Latest news with #Rottweilers
BBC News
11 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Postman suffers 'worst nightmare' dog attack in Sheffield
A postman said his "worst nightmare" came true when he was attacked by two Rottweilers and suffered injuries to his arm, head and the end of last year, Alan Spear was delivering a parcel to a property in Sheffield when a small child opened the door and two large dogs ran out from behind of them jumped at Mr Spear, causing him to roll down the sloped garden and hit the front wall. While he laid on the floor, one of the dogs jumped on top of him and the other bit his arm."I was not on death's door, but it could have been a child that knocked - it could have been a hell of a lot worse," he said. The owner was "mortified" after coming out of the house to "drag the dog" away and ultimately chose to have one of the animals put to sleep, Mr Spear said."He was in bits at what happened, and he was shocked," he workers in the Sheffield area were more likely to be attacked by dogs than anywhere else, with 66 dog attacks in 2024/25, and 41 the previous year, according to Royal Mail. 'They're protecting their families' Mr Spear said it was a "misconception" that posties did not like dogs and most understood the animals' protective nature."There's just an unpredictability with dogs," he said."A dog may seem very relaxed with you, however if it thinks someone is threatening its house, it will react."Dogs are territorial, they are protecting their families; it's not their fault."Mr Spear required antibiotics and a tetanus jab after the attack, then a further course of antibiotics after the wound became infected."When I banged my back on the wall, that took quite a long time to get better. I still do get some back pain even now," he said."I have seen life-changing injuries from dog attacks. It's not a joke at all."He recommended people put a cage on their letterbox, so dogs do not try and bite postal workers' better, he said, would be to have an external post box at the front of the house."Lying on the ground - it was quite scary," he said."To say I was fortunate is an understatement."Royal Mail recorded almost 2,200 dog attacks on staff in the UK last year.A spokesperson said: "Royal Mail continues to call on the public to be vigilant and responsible by securing their pets before opening the door to receive mail or packages." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Abandoned by society, pets search for home: NGOs on mission to find them safe & loving shelters
HYDERABAD: Soy, Bean, Daisy, Subby, Phool, Peaches and Chaithra were among the furry friends up for adoption at an event organised by Humane World for Animals and Citizen for Animals at Lamakaan on Sunday. Breeds like Pomeranians, Rottweilers and Labradors, as well as indies and cats, were put up for adoption. These dogs, who were victims of animal cruelty and other health issues, d were found abandoned by these NGOs. Among them was Chaithra, an Indie dog who had been thrown from a bridge in Sangareddy district. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Six months later, with the help of the NGOs, the dog had made a full recovery. The other dogs, which were suffering from various ailments, were also rescued after being found abandoned. Along with the dogs, three cats were also up for adoption. The animals at adoption centre have been sheltered and brought back to full health by NGOs and now have the opportunity to become part of a family. 'You don't buy dogs; you adopt them. Dogs are part of the family,' said Shriti, a textile retailer who wanted to adopt the three cats. 'There is a common misconception that rescued dogs are not suitable for family life. My first dog was adopted too, and he was fine,' said Aslam Mirza, who wanted to adopt the Rottweiler. The NGOs will first conduct a screening test for prospective owners. Once they are satisfied that the pets will have a safe home, the adoption process will be finalised.
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Trained for trouble: Why exotic dogs need ‘paw-sitive' parenting; behaviour issues rise as instinct clashes with space, trainers now focus on preparing pet parents, not just pups
Hyderabad's pet parents are facing challenges raising exotic dog breeds in urban environments. A mismatch between the dogs' instincts and apartment living leads to behavioral issues. Hyderabad's pet parents are finding out the hard way that raising exotic breeds isn't all cuddles and Instagram posts. With meltdowns on the rise, it's the humans who are now heading to obedience school, finds Amisha Rajani. With rising incomes and aspirational lifestyles, urban pet parents in Hyderabad are increasingly bringing home exotic dogs, from Kangals and Rottweilers to Great Danes, Huskies, Saint Bernards and Mastiffs. But as these high-energy, protective working-line dogs settle into small apartments, a mismatch is brewing between instinct and environment. The result? A spike in behavioural issues with pets, and a new urban trend where it's not just the dogs being trained, but their parents too. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Dog trainers and behaviourists across the city say they've seen a marked shift in recent years. 'Owners themselves are signing up for sessions to understand how to raise their exotic dogs responsibly. Many pet parents are reaching out even before buying a pup,' says Anand Janampally, trainer at Happy Dogs Boarding and Training School. Decoding owners' mindset 'They are willing to learn, so we customise sessions based on the breed. We also ask about the owner's nature—are they short-tempered or overly sensitive? Do they live in an apartment? Are there kids? What's their daily schedule? How are the neighbours? Based on this, we suggest the kind of boundaries, routines, exercises, diets that need to be put in place,' he adds. 'Training exotic breeds isn't just about obedience, it's about decoding their psychology, understanding their original purpose, and preparing owners for the reality of parenting a demanding breed, which is not used to a 2BHK or 3BHK of an upscale gated community,' he says. A survey by Humane World for Animals India found that popular breeds in Hyderabad include Labrador Retrievers, Pomeranians, Golden Retrievers, and Shih Tzus. 'These are popular for their adaptability,' says Piyush Patel, director of companion animals and engagement at the organisation. 'But we recorded many owners choosing larger, high-maintenance breeds like Rottweilers, Dogo Argentinos, Great Danes, and Saint Bernards. We found that these breeds, often considered 'exotic' in the Indian context, are owned by individuals who may not be prepared for the care requirements these breeds demand,' he adds. That's where things start to unravel, especially for first-time dog owners. 