I've owned dogs -- never pits but you can never give any breed too much leeway --- any dog can attack or react the wrong way . pits are bred to attack and have the jaws to do damage -- that makes the dangerous -- even the small dogs i now have could bite with meaning if needed .
I've learned over the years that dogs have different personalities much like humans. Our shepard is very protective of my family even though he was not officially trained to be that way. I think it's all in the way the dog decides what is a threat and what isn't.
Any large dog has the potential to do major harm if provoked. I believe every dog has their breaking point. I am not happy about breed specific legislation or policies. The homeowners policy that I had for years was canceled when a rep came to the house and saw that I had a Doberman. Seemed a little unfair.
Pit bulls are predisposed to violent behavour and if not raised and trained professionally are extremely dangerous. I was attacked 5 months ago and had 2 surgeries, 4 months of rehab, and will finally go back to work. If not for the deputy, who was at the scene, and tased the dog I probably would have been killed. It'll take over a year just for the swelling to go down and to regain most of my mobility back. The dog was a pup and was going for my head and after the first attack came back again to reattacked. He never barked just got off his collar with the owber present and came behind the patrol car, I was running on the opposite side of the road. Don't ever trust a Pit Bull, you can end up dead!
A lady out for a late night stroll in her own neighborhood is not provoking any dog, let alone three pit bulls also out on the street away from their property (which they might reasonably be expected to protect).
Pachuco, when he was less than a year old, didn't provoke the pit that rushed up to him in a Monroe County park and attacked him. (That pit was put down by the owner as a result.)
I know owners that swear their pits are the sweetest dogs around, and I have some sympathy for the POV because a lot of people are initially afraid of Pachuco (whom I believe is the sweetest dog around).
However, whenever there is an unprovoked attack, the dog most likely involved is a pit.
I do not think it's fair to target one breed of dog over the others. The problem here is the owners not the dog. Pitbulls are one of the most loyal breeds of dogs out there, but they are also one of the breeds with the strongest jaw strength. See how this could be a problem? A pit bull does anything in its power to please it's owner. Therefore, being born with the desire to please and being raised with the urge to fight, this dog will do ANYTHING even if it means fighting until death, to please it's owner.
The dogs are not meant to hurt anyone. I have talked to enough pit bull rescues and encountered plenty of pit bulls while volunteering at the shelter that I know they are not ALL bad. They ARE the sweetest dogs. Look at the vick dogs that were rehabilitated and adopted out, how do you suppose a dog "bred to attack" as people claim was able to be fought for years only to become a great loving pet with the right care?
I could go on for hours about this topic as it bothers me horribly. I hate that out of all the dogs entering the shelters, pit bulls are number one (they account for the majority of pets in shelters, and they also have the highest rate of being put to sleep due to space and no interest at high kill shelters) I forget the exact statistic but it's over 80% of pit bulls entering shelters in the US do not make it out... all because owners breed them, fight them and dump them when they are no good. I will assure you it is not a pleasant sight to see a dog who was used as a bait dog in dog fighting, struggling for its life while still wagging and licking your face.
I am not here to change someone's personal opinion I am here to state mine, ONLY because this topic bothers me. I usually sit back and read the debates on here and just keep my mouth shut, but I cannot do so on this topic : ) One more thing, look up data on all dog attacks in the US in one specific year... I bet you would be surprised to know the breed with the most attacks... are Labs, or Lab mixes!
All in all, I think pit bulls are a great breed that are misunderstood and their great qualities are used against them. I know this will stir up arguments, I am sorry!
Chow Chows, The Papillon, Old English Sheepdogs, Lhasa Apsos, Chihuahuas, Toy poodles, Jack Russell Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Pekingese.
A Chow Chow can dismantle a human being just as fast as a Pit Bull and they are very likely to do so.
Generally, large breeds are not 'aggressive,' they are 'protective.' They are not typically intimidated by humans and should not show any fear response when approached by a stranger. They are likely to protect what they consider their territory or the territory of their master.
Most dog bites happen to children and are the result of a poorly trained child, and an animal that is reacting normally to tail pulling, eye gouging etc... A child should never be left unsupervised with any sized dog. Hell, a Pomeranian killed a 6 month old a year or so ago when the father was in the kitchen making a bottle.
