Perros potencialmente peligrosos

[Perikles]

Is there a meaningful difference between perros potencialmente peligrosos and perros peligrosos ? In English, the expression potentially dangerous dogs is tautologous because dangerous means having the potential to harm, so the possibility is contained in that word. Potential is then unnecessary. This may seem like a quibble, but we are arguing about it here in Tenerife, where a child has just been killed by a dog, and where certain breeds of dog are classified as "perros potencialmente peligrosos"

Thanks.

[sosia]

it's only a matter of assert (I don't know if I can say it so )
It's only a short way to say "this dogs are MORE EASY dangerous as others" or "those dogs make MORE HARM as another ones" or "those dogs are MORE difficult to control", or (write what you want...)


When you say "Este perro es peligroso", it's a fact that dog is dangerous
When you say "Este perro es potencialmente peligroso", that dog can be dangerous. I think every dog has "potential"
But some dogs are more difficult to control. You can say is a "listado de perros con mayor probabilidad de ser peligrosos"

The goverment selected some dogs wich, doue to genetic/historic facts, are USUALLY more dangerous, and they called them "Perros potencialmente peligrosos" (Pit Bull Terrier , Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasilero, Tosa inu, Akita Inu.) This list was made on 1999, and dogs like the doberman and rottweiler rotweiller, are not listed.
I don't know if there are a new version.
If you have a "perro potencialmente peligroso", you and your dog needs proper training and must fullfil the law about spaces, vigilance, must carry a chip, must have an attack insurance and so on.
A wild Chihuahua can be dangerous, but not as a wild Pitbull.

saludos

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by sosia

When you say "Este perro es peligroso", it's a fact that dog is dangerous
When you say "Este perro es potencialmente peligroso", that dog can be dangerous. I think every dog has "potential"

Thanks - I guess it is a matter of degree of probability. Rottweiler is now on the list, by the way.

[CarmenCarmona]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Is there a meaningful difference between perros potencialmente peligrosos and perros peligrosos ? In English, the expression potentially dangerous dogs is tautologous because dangerous means having the potential to harm, so the possibility is contained in that word. Potential is then unnecessary. This may seem like a quibble, but we are arguing about it here in Tenerife, where a child has just been killed by a dog, and where certain breeds of dog are classified as "perros potencialmente peligrosos"

Thanks.

Maybe 'perros potencialmente peligrosos' is a label that refers to concrete dogs of non-dangerous breeds which have developed an aggressive behaviour for some reason... or maybe not! xD

(Hello by the way!)

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

@Perikles: You're right, "potencialmente peligroso" should be some kind of pleonasm.
But I agree with Sosia's explanation.

A "perro peligroso" is a dog that has already shown some aggressive behaviour (or another feature that would be harmful) and a "perro potencialmente peligroso" is a dog that for some kind of reason (breed, illness, training) could become harmful for people (or for other animals).



@Carmen: Bienvenida de regreso.

[irmamar]

Perros potencialmente peligrososos or PPP are called those kind of dogs which have been bred to fight (against bulls -pay attention to "bull" in pitbull, bull mastiff or bull terrier, for instance-, bears or dogs). Those dogs are characterized by a powerful jaw (it is said that they don't release their prey, as another dog would do, just press stronger) and they are more pain-resistant than another dogs. The word "potentially" means that not all dogs of these breeds are dangerous, but as their breed has come from a selection of several dogs trained to fight, they are more dangerous than sheep or hunting dogs. A dog character is related to its breed.

When a dog attacks somebody, it is widely known. When humans abandon and maltreat a dog, nobody knows it. When a dog saves somebody's life, nobody knows it. Why?

http://www.zootoo.com/petnews/strayd...ildheldatk-993

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_(perro)

http://entre-perros-y-gatos.es/2008/...ierte-en-arte/

[CarmenCarmona]

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

@Carmen: Bienvenida de regreso.

Thanks, although I realised I have no time for this.. which is a pity..

Originally Posted by irmamar

When a dog attacks somebody, it is widely known. When humans abandon and maltreat a dog, nobody knows it. When a dog saves somebody's life, nobody knows it. Why?

Because journalists leave a lot to be desired..

[sosia]

Originally Posted by irmamar

When a dog attacks somebody, it is widely known. When humans abandon and maltreat a dog, nobody knows it. When a dog saves somebody's life, nobody knows it. Why?

"un árbol cayendo hace más ruido que mil creciendo"

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by sosia

"un árbol cayendo hace más ruido que mil creciendo"

Tienes razón. Una frase muy profunda.

[ookami]

I don't see the difference between "dangerous" and "peligroso":
1. adj. Que tiene riesgo o puede ocasionar daño.
You can see that saying "potencialmente peligroso" is a tautology too. But it is used to remark that potentially.
I just wanted to say that for me it's the same in English and Spanish.