Pit bulls love them or fear them?

[ginahunt3]

I posted this question on another site and I received a lot of feedback. I'm just curious to see what people have to say on the subject. I have 2 and think they are terrific. What are your opinions/experiences?

[ferJenna]

I have an AmStaff, and I think he's a great dog. They have a bad rap because of media and uneducated people.. If that would change things would be a lot different.

[PatchO'Pits]

They are a wonderful breed when owned by responsible people and are taken care of properly just like any other breed

Of course I am partial to them because they are my breed of choice:D

They have a bad rap because of media and uneducated people. ...add to that list of things hurting the breed and irresponsible owners and breeders as well as AC, police officers and sadly even owners who can't do proper breed ID and all the breeds that are being lumped together and called the general tern pit bull hurting the reputation of the American Pit Bull Terrier as a whole.

[beasgal]

I've had two pitbulls and one rottweiler over the years and I love both breeds.

[Ltlpistol]

A little of both, here. I've known some Pits that were wonderful, loving pets, and some that were killers, plain and simple. I think they are beautiful dogs, but tend to wait and see how they act before approaching them like in a store.

I had an old, toothless momma cat killed by a pit when my kids were little. And my mother's cat was killed by the neighbor's pit before that. The one that killed my cat was supposedly a pet, was visiting across the street. And the boy who walked him over there didn't tell anyone that he hated cats. The one that killed my mother's cat turned out to be in training for fighting. The man that owned him had to bring him to his house in San Marcos, next door to my Mom's house because the Houston police were after him. Unfortunately we didn't find any of this out until after it was too late for BB.

But I realize those two were extremes and don't hold it against the breed.

[mynameislola]

My opinion on any breed of dog is to take them individually. With purebred dogs, I consider what they have been bred to do. Pit bulls have been bred to be animal aggressive, and not so much people aggressive, so I would feel, as a human, that I would be safer around a random one than my dog or other pet would be. With crossbred dogs, I watch their body language.

Seems to me that how any breed of dog is brought up has a lot to do with how they turn out. This is a Marine Corps town, so bully breeds are predominant. One I petted sat in my lap and wouldn't leave. Some get walked with muzzles on them.

One of the reasons we got Italian Mastiffs, instead of some other large, short-haired, bouncy dog, is that they have been multi-purpose dogs for hundreds of years. As herd dogs, I would hope my other pets (other dogs, goat, birds, fish) are safer, and as guard dogs I hope we are safer.

The most dangerous dog I ever worked with was a Chihuahua. He had a court order to be muzzled outside of the owner's home.

[Macawpower58]

I hope this thread can stay civil.

For myself, I am against any breed being banned. As for Pittbulls, I have known some very nice ones, but I still do not trust them. I personally know two dogs that were raised as pets. Well taken care of, obedience trained, and socialized. They turned between 3 and 5 years of age on their owners for no apparent reason. Both owners, one a man, the other a woman, were hurt.

I blame bad breeding for the Pitt bull problem. If you take a dog that is genetically geared to fight, and continue breeding for that, it is bound to lead to problems. I imagine the more reputable breeders are breeding for stability, and less animal aggression (at least I hope so). The attacks we hear about so often, I am guessing, are mostly from dogs bred by back yard breeders. Not necessarily bad breeders, but from dogs that have not been chosen for their stability.

Untill the 'Gameness' that Bull breeds are famous for, is toned down by careful breeding, the problem will continue in my opinion.

I am not attacking Bull breeds. I find them beautiful. I do find myself watching any I see closely though. It's sad the way a beautiful animal has been bred for blood sports to such a degree, that it's leaked into the pet population.

[beasgal]

The most dangerous dog I ever worked with was a Chihuahua. He had a court order to be muzzled outside of the owner's home.

My daughter has a long haired chihuahua and it is one of the meanest dogs I've ever met, except to my daughter. I went to stay with her for a few days and everytime we'd come in the front door the dog would try to attack me. It actually bit me on the leg and drew blood. The scab is just now coming off. My two dogs (a pit mix and rottie mix) don't have a mean bone in their bodies. They would kill you with the overzealous affection :D

[dlaura]

I hope this thread can stay civil.

