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To be fair, that picture is pretty similar to a lot of ipo training pictures we get on here (and I think that's what this dog is doing), just with added chain accessory on the harness and collar. We get plenty of pictures here of dogs mid-training decked out with chain collar, prong, electric collar, fursaver, and agitation harness in one with the dog lunging at the decoy sitting off camera and no one bats an eyelash.

I've heard of these "donovan pinschers" and "canis panthers" first this summer and it appears that the goal is for a serious personal protection and bitework dog. Whether they're successful, and healthy, that remains to be seen. It does seem like a lot of the owners on FB are in it for the macho factor, though.
It's interesting because when I tried googling the Donovan Pinscher, it seemed most of the places that mentioned them were forums for working dogs of all kinds. The Canis Panther didn't seem very popular, with several people calling them poor or weak biters (and I wondered if maybe this wasn't due to the great dane and labrador?). The Donovan Pinscher on the other hand seemed to be so far a very popular off-breed working dog. But it's a far more recent designer mutt, so no one knows yet if it will breed true. Btw the name is very misleading because it seems most of the dogs that have been retained for the breeding program down the line have little to no Dobe in them.

And you're right about the macho factor. Or any other egotistical/narcissistic trait and insecurity that pushes people to get a dog for all the wrong reasons. The amount of guys who get Pits to look badass and hardcore and street and "gangsta" but have no clue about how to raise a healthy, mentally sound dog is what has led to the breed's current terrible reputation. Much like the Doberman in the 70s, the GSD in the 80s and the Rottweiler in the 90s.

Also the reason why there are so many neurotic and fearful/aggressive small dogs, the type of people who get them as accessories and don't treat them like a dog... disastrous.
 
..And anyone knows most pit mixes tend to be more aggressive...
I see others already called you out on the error of this, but I want to emphasize, having worked for decades with dogs, as a vet tech, as a groomer, as a manager of a boarding kennel, as a trainer, and as a rescue person--pits and pit mixes are one of the types of dogs we fear the least.

Most of them are huge lovebugs who are fairly biddable and very loyal and happy with humans.

Please don't repeat blanket statements when you don't really know--that may contribute to someone getting their beloved animal taken away someday--breed bans are very real, and happen just because of general public attitudes and fears like the one you just stated.

...And you're right about the macho factor. Or any other egotistical/narcissistic trait and insecurity that pushes people to get a dog for all the wrong reasons. The amount of guys who get Pits to look badass and hardcore and street and "gangsta" but have no clue about how to raise a healthy, mentally sound dog is what has led to the breed's current terrible reputation. Much like the Doberman in the 70s, the GSD in the 80s and the Rottweiler in the 90s...
To sum up: Penis Extensions.

And, not to be dissing only the ridiculous members of the human race who happen to be of the male gender, there are also plenty of idiotic gals out there who also apparently get their balls from strutting around on the other end of the lead of a "badass" dog.
 
Pits and pit mixes can have more of a tendency towards dog aggression than some other breeds, the same way a border collie will have a tendency to herd all the things, and owners need to be aware of that. But it is not correct to say pit bull mixes tend to be more aggressive.

I always view top 10 lists of dangerous dogs with a grain of salt. Breed misidentification is common. My fawn Doberman was mistaken for a greyhound, a weimerainer, a pit bull, a Lab mix, and a great dane, among other things.

I have no issues with outcrosses, if they're being done for a specific goal. But that Canis Panther BS sounds like a way of breeding mutts to make money and satisfy the macho factor. Just what is a Lab going to bring to the table for a protection breed? Maybe if it's one of those BYB labs like the one that tried to take my face off a couple years back... but generally for a protection dog you want a solid temperament and not a vicious hot mess of a dog.

Any dog can become dangerous. Any breed can be dangerous. You know who's ultimately responsible? The humans who bred and trained them. My first Dobe had stitches and a $500 vet bill from an off leash Lab, Griffin was attacked by my neighbor's Lab/Border collie cross and also a purebred GSD. I've had a Lab, a Yorkie, a Cocker Spaniel, and recently a golden/poodle mix try to go for me. The spaniel was the only one who landed a bite. The Lab would've been ugly if the owners hadn't yanked the dog back. Why that dog was in public without a muzzle is beyond me... but I don't blame the dog.

