the pitbull...

Some of you here are very uneducated, and some, just plain outright nasty. If you want to know your facts, listen to me.

American pit bull terriers are generally wonderful family dogs. Want to know the real culprits? Backyard breeders, puppy mills, and irresponsible owners. A backyard breeder or puppy mill does not care to temperment test their dog. Dogs MUST be compatible to be bred, and they must have the good characteristics of the breed. BYB's and puppy mills don't care. Irresponsible owners may encourage aggressive behaviour by fighting their dogs, not socialising their dogs properly, or even something as innocent as playing tug-of-war. These all encourage bad behaviour.

When you hear of a pit bull attack, you are not hearing about the good family terrier that it is supposed to be, because the dogs who attack are not good representatives of the breed.

There is NO SUCH THING AS LOCKJAW. There is NO SUCH THING AS THE BRAIN GROWING TOO LARGE THAT IT DRIVES THE DOG MAD. There is NO SUCH THING AS AN EXTRA ROW OF TEETH. There is NO SUCH THING AS A CHEMICAL THAT A PIT BULL IS BORN WITH THAT MAKES THEM INSANE. THEY ARE NOT BORN KILLERS.

WANT STATISTICS? American pit bull terriers are responsible for 1.88% of the registered bites in America. REGISTERED bites. Registered bites generally only include the most severe attacks. 1.88%. Want to know the highest up on the list? LABRADOR RETRIEVER. That's right. The #1 family dog. The most commonly owned and bred dog in the United States, Canada, and Great Britian. And they attacl the most. And it's not because of the breed, once again. It's because of bad breeder and irresponsible owners. And right after labradors comes GOLDEN RETRIEVERS, AMERICAN COCKER SPANIELS, and YORKSHIRE TERRIERS.

The media likes to zero in on all dog attacks and label them pit bull attacks. Because they know it's what the public wants to hear. Nobody wants to hear about a loving golden retriever mauling a baby to death. So let's say it was a pit bull, because that will maintain interest.

Pit bulls are most commonly approx 35 pounds. They are not huge, and those who breed them to be huge are irresponsible asses, because they should be breeding by the breed standard.

Pit bulls were originally bred to hold onto bulls. Hense the name, pit BULL. That is where the lockjaw myth comes from. All terriers hold on tight. Jack russell terriers, fox terriers, yorkshire terriers. All terriers. The reasoning is because they know that if they let go, they could die. If a pit bull let go of a bull, it could be trampled. If a yorkie let go of a rat, the rat could kill it (Trust me, I own rats. They have one nasty bite). And so they hold on tight. They don't have a "locking jaw." They have determination.

It is unfortunate that irresponsible owners and breeders, the media, uneducated people, and people who act as SHEEP following the herd, will continue to lead this amazing breed into the downspiral that it continues to fall into.

A pit bull bite is extremely rare. Don't be fooled.

 

ok i agree 100%

wow.. someone is full of facts here

I lurv you catahoula hahaha!!!!!!!

 

just saw the video.. *goosebumps*..

Ok.. bit of cultural lesson here:
Where I live, the pitbull is on a special list, together with other 'fighting breeds'. As soon as a dog like that makes the slightest mistake (like a scardy neighbour complaining because the dog barked at her 'viscously') it can be taken away and be put down without any further notice. The sick thing is, that it's enough for the dog to LOOK like a pitbull or one of the other breeds.. so like an crossbreed that just looks like them (wide jaw etc) is enough. There was a case in the news the other day from a family that was devistated by having their dog taken away.. it showed a picture of the son (young lad) with their dog.. perfectly happy normal family dog.

That being said.. a lot of dogs are very protective of their 'family'.. so yeah, a dog can bite someone when they think it's a threat to the rest. But I feel that pitbulls (and the statistics agree) aren't more inclined to do so than any other breed. Ofcourse they'll make more damage than a jack russel, but that's just because their big. Just like any other big strong dog. My parents have a dackshund (the sausage with legs kind) and the nasty critter bit both of my parents, a neighbour (she had to get stitches) and the postmen.. and he's the sweetest cutest thing normally. He's just very protective, plus my parents didn't really learn him to listen so that sucks.. but it's just an example.. small dogs, big dogs.. all the same.

