The muzzle rules....

[stormox]

As regards the unpopular (mainly) muzzle/short lead rules which is much the same as 'restricted breed' rules in Ireland as far as I can see, would a solution be:
Law as stands, certain breeds have to be muzzled in public and on a 6ft or less lead, UNLESS dog has a qualifications to show it has been trained, and reached a minimum standard.
Ie BH or ZTP test, been placed in Novice obedience or WT, achieved Good Citizen Silver,.... you get the picture.
So resposible people who have actually TRAINED their dog can go without muzzling them or short leads (or maybe allowed say 10 metre leads/tracking lines,) and the trained dogs can have a happier and more fulfilling life.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I'd put an age requirement in, as a lot of dogs are very pleasant and then at maturity show what is in there from genetics/nature.
For guidance the BH can only be undertaken once the dog is 15 months old, the ZAP (not the ZTP, not sure what happens with it) which is less about the heelwork pattern and more about reaction to stimuli, is supposed to be done 9-13 months but can be done at any age thereafter with an extra 100 euro thrown in.

 

[stormox]

I'd put an age requirement in, as a lot of dogs are very pleasant and then at maturity show what is in there from genetics/nature.
For guidance the BH can only be undertaken once the dog is 15 months old, the ZAP (not the ZTP, not sure what happens with it) which is less about the heelwork pattern and more about reaction to stimuli, is supposed to be done 9-13 months but can be done at any age thereafter with an extra 100 euro thrown in.

ZTP is a dobermann test. But I was really just meaning any sort of simple, but formal and unbiased, obedience test to show that the dog obeys recall commands, sit down stay that kind of thing.
A lot of working breeds do not show their adult drives till full maturity, 18 months-2 years. This is why I get so annoyed with rescues describing their 10 week old lurcher pups as having 'no prey drive' etc!!

 

[CorvusCorax]

Is ZTP not done by a few breeds? BH can be all breeds too, think the ZAP WB is GSDs only. But it is good for things like social and environmental sensitivity.

 

[stormox]

Is ZTP not done by a few breeds? BH can be all breeds too, think the ZAP WB is GSDs only. But it is good for things like social and environmental sensitivity.

I'm not sure about the breeds, the societies keep changing the rules!!!
But you get the idea.......

 

[misst]

I was wondering about age too. The XLBs that have "turned" seemed to have been nice pup/juveniles but the trigger seems to be around 18months to 2 years.