I have the same desire Becky. If anyone notices it going of the path of civility please notify me and it will be closed immediately. Thanks for you help. :)

[EnderSSoGC]

I love the pit bull. I've actually never encountered a bad one. Even when the shelter staff would tell me that a pit will bite...I found that if I just show him the proper respect (letting him smell me first, no eye contact or touching, etc.) then they usually either warm up in which case I can pet them, or they don't show any interest and I know not to touch them. But, then...that goes for all supposedly "vicious" dogs. Pits can definitely get a bit too rough when they're playing, but they're just a powerful breed that needs owners who know what they're doing.

I think the breed's bad reputation is due to ignorance, stupidity, and the deliberate intent of some to turn them into killers. I firmly believe that bad dogs aren't born...they're made.

On a side note...I am afraid of most chihuahuas I come across. I've only met two or three in my life that were happy and balanced. But, where they're so little and cute, owners usually let them get away with everything and end up creating monsters.

[anml lvr]

a little of both here i like them and they are beutiful dogs and some are sweet but some are vicious

[Danegirl2208]

Macaw...A pit bulls "Gameness" is not the issue. Most people do not even know what the term means:

Gameness - The exact definition of "gameness" varies greatly depending upon whom you ask. However, most true pit bull fanciers can agree that this is the single most important trait the APBT possesses, and without gameness, the dog is just a shell of what it should be. In the most general sense of the term, gameness can be described as "an unwillingness to give up, even under the most difficult of circumstances and despite the threat of injury or death." True pit bull breeders strive to preserve this trait in their dogs and insist that the only way to preserve "real" gameness is in the fighting pit. However, modern society and humane attitudes dictate that we look to other ways to preserve the trait of gameness of this breed. Faniciers/breeders would do well to come together and unite in common agreement as to what can be done LEGALLY to preserve this most noble of breeds before it is too late and the true working pit bulldog is just a memory of the past. (It should be noted that gameness does NOT equal dog-aggression.)

Dog agression is not the issue either. As im sure you know there is a huge difference between human and dog agression. I know MANY people who own dog agressive pit bulls. They are still wonderful members of the family.

So what is the issue?... Irresponsible breeders are tops on my list.
Macaw I am sorry that had to happen to your friend. But dogs do not just "snap". A well bred, well rounded dog will not just snap on its owner.. especially a pit bull. A true pit bull is very people friendly, so much so that they really make poor gaurd dogs.

Ignorence is also another big one. Like the old saying goes, man fears what he does not know. Most people who fear pit bulls do not know the breed. They pick up the newspaper and see another "pit bull mauling" and think that the whole breed is like this, or that it is somehow the fault of the dog.

My feelings? Until you have met a pit bull, a REAL pit bull, you have NO right to judge the breed. People need to start doing their own research and not believing everything they hear on the 6 o' clock news.


This is a really touchy subject for me, so please forgive me if sounded rude, I really am not trying to be.. I do respect everyones opinions..just try and imagine if there was this much ignorence and fear surrounding your breed of choice and maybe you will understand.




Also here are some awesome statistics I think everyone should see:

According to the most recent temperment test performed by the American Temperament Test Society The American pit bull terrier passed with a 84.1%

that is BETTER than the:
Golden Retriever- 83.8%
German Shepherd dog- 83.3%
Beagle- 79.7%
Great Dane- 78.9%
Border Collie- 80.0%
and many others as well.


(http://www.atts.org/index.html)

[PatchO'Pits]

Danegirl2208 Nice post!!!!

Of course I have been accused of being "biased" LOL because it is my breed so it is nice to see others posting positively ;)

Honestly I grew up with and around family that had many breeds

Then went on the choose my breed to own after researching and picked APBTs which I had no previous experience with before my research. I chose them because of their many great qualities. If anyone is interested in learning more I'll gladly answer questions whether it be in the post or through PM

Here are some good links to learn about the myths and about the truth if you are interested.
Pretty much everything and anything about them from history to breed standards is on this first one:
www.apbtconformation.com

here are some other good links:
www.realpitbull.com
www.badrap.com
www.workingpitbull.com

APBTs are very versitile and one of the most athletic breeds around IMO.

