[wilburmason]

Been wondering what percentage would be genetic vs raising, in terms of temperament, dog aggression, how they are day to day, even with people etc.

I know it's impossible to put an exact percentage, but have you found one more of a factor than the other?

What got me thinking, I had a rescue dog that was abused. The owners were kind of mean to him. I got him and treated him well. He got much better and was great with me and the family, but he never trusted strangers and hated other dogs. He was 80 lbs so I didn't want to tick him off or him bite someone. He never got into trouble but just didnt like someone until he got to know them, which was understandable with his past.

A different scenario, I had a 45 lb game bred that I got around 6 months old. He was a firecracker at times, very active and aggressive when racoons and possums would come in the yard. When he was a puppy my friends would come over, they would bring their non pit dogs. We would cook on the grill and the dogs got along well. When older he still was civil with the other dogs and wouldn't start anything with them. If challenged he would react but I was surprised with how good he was with the other dogs. We never left them alone but never had any big issues. In my case, how I raised him seemed to lessen his dog aggression with known dogs quite a bit. With strange dogs all bets were off but he had some play buddies he was very civil with, which surprised me. He was the sweetest to people also.


Anyone else had one that was half way decent with known dogs?

I would never trust him alone with other dogs, but my most intense dog was the one that was the most civil with dogs he knew, out of every pit I've had. Maybe I just got lucky with him. My most dog aggressive dog was prob the 80 lb rescue

 

[JoKealoha]

nature vs nurture is a very old debate.
DNA is the most powerful molecule in the past 4 billion years. when the shit hits the fan, every animal (including 2 leggers) resort to their most base instincts. the time in between is for eating, sleeping, and making sweet sweet love.
(that one was for you Joe because i know how much of a romantic you are!)
🤣

 

[Hypercane]

First, and talking in general from my experience in the veterinary field (and this isn't towards your dog) I have a big pet peeve about "rescues have been abused". Unless Animal Control took it away and owners went to jail, It's actually a very small percent.

Ok, back on the subject.. I am a big believer that it's 100% genetics. Not facts, just my opinion.
An aggressive dog will be just that. A fearful dog will be just that. A happy dog will be just that. I have a dog here that I kept from my own litter, shy, timid, terrified of the broom.. I can tell you there is no abuse in my home. Her mom and dad are people friendly and outgoing. No fear. So, that's how I formed my opinion.

 

[Hypercane]

First, and talking in general from my experience in the veterinary field (and this isn't towards your dog) I have a big pet peeve about "rescues have been abused". Unless Animal Control took it away and owners went to jail, It's actually a very small percent.

Ok, back on the subject.. I am a big believer that it's 100% genetics. Not facts, just my opinion.
An aggressive dog will be just that. A fearful dog will be just that. A happy dog will be just that. I have a dog here that I kept from my own litter, shy, timid, terrified of the broom.. I can tell you there is no abuse in my home. Her mom and dad are people friendly and outgoing. No fear. So, that's how I formed my opinion.

I meant to say, "My opinion" that it's not how you raise them.

 

[2DogTrix]

Been wondering what percentage would be genetic vs raising, in terms of temperament, dog aggression, how they are day to day, even with people etc.

I know it's impossible to put an exact percentage, but have you found one more of a factor than the other?

What got me thinking, I had a rescue dog that was abused. The owners were kind of mean to him. I got him and treated him well. He got much better and was great with me and the family, but he never trusted strangers and hated other dogs. He was 80 lbs so I didn't want to tick him off or him bite someone. He never got into trouble but just didnt like someone until he got to know them, which was understandable with his past.

A different scenario, I had a 45 lb game bred that I got around 6 months old. He was a firecracker at times, very active and aggressive when racoons and possums would come in the yard. When he was a puppy my friends would come over, they would bring their non pit dogs. We would cook on the grill and the dogs got along well. When older he still was civil with the other dogs and wouldn't start anything with them. If challenged he would react but I was surprised with how good he was with the other dogs. We never left them alone but never had any big issues. In my case, how I raised him seemed to lessen his dog aggression with known dogs quite a bit. With strange dogs all bets were off but he had some play buddies he was very civil with, which surprised me. He was the sweetest to people also.


Anyone else had one that was half way decent with known dogs?

I would never trust him alone with other dogs, but my most intense dog was the one that was the most civil with dogs he knew, out of every pit I've had. Maybe I just got lucky with him. My most dog aggressive dog was prob the 80 lb rescue

I am a much bigger believer in genetics. There is plenty of evidence towards other things creating strong habits/impressions but at the end of the day, genetics hold truer than anything in my experience. I've had a fair share of breeder dogs and shelter dogs. One of my shelter dogs I had since 5 months of age. That dog seemed pretty stable and sweet at 5 months but as he matured, the dog aggression issues definitely came out. And the thing about a shelter bully mutt like him is you have no idea what the genetics are at play and the same is probably true for your big aggressive dog. No one was carefully and thoughtfully crossing dogs when they bred them. My oldest dog (from a breeder) used to be a bit of a mess, but as I learned more about handling him he has shown me he has a MUCH better temperament than I once would have guessed, so how we live with a dog can definitely play a big role. My shelter pup, he has gotten better as I have, but there are significant limits on what I can get from him, and that's bad genetics at play (or maybe bad early development - like early weeks of life). My previous shelter dog I brought home at 3 and she was afraid of everything, but in a stable environment she settled into being one of the most solid dogs I have ever owned, but I put that down to genetics still. Environment is important, but capacity for what they can handle in a good environment still comes down to genetics. My youngest dog might actually be the meanest/most selective of my crew but she is really stable and solid so I don't worry about her because she listens well and doesn't act out of insecurity or nerviness. Anyways, that is just how I see it after half a dozen or so dogs of varying breeds. That's the other reason I think genetics are huge - I see just how differently they have all needed to be handled and fulfilled based on differing genetics. I've had a Cattle Dog, German Shorthair Pointer, Boxer, Alaskan Malamute, English Springer Spaniel, bully mix (Amstaff x APBT with a touch of mastiff if DNA testing is to be trusted), and a Shorty Bull. Anywho. There's my two cents.