Pit bulls...Mean...or misunderstood?

[Guest Anonymous]

I visit a lot of animal web sites and have found they all have some common topics and once of these is the pit bull.

Many people think the dog is dangerous...and some places are trying to ban them.

I don't have the answer here ..but do have a couple of observations.

People tend to call any dog with blocky head a pit bull.

The vets I have talked to have said they feel chows and dalmations are more likely to bite....and WELL-BRED pits are fine.

My pit mix is a sweety.

Love to hear thoughts on what is the truth and why the dog has gotten such a bad rap.

[Guest Anonymous]

Almost all of the pits that i have encountered have been great with people and loyal to their owners. BUT, also almost all of them are aggressive or have a thing against other dogs. Chows were also originaly breed for pit fighting but have not inherated a love for people.

[Guest Anonymous]

Every pit i have met is the biggest sweetie. It depends 90% on good breeding and how the people raise the dog. my brother has a chow-pit mix who is proctive but still sweet. yeah pits are more likely to be aggresive than.. a beagle, but that is how they were bred. beagles were bred to be pack animals so they get along good with other dogs and animals. pits were bred to fight which when people breed them that still comes natural to them.

[GSDmom]

We had a roommate who bought a pit puppy from a local breeder. At the time our daughter was 2 years old and the pup was great with her and all of us. They stayed with us for about a year and he took very good care of the dog. I never saw any aggression toward our child, other dogs or us. Kelly got engaged, moved in with his future wife (who already had kids) and the dog seemed to do great. About a year later, we heard on the local news that the same dog had apparently for no reason, attacked a kid and bit him badly. I do not know the circumstances for sure, but from all accounts the kid did nothing obvious to provoke the dog. It just turned. He had to be put down because of it. Very Sad.

[Guest Anonymous]

Tell me about it!! I don,t own a Pit because of the regulations where I live ( I will never muzzle a dog of mine) I own two Largeish Staffordshire Bull Terriers and am totally sick of uneducated people pulling their kids to the other side of the road in some cases to get past me and saying things like "those dogs are not nice to kids so don't pet any dog that looks like that"...
when I was at junior school in England there was a kid who was off school for a week and when he came back half his ear was gone and the cause of this??? his familys "cute lassie dog"...remember there are NO bad dogs out there only bad owners and poor training.....k.(Pit lovers give yours a hug from me AND my five kids)

[Guest Anonymous]

definately misunderstood...

[Guest Anonymous]

I would have to say it probably has to do with a number of things.
*poor ownership
*not trained
*trained wrong way
*breeding
When buying a dog with so much already on its back it is best to go with the most reputable breeder there is. That is my opinion.
People are uneducated about animals due to all they see is the 11:00 newscast about this dog attacking someone not why. Yet how many people stop their children from running up to a strange dog and just hugging it. Better still how many parents tell a child not to run from a dog that is right in front of you because they will chase you?
In my opinion I am not sure it honestly depends on the dog and owners as to misunderstood or not.

[Guest Anonymous]

it only shows one thing...there are still a lot of narrow-minded people in the world...they fear things that are unknown to them...most of them assume too much...
i think pits are mostly misunderstood...remember that the toughness of a dog only comes out if it was trained to be one...i have yet to see a pitbull who would turn back at his owner...remember these dogs have a high threshold of pain, so even if you would accidentally hit it they wouldnt mind that much, unlike other breeds wherein they would surely take a snap at you...who would say that these dogs are mean, i suggest try checking out my dog at this site: http://www.dog-tracker.com go to forum, it is under britney's pics...

[Guest Anonymous]

I own several full-bred, gamebred APBTs and have visited other yards of nothing but APBTs and have NEVER had ONE show aggression towards me.
I believe pits will take more teasing/punishment from kids than any other dog. Not only because their high tolerance for pain but also because they are bred to be loyal to and love people.
Any dog with teeth can be dangerous, regardless of size, but if a pit happens to bite it will be worse than any other dog. They dont bite as much as it is reported they do. Any dog even resembling a pit is automatically tagged a pit. I would bet there isnt one person on this board that could tell the differences between; APBTs, Staffordshire Terriers, American Bulldogs, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Viszlas, Weimereiners, and I could go on. All these dogs resemble each other, with slight differens, quite closely. I dont trust the eyes that say they have seen an APBT attack because they probably dont even know what they are looking at.
One more thing, APBTs are bred to be dog aggressive but not all of them are. Gamebred or not. You can say that about any breed though.

