Another pitbull kills, this time a little girl

[sorraia]

I strongly disagree with your statement on larger dogs. I've been seriously harmed more by chihuahuas, Pomeranians and dachshunds than anything, and have never been attacked or harmed by a "large breed." I currently own a pitbull and a Great Dane, and they have never shown any signs of aggression. Sure, they may be stronger, but they are not predisposed to aggression anymore than a small dog.

I did not say larger dogs are predisposed to aggression. I said the potential to cause harm is greater. This simply means a larger dog can hurt a person more easily than a smaller dog. The larger dog doesn't have to be trying either. I've been hurt by larger dogs when they've jumped on me or run into me, I've never been hurt like that by a smaller dog. A bite from a larger dog is likely to be more serious than a similar bite from a smaller dog, just by virtue of size. That does not mean the larger dog is going to be more aggressive, bite more often, or always cause worse injury if it does bite. All I'm saying is pound for pound a larger dog has potential to cause more harm than a smaller dog.

Now speaking of personal experience and preference, the most aggressive dogs I've met have been smaller dogs. I've only ever owned larger dogs, and while I've been knocked over and jumped on (not necessarily my dogs, but ill behaved dogs owned by other people) I've not been bitten by a larger dog. But behavior and temperament don't change the physiological potential of a larger dog. Note, I'm not advocating stricter controls or regulations, its just an observation and comparison.