What are Pit Bulls like?

[Barbiro]

My Son has been wanting a pit bull for quite a number of years. Our reply has always been the same: NO!!

In thinking it over, maybe we have let outselves be influenced by all the negative publicity that breed receives. Does anyone in the forum have a pit, and if so, what are they like? We're trying to decide if maybe next year we'll surprise him with one, but we want to be SURE of what we're getting ourselves into. Do they get along with other dogs? Thanks :)

[*LabLoverKEB*]

This is really a topic, for KayAnn!

[Karen]

Pit bulls can be wonderful, affectionate energetic dogs. They do, like all dogs, need to be properly trained and socialized. If abused or trained to be so, they can become violent

Read about some of the Pit Bulls and pitbull mixes that have been Dog of the Day - see Maggie (http://DogoftheDay.com/archive/2001/August/06.html), Emma (http://DogoftheDay.com/archive/2001/August/06.html), Frosty (http://DogoftheDay.com/archive/1999/July/04.html) and many more (http://PetoftheDay.com/search/search.cgi?q=pit+bull&sk=Dogs&mr=200&pr=ON)

[Barbiro]

Karen,

Thank you so much for the link. I looked at each and every one of them. It's amazing how the media can erroneously change a person's perception. I'll keep doing some research since I really enjoyed seeing each picture and reading about each one. :D Thanks again.

[yorkster]

An ex-boyfriend of mine had a Pit Bull, and it was the nicest, sweetest, dog! He got this dog years ago before you started hearing all the negative stuff about them. He used to take her EVERYWHERE with him- parties, BBQ's, camping, boating, etc.
She loved people, especially kids. When she got older, I used to have to help give her pills......she was very gentle and sweet about it.

I think that Pit Bulls have gotten alot of bad and untrue press. YES, they can be mean if someone makes them that way. Pretty much any dog can though. The only thing that would stop me from getting one is their reputation (even if it is wrong)- people just tend to freak-out about them, and I don't know if I would want to deal with that.

[carrie]

This is a very touchy subject - the fact is that the Pit Bull was originally bred as a fighting dog. As such it's basic communication skills have been dulled. This is a huge advantage in the fighting ring as the other dog does not know what is going to happen. It is a major drawback for a pet.

I am not saying that these are "bad" dogs, many are sweet and will tolerate a lot of abuse ( also in their fighting genes). I am saying that this is not a dog that is a novice pet.

Another point is that this a trait of the breed for as long as it has been a breed - not a new trait. They are not nasty, do not have a temper and are not viscious....they have evolved to hide the signals and that is what makes them a danger - they don't "snap" or lose control - they just don't give any sign that they are on the way to snapping or losing control.

[Barbiro]

Carrie,

This is what really worries me:

they just don't give any sign that they are on the way to snapping or losing control.

I can't inmagine having a pet, loving them and taking care of them, and one day they turn on your unexpectantly. Reading your statement really concerns me, because I thought of it, and you stated it. Now I really have to do some major research.

[lizbud]

Barbiro,
Have you ever asked your son "why a Pit",
and not another breed ?
There are some young people who look upon
this breed as ,almost a "fashion statement".
It's the "badder the better" kind of thing..
Just wonder what is reasons are and also
what experiences he's had with Pits ?

[Barbiro]

Lizbud,

My son has no experience whatsoever with Pit Bulls; he says he has a friend who owns one and that "they are great!". I think you're right about the fashion statement; i checked with his friends and almost all of them want a Pit Bull because "it's a tough looking dog."

[purrley]

Barbiro - I heard that Pit Bulls love Mexican food :D :D LOL just kidding!!!

[ December 03, 2001: Message edited by: purrley ]

[ December 03, 2001: Message edited by: purrley ]

[ilovehounds]

A pit bull will be just as sweet and cuddly as a kitten if it is raised with love and respect. A pit bull is only as mean as his owner raises him to be.

Im sick of hearing about "Bad Pit Bulls" there are no "Bad Pit Bulls" just "Bad Pit Bull Owners" !

http://wsphotofews.excite.com/023/gZ/zz/kG/XQ20653.jpg

[ December 03, 2001: Message edited by: ilovehounds ]

[gini]

My niece has a female pit bull she adopted from the local SPCA. They told her that they had eight requests for the dog. However, they screened everyone very carefully. They said it was a popular dog with gang members and they cautioned her she could be stolen.

When I first met her I had some trepidation. But it took a matter of seconds to realize that this was the sweetest tempered dog. She is now nine months old and weighs 60 pounds. She is attending obedience classes and is taking prizes away like crazy.

My brother was visiting my niece and the doorbell rang. My brother answered the door and their were two unsavory looking types there collecting for a local rehabilitation center. Or at least that is what they said.

