Pit bull Debate

[Karen]

A veterinarian I know sees a lot of chihuahuas in her Florida practice, and refers to them as "lap gators." I don;t blame the breed, but the fact that owners thing these small dogs don;t need training and structure, so the dogs end up thinking they are in charge, which is never a good thing. Every dog, from the smallest chihuahua to the largest mastiff - they ALL need basic training at the very least. And with strong dogs like pitties, or large ones like Saint Bernards, for example, the earlier you do the training the better. It is easier to deal with an 8-pound puppy, than 50 pounds of muscle, or 125 pounds of enthusiasm when one is leash training a dog, and your shoulder socket will appreciate it, too!

[wolf_Q]

I have friends with pit bulls...I'm a groomer, we see plenty of pits, overall I think they are nice dogs. I do think they tend to end up with the wrong people though (people who want to get a dog so they look "tough" don't neuter them, leave them on a chain, etc. ) so they can become people aggressive when treated the wrong way, but so can any breed of dog. I do believe they have a higher tendency than your average breed (though there are plenty of other breeds that are like this is as well) to be dog aggressive. They were bred to fight dogs, what do you expect? Dog aggression doesn't usually show up until the are 2 or older btw so be cautious of that as your dog gets older. Of course not all will end up dog aggressive but I know several people who raised theirs since pups and did everything right and they still ended up dog aggressive (though they are good with dogs they know just not strange dogs). My husky, Skya, is not nice to most (some she's perfectly fine with?) strange dogs either and that didn't show up until she was older than two, she gets along excellently with dogs she knows though and once she gets to know a dog she's fine too. One of my friends with a dog aggressive pit bull gets along with dogs he meets as a puppy and he met Skya as a puppy so they get along (go figure, the most dog aggressive of mine gets along with the dog aggressive dog ) Overall every pit I can think of that I know is a total LOVE with people....like ridiculously lovey ha ha. My dog Killer is half pit bull half lab and he is a total love with people and he's not dog aggressive either. I think they can be awesome dogs and breed specific legislation is ridiculous, ban the idiots who shouldn't have dogs from having dogs, don't ban breeds of dogs.

I will say though I will avoid them when I'm walking my dogs (but I will avoid any dog while walking my dogs, big or small - but certain breeds with dog aggressive tendencies make me more nervous). My dogs don't take too well with loose dogs running up and getting in their faces for the most part I pretty much just hate it when any loose dog (friendly or not) gets into the middle of my leashed dogs. I had a lab run out and charge at me the other day and I had to yell and wave my arms at it so it wouldn't get to my dogs. If I have no dogs with me I wouldn't hesitate to say hi to a pit bull though.

[Jessika]

As a vet tech, I can count on one had the number of large breed dogs I've had to muzzle. I can not even begin to count the number of small breed dogs we need to muzzle. The point being is that owners of larger breeds, such as pit bulls, do face more responsibility because if "bad behavior" such as mouthiness or jumpiness is allowed to go unchecked with a larger breed you face much bigger problems than if the same behaviors were left unchecked in a small breed. So we see many, many small dogs coming in that need to be muzzled versus larger breeds that are perfect angels at the vet.

The point I'm trying to make is that it is 100% the owner and in how the dog is raised.

[luvofallhorses]

Everyone that knows me I am very passionate about pit bulls. And, I absolutely hate BSL. I have worked with many through out my life and even had a pit bull mix growing up. I think they are the sweetest dogs, I have never met a more loving, loyal dog than the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT).

Most attacks aren't even pit bulls. If the dog attacks, it's assumed to be a pit bull and most of time they aren't. The APBT passes more tests than the popular dog breeds of today. http://www.atts.org Sure, people get them for the wrong reasons. But, I have seen a lot of APBT owners in my town that are pretty good with them.

Like with any dog, you must be responsible. Even more so with the APBT since they have a bad rap. You have to make darn sure that you don't set your dog up for failure. Most of the time, people believe in the myths too greatly. Education is key, they can take it or leave it.

But all you can do is try to educate them that they aren't monsters because they aren't. I have educated people with pit bulls at the shelter with breed ambassadors. It only takes one person at a time to educate and I have made (not truly forced it) them like the breed because of the awesomeness of these dogs.

But, if you can't get through to them atleast you tried your best. I will have my own APBT someday and will fight for these dogs until my last breath. They are unfairly misunderstood. Not everyone is going to like your breed of choice. With this wonderful breed you have to have thick skin since a lot of people will diss you and your dog.

And it is your responsibility to make sure nothing happens with your dog negatively. Because if you do, it's one step closer of us not owning this wonderful breed. Your dog should be a breed ambassador. If the dog doesn't like other dogs, it's not failing your dog.