Don't know if this has come up in this thread already.. but what do you think should be done with ex-fighting dogs? I don't think they can ever be normal social dogs again.. just too dangerous. Does anyone know if there is some sort of 'home' for them? I know they are mostly put to death but a home would be nice.. big field of grass to run on, lots of toys and a big chunk of meat every now and then.

 

Myranya,
If any dog attacks, gouge the eyes, the ears. If you have a pen, keys, etc, use them on those soft tissue areas. It's harsh, it's ugly, it will probably damage the dog, but you are under attack and there is only one rule in a case like this - win.

As far as making someone leash their dog in a leash area? Well, if they don't already have the dog on a leash, it's a pretty safe bet they aren't going to listen to or care about what you have to say. Again, we're back to bad owners.

I would start carrying a spray bottle filled with undiluted ammonia to discourage an "escort". A squirt in the face and buh-bye puppy. Again harsh and ugly, but... I'd hold off until the dog gets near, though. It may just be running along with you. Sometimes innocence can look deceiving.

 

Lots of ex-fighting dogs are rehomed without any problems. Believe it or not, most fighting dogs aren't kept in kennels all day and starved -- they are kept as family dogs. That is how it was back in the old days as well. However, while there is alot of consideration taken into the dogs being socialised with people, the dogs are strictly kept away from other dogs until they are older, and by then they are very aggressive towards other dogs. Of course, alot of times it doesn't matter if the dogs were kept as family dogs. Encouraging aggression in any form, whether it be dog, food, or people, does give the dog more of a chance to be aggressive in other ways. I believe it is best to put an ex-fighter in a home that is experienced with dogs, and has work hours that correspond well with an ex-fighter's need to be walked ONLY at night or early morning when there are not many other dogs around. I also believe the home should not have children -- the more aggressive the dog, the more likely the dog will percieve something closer to it's height and/or level on the hierarchy as a threat. The owners would need to be very firm, consistent, and always rise to a challenge. A dog that thinks it's alpha is a dangerous thing. The owner should always be alpha; leader of the pack. And because the dog would probably have alot of frustration after such a change of environments, I would suggest lots of strong chew toys, and lots of physical and mental stimulation. Not to mention this new home would definatly have to alter the dog. Less hormones raging through that body means less sexual frustration, and a cutback of dog aggression. Ex-fighters can make great pets -- but, just like regular every-day dogs -- a great pet depends on it's owner. They don't come trained, they don't come well-behaved, and they don't come perfect. It's up to the owner to mold the dog's potential into something real.

 

hyperspace: that's a beautiful pup you've got there.. and Nova sends kisses your way (and you too Abyle)

 

Well said Catahoula !

 

Thanks, those who gave me advice on what to do if a dog does attack... I've asked many times before and usually all I'll get is 'stop worrying, it won't happen'. Well, I hope it won't but I still feel better knowing what to do... there are a *lot* of bad owners here

Luvndrumn, yes, many times a dog is just trying to be friendly when they come running along my bicycle or -when walking- jump up against me... I do realise that, fortunately, for if I was so scared I saw it all as an attack I don't think I could use that bicycle track, there are so many dogs there, and there really isn't any alternative route... I still don't think it's right to be bothered like that on a public street, anywhere in public and especially not on one of the few stretches of roads where there is a leash law in effect... but indeed, there doesn't seem to be anything to be done And I'd be loathe to use anything on the dog unless it actually bit me, however much I hate these dogs I still like animals in general and I also still realise it's rarely their fault they behave like that... I'd like to use it on the owners but that'd get me charged with assault

Shadowd_dreamr, if your dog is truly well under control I don't mind if it's not leashed... although it often scares me when I just spot it, it's also easy to spot when a dog is really listening well. There's one huge hound, Sam, running around loose in that same area and I don't mind him at all; he never bothers or chases anyone and one tiny whistle of the owner and he's just there in a flash... He's a joy to watch even for me... the only problem is that the bad owners, those whose dogs do chase bicycles, jump up against people, and when called don't even flick an ear, will point at your dog, and Sam, and other dogs like them, and say 'everyone lets their dog run free, why should I leash mine'... but oh well, chances are they'd probably come up with some other lame excuse even if you didn't...

