more likely to be reported and/or need medical treatment. As adults we are also more able to protect ourselves, except in a ferocious attack, which thankfully are very rare. As people who have worked with dogs over a number of years myself and my husband have recieved numerous dog bites, we have never had any medical treatment, so would not appear on any statistics, if my children had ever been bitten, which they weren't, I would have taken them straight to A & E.

I wouldn't totally object to making my dog wear a muzzel while out walking in PUBLIC places because i know she is good but just because she is a big dog other people are sometimes scared and if it ment she was seen as less of a threat to anyone or made other people (mainly children) feel more secure in light of recent dog attacks i dont mind.

a jack russel may have killed an infant but lets face it fatal attacks from such breeds are rare and it would be impossible to regulate the ownership of all breeds. It makes sense to regulate the usual suspects - which might I add isn't because of the breed nature it's because of the type of owners they attract. They buy these animals for the wrong reasons! It wouldn't stop fatal dog attacks completely but it would reduce them and the one that happened recently wouldn't have been prevented.

I own a large american bulldog and would be happy to be approved for owning that type of dog... I think all responisble owners wouldn't have a problem.

i agree but i think just to be safe dogs like rottys ect ect should allso be muzzeled and not alloud to roam off the lead ,that should envoke fine/imprisonent or both and allso the dog taking off of them! harsh maybe but lets protect our kids/public with an a abuse it you lose it law!

Thing is a large dog like a rottie does need to run. So if such restrictions were put in place I think pupose built dog parks should be built so dogs can be free but in a controlled environment where everyone who's there knows what to expect. This works in the US.

I do like the rotty to look at but i gotta say magik that they scare the poo outa me ! I do boxing and am just about to go on a run and in a minute i will go past this house thats got one in the garden and i am telling you that thing wants to kill some body ! it gos crazy at anyman woman or chid that passes !

We already have laws in place for roaming dogs etc,but they are not enforced.The dog attacks the last few fatal ones involving Rotties & a Pitt have happened on private property so the current DDA did nothing to protect those children,as it doesn't legislate for it.

85% of dog attacks happen on private property,I must stress though fatal dog attacks are rare,far more children die in RTA's every year,we deal with the Drivers of the car,and punish them accordingly(not harshly enough in my book) so the same should be applied to dog owners.
The last 3 fatal dog attacks were due to negligence of the owner,charges of manslaughter were brought against one,which I & many others agreed with.

I also think it is down to breeders to socialise the dogs before they leave home. A responcable breeder checks pedigree compatability and rear mums and pups in their homes to ensure socialisation and be aware of pups personality to ensure they are placed in the right home, also if pup when placed in a home should be told to return pup if things do not work out.

__________________
Adorable Ragdoll Cats