Not only are they family companions first but can work and compete in many many areas as well.

The below is just some of the things that APBTs are involved in that I bet some didn't realize.

In jobs such as:
therapy dogs
service dogs
Search and rescue
police detection dogs
tracking
herding
etc.

They compete in sports such as
agility
obedience
Raly-O
weight pull
carting
fly ball
frisbee competitions
dock diving
Etc.
They also excel in the conformation show ring

Here are hundreds of just some of the thousands of APBTs who are in loving families playing with kids. This is what the 'real' APBT is like
http://www.maxtheshelterdog.com/kidsforpits.html

[Julia423]

Love the dogs...dislike irresponsible owners.

[ferJenna]

A true pit bull is very people friendly, so much so that they really make poor gaurd dogs.
I can agree with this 100%!

I too, agree with the aggression being part bad breeding and poor owners. Like mentioned above, I find on a personal level, that more Pits are great with people but CAN be aggressive with other dogs and in some cases, small animals. But it's not fair to accuse Pits of always being aggressive. I've seen a fair share of Goldens, Labs, and many other "family" dogs that are just as bad, if not worse!

[dlaura]

Just checking in. This thread is very informative/educational - I am learning a lot from it. Thank you all for keeping it civil so it can educate others.

[Husky06]

Macaw...A pit bulls "Gameness" is not the issue. Most people do not even know what the term means:

Gameness - The exact definition of "gameness" varies greatly depending upon whom you ask. However, most true pit bull fanciers can agree that this is the single most important trait the APBT possesses, and without gameness, the dog is just a shell of what it should be. In the most general sense of the term, gameness can be described as "an unwillingness to give up, even under the most difficult of circumstances and despite the threat of injury or death." True pit bull breeders strive to preserve this trait in their dogs and insist that the only way to preserve "real" gameness is in the fighting pit. However, modern society and humane attitudes dictate that we look to other ways to preserve the trait of gameness of this breed. Faniciers/breeders would do well to come together and unite in common agreement as to what can be done LEGALLY to preserve this most noble of breeds before it is too late and the true working pit bulldog is just a memory of the past. (It should be noted that gameness does NOT equal dog-aggression.)

Dog agression is not the issue either. As im sure you know there is a huge difference between human and dog agression. I know MANY people who own dog agressive pit bulls. They are still wonderful members of the family.

So what is the issue?... Irresponsible breeders are tops on my list.
Macaw I am sorry that had to happen to your friend. But dogs do not just "snap". A well bred, well rounded dog will not just snap on its owner.. especially a pit bull. A true pit bull is very people friendly, so much so that they really make poor gaurd dogs.

Ignorence is also another big one. Like the old saying goes, man fears what he does not know. Most people who fear pit bulls do not know the breed. They pick up the newspaper and see another "pit bull mauling" and think that the whole breed is like this, or that it is somehow the fault of the dog.

My feelings? Until you have met a pit bull, a REAL pit bull, you have NO right to judge the breed. People need to start doing their own research and not believing everything they hear on the 6 o' clock news.


This is a really touchy subject for me, so please forgive me if sounded rude, I really am not trying to be.. I do respect everyones opinions..just try and imagine if there was this much ignorence and fear surrounding your breed of choice and maybe you will understand.




Also here are some awesome statistics I think everyone should see:

According to the most recent temperment test performed by the American Temperament Test Society The American pit bull terrier passed with a 84.1%

that is BETTER than the:
Golden Retriever- 83.8%
German Shepherd dog- 83.3%
Beagle- 79.7%
Great Dane- 78.9%
Border Collie- 80.0%
and many others as well.


(http://www.atts.org/index.html)

Hate to disagree iwth you, but i completely agree with macaw

[Macawpower58]

Danegirl, I realize this is a very emotional subject. I also realize most people are biased one way or the other. Rereading your post, we agree to an extent, with a few exceptions.