Outside of genetic defects, no breed is intrinsically bad.
When I was 12 or so I delivered newspapers on Kingsbury. There was a German Shephard that lived towards the north end of the street and was rarely on a leash or chain. Everyday I walked by that house that dog growled, barked etc. Several times it bluff charged at me. One day I walked by and it chased me out in to the street, and bit my right calf. Drew blood and left a mark for many years.
Pit bulls are no different tahn any other dog. Big or small. When exposed to neglect, violence, trained to fight or be aggressive or simply protect a property, or abused, any dog will attack.
The fact that more pitbulls are int he news becasue they attack (provoked or not) is because more of them are exposed to situations that cause them to be aggressive due to their owners. They have an intimidating appearance, which is why they are chosen to defend. I have an English Bulldog and he is the biggest baby ever. I have a 6 month baby old that he loves, and will lick the formula off her face and give her kisses when she is in her seat. My bulldog will jump up on my leg or other adults. But around infants and babies he knows to be careful and acts like it's his own. Yet, I have people say all the time "Oh that's a mean dog! Look at him." It's kind of like how some people judge other people based on their race & appearance.
It's not the dog, it's the owner.
I have learned a lot about big dogs in the last 10 or so years since I purchased my first American Bulldog's. All dogs really should have some kind of obedience training to ensure they do not act out or hurt anyone. Bully breeds especially need to have training and daily exercise to get the energy out. The Bully breeds are working dogs and need to do something or they will act out. I think a lot of Pitt Bull issues can be directly attributed to the owners of the dog neglecting the dog’s needs.
That being said some dogs are just angry. I can’t tell you how many times a small dog has ran up to me screaming its little head off trying to start a fight with my dog. MAC is 116 Pounds and has a head that is probably larger than mine. Typically the smaller dog realizes that this is a bad idea when they get close enough to us and see that between Mac and me we weight close to 400 pounds and they are typically around 10 – 20. Mac and my previous dog Joe have never reacted too badly at the situation usually ignoring the little aggressor knowing I will take care of the situation. On a few occasions I have had to pick up the little unleashed dog by its neck and give it back to its owner. I guess my point by this little trip off topic is I have seen many more aggressive small dogs than large ones. The only reason larger dogs get all the attention is that they can do a lot more damage when do they do attack someone.
According to the breeder I received Mac from there has been some link between NCL (Neuronal Canine Ceroid Lipofuscionis) and aggression in the bull breeds. Before we can breed our current dog in their program we need to have NCL testing done and of course hip certification. I guess this is also a concern with all the bully breeds and maybe why some of the Pitts do snap. I think ultimately once again this falls as the fault of Humans not the dog’s either irresponsible breeders or owners.
I agree with what most people are saying... I think the biggest problem is always going to be misinformed people who decide they want to believe the ONE bad story over the MILLIONS of good stories. I wish I saved links to the news stories of pitbulls saving their owners from attacks, saving them from fires... or the one that was heartbreaking of a pit bull who died saving their owner from a poisonous snake... people need to do their research... (speaking of the comment left about chow chows being aggressive.) there are MANY breeds that are more known for attacks than bully breeds. The stereotypes are very unfortunate..
Here's another thing, people say that it's about the owner and that's true, but it goes deeper than just being generally responsible for your dog. You have to know and train the animal you have, not the animal you think you have. If you don't make an effort to gain a deep understanding of your chosen breed of dog and train him accordingly then you shouldn't have a dog at all.
Example: If you stick your cute little Yorkie in the back yard with your three year old to play while you work on your garden, you've created a situation where a nip or bite is likely to occur. Children run and may think it's fun to be chased by the little dog. Terriers are genetically predisposed to chase moving objects and are likely to apply their teeth to the ankles of the child.
Example 2: If you own a Rottweiler and chain him in the yard while you do the dishes, expect him to bark, charge or otherwise attempt to intimidate the guy walking down the sidewalk. If he gets free you have a situation where he may attack the offending stranger if he has come too close to the property.
In both situations, you may have very well behaved dogs. No food aggression or anxiety. Both may be trained in basic obedience etc.. but the owner has created , unintentionally, a situation where the breed's most dangerous characteristics are going to be on display.
