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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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That was just one scenario, Clay. My point being that you don't have enough information to draw any conclusions about that situation.
[Not sure if edit works properly let so..]<br /> EDIT: The fence between their garage and shed in the alley was shorter then the one at the front and sides soooo, I guess if he really wanted to walk all the way around the block and into the alley to torment this dog he could.
Nathaniel, by the way the house and yard was set up, there was no way the mailman could torment the dog unless he hopped on something and stuck his head over the wooden fence.<br /> They have one of those thick, tall wooden fences and the yard is far back behind the house.
I own a pitbull myself - and I have never had ANY problems with her... She's the friendliest dog I have ever owned and there is no dog that enjoys cuddles as much as a pittie. :3 <br><br><br /> 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><br> I basically think it depends on breeding, but more importantly how you raise these dogs. (Cali is extremely docile by nature and has never challenged us in any way... So maybe I'm biased because we were blessed with a miraculously well behaved puppy), but overall I really think it depends on how these dogs are raised. <br><br> Every dog owner I know who is actually RESPONSIBLE, and trains their dogs doesn't have problems with them, which in turn just confirms what I believe - it's usually the trainer. :)
<i>My neighbours owned a pit named Penny. She was extremely friendly and I would go play with her in their yard. One day she got out, attacked a mailman and I never saw her again. :X</i><br /> <br /> I had a Rottie/Chow mutt growing up named Blackjack. He wasn't very friendly, but never actually attacked anyone...until one day, he bit a kid from down the street so badly the kid had to have numerous stitches. My dad had left him in the yard like he always did while he was in the garage working, and he bit the little boy through the fence. He was put down. We found out later the kid had been torturing him every day for about 3 weeks with long sticks and rocks before that happened. My dad wasn't always the most alert fellow when working on his car, so he never actually saw it.<br /> <br /> There can be more to a story than you realize.
My neighbours owned a pit named Penny. She was extremely friendly and I would go play with her in their yard. One day she got out, attacked a mailman and I never saw her again. :X
I have loved pits all my life. Though I have never personally owned one I have grown up with them. I remember back when I was in kindergarden our next door neighbor owned a pit named Kia. She was an absolute sweetheart. My little sister would step on her tail from time to time and she would have no hard feelings. <br /> <br /> I agree that it depends on who is handling the dog. Pits put in the wrong hands can be a serious danger to society. People and dogs. But if trained properly they are AMAZING animals. Smart, and beautiful too.<br /> <br /> I say just so long as you have done some research on the breed and have dealt with them befour than you are fine to get one.
Just about any animal can become human aggressive in the wrong hands.<br /><br /><br /><br />Pits are bred specifically <i>not</i> to be human aggressive, but it obviously does happen. This is frequently due to a combination of abuse and horrible backyard breeding.<br /><br /><br /><br />I've never been bitten by a pit, or even had one act aggressively toward me, even though I tend to exhibit fear around dogs. This is because I was attacked by a GSD when I was four, and bitten in the face by various small breeds that were treated like human children instead of dogs.<br /><br /><br /><br />disclaimer: Despite a GSD thinking my left kidney would taste awesome, I still think they're great dogs. Aggression isn't the norm for them, same as pits.<br /><br /><br /><br />Also, many dogs cited in the media as being pit bulls are -not-. Ugh.<br /><br />http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html
☣Клейтон☣, huskies were pit against each other by mushers to see who had the meanest/strongest dog. It DID happen.<br />And also, there are non-breed specific dog fighting rings out there that'll use whatever dog that's viscious enough to fight.

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