Why I deleted my thread on Pit Bulls

[zoomer]

Bump so everyone can see...

[king2005]

I hope I didn't sound mean (I really don't think I did, nor was I trying to) when I posted about the pitty I live with & the so called family breeds. I wasn't able to keep updated with the thread as I only have the net at work.

my ex HATED pit bulls, just because of the rap they had. He went on & on on how they should all be killed as they are worse then a wild animal, blah blah blah! I always fought his argument with, well Max was part Pit bull & you seemed to REALLY like him, esp when he became ill (he layed on the floor with Max & gave him a kiss). He always argued well Max was part Lab thats why he was so nice (BS answer hehe)..

Now I live with a Pit Bull & I senced that Rob didn't like that idea at all. Well he got to see Cyrus & realized that he didn't charge the door, didn't snarl or snap. He barked a few times, I patted him through the door & he went upstairs & never heard another peep from him. Thats went Rob said, wow, he looks friendly! I said duh, pit bulls are nothing but love bugs

It just takes time for people to realize that the media blows things WAY out of porportion & the pit bulls that attack, had issues (not trained, or trained for fighting) & that ANY breed can attack & kill a human. a small dog could kill a baby as there isn't much blood in a babies body.

To make you feel a bit better, I personally do not like small breeds. I'll pet them or care for one, but I really don't like them. I like any dog over 50-60 pounds (80 prefered), as they are harder to break, easier to cuddle with, they can keep up with me & they don't yap, GAAAH I hate yappers.. But that my personal opinion on smaller breeds, even tho I think smaller breeds are cute too (like my grandma's Tea Cut Poodle, Buttons, hes a cute, sweet dog, but there is no way I could live with him or spend too much time with him)

[dab_20]

To make you feel a bit better, I personally do not like small breeds. I'll pet them or care for one, but I really don't like them. I like any dog over 50-60 pounds (80 prefered), as they are harder to break, easier to cuddle with, they can keep up with me & they don't yap, GAAAH I hate yappers.. But that my personal opinion on smaller breeds, even tho I think smaller breeds are cute too (like my grandma's Tea Cut Poodle, Buttons, hes a cute, sweet dog, but there is no way I could live with him or spend too much time with him)

Lots of small dogs ARE NOT yappers. Lots of people say they are... only because they haven't spent time with them. But I understand that's your opinion.

[Lori Jordan]

I used to run a foster for dogs and i was bit many times by smaller dogs than big,BUT!!! the thing with that is they were away from home in a place that they were not sure of..and nervous.ANd even after i never had anything against small dogs but some can be nippy

[dab_20]

I used to run a foster for dogs and i was bit many times by smaller dogs than big,BUT!!! the thing with that is they were away from home in a place that they were not sure of..and nervous.ANd even after i never had anything against small dogs but some can be nippy

Yeah, I've been bit by Molli quite a few times, acctually. Doesn't hurt alot though. I think it's because they are so much smaller then us and so they are more nervous when they get picked up and stuff. Just a guess, though. Molli loves being picked up... but not all small dogs.

[Cheshirekatt]

You are certinaly not the only person to be influenced by the media. I was lucky enough to grow up with pitties hence my love and admiration for them. The media plays a huge roll in our lives, even though sometimes I feel like it really shouldn't. Most people don't bother to educate themselves and learn the facts, and I'm impressed and glad that you did.

I'll say one thing.....pit bulls are NOT just like every other dog. At least not in my opinion. The breed has certain characteristics and limitations. Personally, I'm not fond of pit bulls at dog parks. These dogs have been bred for hundreds of years to fight other animals and dogs. Does that make them mean? Absolutley not. It just means that dog aggression and animal aggression is a common and a frequently seen trait.

Given this information, they do have their limitations. And frankly if a dog gets in a pit bull's face chances are the pit bull is not going to back down. Even if he didn't start the fight, he'll sure enough finish it and then the pit bull gets blamed. We've all seen the headlines. Taking a pit bull into a highly charged dog filled atmosphere and being surprised when he gets into it with another dog is like throwing a ball for a lab and being surprised when he brings it back.

Pit bulls require more common sense to manage and lots of breed understanding. I myself manage a household of four male bullies. Is it always easy? No! lol But it's totally doable and I don't mind doing it. Are pit bulls for everyone? Absolutely not.

One of the most damaging things I've been hearing lately is that by raising pit bulls with other dogs from a puppy you can 'train out' dog aggression. This is very untrue. Typically if a pit bull doesn't show any dog aggression by the age of two, he won't. Not always, but most of the time. You can do some great obedience and training to properly manage dog aggression but there is no way to train it out.

Ok, I think I've rambled enough. If you have any questions regarding proper pit bull temperment, or management or any question at all please feel free to ask. I'm always willing to gab about my favorite subject......bullies!