I agree that the owners are responsible, however, Howard is right about unprovoked attacks. The national statistics prove this over and over. I ran the same route for 17 years, but, since the neighbors moved in there has been numerous unprovoked attacks.
However, you if owners are not responsible and don not train a pit bull they will, not if, become agressive. It is in their nature. Nuture can probably correct this, but, I can not ever trust another dog much less a Pit Bull. They were bred for one purpose. I am sorry if you disagree, but I will have the scars and pain for the rest of my life from an unprovoked attack, with the owners their and on a leash and over 75 feet away on the other side of the road!
Pit bulls have a gene pool that is bred to fight. Not herd. Not guard. Fight. So while they may be loving and protective of family members, like most dogs, I believe they have a greater propensity to attack without cause. Sadly, that includes family members in some particularly tragic instances.
Of course, poorly treated dogs of all sorts can become antisocial. I respect that dogs are animals and capable of acting badly.
That said, I think pit bulls are especially dangerous. Yes, there are stories of their heroism for the sake of family safety and the same can be said of most family dogs. But I've read too many accounts of unprovoked attacks, heard too many news reports, personal stories and police scanner communications to ever trust this breed.
Some other breeds not mentioned on this thread previously should be viewed with caution, too, including the akita, Turkish kangal and presa canario (Canary Island dog bred in the 1800s as a cross between a now-extinct wild dog - the bardino majero - and imported English mastiffs specifically for dog fighting).
But the pit bull, thanks to ruthless breeding practices, has inherited a special pedigree that cannot be undone. Therefore, I have little sympathy for those who bemoan the prejudice many people have for pit bulls. I'm afraid these creatures came by their reputation quite honestly.
I’ll agree with you on this one, Chris.
I will also add that the inbreeding for profit, puppy mills, as the driving factor of the most popular dogs such as Labs (good temperament) for example add to the mix of behavior problems, not to mention potential future health problems.
I have an affinity for mutts, and shelter dogs. I have a 15 years old lab mix, and a border collie, both from the pound.
All of the dogs I've owned have been pound rescues, including Pachuco. We got him from the pound in Hopewell in Ontario County when he was about 5 months old. He weighed 50 pounds and the vet there said he would grow up to be a very big dog. We didn't know he would be a giant, though. We want to have him genetically tested at some point just out of curiosity. We know he's mostly rottweiler, but not sure what he's mixed with. Our former vet in Mendon said, narrowing it down to the giant breeds, he looks like he could have some Swiss mountain dog in him (there are three or four kinds of those).
Dogs (like cats, pythons and painted turtles) are animals. Despite the naive inclination of humans to personify pets with human traits, animals defer to instinctive behaviors- behaviors most humans do not understand or anticipate. Primary responsibility for dog attacks should go to the dog's owner. Clearly victims will never concede (however unknowingly or unintentionally) something they did provoked attack; they don't need to. Laws do not recognize instinctive, pack or feral behavior. The law is concerned with damage and liability. ...And punitive cost: where the animal takes the rap. Some breeds have earned a bad reputation, however unfair, the intent is protecting the public from dogs- not irresponsible dog owners. Frankly, I would be satisfied if licensing a dog required (in addition to rabies inoculation) certification of obedience training. Unfortunately, such a law would probably only result in a black market for fake obedience school certificates.
Since a young lad I have always had either a Bullmastiff or English Mastiff, they are know as Gentle Giants,love children and are very family orientated. At the same time they are also a very protective breed.Using Howards key phrase "if provoked"
the Mastiff could rip another dog or human into many pieces.
On the other hand the Pit Bull Breed can do the same and yes at times (many) has done just that without being provoked.
As a lover of all breed of dogs I still believe that Pit can be just as easy going or as aggressive as the owner.Over the years the Pit Bulls bad rep has come from the type of people that own them.Gang members,drug dealers and of late Football Players.If they are trained to fight or kill they will do just that,once a square nose gets the taste of blood they crave it.Just my opinion.
Pit Bulls have gotten such a bad rap because of irresponsible owners. There is a huge overabundance of unwanted pit bulls due to over breeding so many of them are taken in by the lower class because they are easy and inexpensive to obtain. These same people are less likely to give the dog the proper training and socialization it needs. This results in a rise of incidents involving Pit Bulls.
