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Pit Bull Terriers: Dangerous, or just dogs?

Before we get started, I'll admit that a pit in the wrong hands can kill a person. I'll admit that a pit has a stronger bite than a small breed. I'll admit that most people don't know how to handle a pit... But my point here is, do most people know how to handle ANY dog that big? I've done research on dog breeds myself, and have come to find out that it's not the Pit that has the strongest bite out there. A Rottweiler has a stronger bite than a pit (I learned this while trying to help a neighbor with their unruly Rottie pup, doing research to give them a bit of insight on the breed because they refused to train her). Now, let's look at why pits are so hard to control. Firstly, they're terriers. They're bred for that single-mindedness that makes terriers, of all kinds, hard to handle. They see something and, by golly, they want to do what they want to do. Second of all, they're a larger terrier. I won't say they're 'big' dogs because they're surprisingly not "Large Breed" but instead are considered medium, because most don't even size up to a German Shepherd (which, coincidentally, is also considered a medium breed). But that still means they're a little more to handle than your standard Jack Russell. Thirdly... or, should I say firstly again, they're a terrier! They need extensive amounts of exercise in order to meet their physical needs. It's like getting a hyperactive kid and telling it to sit in a chair in a room indefinitely. You're going to have problems. Now, this isn't to say they can't be dangerous. By all means, they can! Just like any other breed of dog! Personally, I've been attacked by more unruly labs than anything else. Thankfully, I know how to handle situations like that, due to my being a certified dog trainer. My own mother had to have her face and arm stitched up from a vicious chihuahua attack, where the owner was claiming the dog was just trying to play with her. Yes, a pit can do more damage... but so can a horse. A horse can kill you with one swift hoof to the head. But we still think of them as gentle creatures. Some people will say the difference is in the head. That a pit is vicious, and will try and kill you the first chance it gets... but that can't be further from the truth. Pits are very loyal, loving dogs. Even in the fighting rings, a dog who bites a person, is gotten rid of. As a dog trainer, I have to point out that there is a difference between animal aggression and human aggression, and Pits are bred to be animal aggressive, not human aggressive. The instinct to attack another animal is something that ALL terriers have. Only difference is the size, here. Which makes it even more important that the dog, like every other dog, be trained properly. Am I saying this is a dog for everyone? No. Am I saying that pits cannot hurt people? No. What I am saying is, that like every other dog breed, this dog has needs. Needs that have to be met, or else you end up with a crazed, oversized terrier who's never been told what is and is not acceptable. What I am saying is that, with the proper treatment, like any other dog breed, this breed will be a great pet. Remember - Pits were considered a family dog for a long, long time, despite their past as bull-baiting and bear-baiting dogs. And they didn't turn and suddenly kill anyone back then, because they were properly handled. What makes it any different -now- besides the fact that they're the new face of dog fighting? Edited: As a note, I also would not recommend any dog be left out in a home while people aren't there. It's dangerous for not just other animals in the house, but for the dogs themselves, especially if you have more than one dog. Dogs who have been living together for a long time have turned on each other and even killed each other while people aren't home, leaving no explanation for the humans who have to come home to injured or dead four-legged family members. This is why I also support crate training for -all- dogs.

