DBWI: Poodles viewed as docile and lovingly as Nanny Dogs

So the challenge is to find a way to make public perception of Poodles as favorable as that of the largely docile and loveable Nanny Dog. Given that Nanny Dogs were once caused Pit Bulls, maybe there is some way to reverse public perception?
 

Dolan

Banned
Poodles, despite their cutesy-wutesy curly-wooly appearance, is actually still a highly instinctive hunting dogs that used to hunt other animals. They tend to chase and bite on small things that run away or across them, often going for the throat, and hence, their (not-too-deserved) reputation of being the "child killer" breed of dogs.

You need the breeders in Medieval times to breed poodle solely for their wooly appearance, and perhaps, downsizing their size (but even small poodles could be still quite strong in their hunting instinct, heck, the smaller Italian poodles are very effective rat-killer).

...

And about the Big-Ugly-Sadie that is The Pit Bulls, they are originated from Cart-pulling Molloser Drafting Dogs that crossbred with Bulldogs, rumored to get the big, vicious dogs during the 18th century, but they turned out to be sweet, gentle giants that, while still exhibiting a high pain tolerance, prefers to bond with their owners' family as a sweet, almost docile pet that absolutely loyal to them.

Being used to pull meat carts (and thus being streotypical butcher's dogs during 19th century and early 20th century), Pit Bulls breeding were self-selecting for calm, obedient animals that wont even eat unless given permission by their owners. This could result in a range of problem from overfeeding (as they will eat anything their owner gave), up to malnutrition (since again, they won't eat unless given permission or signs, as they were disciplined to not nibble at meat they carry), and for most pitbulls who live with children, they tend to be overweight (and prone to get poisoned by chocolate/grapes, always teach your kids to not giving them those).

Yes, they have ugly face, but well, their sweet temperament makes up for it
 
Why were they ever called pit bulls, anyway? It's not exactly like they have a history in dog-fighting pits (sure, the intention was probably there, but it failed as you said)
 

Dolan

Banned
Why were they ever called pit bulls, anyway? It's not exactly like they have a history in dog-fighting pits (sure, the intention was probably there, but it failed as you said)
Before being used by butchers and milk delivery, and even up to early 20th century, these dogs were used in Pit Mines to pull carts like bulls, after The Parliament at London banned the use of Children under 15 years old as miners.

Their original name was Pitmine Bulls, but after they worked for butchers and milkmen, they were shortened as Pitbulls.

Yes, there are rumors about their origins as Pit-Fighting Dogs, but those rumors are just... rumors...

Plus only small sized dogs are permitted to be used in Pit-Fight nowadays, with Chihuahuas being the most cliche fighting dogs in our time, while Corgis dominate the pit-fighting scenes of 19th and early 20th century.
 
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So the challenge is to find a way to make public perception of Poodles as favorable as that of the largely docile and loveable Nanny Dog. Given that Nanny Dogs were once caused Pit Bulls, maybe there is some way to reverse public perception?
Easy: have nanny dogs' tendency to be mistrustful of non-family bred into hostility towards them. Worked for repurposing German Sheperds and Maremmano Sheepdogs...

Poodles are trickier, the only advantaged they have over larger dogs Is the size and, thus, lesser expenditure on things like food and suchlike. You'd need people really, really wanting a dog without having a big house, thouhh.

Plus only small sized dogs are permitted to be used in Pit-Fight nowadays, with Chihuahuas being the most cliche fighting dogs in our time, while Corgis dominate the pit-fighting scenes of 19th and early 20th century.
Then again, the Chihuahua-Daschaund Hybrid is turning out to be the most proficient breed for pit fights.
 
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