Dog aggression is what is normal in this breed as they were bred to fight other dogs. You just need to be responsible and make sure your dog doesn't get in a fight as your dog will be blamed whether the other dog started it or not. Also, ignorant/uneducated people link dog aggression going after a human next. Which is not true at all.

Human aggression is not accepted. Your pit bull should be great with all people, except if in a situation you are being held at gun point and your dog protects you or you get robbed. That is different. These dogs would take a bullet for you, that's how truly loyal they are. Sorry for the long post, but I am extremely passionate about the APBT and mixes and them being targeted because of hatred is not ok.

[cassiesmom]

I heard this story on news radio tonight. I'm glad the dogs were rescued so they aren't alone in the house with no food or water. How mean of the people to abandon the dogs when they left the house. I hope they are adopted (if they're adoptable now) or go to an organization that can work with them, to get them socialized and ready to be part of a family.

CHICAGO (CBS) – Animal Control workers have rescued two dogs who were abandoned inside a South Side home last week.

WBBM Newsradio’s Mike Krauser reports three Animal Care & Control workers went into the home in the 9100 block of South Paxton Avenue through a broken window, and captured the dogs using snares – long poles with collars on the end.

Workers said both dogs were pit bulls, or pit bull mixes, and were aggressive, but didn’t give them too much trouble. The dogs growled and snarled as they were taken away.

The workers said, once they had the snares around the dogs' necks, it was just a matter of struggling to get them in a van.

There was food left behind in the house when the owners abandoned them inside, but it was still in the bag. The owners had been squatting in the house.

Neighbor Jim Jankovics said he’s head the dogs barking for several days, and was glad to see them rescued.

He said squatters moved into the vacant house about three weeks ago, then left about a week ago, leaving the dogs behind.

[cassiesmom]

I also saw a story in "Woman's Day" magazine about this organization - Jasmine's House, which works with neglected, abused or abandoned pit bulls. They also try to educate people and clear up misconceptions and stereotypes about them.

http://www.jasmineshouse.org/

[Jessika]

In my personal experiences working in a clinic, we RARELY have to muzzle pits that come in for fear of aggression issues. The few we do muzzle is usually for procedures they may find uncomfortable or painful (in which case we'd muzzle ANY dog for it, not just pits).

We have to muzzle FAR more small breed dogs, German shepherds, have to muzzle *every* rhodesian ridgeback that comes in... but rarely any pits due to aggression.

I think BSL is a load of crap. If they want a legislation that will work, they need to focus on the owners, not the breed.

[Bonny]

My friends son has a female pit bull he got from the local pound. She is very timid.

My friend takes her along with her in her car to different places & once even on a fund raiser walk.

Her son is very careful with his dog because where he lives there are little children living upstairs in the house apartment.

He takes her to work with him & she sits in his truck on nice days, he is a carpenter by trade.

I would consider him to be a very responsible dog owner not throwing caution to the wind.

[WILDCATS]

A veterinarian I know sees a lot of chihuahuas in her Florida practice, and refers to them as "lap gators." I don;t blame the breed, but the fact that owners thing these small dogs don;t need training and structure, so the dogs end up thinking they are in charge, which is never a good thing. Every dog, from the smallest chihuahua to the largest mastiff - they ALL need basic training at the very least. And with strong dogs like pitties, or large ones like Saint Bernards, for example, the earlier you do the training the better. It is easier to deal with an 8-pound puppy, than 50 pounds of muscle, or 125 pounds of enthusiasm when one is leash training a dog, and your shoulder socket will appreciate it, too!

I totally agree with you Karen, its not the breed it is the owners. as I live in the UK Pit-bulls are a banned breed but only because of stupid so called tough guys who use them for fighting or to show off as a [I'm a hard man] attitude. I would personally put these people to sleep. Sorry to butt in this attitude makes my blood boil. lol Also I have a 14 stone Newfoundland and like you say if he was not trained properly he would be a nightmare.

[IRescue452]

My sister has a pittie or amstaff type pup. He's a goofball and doesn't know his own strangth yet, but not the least bit scary. He's 7 or 8 months now and neutered and raised as an indoor pet with lots of socialization so he's being raised the right way. I do however cross the street or avoid coming into contact with ALL UNKNOWN DOGS of any breed unless I speak to the owner and ask if their dog is ok meeting another before we get close enough for them to have contact. Autumn has gotten attacked by a beagle before. Any dog you don't know, of any breed, can potentially attack your dogs.

[Roxyluvsme13]

Brennan is an American Pit Bull Terrier. He had a really rough start in life, but he doesn't let it bring him down. He loves every person he meets. He has some behavioral issues and is slightly dog selective, but any dog can have those. He is one of the best dogs we've ever had and he is an angel in public.

[Karen]

I am glad folks here do not buy into the bad stereotypes certain breeds have in the media! Our lives are all much richer for it!