You say until I've met a 'real' Pit bull I shouldn't judge. What if the 'real' Pit bull is few and far between, what if most of the ones I, and others have met are the badly bred dogs. Every dog pound is inundated with this breed. They are seen every where, with people from all walks of life. All of these neighborhood dogs can not be from responsible breeders looking out for the interests of their breed. Since the majority of Bulls we see and meet, are this kind of backyard dog, then yes, the whole breed will be judged from them.

Example. 15/20 years ago, Dobermans were so over bred that their reputation became terribly bad. There were many fear biters, shy dogs, dogs with unbalanced aggression problems. Way far from what the 'real' Doberman should be. Thank God they have left the public eye are actually becoming once again a decently bred dog.

Now the Rottweiler has a very bad reputation too. At one time (not too long ago either) Rotts were seldom seen, and expensive to buy. They became popular and the dogs you see now in back yards are so far from what the 'real' Rotts should be. Outcome, Rotts that are being bred for protection with no thought of stability. I do know what I am talking about. I, while in Germany came to love the Rottweiler breed, this was in 1987. The Rotts I see now in my neighbors backyards, they worry me. They are not the same breed that I knew years ago. Popularity is a dog breed's downfall. When the breed is a natural protector, and a working breed, this can become dangerous.

My breed the German Shepherd Dog, is having the same problem. Huge problems with shyness, fear, timidness, overagression.......etc.... Not from the few 'good' breeders, breeding for stability and work ethics. Their dogs are not the ones biting the delivery person. Their dogs cost 1000's of dollars, and are not what the general public buys or sees on a daily basis. These dogs are the 'real' GSD, not the ones you see and fear.

The Pit bull, exactly because of it's gameness and its popularity, and the sad problem of bad breeding, is doubly dangerous in the hands of an uneducated public. I can buy a Pitt bull anywhere for 50 bucks, or if I wanted could even find a free puppy. These are the dogs you see every day. These are the dogs that the world is flooded with. So of course these are the dogs that give your breed a bad name. The carefully bred dogs are not 50 dollars. They are not on every corner, and in every backyard. They are not in the news!

Can you not see my point?

In years to come, as the Pit bull, Doberman, German Shepherd, and Rottweiler have had happened to them, other breeds will follow this trend. Preso's, Dogo's, and the like, are now the 'happening' breed of choice for those looking for macho dogs. They are still expensive to buy, still a rare breed. This will not always be how it is. One day they will become affordable to the general public and God forbid, they may make the Pit Bull look as cuddly as a poodle.

I am not trashing the Pit Bull. I admire and respect the breed as it should be. I applaud those whom breed to the standard, and breed for a balanced and stable temperment. I understand gameness is what makes the breed, but, bred badly it is becoming the breeds downfall.

I hate when I see the Czech bred German Shepherd (newly popular), indiscriminatingly bred. One of the few last natural workinglines of the GSD breed. With their serious demeanor, natural suspicion, and high working drive, they are dangerous in the hands of the uneducated public. Mark my works, you'll see the words Czech German Shepherd in the news, more and more.

Open you eyes, and think outside the 'the real Pit Bull' philosophy. They are for now a rare breed.

If all the new posters to this board, the ones asking questions about breeding their pet dogs, read this thread, they just might begin to realize why it is a bad idea. Every breed that has ever had a bad reputation, started that way.

[PatchO'Pits]

I posted this question on another site and I received a lot of feedback. I'm just curious to see what people have to say on the subject. I have 2 and think they are terrific. What are your opinions/experiences? Just some food for thought

You may want to also join one of the many pit bull forums such as:
pit bull forum
pit bull place
pit bull talk
pit bull chat

If you are truly interested in getting info from people who live, own, train and compete with the breed. Asking questions of those with no experience with the breed or only experience from what they have heard in the media isn't going to give you the best info IMO

Like I said I am more than happy to answer any questions and I'm sure the others who own them on the forum will too but you will get a much broader perspective and understanding doing research the other way.

