Impressions

[Roz]

http://noelani.nodachi.net/photos/dogs/makatest.jpg

What are your impressions of the dog in the above photo? What would you say about this dog? How do you think this dog feels? Would you trust this dog?

[Billie Bird]

Gee, this photo could go either way, he could be very angry at someone or he could be playing with something. I have a rottie and she gets that look sometimes when shes playing with her toy, so I'd have to say yes I would trust the gsd because I know they are a gentle breed.
Is this your gsd and will you tell what he's ups to :wavey:

[Padfoot]

I have to take a picture of Odie doing that exact face... while playing with my hands...

[SapphireWolf]

HOnestly, I wouldn't trust the dog(Not intil I met it properly). To me, he looks like he/she is defending something, maybe itself. Maybe it's angry becase it's being approached and it can't get away(notice it's right leg, it has a chain on)

[Shellygirl]

It is hard to tell what this dog would be thinking,
It doesn't look like fear as its ears are
erect and forward. I cant see the chain properly but it looks like the dog is slightly pushing against the chain. (the chain is taut) and a frightend dog would back away. I cant tell if the tail is between its legs so its hard to say.
An aggresive dog (a dog that intends to bite) would carry its tail high, a frightend between its legs.
Really this question cannot be answered without knowing the situation the dog is in and being able to see how the dog responds.

You ask if we would trust this dog. Never trust a dog you dont know. No one knows what a dog is thinking or what might trigger a fear/aggressive response from the dog. No matter if the breed is
known to be a placid breed, A dogs breed does
not define to one specific personality. Upcoming
and experiences that owners may not even know
about will effect their dogs actions in diffrent
situations.

[andreaS15]

To me it looks like he's eating something... a cookie perhaps?

The chain isn't completly taught, looks to me he can move a bit forward. To tell "What he is feeling", I think we would have to see him in person, the picture dosn't really show.

Trust? No. This is not my dog, and i do not know him. But Say if he is your dog, and you say come meet "fluffy" my puppy, and you personally introduce him to me, that would be diffrent. Mind you I still wouldn't stick my face in his, again because I do not "know" this dog, and he does not know me.

[Shellygirl]

the chain may just look slightly taught because it is hooked around his leg. I wasn't suggesting the dog was unable to move forward furhter, just noting that it was not backing away, hence if the dog is snarling it is not out of fear....well it could be, what do i know i'm not a dog!! :)

[andreaS15]

the chain may just look slightly taught because it is hooked around his leg. I wasn't suggesting the dog was unable to move forward furhter, just noting that it was not backing away, hence if the dog is snarling it is not out of fear....well it could be, what do i know i'm not a dog!! :)
I wasn't mentioning that responding to your peronal post, just what i saw when looking at the picture, that's all. :)

As for the not being a dog.. lol, Ya it would be nice to "speak doggy". Kinda off topic here, but i was watching TV and in Japan (i think, but coming to North America) there are these little computer "things" that you hold and when your dog barks it tell you what he's thinking/saying. LOL
You have to program in the breed, age, hight and stuff, It even has an option for mix breeds. But I thought it was kind of silly, and had to mention it. :wacko:

[Shellygirl]

Sorry, i dont post very often and i was terrified i would offend someone!!! So many people here know more about dogs than i do.

My goodness what will they think of next!! Actually I was reading a book of Japanese inventions and one of them was a device to keep your eyelids open so you dont fall asleep while studying!!!

[Kayl]

Since her head's not down and her ears aren't pinned back, I'd prolly be a little cautious, but my collie also gets that look when she's playing/talking with aussie every once in a while--it's kinda of a "hey! wait a sec" look (from her). The Shepherd looks like she may have something she's defending from another dog, but it's not a particularly aggressive stance (IMO)

[Roz]

Hey guys. Thanks for responding!

The photo is of Maka, a GSD I was temporarily in charge of. She was emaciated and lonely. I took it upon myself to help her in any way I could.

I didn't realize what bad shape she was in until she broke free and ran away, almost getting hit by two cars. Eep. The owners weren't home and I couldn't put her back, plus considering her condition, I didn't want to just put her back. So I restrained her in my yard...by the chain some of you took notice of. She's a bit of a clutz and got it tangled around a bush, tripping over it, thus the taut look of the chain. I went out there to give her a bowl of water and found her a bit tangled, like that. I gave her the bowl of water (which she thirstily lapped up for a long time) while I worked to untangle her. That photo was taken while she was licking her muzzle, as water was pouring off of it. I was hoping for a cute shot of a big pink tongue but I was a few seconds off. The photo came out looking like she wasn't very happy, but in fact, she was.

I realized how if you caught a dog at the wrong moment, looks could be deceiving. So I thought I'd see what you guys thought of the pic and the dog in it.

Maka is a sweetheat of a dog, which is why the pic (and one other) amuses the heck out of me. Other photos, taken right after that (and after I got her untangled) show her tail madly wagging.

Looks can be deceiving. Most who see that pic (not really dog people, though) think she's vicious. Glad you guys didn't.

[Kayl]

Nah. The only time I'd consider a dog "vicious" was if its les were up, its head was down, and its ears were flat against the head. That is the "I'm gonna bite ya--watch out" stance, almost always.

Too bad you were a little late--a tongue would've been cute.

[brandy pup]

Cant say from just a picture, it is not the same as being there. To say something would only do harm one way or another.

[Padfoot]

Hey Roz!

Here is the Odie picture I told you.... he's playing with me... he doesn't look as ferocious cause he's a small dog and a puppy... but it's still scary...

http://img29.photobucket.com/albums/v88/padfoot82/Odie_64.jpg

[Roz]

Hi Padfoot!

Even being a small dog, Odie comes off as the type of dog to avoid. lol. I like that picture. ^-^