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

[Guest Anonymous]

I agree very much so. The media believes any such dog with a blocky square head or cropped ears is related to, or is a "Pit Bull". Though there is only one true breed with the name pit bull, the American Pit Bull Terrier. Though others are very similar such as the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. All were bulldog type breeds bred down and crossed for dog fights held in round pits, hence the name givien to this classification, 'pit bull'. I have seen MANY a person mistake some very odd breeds for 'pit bulls'. Some such breeds are Dobermans, Rottweilers, Dogo Argentinos, Fila Brasilieros, Coonhounds, and MANY mastiff breeds, and even a greyhound once. Pit Bulls, Amstaffs, and Staffies are wonderful family companions if trained right. And I agree, if you want a so-called 'pit' breed, get one from your local animal shelter, though do research it first.

Sierra Lawrence
Dog Trainer & Behaviorist

wildwolf181@yahoo.com

[Guest Anonymous]

I think the American Pit Bull Terrier is probably the most mistreated breed in the World.

They have been abused is by the dregs of our society (Thugs, Red Necks, Gangsters, Drug Dealers, Dog Fighters etc.), and its not the breeds fault some brainless idiot wants to use it as a tool to boost his street cred.

The only thing this breed can be blamed for is for being devoted to his owner, and if the owner doesn't socialise it or train it properly, then it is the owners fault when it reacts badly.

[Guest Anonymous]

Agreed completely. My pit, Rebel, is a healthy and loving companion. Though his ears were cropped when we rescued him from dog fighters rescue league, he looks vicious. And was once a top fighting dog. He used to be extremely agressive towards all other dogs. but after a year and a half of grueling and gentle training, he has grown to be a loving playmate to any dog he comes in contact with. In my opinion, I think that if you really try hard and have the mind and heart to do it, any pit bull type breed can be transformed into a loving family pet.

[Aroura]

There are many reasons why pit bulls have a bad name.
Mostly, as the name suggests, the breed was origionally bred for fighting, therefore, not only is it bred to want to fight, but it was bred to WIN fights, so anyone who is attacked by a pit bull has a good chance of winding up in hospital, attracting media attention... have you ever seen a news report on a chihuahua attack?
Another reson the breed is considered dangerous is because of the type of people who commonly own them, I mean the macho people who want a dog to show off to their friends that will attack on command, as well as the people who want a dog to keep locked up in the house all day to guard their property and don't even try to socialize their dog because of this.
I think it agreed by all, that it is more the owners fault than the dog, but especially with this breed people should be aware that they are taking on a dog that has been bred for hundreds of years to fight, so naturally more socialization and training needs to take place.
Unfortunatly, the only pit bulls I see around here are the half starved pig dogs tied to the back of a ute waiting to be let off to kill.
:sad:
Its never the case of a sad dog, just sad owners

[Guest Anonymous]

Hi all, a bit off topic but post previous said "when do you hear of chihuaua attack?"
I have not seen this but the local paper in the small town where I used to live had front page headline story of two cats who attack and scare off robber trying to steal money from post office!!........K.

[Guest Anonymous]

Pit Bulls are dangerous!!! NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. They are not far enough removed from their fighting days. Every time i see one while walking with my very gentle Labrador, I cringe. Not for me, but for my Lab. I had one try to bite her before, and I don't want that to happen again. They get the bad reputation for a reason, it doesn't just happen.

[Guest Anonymous]

Whoa, Sashagirl. Your going at him like a raged Pit Bull. Just kidding :smile:

I know everyone has their opinion on this Touchy subject and i dont want to stand here saying that i know more than anyone else out there. But let me just say this. I know 5 people with pitbulls or mixed pits. The dogs love their onwers and would most likly lay there lives down for them. But, you need to only look at them to know what they are capable of(blocky heads, powerful jaws, and the wide chest).
Also, I agree with you that most dog attacks are not reported in the media because most are superficial(spelling?). The dogs that i see in the news are mostly dogs that where breed for fighting or protection(APBT, Preso Canario, GSD, Doberman ect..) that cause great or mortal wounds.
I just hope people would be more responsible with what type of dog they get and to socialize them with different people.