[mynameislola]

Here is a statistics lesson regarding the ATT quoted above.

When a small group is studied, in this case breeds of dogs, if the results are intended to represent all dogs, then it is important to randomly choose the dogs to be tested. This test does the opposite--they are self-selected. People took dogs they thought could pass the test.

If you look at the test for the Bluetick Coonhound, they look really good at 100%, but only 1 dog took the test. If anyone is taking Stastics and had to write a paper, that site has a lot to say.

Proud owner of two Cane Corso, 77.9% on the ATT chart.

[PatchO'Pits]

Here is a statistics lesson regarding the ATT quoted above.

When a small group is studied, in this case breeds of dogs, if the results are intended to represent all dogs, then it is important to randomly choose the dogs to be tested. This test does the opposite--they are self-selected. People took dogs they thought could pass the test.

If you look at the test for the Bluetick Coonhound, they look really good at 100%, but only 1 dog took the test. If anyone is taking Stastics and had to write a paper, that site has a lot to say.

Proud owner of two Cane Corso, 77.9% on the ATT chart.

Good points. I agree in some aspects of what you said especially with the breeds that have under 100 dogs tested. Those results can not be considered a testing sample by any means.

If you have hundred and hundreds of dogs passing, that does make a difference in my eyes and makes for a more accurate sampling, but still not perfect. You are right unless it is a total random sample it isn't the same

If you look 542 APBTs were tested 456 passed.

Yes, I'm sure many went in thinking they would surely pass because quite honestly most should be able to if they have the proper breed temperament. While others probably the average pet owner really had no clue about the testing and just gave it a shot while at a show or other event. Some go in not knowing what to expect and if you look may of the % of other breeds aren't that good so it isn't just people thinking or knowing they will pass doing it. Either way hundreds of dogs passing is a positive for any breed. If they were the monsters the media says NONE would be passing

Just like with CGC testing and even certifying therapy and service dogs it is not a perfect science , they are just tools to help eval not the end all be all

[Jennicat]

I'd also like to point out that many other dogs are being poorly bred down the tube as well. Who doesn't think labs are big goofy hyper machines anymore? Who hasn't seen a border collie that was bred so hot it's basically impossible to live with? Dalmations are known aggressive now that they've been bred into careless unstableness.

The common thread is that people are doing this to these dogs. I think for every person who's known a pit bull that 'snapped', they've known other dogs as well. I was attacked by a child as a pomeranian. Our aunt's aussie shepherd decided one day that biting people was a lucrative past-time. We've had labs, GSDs, goldens, etc, harass and kill our livestock. None of these make any of those breeds bad.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the plural of anecdote is not fact.

People are notorious for misidentifying breeds. At a dog park, I was chided for bringing my "vicious Rockwilder" after a woman's tiny schnauzer got snapped at by Clover because he was humping her incessantly.

This is the vicious "Rockwilder" in question:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2345/1662775933_f5107bbe4e_m.jpg

Because rottweilers are, in fact, known for weighing 50lbs or less, having long, fluffy tails, and sporting long, curly coats of hair and extremely fluffy feet. :rolleyes:

In kind, to some people, a "pit bull" is any dog that's brindle, or has a square head, or stands a certain way, or is a certain size. Ad nauseum. And that's how it gets reported. And because it's reported that way, more incidents are reported in kind. I hear tons of people saying 'Well, the lab bit my kid, but we didn't want to get the dog in trouble, it's a family pet'. Whereas a similar snap by a pit bull (regardless of trigger) is now coming from a vicious bloodthirsty killer that needs to be taken off the street.

[beasgal]

This is the vicious "Rockwilder" in question:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2345/1662775933_f5107bbe4e_m.jpg


Jennicat, Clover is one of the most unusual looking "Rockwilders" I've ever seen. :D

I agree totally that there are a lot of misidentifications in breeds. Which, IMO would skew the statistics.

[Jennicat]

I'm sure that lady went around letting everyone know how a rottweiler "almost killed" her precious dog (Clover really only snarled at it, but it started screaming and fell down like she'd gnawed off a leg), LOL.