It's unfortunate because the Pit Bull has such a great history. They used to be a symbol of American pride - A famous pit, Sgt. Stubby, served in 17 battles in Europe in world war I and became America’s first, and still most, decorated war dog. At home, it used to be known as the "nanny dog" because they are so good with children. Even Heller Keller's service dog was a Pit Bull. And remember Petey from The Little Rascals? He was a pit bull, too, and Petey wasn't about to maul the rascals.
I love my Pit Bull and he loves all people and dogs he's ever come into contact with. He has been properly trained just like any other dog should be. To believe that misbehavior comes strictly from their bred-to-fight past is ignorant.
Unsurprisingly, Amy, we see this issue differently. Not that your comment was directed at my remarks, but I want to be clear that I did not say pit bulls' misbehavior was strictly due to their bred-to-fight past. The key word being strictly. The gist of my view is that they have a genetic predisposition to fight and this trait continues to be fostered by unscrupulous breeders. Of course, animal owners are ultimately to blame for their pets' behavior, but I am dumbfounded that anyone who is well-informed would opt to have a pit bull for a pet. Yea, that goes for Sam Clemens and Helen, too.
Quaint Americana includes true-life tales of Stubby and Pete the Pup. Regarding the latter, it is misinformation that he was the first pit bull registered with the American Kennel Club. No pit bull has ever been registered AKC. The pit bull is not recognized by the foremost authority on dog breeds because no breeding club has either applied for recognition, or they have applied and been unable to demonstrate acceptable, replicable breed standards. The pit bull is not the American Staffordshire Terrier as some mistakenly think. It is a mongrel, albeit one beloved by many. The unfortunate, prevalent trend of ownership by unsavory people and those who want the pitiful street cred of owning a bully breed, is unlikely to ebb, further poisoning the beast's polluted bloodlines.
I can recall an encounter that some friends and I had with a Pit bull when I was growing up in North Long Beach, Ca. We were skating and using our launch ramp on a side street when the dog came out of the alley. We could all see that the dog was injured as there was blood coming from two wounds on its chest/shoulder area. As it turns out some one had shot the dog twice and I assume they left it for dead. We ended up getting the dog some water to drink and called animal control then stayed with the dog petting it until they arrived. I always remember that dog and wonder why the owner didn't just drop the dog off at the pound?
Boiling this down to the least common demominator; dogs are animals. They do not follow the rules of humans or government and are purely instinctive. If you chose to own one of these animals, make sure you have a good home or renters insurance policy.
Just a quick response to TP Hunt, not to be agrumentative or nasty, but the way I feel it is not even close enough to the damage a pit bull has caused me. I feel that for the most part I am a reasonable and caring person, but I will have to live with the damage done by a pit bull and its irresponsible owners have caused me for the rest of my life.
First, I can't recall David advocating for banning the breed. I think he's making the empirically factual observation that pit bulls are by nature agressive dogs.
Even so, if a chow had attacked Pachuco, I wouldn't be speaking out against chows. I would be speaking out against irresponsible dog owners.
But it wasn't a chow who attacked Pachuco. It was a pit bull. And I'll tell you, based on my two conversations with the pit's owner, I would classify him as a highly responsible person. He was horrified by what his dog did and put him down the next day.
The facts speak for themselves. There is only one breed of dog bred to be aggressive -- primarily dog aggressive -- and that is the pit bull. That sets the pit miles apart from a badly socialized chow.
I'm not saying ban them or change the law regarding pits in anyway. But let's be honest about the breed. They are by their very nature aggressive and potentially dangerous dogs.
I've owned dogs -- never pits
I've owned dogs -- never pits but you can never give any breed too much leeway --- any dog can attack or react the wrong way . pits are bred to attack and have the jaws to do damage -- that makes the dangerous -- even the small dogs i now have could bite with meaning if needed .
Dogs are as vicious as they
Dogs are as vicious as they are raised - or predisposed to or if ill. I believe environment means everything, and rehabilitation is possible.
I've learned over the years
I've learned over the years that dogs have different personalities much like humans. Our shepard is very protective of my family even though he was not officially trained to be that way. I think it's all in the way the dog decides what is a threat and what isn't.
