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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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Well, technically that isn't their background. ;) That's current days. I was speaking of the breed's origin which is dog fighting. Back then when the breed was first established they weren't even allowed to be registered as APBTs unless they won a certain number of fights. (But the UKC is against dog fighting now)<br /> <br /> Just look at the Michael Vick dogs, many of them have been fought. They're currently in homes and therapy dogs.<br /> <br /> Their dog fighting history doesn't make them bad at all, in fact it's what made them such hardy, versatile dogs.
yes i got one right! why didn't you include that in your first 'pit bull background' post? hahahah. im just really glad i got that epiphany. hmm...i don't think that's the word.... but yah i was like, ok i have to admit,,, a pit bull as a herding dog?? *shakes head* hmm..... but theres something im forgetting! ANYWAYS. i think what a lot of people are saying is (i hate to speak for everyone and please don't be offended if i step on your toes) but a pit bull has the ability to be a Lovely dog with propper training and a mess of problems with an ignorant trainer. i approve that thesis statement.
Yes, today they are in fact bred as working dogs. The most titled working dog of any breed is Bandog Dread<br /> <br /> His titles include.<br /> SchH III, IPO III, WDS, WH, CD, TD, U-CDX, Ch, STD-d, STD-s<br /> <br /> But in the past, before Schutzhund is what it is now. (Used to be more strict to breeds bred for it.) <br /> <br /> And now working sports are becoming very popular, giving them the opportunity to show their working capability.<br /> <br /> But back when the breed was founded they didn't have those options, and a lot of people found blood sports entertaining. Later on there were more shows and they started show lines as well. (Although many fighting APBTs with pit wins are conformation (show) champions and grand champions as well. I could show you some of the dogs that produced many of the founding dogs to this breed. Such as Colby's Pincher, I've seen him in a lot of pedigrees.<br /> <br /> Colby is a very old line, over 100 years old.<br /> http://www.colbypitbull.com/<br /> <br /> Also, fighting lines have produced great working dogs... After all the sport had them bred for stamina, intelligence (also called "pit smarts"), sound body, gameness(Going to the end), and drive. <br /> <br /> Which are qualities looked for in a working dog, confidence as well.<br /> <br /> :)
it comforts me to know that they are youre favorite breed. and im actually really impressed how Hard you work on your supper long posts. im gonna go forest gump on you, and say i think it's a little of both. maybe it's something that only people can opinionize over. maybe im just in denial and im Tooo headstrong and stuborn to consider that they were bred for fighting. but frankly the possibility they were bred for working dogs seems so much more pleasing.
ok Wait! it totally Hit me! i was thinking and thinking because something wasn't Right, and then i realized, they're Working Dogs! not herding, not fighting, but Working! it fits So much better!!!!!
You totally misread my post. Please don't jump to irrational conclusions.<br /> <br /> I /never/ said they have lock jaw, I even posted in my APBT support thread where I talked about that myth.<br /> <br /> They do in fact have a bite and hold style, all bulldogs do. And terriers shake. They are created from bulldog and terrier mixes.<br /> <br /> And considering I've been researching this breed for years, and have worked with hundreds of them. I have nothing against the breed, they are in fact my favorite breed and breed of choice.<br /> <br /> Implying that I said they were bad dogs is extremely insulting.<br /> <br /> Fighting dogs /are/ tame and gentle dogs. Many fighting bred dogs could be walked down a busy street with other dogs and not react.<br /> <br /> Also, yes, if their ancestors, the building blocks of the breed (As in ancestors I mean APBT, not the mixes put into make them.) were bred for fighting, that makes them bred for fighting.<br /> <br /> Are they bred for fighting now? No, they're bred for show, work, sports, and bred by backyard breeders for a quick buck too.<br /> Well, in the US anyway, dog fighting is legal in some places, so I'd be lying if I said no APBT on earth is being bred for fighting right now. <br /> <br /> And no, bulldogs do not have a herding muzzle. There is no such thing as a herding muzzle. As herding does not require any biting.<br /> <br /> Bulldogs, were bred for blood sports like bull baiting, bear, dog fighting, big game hunting like boars.<br /> <br /> Or "butchers dogs" who'd protect the meet or help subdue the animals. <br /> <br /> American Pit Bull Terriers are amazing dogs, versatile, confident, zest for life, powerful, agile, eager to please, human friendly, horrible guard dogs.<br /> <br /> However dog aggression/animal aggression, isn't out of characteristic for the breed. It's not considered a fault in the show ring, while human aggression is a disqualification. <br /> <br /> If the owner expects their dog to get along with every dog, and isn't prepared to deal with a dog aggressive dog, then goes out and gets an APBT, he is ignorant, irresponsible, and dangerous.<br /> <br /> I am not saying all APBTs are animal or dog aggressive, but it is accepted in the breed and they have a higher likelihood of being DA.<br /> <br /> Just like a retriever retrieves, a Border collie herds, a Greyhound is generally animal aggressive and will hunt down and kill small animals like rabbits.<br /> <br /> <br /> Here, take it from the standard if not me.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.apbtconformation.com/temperament.htm"> DOG toward DOG aggression IS a characteristic of most terriers, including the APBT.<br /> </a><br /> <br /> (I did not capitalize, it's quoted from the link.) <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.apbt.info/tiki-index.php?page=History+of+the+APBT">Contains the official origin of the APBT</a><br /> <br /> <br />
and to be quite frank, what does it matter if theyre ancestors fought or were bred to fought??? the truth is, now, with propper training, just like a lot of other breeds, they can be as gentle and well mannered as a kitten. but with an ignorant owner, any breed can come out like a monster. it sounds like youre saying just because their ancestors fought then, means they can never be nice tame dogs.
just because the ancestors were forced to fight does not mean they were bred to fight theres no way you can prove that
they have Superb fighting ability sure, and just because each "champion show dog" has ancestors who fought, doesn't mean it was bred to fight, theres a possibility that it means some 'you know what' got his hands on a strong breed and made it fight till it died
excuse me, but that is such Bull. pit bulls do not have lock jaw, pit bulls are not animal agressive, and did you know bull dogs were bred to have that certain muzzle for herding i forget what, but you say just because they're stronger, there's no way they could have ever been any type of herder! that's out rageous!

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