Explain pit bulls to me

kossde

Why are people so afraid of Pit Bulls? I've never owned or really been around any but I can't fathom the idea of branding an entire breed of dog as dangerous. I watched 'Dog town' a while back - the one about the Michael Vick's pit bulls. They were not large dogs - they were much smaller than my german shepherd and didn't even seem particularlly fast or vicious. What personality traits do pit bulls have that give people the impression they are dangerous?

This is an honest question as I have never been around any pit bulls. You see, I am not opposed to adopting a pit bull in the future, but I need to know what I am getting into before I make a decision like that. Of course, there are no adoptions being planned right now, but I know that pit bulls are plentiful in shelters and a lot of good dogs need really good homes.

mysnafflebit

That's a really good question and I would like to hear what people have to say about that too. I've heard a lot of attack stories about pit bulls. The last one I read about was where a pit bull escaped from his yard (the owners stupidly left the fence open) and ran into a neighbor's yard and killed their cockapoo... while the whole family was outside with the cockapoo building a doghouse.

But then I have seen some very balanced and calm pit bulls on the Dog Whisperer from a pit bull rescue--the pit bull rehab lady was actually having trouble with an aggressive chihuahua!

close2prfct

The American Pit Bull Terrier aka Pit Bull is a true terrier. They can be wonderful, loyal companions but they are true to the terrier type which is what most people do not understand. Terriers were bred to hunt vermin and kill them, such as Rat Terriers etc. used to kill rats on ships and harbors. While not given to biting the power a pit bull possesses in its jaws and the mindset to not let go is what makes them dangerous in the wrong hands.
I have owned and currently have a pit bull, they are incredibly talented, smart and loving pets that will give their life to protect their family yet I have seen what destruction they can do in the hands of someone who isn't knowledgeable or trains them for fighting.
People fear what they either do not know or what the media tells them, anytime you see headline news of a fatal or severe dog bite they always attach the pit bull to it. The media doesn't report other dog bites although many have had severe injuries and fatalities due to many other breeds. Many other breeds are more prone to biting or in some cases truly attacking.

Here is a wonderful example of the loyalty and dedication of a Pit bull towards it's family
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Criosphynx

They are a terrier so have high drive often. High drive dogs belong in experienced hands or else they can develop behavior issues. Often times People get pits as first dogs and cannot handle them

pawzaddict

I agree 100%. I have been working with dogs for 8 years and pit bulls are very determined dogs, I have even been bitten by a couple while doing nothing but standing there. They need an owner who is dedicated to training and is not afraid to put their dog on their back and put them in their place. The big problem I see is that people do not train these dogs or other similar breeds properly so they dont know better. I also see too much inbreeding with this breed. I do not dislike any breed but pit bulls, chow chows, sharpeis, rotties, and many more breeds all typically need lots of socialization and training.

Criosphynx

My first post was short cause I was in a hurry...


Imagine being a workaholic type person but never being allowed to go to work or school. You live at home with ZERO stimulation. Then you have roommates that yell at you in another languange and hit you when you don't understand. This goes on for years. And years. You can see the outside world but have no clue how to deal with it. Your frustrated with no outlet.

What I described is not specific to pitbulls but I feel it explains the problems with having high drive dogs as pets and not fullfilling thier needs. If the dog is not trained in a positive way, exercised, socialized, desensitized you can end up with a time bomb.

When your time bomb is 50lbs of solid muscle and the most popular breed in the U.S then you see what happens on the news.

100% of my nieghbors do not walk their dogs or train their dogs. Their version of training is yelling and hitting their frustrated dogs. But if som'thing went wrong, the dog would get blamed. Not fair. Not ever.

I would trust a pit bull whose mental and physical needs are met, with my life.

They are alot of work, but the return is just amazing..and totally worth it.

mysnafflebit

Criosphynx, I noticed on the bottom of your post in green it says "Kiwi Pit Bull". Does that mean that you own a pit bull yourself?

Criosphynx

Yes. Shes two years old. Love her to pieces.

Mimi

American Pit Bulls are banned in Australia. There have been too many accidents involving babies and children - many of whom were the owners' or friends of the owners - and as a result the breed has been declared 'dangerous'. Pit Bull owners have to declare them when registering their dog(s) with the local government (registrations are done each year). They have to abide by certain rules and laws pertaining to them.
I agree 100% with Criosphynx that a dog's needs should be met physically and mentally. No dog should be left to linger in the backyard all day with nothing to do and then be expected to behave when brought in at the end of the day.

mysnafflebit

Can you share some pictures if you have any?