[Jadapit]

Kat,

Very well said!! I own a pit bull and a pit mix, both females. So far everything is going great with them. But I will never, ever leave the three of my dogs alone because "never trust a pit not to fight" It is my responsibility to keep the three of them safe. I agree with you about the dog parks its better to be safe than sorry.

I'm lucky, where we live there is tons of wide open space so we can take the fur kids to run off leash. I have to say thank you so much for bing there for the pit bulls they need more people like you.

[dab_20]

Geat posts, both of you. It's great to have experienced pittie owners on here because they give such great info about the breed! I personally really like pit bulls, but would never own one because I am not good with really dominent breeds in the first place. I would really like to spend time with one, one day. Such a great and beautiful breed.

[king2005]

Lots of small dogs ARE NOT yappers. Lots of people say they are... only because they haven't spent time with them. But I understand that's your opinion.

I didn't call them yappers, I said yap.


I haven't met a small dog that doesn't Yap. Larger dogs WOOF, not yap.

yap = itty bitty bark, annoying to me
WOOF = deep bark, not annoying to me
yappers = non-stop yapping, annoying to me
Barkers = non-stop barking, annoying to me

[dab_20]

I didn't call them yappers, I said yap.


I haven't met a small dog that doesn't Yap. Larger dogs WOOF, not yap.

yap = itty bitty bark, annoying to me
WOOF = deep bark, not annoying to me
yappers = non-stop yapping, annoying to me
Barkers = non-stop barking, annoying to me

Ok. Sam has a woof... it is soo funny because he is still a puppy and he just started this deep sounding bark. lol

[king2005]

Ok. Sam has a woof... it is soo funny because he is still a puppy and he just started this deep sounding bark. lol

I love it when puppies learn how to bark & then learn how to do the deep bark, hehehe

My old guy didn't bark until about 5 months old, he didn't know how hehehe BUT he knew how to snarl! I'll never forget the day he turned into a dog. Thats when a big guy tried to break into the house & we let Max out, he was 6months old but he sounded like a pro guard dog, DANG was he ever scary!!

[BOBS DAD]

Hey Zoomer,

Don't sweat it. It is OK to have an opinion and unlike contemporary political opinion (flip flopping - I hate that term) it is certainly "OK" to change that opinion when introduced to new facts or better information on a subject. In fact, it shows great wisdom and courage to be able to remain "open" on a subject and willing to listen to differing points of view.

As mentioned, there have been some very good posts on this subject of Pit Bulls. But to be honest, even the most admiring of Pitties admit that there can be some aggression issues...

I'll say one thing.....pit bulls are NOT just like every other dog. At least not in my opinion. The breed has certain characteristics and limitations. Personally, I'm not fond of pit bulls at dog parks. These dogs have been bred for hundreds of years to fight other animals and dogs. Does that make them mean? Absolutley not. It just means that dog aggression and animal aggression is a common and a frequently seen trait.

While a Pit Bull can be and is a very devoted and loving pet, their size and demeanor and obvious strength can make them a bit intimidating for those who are not accustomed to them. I personally would be very wary of them around small children. But then again Petey (Little Rascals loving one ringed eye dog) was a Pitty!!!

Anywho... you are cool with me!!!

[king2005]

Cyrus goes to a dog park & because of the laws he has to wear a muzzle. Rose said before this law he would run & play with all the dogs, hes not a barker nor a nipper & never had a single issue. If he didn't like a dog, he'd run back to Rose. Cyrus is a pure AST & weighs about 85 pounds & is pure muscle (as you guys saw in his photos). If a pitty is good with other animals & dogs, then why get so upset with him being at the dog park. If the dog isn't good with animals & dogs then what on earth is it doing at the dog park? & why hasn't the law been called on it (goes for any breed really)

[zoomer]

I'm feeling sorry for them.

[Cheshirekatt]

Cyrus goes to a dog park & because of the laws he has to wear a muzzle. Rose said before this law he would run & play with all the dogs, hes not a barker nor a nipper & never had a single issue. If he didn't like a dog, he'd run back to Rose. Cyrus is a pure AST & weighs about 85 pounds & is pure muscle (as you guys saw in his photos). If a pitty is good with other animals & dogs, then why get so upset with him being at the dog park. If the dog isn't good with animals & dogs then what on earth is it doing at the dog park? & why hasn't the law been called on it (goes for any breed really)

There are always exceptions. Dog behavior is not black and white, I just cringe every time I see one at the dog park...I just can't help it. However, it only really takes one instance (whether the pit bull started it or not) for the image of a pit bull tearing into another dog to be burned into peoples' heads. One or two instances and pit bulls will be banned from dog parks. Muzzles really only work if the dog is not serious about another dog.

I'd rather pit bull owners take the initiative and choose to not take their dogs to the park rather than have yet another place that pit bulls will be banned. I know I'm rather opinionated and am by no means critisizing you. We areally are on the brink of losing our breed completely it's just a few more headlines away.

JMHO