All of that is anecdotal evidence and doesn't mean that Labs are vicious, or GSDs, or cockers. Someone dropped the ball and did not pay attention to what they were breeding or how they were training. Those Canis Panther mutts worry me in the sense that they're probably poorly bred and going to wind up in the hands of people who aren't prepared for a large, strong dog. Although I'm not really sure what you'd wind up with temperament wise after crossing a Dobe-Lab-Great Dane- Staffordshire...
 
I see others already called you out on the error of this, but I want to emphasize, having worked for decades with dogs, as a vet tech, as a groomer, as a manager of a boarding kennel, as a trainer, and as a rescue person--pits and pit mixes are one of the types of dogs we fear the least.

Most of them are huge lovebugs who are fairly biddable and very loyal and happy with humans.
Yes I agree. I also agree they tend to be more dog aggressive than other breeds but most of the pits and their mixes I've met are very very social and love to be the center of attention, getting all of the hugs and kisses. I try to tell everyone to meet a pit bull before you judge them, you might be surprised :)

My APBT mix Xena:
 

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I don't know much about the Cani Panther but I know a bit about the Donovan Pinscher.

The Donovan is 100% protection dog, and nothing else. I don't know much about them but I do know the few that I have seen, hit and bite harder than an equivalent sized working dog.

The Canis Panther looks to be a failed "new breed"
 
Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus takes in quite a few possible Canis Panthers every year - It's really hard to say if they are just really poorly bred dobes or in fact poorly bred Canis Panthers.
 
The first I remember hearing about the canister panther was somewhere around thirteen years ago. A guy made the comment he had been to the breeders, or something similar, and that the ones he saw were more fearful with a lack of confidence.

Imo, it sounds like whoever is behind them simply doesn't know what he's doing and started with weak stock.

I think anyone that would have that getup on a dog in public suffers from third testicle syndrome. That's the term I aways heard.
 
The kinds of people who breed them take pictures like this:

Image
Just a wee bit off topic, but does anyone know where I can find a harness like this? (sans the chains of course) I used to have 2 for tracking back in the day and they have both disappeared. I can't seem to find this model anywhere. :confused:

Those are very stout mutts. You could totally get around BSL with your new "shelter mix"

Bev
 
Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus takes in quite a few possible Canis Panthers every year - It's really hard to say if they are just really poorly bred dobes or in fact poorly bred Canis Panthers.
I was going to comment--the only reason I'm familiar with Canis Panthers is from seeing so many show up at Chicago Animal Control.

So sad, really, and I agree with all the comments about people just wanting them for penis extending purposes. ;)

Sent from Petguide.com Free App
 
Just a wee bit off topic, but does anyone know where I can find a harness like this? (sans the chains of course) I used to have 2 for tracking back in the day and they have both disappeared. I can't seem to find this model anywhere. :confused:

Bev
You mean like this? http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrB...1/RU=http://www.k9carting.com/harness.html/RK=0/RS=_VrpP1Fr5i1tkwbUDIbXlmFs.rU- That's really more of a light duty carting harness than a tracking or agitation harness. This is the tracking harness I use for Ilka. http://www.allk-9.com/nylon-and-leather-dog-harness-p-75.html
 
I'm in a puppy class with my pup now. One of the other puppies is a doberman cross. I'd bet my life it is a doberman pit cross. He was found in a box on the side of the road with 4 other puppies. He and another one had their ears chopped, yes chopped, across the top (horrible, horrible) and their tails docked. He is almost 5 months old. I love him, he is such a love bug. He is a bit dominate with the male 14 week old mastiff puppy but we distract him. His ower is a very, very sweet lady but she is in her late 60's and has back and arm/shoulder issues. She wanted him as a service dog. She remembers Eli from a class long ago so she took him because of Eli. He is just like Eli as a puppy and she seems shocked when I tell her how unruly and filled with life Eli was. She only has known him from the trained calm about town therapy dog. She is overwhelmed by this puppy although she loves him. She is a terrible, terrible trainer, being so late on the cues and then when he looks at her she misses it...ugh. She fumbles with the treat or lures when she shouldn't so he jumps. Still, the trainer who runs the class is dedicated to helping her and I'm trying too. Like I said a nice lady but really sucky training skills. My point is he is a great puppy and he is a cross. His color is brown and he has golden eyes. I take a picture next class. He is not aggressive but he is strutted his stuff. I think a neuter at 6-7 months will help.
 
When I first started looking into getting a dog of my own (I think I was 16, almost 6 years before getting one) I came across these dogs. I actually enjoy their look and since I tend to like/want the personalities and traits that go along with protection dogs, I thought they would be a good option. I grew up with dobes and figured they couldn't be much different. So they were on my potential "breed" list. After dobermans of course.

