To not understand what this parent was thinking?

You need to check your source.

You’ve heard wrong. They’re not illegal. Nor should they be. Much better temperament than little yappy snappy chihuahuas/shitzu etc.

This .

There are some strange/ridiculous answers on here, OP but the actual answer to your question is that some people have no sense at all.
We used to have 2 Rottweiler bitches, the softest, friendliest dogs you could ever meet, who had been very well socialised from being tiny, bred from parents with super temperaments.

We took them to an agricultural show one June, found a quiet corner to sit on the grass to eat our picnic. Along came a school.party, a class of 6 yr olds. The staff for some reason decided to sit around us, we weren't worried, we knew our dogs were trustworthy.

As is often the case, one child's name was repeated by the staff several times, he took no notice and the next thing we knew Harry did a somersault that put him and his sandwich right under the nose of one of the Rotts!

All ended well but who on earth decides that it's a good idea to sit other people's children that you are responsible for next to a couple of Rottweilers? And as for allowing the child who needs most supervision to be closest to the dogs! Words fail me!

I did have a word with the teacher in charge but he didn't seem to be able to see a problem.

You are not alone, OP.

He is absolutely beautiful and only a little dopey looking! I agree it is frightening that people aren't more careful, I also have a big dog most adults are wary of but have had the odd small child get a bit close. I'm normally on high alert whenever a child is in the vicinity just because I find they are less aware.

My rescue is a mix but her main breed is known for dog aggression. I didn't know this when I adopted her and dog's trust didn't inform us. I didn't choose her because she looks intimidating, we just applied for the first dog that we met the criteria for. I should have researched the breed more but the research I had read at the time (pre the XL bully attacks) said that breed is not a good predictor of behaviour. I've since read more on the subject and my understanding now is it's more about not breeding from dogs with certain traits etc and that reputable breeders will therefore produce better behaved dogs (so basically I think mongrels like mine are probably higher risk). But I'm not sure it's fair to say any dog with reactive or anxious behaviour shouldn't exist so that people can allow their kids to roam freely without supervision? My dog has to be under control in public, why doesn't your child? Although I appreciate many dog owners' idea of under control isn't mine, but the dogs I regularly see that are out of control are breeds like retrievers, poodle crosses, frenchies and small fluffy things, not rotties. In my experience large dog owners are more responsible.

Only dog that's ever bitten me was a small dog. Small dog syndrome is a thing!

Wouldn't like to have to choose...

but dog v neglectful mother... no contest!!

Yeah, your late husband was spot on. It's about respect and if the children are too young to teach them that then keep them away from animals - all animals!

Such a dick comment, it really is. 🙄🙄
Give me a Rottweiler over a yappy snappy little chihuahua/terrier type any day.

What are you on about??

🤣🤣🤣

To be fair, the average dog is cuter than the average baby (even if I’m not a dog person) 🤣

Cuuuute!

Yes they can have soulful eyes.

cretinous dog worship 🤣🤣🤣

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

The parent obviously didn’t agree with you or she’d have been keeping more of an eye on her toddler.

Intimidating? As intimidating as candy floss!

He's adorable. I wouldn't have guessed part Rotti. Love Rotties.

how old is your DD?

she did exactly the right thing, we'll doneher. How old is she?

The child's mother was being neglectful. The child could have just as easily run into the road. Or had its face bitten by a more aggressive dog.

Lots of dogs are wary of small children if they’re not around them frequently.

Kids are unpredictable, they run around, make loud noises etc, so lots of dogs can hear easily spooked around them, it’s a natural reaction.

Any dog could be dangerous when scared. We have a golder retriever that is trained to work with children and adores them. She reliably responds appropriately when approached by children, including the just-walking baby that grabbed her nose for balance once. However, I would never leave her alone with a child and I am regularly shocked by stupid parents who allow their children to approach her without knowing a thing about her.

The OP's point is that dogs should be treated like traffic, steep drops, heavy machinery. You don't allow your children to run up to them and grab them. If you do and your child gets hurt, that is on you.

Dogs don't have soulful eyes.

With this kind of cretinous dog-worship it's easy to see why we're in the state we're in

This is hilarious. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
dogs were here before humans and are allowed to share our space as much as any other animal.
How about bone idle parents start controlling and keeping an eye on their children- especially in public, a dog is the least of their concerns at the moment!!!!!!! It’s always someone else’s fault isn’t it.

You're saying A Rottweiler/beagle is illegal?

Your daughter helped very well.. how old is she?

If you read the OP she’s not blaming the toddler. And no, rottie crosses aren’t illegal.

In your opinion.