[marg]

I love all dogs, all breeds. Some are nice, some are mean. Just like people. It has nothing to do w/ the breed.

[PatchO'Pits]

I am pretty sure that I posted this before. It is graphic so be for warned. Quite honestly, I feel too many make uninformed opinions. Of course that is just my feelings on it. I think most people on this forum are very open minded and try to see the whole picture and not just what the media presents. This video makes me cry no matter how many times I watch it.

http://gprime.net/flash.php/thepitbullproblem

Just some more background info on the breed ... Part of the bad rap comes from the dog fighters...
What people don't usually hear about or see are that many of the dogs that are fought beaten and near death have been taken out by AC with their tails wagging and licking their rescuers faces only to have to be put to death because of severe injuries, lack of funds to rehab or homes a to treat them properly and even more so do to ignorance. Luckily there are some that can and are rehabbed and placed in loving homes and get a second chance.

In some states even puppies are put down due to the lack of experience and idiotic laws passed because people are ignorant to what the breed is truly like.

[ferJenna]

Oh, that video has me in tears :(

[katiem]

This is the vicious "Rockwilder" in question:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2345/1662775933_f5107bbe4e_m.jpg

Jennicat,

I'm shocked that you don't recognize that your dog is a terribly vicious "Rockwilder". I bet if you looked up the term "Rockwilder" in the dictionary that's the picture you would see. For Shame!

Seriously, some people are so dumb! But thats okay, I've had someone ask me if my dog was a Portugese Water dog. Tell me what you think?
http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z163/littlemustardseed/?action=view&current=levon2.jpg
(Hint: This is a Rockwilder!)

[mynameislola]

We have stopped counting the number of people who comment about our Zita, a 100 pound, black brindle, Italian Mastiff puppy. They say, "That is the biggest pit bull I have ever seen!"

http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r205/mynameiszita

[Jennicat]

katiem, I think that your Levon is an excellent breed representative of Portugese Water Dog, but a poor one of "rockwilders". ;) No fluffy coat! No big fluffy tail! No hairy ears, or ruff of fur around the neckline. ;P

[katiem]

katiem, I think that your Levon is an excellent breed representative of Portugese Water Dog, but a poor one of "rockwilders". ;) No fluffy coat! No big fluffy tail! No hairy ears, or ruff of fur around the neckline. ;P

I'm glad you think so! I'm gonna enter him in some shows as a Portugese Water Dog and see how he fares. And then maybe do some water trials or something. He'll probably sink like a brick!

[PatchO'Pits]

Clover The "Rockwilder" heheh & Vita and are cuties!!!! Gotta love that Portuguese Water dog too LOL

Now to turn it around some of the breeds my Pit Bulls have been mistaken for are:
Boston Terrier
Beagle
Weimaraner
Lab is a pretty common one I get with them

First off I have to say most are pretty good about it and I have had very few negative comments or ignorant reactions but here are a few doozies...
When asked what breed they are and hearing my reply I get responses/reactions like this:

"Oh I have one just like him at home"... Um then Einstein why didn't you know what breed my dog was ( No I don't say that I do think it though LOL)

Oh those are those killer dogsMeanwhile they are petting and being licked by mine

Your are nice I thought they were all supposed to be mean

I thought pit bulls were much bigger

A few did not say anything but have literally jumped away in terror who have been playing with the dog for awhile when they hear the breed:(

Kids have run up on more than one occasion who didn't know me or the dogs literally screaming and pulling at them which is fine with mine because they love kids but of course not a proper way to greet any dog which I will politely tell the parents. Then after all that while the kids are loving and huggin the dog the parents ask what breed. Low and behold the kid is either zipped away , the parent pretty much looks like they are going to pee their pants or they might actual have a brain and realize gee this dog can't be all bad after all look at what my lunatic kid is doing and apologize for their behavior


Of course then you meet the idiots who will be YELLING HEY I HAVE ONE IN HEAT WANNA BREED UUUGH some people stink

[Jennicat]

I cannot count how many times I've heard the same story.

