Pitbulls ??Aggression, Fact or Not???

[wolfsoul]

These breeds were bred for centeries for one reason- to attack and mame another dog.

Actually this is a myth -- pit bulls were not originally bred to fight dogs. They were originally bred as ratters and as time grew on they were bred to bait bulls. Pit bulls, like other terriers, were bred to bite their prey and then hold on, because if they let go they run the risk of their prey killing them (even rats!). It wasn't until long after that dog fighting became popular, and since pit bulls were bred to hold on to save their own lives, they were an easy target.

It sounds to me that your friend's dog was over-guarding her property from another dog -- not an uncommon trait in any breed. Obviously she hadn't had any problems at dog shows and obedience trials -- it wasn't until a dog was near her property that an issue arose. Now whether or not dogs had been on her property before and she was fine, and this was just a strange fluke -- well it could mean anything. Perhaps she was "breedist" towards a certain breed of dog, the other dog showed signs of aggression, etc -- I wouldn't, personally, think that a few dogs over a hundred years ago, hundreds of pedigree generations ago would influence the present dog enough to suddenly change the dog's behaviour, especially since we've all taken a look at the changes that went though several other breeds once show breeders got a hold of the working dogs -- great danes are no longer the courageous boar hunters that they once were, boxers are no longer the ferocious dog fighters they once were, etc. Yet for some reason people still refuse to believe that a purpose fullfilled over 100 years ago in the pit bull no longer has an affect on current behaviour and temperament today.

Not arguing, hope I didn't offend -- just my opinion. I had a pit bull when I was little and though he was a grumpy boy as he got older, the worst he did to me was cut my lip with a wag of his tail. Nowadays it's easy to find a pit bull that isn't dog or people aggressive -- you just have to know what you're looking for, and you have to do your research. I would run from a Belgian before I ran from a pit bull lol.

[dogluver4life]

Actually this is a myth -- pit bulls were not originally bred to fight dogs. They were originally bred as ratters and as time grew on they were bred to bait bulls. Pit bulls, like other terriers, were bred to bite their prey and then hold on, because if they let go they run the risk of their prey killing them (even rats!). It wasn't until long after that dog fighting became popular, and since pit bulls were bred to hold on to save their own lives, they were an easy target.

It sounds to me that your friend's dog was over-guarding her property from another dog -- not an uncommon trait in any breed. Obviously she hadn't had any problems at dog shows and obedience trials -- it wasn't until a dog was near her property that an issue arose. Now whether or not dogs had been on her property before and she was fine, and this was just a strange fluke -- well it could mean anything. Perhaps she was "breedist" towards a certain breed of dog, the other dog showed signs of aggression, etc -- I wouldn't, personally, think that a few dogs over a hundred years ago, hundreds of pedigree generations ago would influence the present dog enough to suddenly change the dog's behaviour, especially since we've all taken a look at the changes that went though several other breeds once show breeders got a hold of the working dogs -- great danes are no longer the courageous boar hunters that they once were, boxers are no longer the ferocious dog fighters they once were, etc. Yet for some reason people still refuse to believe that a purpose fullfilled over 100 years ago in the pit bull no longer has an affect on current behaviour and temperament today.

Not arguing, hope I didn't offend -- just my opinion. I had a pit bull when I was little and though he was a grumpy boy as he got older, the worst he did to me was cut my lip with a wag of his tail. Nowadays it's easy to find a pit bull that isn't dog or people aggressive -- you just have to know what you're looking for, and you have to do your research. I would run from a Belgian before I ran from a pit bull lol.

My aunt is a Malinois breeder/owner and the other has Belgians and I don't walk in her yard until she says its okay!!
And I agree with you 100%
The dog was protecting her from something. Even my AST, who didn't bark until she was 2yrs, just about jumped out of her skin and let a robber know he didn't belong this past summer!!!