Pit bull Debate

[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!

[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.

[SWHouston]

I agree with all the positive comments about Pities...
I've Fostered them, and have had only very pleasant experiences.
You raise them like any other Dog, and they'll act just like any other Dog.

[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.

[IRescue452]

The only real warning people need about bully breeds, and the reason I avoid getting one, is hip dysplasia and other joint problems. My sister's dog is only about 8 months and overweight and he has what looks to me like luxating patella in a back knee. I'm working on her now to try and convince her to keep his weight down and see a specialist if she can. I may just go ahead and buy him some joint supplements myself if she's too cheap to do it. Maybe I can convince her to get pet insurance. He's probably going to need it sooner than later.

[Roxyluvsme13]

The only real warning people need about bully breeds, and the reason I avoid getting one, is hip dysplasia and other joint problems. My sister's dog is only about 8 months and overweight and he has what looks to me like luxating patella in a back knee. I'm working on her now to try and convince her to keep his weight down and see a specialist if she can. I may just go ahead and buy him some joint supplements myself if she's too cheap to do it. Maybe I can convince her to get pet insurance. He's probably going to need it sooner than later.

That's sad.

Brennan is a clearly very poorly bred Pit Bull and I can tell by the way his legs are shaped that he's going to have joint problems in time.

He also has horrible allergies (including a corn allergy), and this is also pretty common in Bully breeds.