What dog breeds have bad reputations?
Another angle on this is the medical point of view. There are many examples of dog breeds suffering from bad health or unhealthy breed characteristics: Bernese Mountain Dog (cancer), English Bulldog, French Bulldog and other short-nosed breeds (difficulty breathing and giving birth), bloodhound (exposed mucous membrane of the eye; conjunctivitis), many giant breeds (increased incidence of degenerative joint disease), Shar Pei (skin folds with inflammation).
I have heard Chows have one of the worst reputations, not as fighter dogs but as biters. I apopted two rescued Chows and I never knew about this reputation until it seemed everyone I knew or anyone who approached me when I was walking my Chows had a bad Chow experience story to share with me. I love it when people are apprehensive about petting my dogs after sharing their Chow horror story, but after being allowed to pet and even offered a lick on the hand, they are amazed. Some even tell me things like, “This is the closest I’ve ever been to a Chow…” or “These are the nicest Chows I’ve ever seen.” That makes my day. Now if the same person walked in my house, they would bark profusely and make it known that this is their territory and I would have to introduce them differently because I know they are extremely protective. They also get along with most other dogs, although one of my chows feels threatened by unneutered males, he growls at them and I pay attention and keep him a safe d