[Guest Anonymous]

The media has given these dogs a bad name. Please know that most of the time these dogs are not even Pit bulls.
Pit Bulls are very loyal and all they want to do is make their owner happy. If the owner wants them to be an aggressive monster that is what they are going to be.

It is a shame about that Pit turning on the little boy. But that can happen with any breed. A friend of mine was attacked by a Cocker Spaniel when he was young who just turned for no reason. He had to get half of his face put back together with skin graffing. Also neighbors with a dalmation who grew up with the children just attacked one of the kids one day totally unprovoked. These things happen, but don't fool yourselves and think that only Pit Bulls will turn for no reason.

As I said all people see is the 11:00 news cast. But again it goes back to finding a reputable breeder with good lines and temperment. You definatly to not buy them from flea markets and etc...
NO dog should be left alone with a small child. Who is to say that a small child did not pull that Cockers ear and it did not like kids then. People should read up on their animals and most of all train them. Educate yourselves and others. Most of all never teach your animals to be agressive. Most dogs have a natural instinct to guard what they the love.

[Guest Anonymous]

On 2002-05-02 08:26, sashagirl wrote:
Jigger, Nice Pics.. Beautiful dog.

thanks...

[Guest Anonymous]

To anonymous from K. I am a big Staffy lover and I assure you I can spot one a mile off LOL.....K.

[Guest Anonymous]

Who can't tell the difference in the above mentioned dogs? You must know some stupid people because the only one's you mention that even resembles each other are the APBT's and Staffies. And i assure you i can tell just from the body structures. Please dont assume the majority of people are irresponsible because they dont know as much about all dogs as you or the next person. Can people say your ignorant because you dont know about being a System Admin. or are not up to date on motorcycle mechanices?

[Guest Anonymous]

On 2002-05-03 19:58, Anonymous wrote:
Who can't tell the difference in the above mentioned dogs? You must know some stupid people because the only one's you mention that even resembles each other are the APBT's and Staffies. And i assure you i can tell just from the body structures. Please dont assume the majority of people are irresponsible because they dont know as much about all dogs as you or the next person. Can people say your ignorant because you dont know about being a System Admin. or are not up to date on motorcycle mechanices?

Okay, go to this site
http://memebers.aol.com/radogz/find.html
and see if you can pick out the APBT. I'll bet each one of you guesses incorrect. Of course you can lie and say you guessed right!

[Guest Anonymous]

On 2002-05-03 19:58, Anonymous wrote:
Who can't tell the difference in the above mentioned dogs? You must know some stupid people because the only one's you mention that even resembles each other are the APBT's and Staffies. And i assure you i can tell just from the body structures. Please dont assume the majority of people are irresponsible because they dont know as much about all dogs as you or the next person. Can people say your ignorant because you dont know about being a System Admin. or are not up to date on motorcycle mechanices?

well not all people are as great in distinguishing this breed, as you do...most are still new in the league...so dont assume too much...i myself have difficulties in distinguishing this breed...here in my country, you'll have a more difficult time distinguishing the pure breeds from the crossed ones...thats why its a good thing that people go here to ask about these things...let us not assume too much k?

[Guest Anonymous]

I reckon Pitbulls are misunderstood. As with any other dog, it depends on how you bring them up! I love all dogs, but the pitbull is getting a bad name for no reason at all. Give the Pitbull a chance!!

[Guest Anonymous]

To Jigger from K ..I did not write the "stupid people" quote as I always end mine in a K and I do try not to be rude!
I stick by my word though I can spot a true Staff from other breeds, I may not be able to place all other breeeds instantaneously but a Staff is Staff to me (love 'em love 'em love'em)....K.

[Guest Anonymous]

Jigger just been to site lovely dog and so sweet pics with the kids she does you proud but to see my two you can go to http://www.staffordfan.50megs.com if you wish they are the black/brindle and white and tan duo on page 3 here you can also see splendid specimins of Staffordshire Bull Terriers and see the differences.....k.

