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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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@Veltress, <br /><br />Actually not all dogs can be used for fighting. They are like other dogs yes, but each breed has their differences. "Q. Can All dogs Be Trained to Fight? " <br /><br /><a href="http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/dog-fighting-faq.aspx">"No. Much like herding dogs, trailing dogs and other breeds selected for particular roles, fighting dogs are born ready for the training that will prepare them to succeed in the pit, and are bred to have a high degree of dog aggression. "</a><br /><br /><br />Larthan I agree that the aggression spreads to animals in general. It is a terrier trait, and educated terrier owner would know that. And considering when a fighting dog is being raised and conditioned for fighting. They are often tied to jennys with a small animal (sometimes cats) in a cage in front of them. They chase it in circles and are allowed to kill it as a reward.<br /><br /><br />It is irresponsible for a APBT owner to expect their dog to get along with every dog (Dog agressive or not, and this goes for all dog owners).<br /><br />No I do not think they should be muzzled, an educated APBT owner knows that dog parks or areas with unleashed/uncontrolled dogs is not a place for the breed.<br /><br />However a APBT with a proper temperament would love to be in a place filled with people. :)
Not really trying to enter the debate or take sides. I just think of pit bulls like any other dog. ALL breeds have past, and can be aggressive towards other animals or people. Any dog can and will be used in the fighting ring, pit bulls are just the most popular in America, followed by rotties and GSD.<br /><br />Also I just wanted to single this out:<br /><i>The reason I compared the dog to a horse is the fact that both have the power to kill, and neither one has been bred to kill people.<br />Yes but we're talking about APBT killing/fighting other dogs right now.</i><br />Actually if you like I can dig up articles, photos and videos of horse fighting. Yes, they do fight horses in rings, sometimes to the death. Its quite popular in some areas in Asia at this moment. Therefore, comparing pitbulls to horses is indeed relevant to this debate.
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dog_fighting_breeds">List link</a><br /><br />So what about boxers, then?<br><br><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard_dog#List_of_breeds_commonly_used_as_guard_dogs">Another list link</a><br><br>And what about guard dogs? Some of those breeds were purposefully bred to be at least stranger-reactive, if not human aggressive. Should they need muzzles as well? What if a child runs up to them? Shouldn't they have a muzzle to prevent biting?<br><br>I think a responsible pit owner does not automatically become irresponsible for not muzzling their dog just because of a possibility of aggression...a possibility which you have no idea about. They've lived with the dog for potentially its entire life; you just saw them walking the dog. Yet you have the right to tell them they cannot walk their dogs without a muzzle or they're irresponsible? That makes no sense to me. :/<br><br>Edits to fix my lazy html.
Kuro, not once have I ever heard of a husky-fighting ring<br />Where two huskies are put into a pit and forced to kill eachother
My dad owns a pit named Duchess, she is the sweetest dog you could ever hope to meet. My neices have ridden her around the house, they get on her back and hold onto her collar, she sits down when she wants them off. My sons when they where younger pulled on just about everything they could reach on her, the big lips, her ears, her tail. and she would lick them to get them to stop. Pits arnt bad dogs, there are NO bad dogs, just bad owners in my opinion. Duchess is well trained in German, she doesnt understand Sit and Lay down in english its Zebom and Ince. She does have a protect comand witch in case there is a break in, once said she will do her job as the gard dog she is.
Actually, huskies HAVE been used for fighting in the past, and are still used for it today. It shouldn't surprise anyone, since they're tenacious fighters when challenged by another dog. They also have a VERY high tendency to fight for alpha positions, and will tear another dog to shreds. Mushers up north have seen this happen; a pack of huskies will rip apart a dog they see as weak, especially to take his position. So they're certainly dog aggressive, something that is well-known, but they've been known to sometimes (more often than people seem to think) attack and kill people too. They've evolved through a harsh past.
<b>but.. why limit it to dogs who're known for fighting?</b><br>I think any aggressive dog should be muzzled when around other dogs, but when you take a breed that <i>[if in a fight]</i> will bite, grab on and hold until it dies.. it's just not worth the chance. Most people don't even know what a breakstick is <i>[hell, some people think they're used only by dogfighters!]</i><br />A German Shepherd is a lot easier to pull off another dog then an APBT. There is a reason why breaksticks go hand-in-hand with the APBT and not GSDs or Huskies ;)<br /><br><b>I mean, if it comes down to it, huskies and GSDs were known for fighting. Shouldn't they need to be muzzled too?</b><br>..Wha? Huskies and GSDs aren't fighting breeds.<br><b>Labs are notorious for causing problems at dog parks and on walks. Shouldn't they be required to wear a muzzle?</b><br>If a lab is dog-aggressive, I fully support muzzling it in public. If anybody has a dog that is dog-aggressive, it should be muzzled.<br><b>The reason I compared the dog to a horse is the fact that both have the power to kill, and neither one has been bred to kill people.</b><br>Yes but we're talking about APBT killing/fighting other dogs right now.
Кле, I fully understand your suggestion for muzzling these dogs, but.. why limit it to dogs who're known for fighting? I mean, if it comes down to it, huskies and GSDs were known for fighting. Shouldn't they need to be muzzled too? Labs are notorious for causing problems at dog parks and on walks. Shouldn't they be required to wear a muzzle?<br /><br />To be honest, if you can't control the dog, including having it on a leash and keeping it from causing problems with other dogs/animals, then you shouldn't have the dog. It irks me that people who obviously cannot control an animal feel they have the right to own one just to make themselves look cool.<br /><br />The reason I compared the dog to a horse is the fact that both have the power to kill, and neither one has been bred to kill people. The fact is that sometimes, it does happen, but not as often as the media wants us to think, in the case of the Pit Bull.<br /><br />My point is also that Pits are not just dog-aggressive, but animal-aggressive over all, which is a trait I find a whole heck of a lot of with any breed that's a terrier or derived from the terrier group. It's the way they are, and thus Pits should not be singled out among these, and the full extent of these traits being forced upon their shoulders alone.<br /><br />I want people to realize that Pits are a terrier. They are going to have terrier traits, and if you can't handle a terrier, you shouldn't own this breed, just like you shouldn't own a Jack Russell.
As far as being around other dogs, it's best to keep meetings small so that if a fight does break out it can be easy to separate.<br /><br />APBT owners should carry break sticks with them. They have bulldog blood, bulldogs are known for their grip. Coupled with the shaking of the terrier and their long history of being bred for being the top fighter. These dogs are going to do a lot of damage in a dog fight.<br /><br /><br />Oh and I fully support the breed, I adore them.
I have been doing a lot of research on American Pit bull Terriers and have found a lot of myths and how ignorant people can be.<br /><br />In the right hands they are amazing dogs, very human tolerant, confident, tenacious, they excel in every sport. (I know a APBT titled in herding)<br /><br />It's all about being responsible for your dog. You can have an extremely dog aggressive dog, but that dog will not cause any trouble if you keep it under control.<br /><br /> Also, APBTs are some of the most over populated dogs, and are often sold for free in front of stores making it easier for irresponsible owners to obtain them. <br /><br /> Here's a great site to identify them/know how they should look.<br /><br />http://www.apbtconformation.com/head.htm<br /><br /> One thing I noticed is a lot of pit bull attacks are not from American Pit Bull Terriers. Yes "pit bull" is not a breed but a group which the APBT is put into but they are the ones who get the bad name out of it all.<br /><br />Bad breeding is another issue, temperament and behavior is partly genetic. which is how dog aggression was brought into the breed, but people have been breeding unstable dogs.

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