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I have met a handful of pits in my life and they all were just dogs. Regular bounce all over you and play with you dogs. So I agree, in the wrong hands ANY dog can be vicious. Of course some dogs are just naturally mean. Especially some Chihuahuas hehe.
All dogs can kill if they put their minds to it.<br /> It's just that more pit bull cases are reported than, say, a Border Collie. Pit bulls are misunderstood... It's so bad they're banned here in the UK. And many other countries and states. But the truth is pit bulls are just dogs. They are no different from a chihuahua. THERE ARE NO BAD DOGS, JUST BAD OWNERS, It all depends on the way a dog is raised, same with children. If you raise a child in a bad environment it's likely that kid could go off and take drugs, Smoke, Drink and be violent later on in life. Same thing with dogs, but they tend to get aggressive. Pitbulls are just dogs. You wouldn't put a chihuahua down for one bite, so why would you a pit bull? Because it's bigger? That's not exactly fair is it?
(Gonna keep this short and simple)<br /> <br /> No they aren't a dog for everyone. Yes they can be aggressive. Yes they can kill and seriously harm people and other animals(But what medium+ dog can't?)<br /> <br /> Yes they are bull headed and can be hard to train but so are many other breeds.<br /> <br /> But, in the right hands, they are good dogs. A dog aggressive, cat aggressive, people selective dog can make a wonderful pet if the handler knows what they are doing.<br /> Most of them don't do well for first time dog owners.<br /> However with most "Pit Bulls" out there being complete mutts it is hard to tell what you are actually getting and if it will actually make a good first timer dog, working dog, or companion dog.<br /> <br /> In the end a dog is a dog is a dog. A dog will do what dogs have been doing for millions of years and that is biting/attacking other animals and people. There are ancient paintings and I even saw once a cave painting of a dog biting a person. Every dog is a snowflake, all have the same basic make up but each is different. (Snowflakes are all made of frozen water and start from 2 frozen drops getting stuck together but all turn out different)
A breed may have a history of being used for dog fighting, but breeding them with good-natured dogs can lead to a calm personality. Saint Bernards, for example, were bred with other good-natured and calm dogs to curb their aggressive behaviors so as to be less territorial and to help them become better search and rescue dogs. If we do this with pitbulls, there will be no reason for there to be laws against having them walk around without a muzzle or having a pit not be neutered/spayed. Of course, I agree with the original poster, that in the wrong hands, they can become aggressive. But then again, any dog of any breed can. I had a golden retriever once. She was the sweetest dog anyone could have ever asked for, but of course, the breed was bred to be people-oriented and friendly around other dogs, so this was to be expected. Naturally, I trusted her around everyone. But there was this one dog that lived in our neighborhood, a mutt named Bitely. He used to get out a lot, and we would keep my golden inside because she wasn't spayed, and Bitely wasn't neutered. Well, one day he got out while we had my golden outside and he bit me just inches away from my eye. What did my dog do? She attacked him. Chased him half a mile away from our house. Any dog can lash out at any time. it doesn't matter if the dog was meant to be aggressive, because any supposedly aggressive dog can be a total sweetheart, and any supposedly relaxed and calm dog can lash out when in a stressed situation. It depends on the dog; each dog is born with a different personality, just as people are.
Hey all let me start off with my opinions are based off of what I have personally experienced. APBT are terriers so the most important thing (as with all terriers) is to train them young. It is also better if you can spend major amounts of time with the young APBT socializing them with other dogs of all breeds and with people as well. This takes care of most of the aggressive issues BUT all dogs are individual and some dogs are just naturally aggressive. Notice I said all dogs not just APBTs. The thing I have noticed is that all terrier breeds are exceptionally hard to "rehome" because if they have not grown up in the family learning the rules they are more resistant to letting go of previous ways of doing things. Think of them like your hard headed grandpa who has to live with you after living with his own rules for 70 yrs. That said most of the issues I have heard of I would firmly put in the hands of the owners of APBTs. These dogs like all terriers have very strong leadership tendencies and if they feel that their owner doesn't set down firm and CONSISTANT rules about what is ok then they are more likely to decide they get to make the rules. I think that as an owner if you have any kind of aggressive dog you CANNOT control with a leash or voice you need to muzzle them if they are going near other people but again that is true of any dog. If a dog is not raised to be tolerant of other dogs/animals they will likely be aggressive so like I was saying earlier early socialization is majorly important. <br /> I think that where APBTs get into trouble is that as a bigger breed in the terrier family people (owners) are more likely to be afraid of them if something goes wrong (and it will it is a fact of dog ownership) and the dog is sensitive to that. The most important lesson I think is to define appropriate prey and inappropriate prey (squirrels vs the family cat) but energetic dog breeds (most of them) can be destructive if they don't get enough exercise.<br /> I firmly believe that a well socialized and trained dog is safe to leave at your house alone with appropriate dog proofing. With that said I have always had guard dogs and therefore crating was not the best option for my family. Yes it requires a bit more time spent training your dog but I my family has never crated our dogs.
I believe that some Pit Bulls can be agressive but it depends on how the owner looks after them. Some Pit Bulls can be nice, loving dogs but it depends on the owner.
No one's saying they're vicious. Fighting dogs are not vicious dogs, not at all.<br /> <br /> In fact fighting dogs are characteristically good with people and friendly towards strangers. <br /> <br /> Keep in mind the standard of the breed's temperament (UKC) was developed from fighting dogs.<br /> <br /> <br /> Oh and here.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://alacritysim-wiki.wikispaces.com/html">How to link</a>
I posted thoughts on how foolish it is to believe a dog is vicious just because of the breed, but question, how do you insert links under words?
Just wanted to share some pictures and comparison pictures of different styles of the breed.<br /> Gamebred <br /> <a href="http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.com/pictures/176780.jpg">GR CH Gate Crasher (aka Angus)</a><br /> <a href="http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.com/pictures/26.gif">CH Garner's Chinaman (4XW) ROM</a><br /> <a href="http://www.stillwaterkennels.com/-%20New%20Folder%20%282%29/Customer%20Pics/MartysLilBitVelcro.jpg">Game-Dog's Lil' Bit</a><br /> More towards show and working, structure and health.<br /> <a href="http://www.caragankennel.com/images/jse_Enforcer_217.jpg">Caragan's The Hit Is On at 10 months</a><br /> <a href="http://www.caragankennel.com/images/magnumjune28_05_24.jpg">UWPO UWPV UWPCH GRAND CHAMPION/ADBA CHAMPION<br /> 'PR' Caragan's Steel Magnum of Contreras </a><br /> <a href="http://matrixkennels.com/lilly-front2.jpg">GR CH UWP 'PR' MATRIX'S Lil Red Pill o WhizBang CGC DNA-VIP</a><br /> <a href="http://matrixkennels.com/000morphegreat.jpg">URO1 UWPCHX UWPO UACH UCD CH 'PR' Matrix's Morpheus Finds the One NAC CGC (UKC superdog)</a><br /> <a href="http://www.nevadakennels.com/sitebuilder/images/petey9-20-09-397x399.jpg">UWPO UGWPCH GRCH'PR' Calderon's<br /> Ravenloft Lil Rascal TT PennHip OFA<br /> "Petey"</a><br /> <br /> <br /> The Gamebred dogs are the look the ADBA wants, and they also want them to be in good shape (conditioned) like in the pictures during shows. <br /> <br /> The other dogs are more UKC style, UKC prefers some chubs on the dogs.
ok im gonna be honest, idk how people like Micheal Vick is! XD i feel ashamed, and it takes me a while to figure out what your codes mean. i was staring at APBT for five minutes thinking A Pit Bulll.......T??? Back to the actual debate at hand (my mind is So bleh today) i Love that sentence "there currently in homes and working as therapy dogs". i gotta go! for the day, we'll pick this up tomorrow.

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