'If they are adopting a dog, that too an exotic breed, we simply discourage them from going ahead,' says Panneeru Teja, a dog behaviourist. 'For instance, Saint Bernards and Huskies aren't built for India's hot and humid climate. Similarly, each breed has different needs. When those needs aren't met, dogs develop behavioural issues. That's why we're increasingly seeing cases of abandonment, when owners simply can't cope,' Teja explains. Seeing a spurt in cases of parents being unable to care for these breeds, behaviourists have started designing training plans for parents based on each breed's purpose. 'We teach parents various impulse control techniques, structured games, and socialisation techniques that introduce them to different types of people, situations, and reactions. These things must be done before they bring the dog home. Most dog owners come after their dog develops issues, and it becomes tough to train them,' says Vinod Poyilath, behaviour consultant at Woof Buddies. Who Let The Dogs In (to Tiny Flats)? 'Breeds like Kangals which are Turkish livestock guardians or Alabais from Central Asia, were bred to protect property. If you treat them like an indie dog, you're setting them and yourself up for frustration and failure,' he adds. 'Such breeds need large spaces to roam. They may also start becoming fiercely protective of humans and spaces that don't need to be protected, becoming a danger to the public,' Poyilath explains. He says they teach parents how to channelise their energies by letting them play in open spaces, socialise with other dogs, along with customised games to help them control their emotions. Many pet parents are learning this the hard way. 'I brought home a pitbull last year. I thought it would be a good companion,' says an HR professional from Gowlidoddy. 'But it turned out to be a bundle of energy, always howling, chewing, barking and being over-protective. Things changed only after consulting a behaviourist,' she said. 'Most people buy dogs as a status symbol,' says Aulapuram Goutham, an animal activist. 'They don't ask: How big will this dog get? What was it bred for? Can it live in a 2BHK in Hyderabad? Will it survive 45°C summers? No breed is bad, but unprepared parenting can make even friendly dogs a danger, which is why training of parents is important,' he adds.
Scottish Sun
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I work at a vets and would NEVER own these five popular breeds as they are riddled with anxiety or have lots of issues
Plus, how more pet owners are putting their animals down due to rising vet bills RUFF TIMES I work at a vets and would NEVER own these five popular breeds as they are riddled with anxiety or have lots of issues Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A VETERINARY expert has revealed there are five popular dogs that she would never own as they have lots of issues. Caroline said that although she loves all puppies but claims some breeders have 'ruined' a number of different breeds of dogs. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Caroline, who works with animals, revealed the five breeds she'd never own Credit: tiktok/@carolinej5351 6 German Shepherds need constant stimulation, according to Caroline Credit: tiktok/@carolinej5351 On her @carolinej5351 account, she listed her reasons as to why she would avoid five beloved breeds… 1. GERMAN SHEPHERD While German Shepherds can be delightful, they were on Caroline's list as one to avoid. She explained that the breed 'desperately needs a job' and it can be hard to keep them stimulated. The veterinary expert shared that they are 'not meant to lay on someone's couch' and claimed 'breeders have done this breed a huge disservice.' 2. FRENCH BULLDOG 6 French Bulldogs find it hard to breathe and have skin issues, according to the expert Credit: Getty Next up was the French Bulldog, and Caroline listed a number of the issues they have including their breathing, their conformation and their skin. She added: 'I actually feel so bad for this breed. 'Over breeding has ruined everything about this breed. They can't even breed/give birth naturally.' 3. GREAT DANE 6 Although Caroline loves Great Danes, she said they have a short life span, which puts her off Credit: Getty Caroline said she actually considered owning a Great Dane but has since been put off. She explained: 'They're riddled with anxiety and have no idea how big they really are. 'Have an extremely short life span.' Best and Worst Dogs for Apartment Living: Expert Insights 6 The pet professional said Corgis are the worst breed when it comes to trimming their nails Credit: Getty 4. CORGIS While the late Queen famously adored Corgis, Caroline said she would personally avoid getting one. She said one of the main reasons is because they are the 'worst for nail trims.' The vet pro added that although they are 'extremely cute', they will 'bite your ankles' and have back issues. 5. ROTTWEILER 6 She said she would avoid Rottweilers due to their 'aggression' Credit: Getty Caroline admitted that she knows people find Rottweilers controversial - with people either strongly for or against owning them as pets. She said that she personally has 'never met one that is not extremely aggressive.' Rottweilers are commonly seen as dangerous and aggressive dogs. Law experts at Goodin Abernathy explained that rottweilers can get a bad reputation when owners are not responsible. "Without proper training and correction, this protective trait can lead the dog to act in an undesirable or dangerous way, resulting in dog attacks," they added. VET BILL STRAINS This comes as pet owners are increasingly avoiding taking their pets to the vets due to spiralling bills. Some people are even giving up their dogs and cats for adoption as the costs of their care are too high, according to the BBC. However, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has said prices have increased to keep businesses financially viable and open. Blue Cross, which is an organisation that helps people who can't afford emergency pet care, said it has had a 264 per cent increase in applications in the past year. Their cases were 1,319 in 2023 and they had 4,807 in 2024. Meanwhile, the British Veterinary Union in Unite (BVU) said people are increasingly choosing to euthanise pets due to the cost of ongoing care. In a survey conducted by Cats Protection, of the 10,000 owners who took part, 58 per cent admitted they did not visit the vets as often as they liked, with cost being the main barrier.