Any large dog has the
Any large dog has the potential to do major harm if provoked. I believe every dog has their breaking point. I am not happy about breed specific legislation or policies. The homeowners policy that I had for years was canceled when a rep came to the house and saw that I had a Doberman. Seemed a little unfair.
Pit bulls are predisposed to
Pit bulls are predisposed to violent behavour and if not raised and trained professionally are extremely dangerous. I was attacked 5 months ago and had 2 surgeries, 4 months of rehab, and will finally go back to work. If not for the deputy, who was at the scene, and tased the dog I probably would have been killed. It'll take over a year just for the swelling to go down and to regain most of my mobility back. The dog was a pup and was going for my head and after the first attack came back again to reattacked. He never barked just got off his collar with the owber present and came behind the patrol car, I was running on the opposite side of the road. Don't ever trust a Pit Bull, you can end up dead!
The key phrase is "if
The key phrase is "if provoked."
A lady out for a late night stroll in her own neighborhood is not provoking any dog, let alone three pit bulls also out on the street away from their property (which they might reasonably be expected to protect).
Pachuco, when he was less than a year old, didn't provoke the pit that rushed up to him in a Monroe County park and attacked him. (That pit was put down by the owner as a result.)
I know owners that swear their pits are the sweetest dogs around, and I have some sympathy for the POV because a lot of people are initially afraid of Pachuco (whom I believe is the sweetest dog around).
However, whenever there is an unprovoked attack, the dog most likely involved is a pit.
What's that tell you?
I do not think it's fair to
I do not think it's fair to target one breed of dog over the others. The problem here is the owners not the dog. Pitbulls are one of the most loyal breeds of dogs out there, but they are also one of the breeds with the strongest jaw strength. See how this could be a problem? A pit bull does anything in its power to please it's owner. Therefore, being born with the desire to please and being raised with the urge to fight, this dog will do ANYTHING even if it means fighting until death, to please it's owner.
The dogs are not meant to hurt anyone. I have talked to enough pit bull rescues and encountered plenty of pit bulls while volunteering at the shelter that I know they are not ALL bad. They ARE the sweetest dogs. Look at the vick dogs that were rehabilitated and adopted out, how do you suppose a dog "bred to attack" as people claim was able to be fought for years only to become a great loving pet with the right care?
I could go on for hours about this topic as it bothers me horribly. I hate that out of all the dogs entering the shelters, pit bulls are number one (they account for the majority of pets in shelters, and they also have the highest rate of being put to sleep due to space and no interest at high kill shelters) I forget the exact statistic but it's over 80% of pit bulls entering shelters in the US do not make it out... all because owners breed them, fight them and dump them when they are no good. I will assure you it is not a pleasant sight to see a dog who was used as a bait dog in dog fighting, struggling for its life while still wagging and licking your face.
I am not here to change someone's personal opinion I am here to state mine, ONLY because this topic bothers me. I usually sit back and read the debates on here and just keep my mouth shut, but I cannot do so on this topic : ) One more thing, look up data on all dog attacks in the US in one specific year... I bet you would be surprised to know the breed with the most attacks... are Labs, or Lab mixes!
All in all, I think pit bulls are a great breed that are misunderstood and their great qualities are used against them. I know this will stir up arguments, I am sorry!
Breeds that are actually
Breeds that are actually considered aggressive:
Chow Chows, The Papillon, Old English Sheepdogs, Lhasa Apsos, Chihuahuas, Toy poodles, Jack Russell Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Pekingese.
A Chow Chow can dismantle a human being just as fast as a Pit Bull and they are very likely to do so.
Generally, large breeds are not 'aggressive,' they are 'protective.' They are not typically intimidated by humans and should not show any fear response when approached by a stranger. They are likely to protect what they consider their territory or the territory of their master.
Most dog bites happen to children and are the result of a poorly trained child, and an animal that is reacting normally to tail pulling, eye gouging etc... A child should never be left unsupervised with any sized dog. Hell, a Pomeranian killed a 6 month old a year or so ago when the father was in the kitchen making a bottle.
Outside of genetic defects, no breed is intrinsically bad.
When I was 12 or so I
When I was 12 or so I delivered newspapers on Kingsbury. There was a German Shephard that lived towards the north end of the street and was rarely on a leash or chain. Everyday I walked by that house that dog growled, barked etc. Several times it bluff charged at me. One day I walked by and it chased me out in to the street, and bit my right calf. Drew blood and left a mark for many years.