[sixjollydogs]

Sasha

I understand why remarks about bad pits bother you...but here IMHO....is what I think it part of the problem:

1. No one ever died or was seriously injured from the bite of a toy poodle, chihuahua or other small dog. Lots of these are so poorly bred that they bite...but don't make the news,

2. Lots of so-called pit bulls are not pit bulls...after all...who is making the judgement on the type of dog?

3. Poorly bred or socialized pits. My dog is part pit and would never hurt anyone...but she is also very alpha...and needs to know who is in charge.

[Guest Anonymous]

On 2002-05-17 08:42, sixjollydogs wrote:
...
1. No one ever died or was seriously injured from the bite of a toy poodle, chihuahua or other small dog. Lots of these are so poorly bred that they bite...but don't make the news,
...

There is a story about a small dog- Pomeranian- that killed a child. I will try to find it again and post a link.

[Guest Anonymous]

My dogs look just like the anon. described (blocky head,powerfull jaws,wide chest ect.)
but anon. forgot to mention beautifull temperament,well bred,strictly trained and of course a smile to melt your heart!!!

just the other day my husband had to help break up a dogfight down our road as every other person was standing about screaming and being useless the fight was between a Belgian Herder and an AmStaff....now we know the owners of both dogs well and with humans and even little babies and small animals (rabbit,guinea pig) they are both fine...this incident came out of no-where...maybe the heat, maybe the territory boundaries who knows? but it was a vicious attack with both dogs needing attention for bite wounds afterwards..the point is that when my husband stepped in and had his hands on both dogs (one collar, one scruff of neck)
they both let go almost immediately and accepted that a human had taken control of the situation and he was able to hand them back to their owners with only a small bite on his thumb!! the worst thing that was no-one knew how to deal with the situation(one person even threw a bucket of water mostly over my husband..should'nt laugh really!!)
but we have lots of offers out there for artificial repiration treatment for humans in the street why not a short course for people on how to SAFELY break up a dogfight??
just a thought..........K.

[Guest Anonymous]

It cracks me up how many people here make unfounded statements when stats are so easily looked up.
Yes toy breed dogs have been involved in the death of people including consuming some of the dead body of the owner they killed.
Look up the dog bite statistics don't just guess that something hasn't happened just because it seems to you like it couldn't.

On 2002-05-17 08:42, sixjollydogs wrote:
Sasha

I understand why remarks about bad pits bother you...but here IMHO....is what I think it part of the problem:

1. No one ever died or was seriously injured from the bite of a toy poodle, chihuahua or other small dog. Lots of these are so poorly bred that they bite...but don't make the news,

2. Lots of so-called pit bulls are not pit bulls...after all...who is making the judgement on the type of dog?

3. Poorly bred or socialized pits. My dog is part pit and would never hurt anyone...but she is also very alpha...and needs to know who is in charge.

[Guest Anonymous]

I have to agree that the breed is misunderstood. In all the books I have pertaining to pits I have found stats that state that they rate in the top ten for temperment. If this is true then people should be more worried about the hundreds of other dogs that are below on that list. Don't ask me the book name... I don't remember.

[sixjollydogs]

I will agree that a cocker is big enough to do some serious damage..particularly to a child or small person.....and yep....toy poodles and the other toy breeds are going to consume a body if they are hungry enough.

But as to killing someone(other than possibly a baby)....think that sounds like something from the super market tabloids :wink:

Ok guys....lets see those stories about the packs of maruading poms and toy poodles 8)

[Aroura]

Aroura napisał(a):

There are many reasons why pit bulls have a bad name.
Mostly, as the name suggests, the breed was origionally bred for fighting, therefore, not only is it bred to want to fight, but it was bred to WIN fights, so anyone who is attacked by a pit bull has a good chance of winding up in hospital, attracting media attention... have you ever seen a news report on a chihuahua attack?
Another reson the breed is considered dangerous is because of the type of people who commonly own them, I mean the macho people who want a dog to show off to their friends that will attack on command, as well as the people who want a dog to keep locked up in the house all day to guard their property and don't even try to socialize their dog because of this.
I think it agreed by all, that it is more the owners fault than the dog, but especially with this breed people should be aware that they are taking on a dog that has been bred for hundreds of years to fight, so naturally more socialization and training needs to take place.
Unfortunatly, the only pit bulls I see around here are the half starved pig dogs tied to the back of a ute waiting to be let off to kill.
:sad:
Its never the case of a sad dog, just sad owners

