Would this be acceptable?

Let me make one thing clear, I have nothing but total disrespect for anyone that engages in dog fighting.

Without going into it all, let's just say that it is unacceptable, and move on.

And yet, man has always had an inclination to compete, in any manner he can.

And man also likes go gamble the money he invented.

Those two things are often the driving force of dog fighting.

Sometimes, in certain people, they want to extend their desire to win and compete, through a given animal, be it the riding of a horse, or the running of a greyhound.

Thankfully, most of us do not extend it to forcing dogs to maul one another, often to death.

But is there a safe and acceptable way in which people could compete their dogs, and still have a flutter on it, if they wish? One which is within the boundaries of decency and the law, one which does not finish with dogs that either get mauled to death, or if rescued, cannot usually be rehomed.

We have dog pulling contests, some are critical of those.

We have dog agility, most are acceptable of that.

Yet neither really satisfy a desire for a more Alpha contest.

Dogs are intelligent. They can be shown to do things, and not do things. Which is precisely why they have been used in so many roles, throughout history.

Is it possible they could be trained to 'wrestle'?

It would involve skill, strength and dexterity, as well as lots of training, and rules, but no biting would be permitted, obviously, one dog would maybe need to 'pin' the other, a series of times, and would be declared the winner.

Dogs play and wrestle naturally, so it would really only be using what they do.

I just wonder if such a thing might actually lessen the actual dog fighting culture, if it really took of as a legitmate and safe alternative?

I can see what you mean, but I think it would still be seen as unacceptable. And I doubt if it would lessen the dog fighting, because the people who take part in that would think the 'wrestling' would be 'soft'.

I wouldn't like to see it myself, mainly because I think the dogs would have to be muzzled to prevent a fight breaking out, and when all's said and done, it would still be a dog fight.

Caryll wrote:And I doubt if it would lessen the dog fighting, because the people who take part in that would think the 'wrestling' would be 'soft'..

Yeah.

True that, I suppose.

IMO no! Wouldn't like to see it, and don't see the need! Personally, wouldn't even contemplate the idea.

Wrestling is done with fighting dogs as a training method.Both dogs are muzzled and allowed to roll.
I get where your going with it but I am sure most dog owners would agree that it still promotes the dog aggressive behavior that has hurt the breeds reputation.
I have noticed that pulling is becoming more popular here in the states and it seems to fill that competitive ego boost needed by the fighting/betting owners.I see this as a healthy alternative and would love to see it replace all fighting rings here in the states

Bikejoring is another growing sport with dogs.........

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bikejoring

Caryll wrote:Bikejoring is another growing sport with dogs.........

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bikejoring

Now that seems interesting it's like sled dogs with a bike.

I don't see how it could be regualted but Suki wrestles with her friends evey day at the park and they seem to make their own rules. I have no intrest in having her compete in any type of event just being a companion is fine with me.

i do not like the thought of dog wresting
would not be for me

Pittboss wrote:Wrestling is done with fighting dogs as a training method.Both dogs are muzzled and allowed to roll.
I get where your going with it but I am sure most dog owners would agree that it still promotes the dog aggressive behavior that has hurt the breeds reputation.
I have noticed that pulling is becoming more popular here in the states and it seems to fill that competitive ego boost needed by the fighting/betting owners.I see this as a healthy alternative and would love to see it replace all fighting rings here in the states

Yeah, the more I think about it, the less I think it would have any impact on real dog fighting, which was my hoped result.

Oh well, can't fault a guy for trying