Pit bulls are no different tahn any other dog. Big or small. When exposed to neglect, violence, trained to fight or be aggressive or simply protect a property, or abused, any dog will attack.
The fact that more pitbulls are int he news becasue they attack (provoked or not) is because more of them are exposed to situations that cause them to be aggressive due to their owners. They have an intimidating appearance, which is why they are chosen to defend. I have an English Bulldog and he is the biggest baby ever. I have a 6 month baby old that he loves, and will lick the formula off her face and give her kisses when she is in her seat. My bulldog will jump up on my leg or other adults. But around infants and babies he knows to be careful and acts like it's his own. Yet, I have people say all the time "Oh that's a mean dog! Look at him." It's kind of like how some people judge other people based on their race & appearance.
It's not the dog, it's the owner.
Judge Joe Brown on TV said it
Judge Joe Brown on TV said it all when he says:" Pit Bulls are like a loaded gun."
I have learned a lot about
I have learned a lot about big dogs in the last 10 or so years since I purchased my first American Bulldog's. All dogs really should have some kind of obedience training to ensure they do not act out or hurt anyone. Bully breeds especially need to have training and daily exercise to get the energy out. The Bully breeds are working dogs and need to do something or they will act out. I think a lot of Pitt Bull issues can be directly attributed to the owners of the dog neglecting the dog’s needs.
That being said some dogs are just angry. I can’t tell you how many times a small dog has ran up to me screaming its little head off trying to start a fight with my dog. MAC is 116 Pounds and has a head that is probably larger than mine. Typically the smaller dog realizes that this is a bad idea when they get close enough to us and see that between Mac and me we weight close to 400 pounds and they are typically around 10 – 20. Mac and my previous dog Joe have never reacted too badly at the situation usually ignoring the little aggressor knowing I will take care of the situation. On a few occasions I have had to pick up the little unleashed dog by its neck and give it back to its owner. I guess my point by this little trip off topic is I have seen many more aggressive small dogs than large ones. The only reason larger dogs get all the attention is that they can do a lot more damage when do they do attack someone.
According to the breeder I received Mac from there has been some link between NCL (Neuronal Canine Ceroid Lipofuscionis) and aggression in the bull breeds. Before we can breed our current dog in their program we need to have NCL testing done and of course hip certification. I guess this is also a concern with all the bully breeds and maybe why some of the Pitts do snap. I think ultimately once again this falls as the fault of Humans not the dog’s either irresponsible breeders or owners.
I agree with what most people
I agree with what most people are saying... I think the biggest problem is always going to be misinformed people who decide they want to believe the ONE bad story over the MILLIONS of good stories. I wish I saved links to the news stories of pitbulls saving their owners from attacks, saving them from fires... or the one that was heartbreaking of a pit bull who died saving their owner from a poisonous snake... people need to do their research... (speaking of the comment left about chow chows being aggressive.) there are MANY breeds that are more known for attacks than bully breeds. The stereotypes are very unfortunate..
Here's another thing, people
Here's another thing, people say that it's about the owner and that's true, but it goes deeper than just being generally responsible for your dog. You have to know and train the animal you have, not the animal you think you have. If you don't make an effort to gain a deep understanding of your chosen breed of dog and train him accordingly then you shouldn't have a dog at all.
Example: If you stick your cute little Yorkie in the back yard with your three year old to play while you work on your garden, you've created a situation where a nip or bite is likely to occur. Children run and may think it's fun to be chased by the little dog. Terriers are genetically predisposed to chase moving objects and are likely to apply their teeth to the ankles of the child.
Example 2: If you own a Rottweiler and chain him in the yard while you do the dishes, expect him to bark, charge or otherwise attempt to intimidate the guy walking down the sidewalk. If he gets free you have a situation where he may attack the offending stranger if he has come too close to the property.
In both situations, you may have very well behaved dogs. No food aggression or anxiety. Both may be trained in basic obedience etc.. but the owner has created , unintentionally, a situation where the breed's most dangerous characteristics are going to be on display.