My daughter posted this message and I must say, I am rather proud of her and her knowledge of dogs, she is only 19. She lives her life for dogs and has been dog crazy since she was old enough to say the word.
Fact for those dealing in facts, I have first hand experience of dogs that attack, because as a four year old I was attacked and nearly killed by a pack of Australian cattle dogs and kelpies. A corgie and her pups was at the centre of this attack although they were not the ones that attacked even though present.
I do not know what instigated the attack, but I was sitting on the floor and have very clear memories of the dogs (six of them) running at me and attacking. I was fortunate that I was sitting on the floor because I was able to put my head between my legs and pull it down with my arms. I was nearly killed by a bite close to my temple, which apparently could of been fatal by the time my parents drove the hour to the nearest hospital. The result of the attack was severe injuries around my neck which to this day has left scaring which mercifully is covered by my hair. But mentally, I find it very difficult to trust ANY dog I do not know, including the Chihuahua's and Fox Terriers right through the big breeds, like Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Malamutes, Bull Terriers, Alsations or German Shepards and yes, even the good old Australian Blue Heeler and Kelpie.
My advice to all you dog lovers, and might I say, I still am one, is this.
Please remember how a person who has been attacked by a dog feels and dont dismiss their feelings. When I visit friends all I ask is that they restrain their dogs till I have had a chance to put my hand under their nose and let them sniff me and then let me pat them. I am not saying your dog is viscious, mentally because I was attacked I personally have to trust your dog, and regardless how gentle you say your dog is that trust will not be developed if your dog comes running at me barking or jumping on me, it scares the shit out of me.
My sister had a German Shepard, the whole time that dog lived with her was terror for me when I visited. The dog did not do what I call actively bite me, but if my hands were down by my side it would take a nip at them. It was pointless trying to explain to her that that was not good behaviour, she said the dog was 'just being friendly'. Eventually I asked her to keep the dog out of the house or in another room when I was there because quite frankly this behaviour scared me.
A few years ago, a friend of mine's husband had a bull terrier (another breed with a 'bad name'), and simply for the following reason these dogs get this reputation. This man thought he was just something, having this beefy bully dog as a pet and as a 'joke' he set the dog on me. I absolutely freaked, I was ready to do anything to protect myself from this dog, and by the way, I knew it and it knew me but the worst was this man knew I was attacked by dogs, and he was so frigging ignorant and thought it was funny. What a thing to teach a dog, to attack a human, even as a joke! As a result of this mans behaviour, I never went back to visit, explained to the wife why I could no longer go there and she came to see me. This should not have to happen if a dog is under control.
My fear of dogs will always be there, once attacked you can respect how basic instinct kicks in with this best loved friend of the human race. My protection now, is to modify my behaviour in the presence of dogs, I have to gain dominance over dogs on initial introduction to the animal. This is best achieved by modulating my voice, lowering the tone. Dogs become incredibly excited and hard to control in the presence of high pitched excited voices, leading to situations getting out of hand quickly. I suggest anyone who has a dislike of dogs because of attack, modify your behaviour, I believe its true that dogs sense fear, overcome your fear, get the upper hand and you will be suprised how each time it becomes a little easier. I still advise caution with a dog you do not know or if the owner is not present.
I honestly believe any dog is capable of attacking a human given the right set of circumstances, be it from protecting property or their puppies to feeling threatened themselves and reacting to that, just as we would as a human, after all, its instinct. All dogs should be given the benefit of doubt, but caution should be exercised when dealing with any dog you dont know. Especially if you are aware the owner is a ignorant fool who no amount of logical instruction and tuition on the socialising and training of their dog leaves them believing their dog is harmless.
Be wise, know your dog, know the people who come in contact with your dog, and try and understand, many people who have a fear of dogs often have it because of a first hand experience and this may colour their judgement, but that there are also many fools who own dogs who create this coloured judgement.
Take care, please remember, as you are only human and make mistakes through lack of training, socialising and education, your dog is only a dog, and lack of taining, socialising and education, your dog will make mistakes also.