I haven't looked at them since that time. I decided not long after that what kind of breeder/rescue that I want to support. And decided that someone who breeds dogs without a standard, most likely just for the "look" without seeming to have much regard for anything else is not someone that I am willing to support financially.
 
You mean like this? http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrB...1/RU=http://www.k9carting.com/harness.html/RK=0/RS=_VrpP1Fr5i1tkwbUDIbXlmFs.rU- That's really more of a light duty carting harness than a tracking or agitation harness. This is the tracking harness I use for Ilka. Nylon and Leather Dog Harness
Thanks, Rosemary!
This is pretty close. (the nylon one) It needs more fleece IMO but I can handle that. The leather one that you linked to is lovely! It looks like the more modern horse harnesses, which I find stunning.

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.

~Bev~
 
I just wanted to point out that the Canis Panther was bred to be a protection dog in the thick of "less secure neighbourhoods." They are supposed to look menacing and intimidating; a threatening demeanor probably wards off the majority of would-be intruders.

That being said, there are nine other reasons someone would want a dog like this:
1. They have smooth (tidy, low-maintenance, mostly odor-free coats)
2. They are lean and athletic (unlike some of the mastiff breeds) so they can make superb jogging companions (offering personal protection while they`re at it)
3. They are exceptionally cuddly and devoted and affectionate with family members (think of how cuddly Danes, Dobies, Pits, and Labs are)
4. They have tight, "non-drooly jowls," (unlike many of the larger breeds)
5. They love swimming and retrieving (the Lab in them helps to make them a fabulous family dog)
6. They are easily trained, highly receptive to obedience (Labs, Dobes, Pits, and Danes are all highly receptive to training and form an exceptionally close, devoted bond to their handler)
7. While not long-lived dogs, they are renowned for good health (due to being scrupulously bred from members of the four core breeds who tested absolutely clear of any breed-specific health issues such as hip displaysia)
8. They are calm and quiet indoors if given sufficient exercise and stimulation (they are actually less demanding than a purebred Doberman.)
9. Despite the Am Staff blood, (and in spite of their innate protective instincts) they have a surprisingly low prey-drive. Most of the time, they do not seem to be escape artists or roamers or chasers or scrappers with other dogs. They can be raised to get along well with any other pets. These dogs are well-adapted to urban living, especially if they are exercised and stimulated sufficiently.

While it is true many people seek them out for protection, these dogs can be socialized to "soften the edge," much as Dobermans can be.
 
Not long lived dogs. Surprisingly low prey drive. But at least it doesn't drool, right?

That breed description sounds like sunshine-and-rainbow BS to me. Mix all of these breeds and you magically get a dog that ****s rainbows and walks on water. Also loves to swim, is perfect in the house, isn't demanding, is the perfect family dog, is the perfect protection dog, doesn't drool, and is short lived BUT has excellent health.

I find it hard to believe that every dog thrown into this crossbreed was a good representative of its breed. That it had working and/or conformation titles. That it was fully health tested. I also couldn't find any proof of those things posted anywhere on the founder's website. No detailed list of dogs, no records health tests, and no working titles. Just an offhanded statement that quote: "we have not really seen any problems with these dogs."

I did find this off the breeder's website: "Our males average 28 inches at the weathers and 130-150 #. Our females average, 27 inches tall and up to 115 #." Big dogs. BIG dogs. And heavy for their height.

Like I said, I have no issue with cross breeding dogs for a purpose. If you're crossbreeding for a protection dog, why on earth would you go for shorter-lived, low prey drive dogs? Why would you not have videos of the dogs working and records of health testing? Where's the proof that these dogs can do the work? A statement from the "only legitimate breeder" that they haven't really seen any problems with these dogs doesn't tell me anything about temperament and working ability.

I'm not impressed.
 
You may be right! However, personally, I was just looking for ANY breed that met the nine traits I described in my previous post...and I adore Dobermans, but many of them don`t seem to enjoy swimming. I like Labrador Retrievers--but their coats are not smooth. Danes are sweet but they can`t handle too much jogging and they are way too "drooly." I love Pit Bulls and AmStaffs (and they are usually game to do anything you want to--including swimming and any kind of athletics or training you may wish to challenge them with) but the dog aggression concerns me. Neither do I want a dog with hunting instincts who will by nature bolt after a scent while we are having a game of fetch.
 
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