I agree that the owners are
I agree that the owners are responsible, however, Howard is right about unprovoked attacks. The national statistics prove this over and over. I ran the same route for 17 years, but, since the neighbors moved in there has been numerous unprovoked attacks.
However, you if owners are not responsible and don not train a pit bull they will, not if, become agressive. It is in their nature. Nuture can probably correct this, but, I can not ever trust another dog much less a Pit Bull. They were bred for one purpose. I am sorry if you disagree, but I will have the scars and pain for the rest of my life from an unprovoked attack, with the owners their and on a leash and over 75 feet away on the other side of the road!
Pit bulls have a gene pool
Pit bulls have a gene pool that is bred to fight. Not herd. Not guard. Fight. So while they may be loving and protective of family members, like most dogs, I believe they have a greater propensity to attack without cause. Sadly, that includes family members in some particularly tragic instances.
Of course, poorly treated dogs of all sorts can become antisocial. I respect that dogs are animals and capable of acting badly.
That said, I think pit bulls are especially dangerous. Yes, there are stories of their heroism for the sake of family safety and the same can be said of most family dogs. But I've read too many accounts of unprovoked attacks, heard too many news reports, personal stories and police scanner communications to ever trust this breed.
Some other breeds not mentioned on this thread previously should be viewed with caution, too, including the akita, Turkish kangal and presa canario (Canary Island dog bred in the 1800s as a cross between a now-extinct wild dog - the bardino majero - and imported English mastiffs specifically for dog fighting).
But the pit bull, thanks to ruthless breeding practices, has inherited a special pedigree that cannot be undone. Therefore, I have little sympathy for those who bemoan the prejudice many people have for pit bulls. I'm afraid these creatures came by their reputation quite honestly.
Watch out for Pitbulls, they
[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUV1oTciznE&feature=relmfu]
Watch out for Pitbulls, they are bad ass.
I’ll agree with you on this
I’ll agree with you on this one, Chris.
I will also add that the inbreeding for profit, puppy mills, as the driving factor of the most popular dogs such as Labs (good temperament) for example add to the mix of behavior problems, not to mention potential future health problems.
I have an affinity for mutts, and shelter dogs. I have a 15 years old lab mix, and a border collie, both from the pound.
All of the dogs I've owned
All of the dogs I've owned have been pound rescues, including Pachuco. We got him from the pound in Hopewell in Ontario County when he was about 5 months old. He weighed 50 pounds and the vet there said he would grow up to be a very big dog. We didn't know he would be a giant, though. We want to have him genetically tested at some point just out of curiosity. We know he's mostly rottweiler, but not sure what he's mixed with. Our former vet in Mendon said, narrowing it down to the giant breeds, he looks like he could have some Swiss mountain dog in him (there are three or four kinds of those).
Dogs (like cats, pythons and
Dogs (like cats, pythons and painted turtles) are animals. Despite the naive inclination of humans to personify pets with human traits, animals defer to instinctive behaviors- behaviors most humans do not understand or anticipate. Primary responsibility for dog attacks should go to the dog's owner. Clearly victims will never concede (however unknowingly or unintentionally) something they did provoked attack; they don't need to. Laws do not recognize instinctive, pack or feral behavior. The law is concerned with damage and liability. ...And punitive cost: where the animal takes the rap. Some breeds have earned a bad reputation, however unfair, the intent is protecting the public from dogs- not irresponsible dog owners. Frankly, I would be satisfied if licensing a dog required (in addition to rabies inoculation) certification of obedience training. Unfortunately, such a law would probably only result in a black market for fake obedience school certificates.
Since a young lad I have
Since a young lad I have always had either a Bullmastiff or English Mastiff, they are know as Gentle Giants,love children and are very family orientated. At the same time they are also a very protective breed.Using Howards key phrase "if provoked"
the Mastiff could rip another dog or human into many pieces.
On the other hand the Pit Bull Breed can do the same and yes at times (many) has done just that without being provoked.
As a lover of all breed of dogs I still believe that Pit can be just as easy going or as aggressive as the owner.Over the years the Pit Bulls bad rep has come from the type of people that own them.Gang members,drug dealers and of late Football Players.If they are trained to fight or kill they will do just that,once a square nose gets the taste of blood they crave it.Just my opinion.
I think we should outlaw
I think we should outlaw these grotesque beasts. Then collect them all up, put them on ships, and send them to Korea.