[Guest Anonymous]

On 2002-05-04 00:21, Anonymous wrote:
Jigger just been to site lovely dog and so sweet pics with the kids she does you proud but to see my two you can go to http://www.staffordfan.50megs.com if you wish they are the black/brindle and white and tan duo on page 3 here you can also see splendid specimins of Staffordshire Bull Terriers and see the differences.....k.

i saw the pics...they are all great...makes me want more of those...anyway, since you can distinguish breeds, as ive said even i myself has a problem distinguishing pits...so what do you think mine is?we(my sis and i)wasnt able to get her lineage since it was only given to her, the mother of my dog died already and aslo all of her siblings(kinda tragic)...shes the only one left...and since the owners before migrated already, i have no way of knowing if she is either apbt or a amstaff...can you kindly help me out on this?thanks

[Guest Anonymous]

Hi there fellow dog lover Jigger, having had another look and a consult with myself I think that your dog is a pit bull or a 3/4 mix pit/? either way I would not worry too much as she is a good looker and good with the kids what more could you want? take a look at http:/ourworld-top.cs.com/dreadlives609/index.htm?f=fs
and you will see many dogs that resemble yours some very strongly!! and you will also read advice and dog history from one of the best in our breeds line....did you know your dog and mine are related??LOL...........K.

[Guest Anonymous]

hey thanks for the input...really appreciated it...yeah m kinda proud of her temperament...

[Guest Anonymous]

I owned a male 120 lb. APBT. His name was Ripper. And I agree that Pits are EXTREMELY misunderstood. I think there are a number of factors that make a pitbull, american staffordshire terrier, or staffordshire bull terrier act agressively:
Poor owners
Bad breeding
Bad training
Wrong type of owner
No Socialization.
Socialization is probably the most important of all of them. Pitbulls are VERY loyal and will protect wheatever they love with their life. And since they cannot talk, they have to communicate through their voices and actions, I.E. biting and growling. It is crucial, if you want your pit breed to be a loyal companion as well as getting along with others when you ask him to, I belive you should socialize your dog. This same not goes for why pits rarely get along with other dogs. Not enough socialization. Take your pit puppy out and let him or her meet other dogs. Do this often and your dog will grow up to get along with others. Also keep discipline in mind. Keep a collar and leash on your dog, even in the house when it's a pup. If you see your puppy doing something wrong, I.E. pottying or acting agressively towards another animal, you have easy access and grab the leash to correct him or her. I used this meathod on my red-nosed puppy and he grew up to be a very loving family pet. He lived with our 19 breeding rottweilers and never had a fight. He never bit anyone or acted agressively. I believe all breeds can make loyal loving family pets. Pits are just another breed to blame in the media now days. Such as dobermans were a few years back and so are rottweilers. They make loving companions if they have the right owner and training from a young age. I encourage anyone who wants a pitbull to research the breed first. Pitbulls are the MOST COMMON dog in the shelters now days and over 1,000 are euthanized each day because of irresponsible owners. If you are looking to get a pit, make sure you have the time and willingness to train him or her. Because pitbulls make wonderfull family dogs if they are trained and socialized right.

Sierra Lawrence
Dog Trainer & Behaviorist

wildwolf181@yahoo.com

[Guest Anonymous]

I think pitbulls are wonderfull dogs if they are trained right.

[Guest Anonymous]

This is addressed to the person who felt that the best way to disagree with another person's point was through simple rudeness.
When you are rude, people do not focus on your point...which may or may not be valid....they focus on the rudeness.

Its just a lose/lose for everyone.

[Guest Anonymous]

This is to Sierra Lawrence - I totally agree with you! I got my 3 pits from the humane society. They were due to be put down the day I got them. They are the most wonderful companions and friends I have ever had, and although, the one is agressive to cats, not one of them are aggressive to humans, or other dogs. I have seen to it, that I have socialized them well, and I'm still working with the one on socializing with cats. It is definitely not the breed at fault - it is irresponsible owners. I have found with my dogs, that they are high in energy, and need a lot of interaction time, as well as love. They also need to be taught how to behave, or they can get out of control. I think that a lot of the problem is that people will get one, then never work with it - then the dog gets out of control. I'm sure this is true of any other type of dog, as well, but the media only sees this type of dog - probably because they simply "look" mean. I love my dogs, and my daughter and I try to educate people in our town all the time about pits. By the way, mine are mixed - even though the vet insists that two are pure. But they are a wonderful breed of dog, and I am so glad that I was able to save them.