The dog ran right out the door and jumped up her full length on one of the men. My brother told them to be cautious as she was
"unpredictable." The guy almost had a heart attack. I laughed over this so hard because the most she would have done is lick him to death. But those two men probably won't be ringing the doorbell again any time soon.

Not bolting out of the door is now part of her training. She is a typical puppy in that she has chewed up the deck, most of the shrubs and loves to play, and play and play.
My arm was sore after my visit, as I threw the ball for her so many times.

There is a trail by a river that is popular with all of the local dog owners and the dogs are off leash. I watched as she got along with all of the dogs and just wanted to play. She is one of the happiest dogs I have ever met. She is also very beautiful.

The key is to get a puppy - give it lots of love and LOTS of training - the same that you would give any puppy.

[gini]

Ilovehounds, we were posting at the same time. What a great picture and you hit it right on the head.

There are only bad owners!!

[sabies]

What a great picture that is ilovehounds! I fostered a pit bull mix for a short time, short because he snapped at me several times and for the first time in my life I was afraid of a dog - all because there was no warning when he snapped. I would not get an older pit bull from a shelter, but a puppy won't have the fear and insecurity of an abused or abandoned dog. I think a non-dominant female would be the safest choice. Obedience training is also a good idea.

Of course use caution in getting any dog. We used to have an over-protective dachsund who would bite - and dachsunds don't look tough!

[Rottie442]

"There are only bad owners!!"

Your absolutly right! Don't listen to any of the negative things you here. We have a Rottweiler (another dog often critized). She has been the best dog. All you have to do is find a quality breeder and properly train the dog and you won't have a problem (with the dog at least). The biggest problem I have had with owning a Rott is the people. Some people won't go near me when im with my dog. At the dog park one lady even said to her son "we don't want to go that way those dogs are mean." She had two labs that were both bigger than my dog.

[yorkster]

Sabies wrote:
"I think a non-dominant female would be the safest choice. Obedience training is also a good idea."

Yorkster:
Actually my dog trainer told me that females can be worse- something to do with an instinct when protecting their puppies (even if there aren't puppies).
Anyway, I don't know if I am correct, but that is what she told me because I have a female dog, and it was a struggle at first in dog obedience with the other females there. The males on the other hand were much more mellow. Maybe it makes a difference with the males if they are neutered or not.

[ December 03, 2001: Message edited by: yorkster ]

[ilovehounds]

Thanks, cute aren't they ??

They are from Blockhead Bulldogs, I met them through my website. They have four of them altogether. These four dogs are the reason I want a pit bull someday.

http://wsphotofews.excite.com/024/jZ/xv/F7/K379325.jpg

http://wsphotofews.excite.com/004/Gp/4b/eo/Kq50399.jpg

[SimbaTWonderDog]

I wish i could have gotten to this earlier.... Basicly whats ilovehounds said about not being bad pit bulls just the owners.. and well the media plays a big deal in their bad rep *GRRRR* If you treat the dog with respect, You will recieve the same back. Sometimes there can be a bad one out of the litter.. but we all cant be perfect right? I myself am a "Pit Fanatic".. i absoloutly love the breed they are soo beautiful and loving

[Barbiro]

Ilovehounds, those are such cute pictures! Thanks everyone, you have all been very helpful. My conclusion is: find an excellent breeder, keep reading about dog-training, and if and when I do get my Son a Pit Bull, take him to obedience classes and shower him/her with a lot of love! I don't think I can go wrong with that route :D

[mugsy]

OMG!!!!! Those pictures of the pits are just TOO cute and are much closer to a true pit than the nasty pits that get trained to be that way. And I also concur that there are no bad dogs, just bad owners. A little known fact is that pits are rated in the top 10 best dogs to have with children. We have 2 pit mixes are they are the dearest, sweetest, dogs around. Just remember that they are VERY strong dogs. I wouldn't recommend one for someone who doesn't have the physical strength. However, I would never not get a pit, just because it's a pit. I would also not get a pit just because it's a pit and you want to be big and bad. Pits deserve the respect due any other canine, they are just as loving and caring as any other dog, just so long as they are raised in a loving environment...just like any other dog. Ok, I'm off my soap box now.

[sabies]

I guess there's no guarantee by getting a female that you'll have a more mellow dog. I go by my intuition upon meeting the dog - I pick the dog that catches my attention the most it's always ended up to be the best personality match. Breed and sex only indicate likely potential traits. I feel so bad for Pit Bulls who are raised to fight!

GREAT pictures ilovehounds. I have reindeer ears for my dog and she takes them off the second I let go. That dog looks so smart!