Pit Bulls have gotten such a
Pit Bulls have gotten such a bad rap because of irresponsible owners. There is a huge overabundance of unwanted pit bulls due to over breeding so many of them are taken in by the lower class because they are easy and inexpensive to obtain. These same people are less likely to give the dog the proper training and socialization it needs. This results in a rise of incidents involving Pit Bulls.
It's unfortunate because the Pit Bull has such a great history. They used to be a symbol of American pride - A famous pit, Sgt. Stubby, served in 17 battles in Europe in world war I and became America’s first, and still most, decorated war dog. At home, it used to be known as the "nanny dog" because they are so good with children. Even Heller Keller's service dog was a Pit Bull. And remember Petey from The Little Rascals? He was a pit bull, too, and Petey wasn't about to maul the rascals.
I love my Pit Bull and he loves all people and dogs he's ever come into contact with. He has been properly trained just like any other dog should be. To believe that misbehavior comes strictly from their bred-to-fight past is ignorant.
Unsurprisingly, Amy, we see
Unsurprisingly, Amy, we see this issue differently. Not that your comment was directed at my remarks, but I want to be clear that I did not say pit bulls' misbehavior was strictly due to their bred-to-fight past. The key word being strictly. The gist of my view is that they have a genetic predisposition to fight and this trait continues to be fostered by unscrupulous breeders. Of course, animal owners are ultimately to blame for their pets' behavior, but I am dumbfounded that anyone who is well-informed would opt to have a pit bull for a pet. Yea, that goes for Sam Clemens and Helen, too.
Quaint Americana includes true-life tales of Stubby and Pete the Pup. Regarding the latter, it is misinformation that he was the first pit bull registered with the American Kennel Club. No pit bull has ever been registered AKC. The pit bull is not recognized by the foremost authority on dog breeds because no breeding club has either applied for recognition, or they have applied and been unable to demonstrate acceptable, replicable breed standards. The pit bull is not the American Staffordshire Terrier as some mistakenly think. It is a mongrel, albeit one beloved by many. The unfortunate, prevalent trend of ownership by unsavory people and those who want the pitiful street cred of owning a bully breed, is unlikely to ebb, further poisoning the beast's polluted bloodlines.
I can recall an encounter
I can recall an encounter that some friends and I had with a Pit bull when I was growing up in North Long Beach, Ca. We were skating and using our launch ramp on a side street when the dog came out of the alley. We could all see that the dog was injured as there was blood coming from two wounds on its chest/shoulder area. As it turns out some one had shot the dog twice and I assume they left it for dead. We ended up getting the dog some water to drink and called animal control then stayed with the dog petting it until they arrived. I always remember that dog and wonder why the owner didn't just drop the dog off at the pound?
Boiling this down to the
Boiling this down to the least common demominator; dogs are animals. They do not follow the rules of humans or government and are purely instinctive. If you chose to own one of these animals, make sure you have a good home or renters insurance policy.
Just a quick response to TP
Just a quick response to TP Hunt, not to be agrumentative or nasty, but the way I feel it is not even close enough to the damage a pit bull has caused me. I feel that for the most part I am a reasonable and caring person, but I will have to live with the damage done by a pit bull and its irresponsible owners have caused me for the rest of my life.
David, if a Chow Chow had
David, if a Chow Chow had done the same to you would you be in agreement with banning the breed? How about a Boxer or a Husky?
Can I answer for
Can I answer for David?
First, I can't recall David advocating for banning the breed. I think he's making the empirically factual observation that pit bulls are by nature agressive dogs.
Even so, if a chow had attacked Pachuco, I wouldn't be speaking out against chows. I would be speaking out against irresponsible dog owners.
But it wasn't a chow who attacked Pachuco. It was a pit bull. And I'll tell you, based on my two conversations with the pit's owner, I would classify him as a highly responsible person. He was horrified by what his dog did and put him down the next day.
The facts speak for themselves. There is only one breed of dog bred to be aggressive -- primarily dog aggressive -- and that is the pit bull. That sets the pit miles apart from a badly socialized chow.
I'm not saying ban them or change the law regarding pits in anyway. But let's be honest about the breed. They are by their very nature aggressive and potentially dangerous dogs.