All dogs are different. Yes. Certain breeds are bred for certain traits. But just because a breed has a more aggressive personality doesn't mean they are ALL vicious. To assume so just displays ignorance.

However, in saying that perhaps she had a really bad experience with a pitty? Some people just can't get past those. I have been attacked twice in my life by Rotties. Are they my favorite breed now? No. Do I hate them all? NO! But I have to admit I am more cautious with them. Of course on the other side of that I was bitten by a Chihuahua when I was a child. It just wasn't as tramatic of an attack as the Rotties.

The first time was on my horse. There was a woman that bred Rotties down the street from where I boarded my horse. She had brought the stud dog over from Germany. He wasn't a very nice dog. She had to control him with a stick with a chain loop? With horses we called them twitches. Anyway....I was riding my horses down the street. I was about 15 and was just enjoying a sunny CA afternoon....I was bareback and barefooted. The stud dog and 2 of her bitches came busting out of her home and attacked us.

Now thank the fates that it was me they attacked and not some little kid on their ponies. My horse was an Appaloosa that had been born and raised on a range in Idaho. He was a savvy, calm, collected fighter. He didn't panic...he didn't buck....he didn't rear...he didn't do anything that would have caused me to fall. He spun in circles...striking out with one hoof at a time...reaching and snaking his head attempting to bite the dogs...all the while I have my legs drawn up like a jockey and am screaming at the top of my lungs for help. He didn't even try to bolt and run from them even though we were in sight distance from his stable.

The owner came running out and got the two bitches but the stud just wouldn't leave off. He had a taste of blood. We were near a major highway....for any that know the area it was Encinitas Blvd. A gentleman stopped who had karate experience and he was able to get in there and kick the dog in the ribs and send it rolling...the owner was then able to grab the dog.

My horse had a torn up muzzle...bits on all his lower legs and several severe bites on his upper haunches where they leaped up and grabbed ahold of him. But he protected me...even afterwards when they had the dogs and I was able to slide off he just stood there with his head against me chest and trembled with blood running down his legs.

But I still don't hate Rotties with a passion. We didn't press charges or insist she destroy the dog. She paid the vet bills which were considerable. I believe she sold the stud to someone else after that. I just always shuddered to think what might have happened if it had been one of the neighborhood children on a Shetland riding by instead of me with my range savvy Appy.

Denyce