The Irish Sun
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I work at a vets and would NEVER own these five popular breeds as they are riddled with anxiety or have lots of issues
A VETERINARY expert has revealed there are five popular dogs that she would never own as they have lots of issues. Caroline said that although she loves all puppies but claims some breeders have 'ruined' a number of different breeds of dogs. Advertisement 6 Caroline, who works with animals, revealed the five breeds she'd never own Credit: tiktok/@carolinej5351 6 German Shepherds need constant stimulation, according to Caroline Credit: tiktok/@carolinej5351 On her 1. GERMAN SHEPHERD While German Shepherds can be delightful, they were on Caroline's list as one to avoid. She explained that the breed 'desperately needs a job' and it can be hard to keep them stimulated. The veterinary expert shared that they are 'not meant to lay on someone's couch' and claimed 'breeders have done this breed a huge disservice.' Advertisement More on pets 2. FRENCH BULLDOG 6 French Bulldogs find it hard to breathe and have skin issues, according to the expert Credit: Getty Next up was the French Bulldog, and Caroline listed a number of the issues they have including their breathing, their conformation and their skin. She added: 'I actually feel so bad for this breed. 'Over breeding has ruined everything about this breed. They can't even breed/give birth naturally.' Advertisement 3. GREAT DANE 6 Although Caroline loves Great Danes, she said they have a short life span, which puts her off Credit: Getty Caroline said she actually considered owning a Great Dane but has since been put off. Most read in Fabulous She explained: 'They're riddled with anxiety and have no idea how big they really are. 'Have an extremely short life span.' Advertisement Best and Worst Dogs for Apartment Living: Expert Insights 6 The pet professional said Corgis are the worst breed when it comes to trimming their nails Credit: Getty 4. CORGIS While the late Queen famously adored Corgis, Caroline said she would personally avoid getting one. She said one of the main reasons is because they are the 'worst for nail trims.' The vet pro added that although they are 'extremely cute', they will 'bite your ankles' and have back issues. Advertisement 5. ROTTWEILER 6 She said she would avoid Rottweilers due to their 'aggression' Credit: Getty Caroline admitted that she knows people find Rottweilers controversial - with people either strongly for or against owning them as pets . She said that she personally has 'never met one that is not extremely aggressive.' Rottweilers are commonly seen as dangerous and aggressive dogs. Advertisement Law experts at "Without proper training and correction, this protective trait can lead the dog to act in an undesirable or dangerous way, resulting in dog attacks," they added. VET BILL STRAINS This comes as pet owners are increasingly avoiding taking their pets to the vets due to spiralling bills. Some people are even giving up their dogs and cats for adoption as the costs of their care are too high, according to the Advertisement However, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has said prices have increased to keep businesses financially viable and open. Blue Cross, which is an organisation that helps people who can't afford emergency pet care, said it has had a 264 per cent increase in applications in the past year. Their cases were 1,319 in 2023 and they had 4,807 in 2024. Meanwhile, the British Veterinary Union in Unite (BVU) said people are increasingly choosing to euthanise pets due to the cost of ongoing care. Advertisement In a survey conducted by Cats Protection, of the 10,000 owners who took part, 58 per cent admitted they did not visit the vets as often as they liked, with cost being the main barrier. Britain's favourite dog breeds HERE are the top ten dog breeds in the UK.... Labrador Retriever Renowned for their friendly and outgoing nature. Popular as both family pets and working dogs. French Bulldog Known for their distinctive bat-like ears and affectionate temperament. Ideal for city living due to their small size. Cocker Spaniel Beloved for their playful and loyal disposition. Excellent companions for active families. Pug Recognised for their charming wrinkled faces and sociable nature. Adaptable to various living environments. Staffordshire Bull Terrier Valued for their courageous and loving character. Strong and muscular build, yet gentle with children. Dachshund Adored for their distinctive long bodies and lively personality. Comes in a variety of coat types: smooth, wire, and long-haired. Border Collie Celebrated for their intelligence and energy. Excellent working dogs, especially in herding. Golden Retriever Known for their friendly and tolerant attitude. Great family pets and skilled in various service roles. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Cherished for their gentle and affectionate nature. Small size makes them perfect for lap dogs. German Shepherd Admired for their loyalty and versatility. Commonly used in police and military roles due to their trainability.
