Pit bulls??

[DrKym]

well said K9 however even the best breeders line breed (inbreed) so not all of it is attributed to puppymills. My cocker is sweet great on a grooming table does all her commands on a drop of the dime. cost hubby a fortune as she is show quality. She is also incredibly clingy we hire a sitter to go out, otherwise she chews her fur off literally. She adores kids is terrified of the door bell has stomach issues (hence the raw diet cleared that hurdle) is prone to unprovoked bouts of high pitched barking and "fits" she just sorta goes weird. We spayed her rather than even consider the show ring or breeding her. Paid a huge sum (nearly 1200 in breach of contract fees) and love her to death.

[K9soul]

well said K9 however even the best breeders line breed (inbreed) so not all of it is attributed to puppymills. My cocker is sweet great on a grooming table does all her commands on a drop of the dime. cost hubby a fortune as she is show quality. She is also incredibly clingy we hire a sitter to go out, otherwise she chews her fur off literally. She adores kids is terrified of the door bell has stomach issues (hence the raw diet cleared that hurdle) is prone to unprovoked bouts of high pitched barking and "fits" she just sorta goes weird. We spayed her rather than even consider the show ring or breeding her. Paid a huge sum (nearly 1200 in breach of contract fees) and love her to death.

Yeah you're right, then there are the dogs who are well loved but have individual issues.. Tash is not a stranger lover and I would NEVER drop her off at a groomer to have her nails done, I honestly don't know if she might try to bite if she was nervous enough. If the owners know their dogs have issues or are likely to bite they should be responsible about it. Unfortunately the world is filled with inconsiderate and irresponsible people. Fortunately there are some wonderfully considerate and responsible people to help make up for it.

I probably shouldn't post when I'm this tired. I'll end up coming across wrong, of course no offense or anger was intended in my first post

[wolfsoul]

Sorry about that Jess, I just meant to say that any breed can bite --- Goldens and labs are seen as such nice, family breeds it can be easy to pick on them in these topics. Nothing against the breeds -- I do like to think of the "ideal" as the breed as a whole -- in which case both labs and goldens are wonderful dogs. Come to think of it, pit bulls used to be the ideal family dog too. I won't be surprised if one day both breeds are seen as "pit bulls." It's frightening. I'm so happy to see more people being educated on good and bad breeding, and so many people becoming more interested in training -- maybe one day dog attacks won't be so common and people won't have to blame the breeds.

[K9soul]

No need to apologize at all. Actually I'm sorry, I'm feeling more and more like I came across as angry or offended . And you actually have a really good point there (and a scary one). At one time pitties really were viewed as great family dogs.. they were icons in a lot of ways. Petey from Little Rascals, the original RCA dog was a pitbull, etc.. Collies have been in the spotlight, dalmations, cocker spaniels.. labs/goldens seem so much in the spotlight now, and it's scary, because we have seen the results of that. You never know who will be the next target of prejudice and BSL because of how people are ruining these dogs.

[DrKym]

K9 and Wolf no offense taken. It just seems that ppl do not want to admit that some of their animals may have issues. All that does is hurt the breed. I would rather admit my dog isn't "perfect" than to live with the fact that someone was hurt because I was ignorant.

[K9soul]

Well talking about pitties got me in the mood to look at pictures.. and I came across this little guy. OMG just had to share

http://www.bulldogbreeds.com/dog/dis...s/rb_igsie.jpg

[wolf_Q]

I agree, I believe that any person who calls themselves a dog lover should NEVER support any BSL. Even if they happen to hate the breed that is the current target...it starts with pit bulls but it will just keep going. I've seen a ton of breed ban lists that include siberian huskies, which as they are my beloved breed it really hits close to home...

[Jadapit]

This is in response to Jadapit (my second fave pittie owner) My daughter has been lurking and she asks 2 things from me. 1 to tell you that she is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo glad to see another responsible pittie owner

Thank you so much for all the nice comments you always say about me, it makes my day. Also, please tell your daughter thank you. Tell her I want to see pictures of her pitties. I bet they are beautiful!

