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

Generally it's not that they trained the dog to attack. Most of the time it's a lack of proper care/stimulation a dog needs. Also mental issues can lead to bites, and bad breeding. A lot of people deny it, but the parent does pass on its temperament to the puppies. If you breed a dog with a unsound temperament, the puppies have a high likelyhood of being unsound.<br /> <br /> Take the dog aggression in the breed for example. For years dog aggression has been encouraged in the breed in the world of dog fighting. People say they "Train" them to fight, they don't they just encourage the aggressive behaviors.<br /> <br /> A dog that is genetically dog aggressive generally does not show signs until they mature. They are often dog friendly during puppyhood then become dog aggressive around 1-3 years of age.<br /> <br /> They don't always become aggressive either, a lot of them just have low tolerance levels to other dogs. <br /> <br /> There are different levels to dog aggression, and it's more complex than people make it out to be. It isn't just black and white (50/50)
I definitly support this concept! Pits have the same aggression/bite statistics as any other dog that size and circumstances. PEOPLE trained them to attack, not the dogs themsleves, so why do people blame the breed?
I've had JRTs my whole life, and spayed females have a tendency to become dog aggressive as they age, but a lower protein diet can help counter that. I've heard this also is true with other breeds, so watching protein intake is a wise move.<br /> <br /> On the subject of aggressive breeds: The dog with the Highest human bite rate is the Beagle. (last time I checked) and spaniels can be very human aggressive as well.
Keeta, it's good that you control that. And I agree there are aggressive dogs that are that way through genetics. But in the end it's all up to the owner. Even if the dog would kill any other person on a sight, a responsible owner can control their dog.<br /> <br /> Also dog aggression is more common in terrier breeds, partially due to their high prey drive.
my pitbull Justice,who just got fixed a few weeks ago, is very sweet and lazy dog. Even before he was fixed. He loved everything even cats.he never chased one in his life.and when my mother bred him, she stoped breeding pits now since everyone is breeding them, he had the sweetest pups. One was named max and he was my buddy.He was pretty big dog and he was so sweet and lazy.just like his father.With both of them.we could do anything to them. dress them up, mess with them, tease them. and all they did was lick us to death.they were both big babys and never showed no sign of aggerison to us.
One of my Favorite Pit stories: I have quite possibly the smallest JRT ever. she is terrified of other dogs, and can be very dog aggressive toward them. on one of our daily walks, a big pit female ran up to us. (I of course picked my JRT up so as to prevent her from picking a fight) This Pitty sniffed her once, saw she was being aggressive, and stood just far enough to stay away from us. she was the most well behaved dog I've yet to encounter on my walks!<br /> (Before anyone assumes anything about my JRT, she's been raised in a multi-dog home w/ plenty of socialization, treated properly and well trained. she's just a grouch butt)<br /> What I'm getting at is that no dog has some predetermined personality based on breed, and yes- some dogs can be aggressive. But, with a good owner, harm can be avoided.
Well the thing people always forget....Dog aggression and human aggression are two entirely different things.<br /> <br /> Many famous dog fighters had their dogs around there children and the dogs loved them. Yet they'd fight another dog to the death on site.<br /> <br /> One of the reasons for human aggressive dogs is bad breeding. People don't realize how much of the parents go into the puppies.
I don't think that if a random pit bull sees you that it will run after you and snap your neck in half just because it's a "evil" dog. Any dog that is not trained (Or is trained in the wrong way) can be aggressive, even popular dogs like labs and golden retrievers. Pit bulls might have been originally bred for fighting but that doesn't mean that they all are hunting you down and that we should avoid all of them.
"This being said, she does exhibit aggression towards other dogs, partially (if not entirely) because she was brutally attacked by a GSD when she was a puppy... Before then she was fine.."<br /> <br /> The thing with dogs who have genetic behaviors such as dog aggression. Is often times it will not show until they mature. They can be very dog friendly throughout their puppyhood but become dog aggressive around the maturing age. And a responsible owner of the APBT prepares for that. <br /> <br /> Dogs tolerance levels tend to change as they mature it may lower, or become high, or even go lower again. <br /> <br /> I never really realized this until speaking with several behaviorists. And after they pointed it out I noticed it in my own dog. (Who is a German Shepherd/Labrador Retriever mix)<br /> He is not dog aggressive, but he has low tolerance towards rude dogs. There were times when he'd tolerate it, and now that he's maturing. (Turning two in a few months) The tolerance has lowered.<br /> <br /> <br /> (I am not doubting what you said, it just kind of made me think of this.)
What I know about it is what I told you. Dog raced out front door and bit the mailman. I saw it happening.

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