 

Here is my girl.She has her boots,saddle and mask.Father was a rednose and mother a brindle. Pitbulls are perhaps the best family dog one can own,I have been around them my whole life and will own no other breed of canine!!!!!!!!!!!! They are natural clowns,love life and people,just dont walk in my door or try and get in my truck if I am not around.

Here is my girl,never bit a person in her 12 years,only guilty of licking a many along her travels.

 

Really great pictures!^^^
I love the second one...sooooo cute.

 

That is S-O-O CUTE! The kid & the Cat!

 

She's beautiful ! <3

 

She's cute! I like her portly shape.

 

Wow. My eyes are full of tears and I am now going to give my dog, a Pittbull-X-Lab, a great big hug.

 

Talked today with a young lady who had a nice young brindel pup - cute as could be (and so was she). That puppy was so excited to have me talking to it - head a bobbing, tail wagging, eyes full of expectation. If the girl hadn't been holding the puppy, I would have given it the hand and then, if acceptable, a scratch. No killer there.

 

My friend has a pitbull named Otis. He's such a sweet guy - all he wants to do is nuzzle and play. He's got a big brown pach over one eye like Spanky. Isn't it ironic pit bull's resistance to pain is one of the things that makes them so good with kids?

An abused/poorly socialized miniature poodle is about ten times more likely to bite than a well socialized pit bull raised in a good home. So why aren't any states banning poodles?

 

They are buying into the media's stupid shit, that's why.

Pitbulls also make great service dogs, including the high pain tolerance factor. In fact, you are likely to find more pit bulls suited for service dog work in a group of 50 pit bulls than you would find in a group of 50 of say, labs.

What's sad is, lots of people are cheated out of the chance to have a great service dog because of the stigma that goes along with pit bulls. So many more people that need service dogs could have one instead of being on a long waiting list if pit bulls were accepted in the general public. But unfortunately, too many pitties who have great potential to be a service dog are passed over becuase of the stigma attached to them, because people are afraid that they will put all that work into training the dog and everything will work out great only to have the dog taken away simply because of it's breed. Not to mention access issues would be harder and they would be a target of discrimination a lot more.

 

Isn't an abused/poorly socialized dog of any breed about ten times more likely to bite than a well socialized dog of any breed?

And two, if a miniature poodle came at me I'd give it a good kick and maybe get a scratch, if a really strong and/or large dog came at me there'd be a much greater chance at serious injuries. Pet mice & gerbils often bite too but they aren't banned; lions & tigers are.

 

The TRUTH is that there are MANY more pit bull's being abused and inbred than any other breed. Check the news. Watch animal planet houston/detroit animal police. In a single pit bull fighting operation 63 pit bull's were seized.. ALL of which were WAGGING their tails at these cops they didn't know. Wagging their tails at the only species that has done them wrong all their lives. I've seen MANY other dogs that have been abused and they were all quick to launch at someone to bite their head off. Understandably so.. however.. Pit Bull's ARE less likely to bite than most breeds. They're 4th from the BOTTOM of the list of dogs that are likely to bite. German Shepherds, Cocker Spaniels, Poodles (i worked at a kennel and no other breed wanted a piece of me as badly as they did.. no clue why---the others were ankle biters), Rotties.. I could go on.

.. Oh and YES a breed that is abused is more likely to bite. That's a given. But that's not the point I'm making here. I'm saying you're more than likely going to come across the type of pit bull that wasn't bred for temperament but rather for the 'monster pit bull' LOOK... which can and does ruin the breed. Back yard breeders are really to blame for inbreeding and not breeding the dogs for correct temperament.

So all in all, the ONLY one's to blame for the "pit bull problem" are the lowest scum of the earth: PEOPLE.


Thank ya, I'm done now.

 

Oh and you can't compare lions and tigers with pit bull's.. pit bull's are domesticated, while the other two are simply wild animals. I feel sorry that you could even put that analogy together in your mind and approve of it.

Pit bull's are NOT banned because they're going to rip you apart. What's funny is that you never hear about the pit bull's that save people's lives. The media likes to conceal the good and bring out the bad, I figured MOST people would know that by now.