[GreyhoundGirl]

Ouch... Maybe it's a full moon. I'll go check...

[IRescue452]

The breed I've been bitten by the most in my lifetime is the labrador (and lab mixes). I do not trust labradors at all and I absolutely hate taking them out at work. I wish more people were ready to restrict the breeding and owning of labradors instead of pitties. Labs are overbred and owned by every Joe Schmo that shouldn't have a dog and they need to be restricted.

[K9soul]

I wish more people were ready to restrict the breeding and owning of labradors instead of pitties.

Wow, All I can say is I completely agree with Jordan in that I am against ANY BSL or blanket breed-based statements (bad or good). Turning something that is just wrong to another more "popular" breed doesn't make it right. Again, it has nothing to do with labs as a breed. It has to do with so many owning labs, and often people who run out and get a puppy mill dog and then don't train it right, raise it right, or exercise it enough until it becomes a problem. Start restricting labs, and they will turn to the next breed, and pretty soon you can replace your statement with "they should restrict _________ breed." I don't want to see ANY breed filling in that blank. People need to become educated, better dog owners, and some people don't have any business owning a dog period. Don't move from one form of breedism to another.. it will just perpetuate the problem . Ugh, I just tend to get really emotional on these topics. I should have the sense to stay away from them .

[luvofallhorses]

well said, Jess. I would never ever say I want this certain dog breed banned, ever! regardless if I had a bad expierience..or not. I blame the owner, not the dog. I go by the saying "punish the deed NOT the breed".. I, fortunately haven't had one dog attack me or any other animal for that matter. I just wish this BSL s*** would end, seriously! I am with you, Jess I do tend to get emotional on these topics, too..

[CagneyDog]

You know, it seems that a large chunk of people are against BSL when it's in regards to Pit Bulls, but they are more supportive, or more understanding of it when it comes to Labs, Goldens, and other breeds. This really, really bugs me. First of all, the statistics are never accurate, they're more Labs in the world therefore, naturally statistics would show that there is more dog attacks coming from them. Of course they're overbred and such, but you do need to keep the population stuff in mind.

[K9soul]

You know, it seems that a large chunk of people are against BSL when it's in regards to Pit Bulls, but they are more supportive, or more understanding of it when it comes to Labs, Goldens, and other breeds. This really, really bugs me. First of all, the statistics are never accurate, they're more Labs in the world therefore, naturally statistics would show that there is more dog attacks coming from them. Of course they're overbred and such, but you do need to keep the population stuff in mind.

Exactly Lindsey. Labs are currently the #1 most popular breed in the U.S. (at least last time I checked, with goldens close behind). This means:

* A huge market for puppymills and BYBs.
* LOTS of uneducated people in regards to a dog's needs, much less doing breed-specific research, because labs are so popular and supposed to be "perfect."

Those two things combined are recipes for disaster. So yes of course labs will be high on the bite list, high on the surrender list to shelters, high on the list of dogs with behavioral problems, health problems, and so on.

I strongly believe no breed is predisposed towards behavioral problems simply because of its breed alone. The more popular a breed is, the more that breed is likely to be subjected to abuse and poor conditions.

Breeds like rotties and pits are often more abused breeds because of the types of people that are attracted to them. Labs and goldens on the other hand attract a lot of people getting a dog "for the kids" which can be just as bad in some ways.

Anyway.. enough rambling by me for now!

[DrKym]

Well as on old woman I can name off several other breeds ruined for the same reson Popularity
St Bernards (early 70s and again Beethoven)
Cocker Spaniels
Dobermans (Magnum PI)
Toy Poodles (too cute for their own good)
Chihuaha (see above)
GSD ( hearth home and kid dog )
Jack Russells (Frasier)
Staffies (drug trade)
Greyhounds (yes racing is an issue but the huge outcry produced huge amounts BYB)
Maltese (see poodle)
Shiz-zu (see poodle)
The dogs aren't to blame, We are. I wont even go into the husky phenomenon due to the movie 8 below, People don't think they assume (yes I forgot collies thanks poor Lassie) that all dogs of that breed will be THAT dog. Sad but true.