Loading, please wait...

is trying to private chat with you.

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.

Replies

+ New Reply

"Conclusion?<br /> Dangerous when handled incorrectly. They should never be let off leash at a park around people and especially around other dogs... regardless if s/he is you "smooshy-face.""<br /> <br /> I do agree, even small breeds can be dangerous in the wrong hands. A Lowes employee recently had a Shih-Tzu attack her and nearly took her nose off, for a dog of that size it was surprising. (Not that the dog attacked, obviously the owner would know if the dog has a history of showing signs of aggression, the damage was surprising.)<br /> <br /> I personally feel that all dogs should be kept on leash in public, even if your dog is nice and friendly in your eyes another person's dog may not appriceate another dog. <br /> <br /> The only time I let my dog off leash is in a secured fenced area, or if we're camping where no people are near. And still I make sure he doesn't wonder off far.<br /> <br /> APBTs weren't really trained to obey during a fight, they really weren't trained at all. Dog fighters encourage aggressive behaviors from a young age, they don't train the dogs.<br /> <br /> However handlers handled these dogs when they were in extreme pain and most didn't redirect and bite their handlers. In a dog fight, it's safest to grip the APBT, but you should still be cautious and avoid placing a hand where it could be bitten.<br /> <br /> Break sticks are something a APBT owner should invest in too. It could save your butt.
While yes, Rottweilers have increasingly strong bites... they were bred to <i>listen</i> to people. A butcher couldn't have his dog wandering, stealing meat, or herding the livestock away from town-- could he? Pit Bulls (which is not a breed, by the way-- it covers <i>all</i> bully-types) were bred to fight other canines; yet still listen to their masters. That was and is a very thin line that gets crossed... the animals today, when in the wrong hands, are unruly beasts. <br /> <br /> But, you know, Chihuahuas are nasty creatures when handled incorrectly, too. Though when <i>they</i> bite, when <i>they</i> jump, when <i>they</i> threaten it is seen as "cute."<br /> There is a breed for everybody-- it just happens the Pit Bulls need that special somebody.<br /> <br /> Sooner or later the target will change. Not long ago it was German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, Mastiffs, etc, that gangs and such would swarm.<br /> <br /> Conclusion?<br /> Dangerous when handled incorrectly. They should never be let off leash at a park around people and <b>especially</b> around other dogs... regardless if s/he is you "smooshy-face."<br /> <br /> <br /> <b>-Artex</b>
Haha, yeah Rottweilers do have stronger bites. ;)<br /> <br /> National Geographic tested a APBT and a Rottweiler.<br /> <br /> Rottweiler: 338<br /> American Pit bull Terrier: 235<br /> <br /> <br /> Actually the German Shepherd came out to have two more lbs of pressure than the APBT. :P
Yep! ;)<br>& you can really see it on a Hyena skull too: <a href=http://www.educationalbiofacts.com/images/CA-26418-Brown-Hyena-skull.jpg rel=nofollow>[LINK]</a>
Kne, interesting to look at those skulls. If you notice, the round part where the jaw muscle goes through is bigger on the Rottie, and the jawbone itself is stronger too, meaning the Rottweiler actually has a stronger bite than a pit. :P
My dads dog Duchess attacked Marcus to the ground the other day, shes a pit, it was so bad he was laughing so loud, she wouldn't stop licking him...dang dog went licking crazy...<br /> <br /> *if ya cant tell, the attacked Marcus part was sarcastic*
I've noticed a lot of the times, the dogs that bite or attack other dogs are the ones owned by guys who bought them as status symbols. They don't know a single thing about dog socialization so they just stroll around with their pit dragging on the leash and never ever visit dog parks.<br><br>& the "lock-jaw" thing is a huge myth. Pitbulls jaws are built no different then any other breed. Pitbulls are a tenacious breed and were bred to bite and hold on - and that's exactly what they do.<br><br>This is also pretty interesting. Check this out: <a href=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PGvSoaafXiI/SbgtKEIOXXI/AAAAAAAAFqA/kgbpiWYIF7A/s400/pitbull-skull-boneclone.jpg rel=nofollow>Pitbull Skull</a><br><a href=http://cdn.pedigreedatabase.com/userfiles/rottweiler.jpg rel=nofollow>Rottweiler Skull</a><br>Looks similar, right? Well how come the Rottweiler doesn't have a "lock-jaw"? What makes a pitbulls jaw "lock"? :P
"<br /> It's natural for a Pit Bull to snap. Over time their skulls harden and makes them snap because they don't know not too."<br /> <br /> This is a HUGE myth. I'm sorry if I sound rude, but you should do more research behind the breed. Become educated before spreading harmful myths. I'd recommend pit bull rescue central.<br /> NO dog snaps, that is a huge myth too. The only time a dog would "snap" is due to mental issues, and they are not prone to any. No, their skulls do not harden, nothing about their head changes other than they grow and mature like other dogs.<br /> <br /> Also 'pit bull" is not a breed, it's a generalized term that lumps several breeds.<br /> <br /> "I don't think the breed should die or anything but buyers should beware. My town has actually banned Pit Bulls because we used to have tons of them that went bad. And yes, most of them had been trained just like any dog."<br /> <br /> Actually no most are not. The people just say that because they don't know anything about dogs.<br /> <br /> Bully breeds and terriers have a higher tendency to become dog aggressive, and genetic dog aggression generally does not show until they mature. The dogs start to become DOG aggressive and irrational people go "Oh that dog is aggressive! It snapped! Kill it!" It's because they're ignorant. Any educated dog owner would know to expect that from the breed.<br /> <br /> Dog aggression does NOT translate over to Human aggression. And human aggression is not a characteristic of the breed.<br /> <br /> Oh and the reason why you see more "pit bull " attacks on the news...Read this.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2010/08/20/if-it-bites-it-must-be-a-pit-bull-right/ ">Article: If it bites it must be a pit bull right?</a>
I've had bad experiences with Pit Bulls so I always keep my distance from them. <br /> <br /> It's natural for a Pit Bull to snap. Over time their skulls harden and makes them snap because they don't know not too.<br /> <br /> I don't think the breed should die or anything but buyers should beware. My town has actually banned Pit Bulls because we used to have tons of them that went bad. And yes, most of them had been trained just like any dog.
I love Pit bulls!! They are just misunderstood

Login

Username:
Password:
Signup
Username: *
Password:
confirm:
Email:
Birthday:
Referrer:
  • = required field
  • two accounts per person
  • email verification necessary
  • the secret question is in case you forget your username or need to reset your email address