Can they really recognise other breeds ?

[kateincornwall]

This afternoon, on our rambles , we met a couple with a lovely yellow Labrador boy of five years . Nelly had a wonderful game of chase with him , he was a smashing dog and very gentle with her . Round the corner came a quite large bulldog , and wow, how things changed ! The Labrador went for the other dog in a major way, totally unprovoked attack and the owner was understandably angry . The owner of the Lab was very apologetic , but said that in his defence ( which was really no excuse ) , her Labrador disliked bull breeds , which got me thinking , can they really pick out different breeds ?

 

[Boogie]

I think Tatze can recognise Labradors. She pretty much ignores all other breeds. I think in her head all Labradors ‘might be as much fun as Zaba’ - her Best Friend in the Whole Wide World.

?

 

[Ashley]

I think so...Quinn sees a GSD and her body language completely changes. At most it's a quick sniff, but typically she avoids/ignores. She spots a lab, golden retriever or doodle and she bounces over to say hi, totally different body language.

 

[Jacqui-S]

We often get the "doesn't like black labs" story from terrier owners.

 

[HAH]

That's a really interesting point @Ashley - do different breeds have different body language? Because maybe that's the difference, rather than the breed in itself...

 

[kateincornwall]

We often get the "doesn't like black labs" story from terrier owners.

I used to get this all the time too , most annoying to put it mildly x

 

[Jacqui-S]

Or...it's ok my dog has grown up with a lab....which of course is lovely when it happens! Bit suggests there is something between terrier and ?black labs.

 

[kateincornwall]

Have to say that Nelly naturally gravitates towards Labs , but doesn't care what colour !!
I do think that some terriers maybe see Labs as fair game for a spot of bullying , perhaps because most Labs are not terribly threatening themselves ?

 

[SwampDonkey]

Rory recognised boxers he's been a recieving end nastiness from them. He does not like braci dogs the breathing upsets him he is suspicious of them. He does not like boxers at all.

 

[Ashley]

That's a really interesting point @Ashley - do different breeds have different body language? Because maybe that's the difference, rather than the breed in itself...

Interesting point...they very well could. Just thinking about appearance as well...the ears maybe? A floppy ear = fun and pointed ears (shepherds, huskies, French bulldogs) = no thank you.

@SwampDonkey I find it interesting that they are all so different - timid Quinn really likes boxers and I think it's because I have a good friend with one that she has known since a puppy. He is quite rough with other dogs, but never once to Quinn.

 

[Beanwood]

My understanding is that all breeds of dogs communicate the same way, whether a GSD, poodle or bulldog. Extremes of breeding can make interpreting the nuances of canine language difficult, (brachy, posture, cropped ears, loose folds on face, lack of tail...) and so mistakes happen. Bit like us trying to understand someone in a balaclava, OK that may be a bit simplistic, however, that I think was the gist of it from my adolescent training classes. I guess if this has to lead to a previous negative experience with a bulldog, then this may in part account for the incident.

 

[Candy]

Joy likes labradors, no matter what colour, also anything resembling a her friend Hetty who is a wire haired Vizzler (which I've just realised I don't know how to spell). Hetty was her first ever Best Friend, so she loves all difficult to spell Vizlers (nope, that's not right either) and Weinnmerarners (perhaps she just loves dogs that I can't spell) and Pointers. (Phew! that's right, at least!)

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Brogan definitely liked some breeds and not others. He grew up with a pit bull and a toy poodle, so any forms of those two breeds (even standard poodles) were TERRIFIC in his book. He also really loved Newfoundlands as he had a Newfie play buddy at the beach as a puppy. He really didn't like boxers. I think it was their play style, with front paws up in the air, but who knows.

Having had lots of chihuahua fosters, they are DEFINITELY clannish and prefer other chis.

Carbon was absolutely convinced that he was a Galgo (Spanish greyhound) before our trip to the UK. If he'd see one even from a distance he would cry and cry. I think this is because the majority of the dogs at the shelter were Galgos. After meeting the @Beanwood crew and all the forum Labs on our trip to the UK, he totally embraced the idea of being and Lab and gets very excited to see them here. He's not forgotten his roots though - there is a local podenco and a Spanish mastiff and he is exceptionally good with them. He knows his 'people'.

 

[SwampDonkey]

I suspect Rory's close vision is not good. This is truly terrible labs shut your ears, He can miss bits of food. I think it can be a problem him when up close to dogs with distorted braccy faces. let's be honest some dogs are just d**ks they are all push push push with no manners. They are out for trouble it's best just to know who they are and keep out if the way

 

[Selina27]

Cassie just loves them all
The only dog she is wary of, and rightly so , is the now elderly GSD who lives here, who has caused injuries to other dogs requiring veterinary intervention and stitching, and who has twice shown aggression to Cassie. I avoid meetings mostly, but if we do meet her Cassie still insists on approaching her, but showing definite deference in her body language, almost crawling on the floor. Another neighbor has a GSD who is a sweety, and Cass is fine with her.
I think that's a good point about body language of other breeds, and brachycephalic breathing could perhaps sound like growling?

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

let's be honest some dogs are just d**ks

True Swampy wisdom.

 

[Stacia]

When I had German Shorthaired Pointers and we were in a large group after gundog training, it was interesting to see that the spaniels all congregated together, the Labs together, the Goldens together, and the GSPS and odd sods together, all in different groups.

 

[SwampDonkey]

I suspect labs have a masonic type labby paw shake or something. They like to be together and get the games each other play.

 

[Plum's mum]

Plum seems to love doodle type dogs and Weimaraners. These are the two breeds she'll go to play with, and she tends to approach by slinking up and rolling on her back, then try to initiate chase.
Most other breeds she ignores but will sometimes play if approached and they seem up for a bit of dodge and chase. But she never plays for more than a minute, if that.

 

[edzbird]

Coco loves all dog types. He doesn't care if the don't like him, he still loves them. It's a bit of a nuisance sometimes really.