"They were petting on my dogs, asked what kind they were, found out they were pits, and then jumped away".

I think that most people think pits are more the size of a big rottweiler or large GSD.

[Gamerchick]

I have no problems with pitbulls, but I will shy away from them. It is not because I don't trust the dog, anymore so than I don't trust any dog I don't know, but I don't know how the dog was breed or raised. This can be said of any breed, yes. In this area dog fighting is pretty popular. So is breeding. It doesn't promote any goodwill to these dogs that both should be popular activities around here. I've also noticed a lot more around here that dogs are considered temporary. It seems people here jump to getting rid of their dog as soon as they realize they grow out of puppy-hood. Again, this isn't pits only, but doesn't help to foster any more trust to them. Who know how many families and possible trauma these dogs have gone through.

If it was someone I knew and considered a responsible caring pet owner I would have no problem with that particular dog. I have a trust problem with this area and thus certain breeds because of the lack of responsible owners.

[Tweakers]

why punish the dogs for the owners mistake? a dogs adult hood is determined by how it was raised in my opinion.


as far as the chihuahua...mine is a mean little man, hes the meanest puppy I've played with ever....hes got little man syndrome haha

[EnderSSoGC]

You know...for some reason I always thought other people knew dog breeds just as well as I did. Yes, I studied dog breed books etc. and so on....but, I thought some things were just common sense.

Old Yeller was a lab.

Lassie was a collie.

So, anyone who's seen those movies should be able to tell the difference between the two right? Apparently not. I had an older guy ask me if a collie was a lab once at the shelter. It blew my mind.

[katiem]

I always laugh when people think Levon is a Black Lab. And yes, they usually snatch their hands, kids, whatever away when I tell them he's a Rottweiler. Sometimes people mistake him for a pitbull, and then yell at me for not having him muzzled (which is the law here), or ask why I've not cropped his ears. Usually when I say he's a Rottweiler, they still yell at me for not having him muzzled, but there is no Rottie law here...yet.
As for Pitties, I like 'em. I'd own one (if it was legal), maybe not with my current lot, but I don't see them as any more "dangerous" then other dogs I'd like to own.

[Tex' Momma]

I've never known anyone who owned a pit bull but I do not have anything against them and I do not cross the street if someone is walking a pit bull toward me! I've owned a dobie and a rottie (at different times) previously and now have another rottie, Tex, and I absolutely love both breeds but I wouldn't go up to a pit bull, dobie or rottie I didn't know unless the owner said it was ok and I would approach them catiously at first - you just never know! I recently ran into someone I used to work with and when she saw Tex she said he's a mean looking dog. I asked her if she said that because he was a rottie and she said 'well, maybe' - UGH - that makes me so mad. Yes, Tex might kill you...by licking you to death! I also have people who ask me what kind of dog he is!!! :rolleyes:

[PatchO'Pits]

Tex is soooo cute!!

[Julia423]

I think Tex is adorable too. I love rotties.

How's this for an "I'm-afraid-of-your-dog" story: I was waiting in the car for my sister to come out of a convenience store when a man approached my open window to ask for money. Max began to bark, loudly. He has a very deep bark. The man jumped back in fear and made some comment about big dogs. If only he had seen where the bark had come from...a shih tzu! Good Boy Max!

[Tex' Momma]

Thanks PatchO'Pits and Julia423 - Didn't mean to hijack the thread (sort of) but I just had to post a Christmas pic of my mean old rockweilder!!! Pretty good story Julia423!

[Ltlpistol]

Julia, my Cash doesn't bark, he squeaks! LOL This is my Bad to the Bone, Lhasa Tzu. Cookie on the other hand, doesn't bark either, she says Wow, Wow! LOL These two would more likely lick you to death, too!

[wishbone]

They are so terrific and adorable. I usually visit my cousin and her pitbull Homer, everyone in the family loved him.

[EnderSSoGC]

We have people who think our Bartleby is a pit bull. We try to tell them he's a boston terrier mix, but they still usually don't let their kids near him. It's pretty sad because he loves people just as much as Loki does. And then we go to the park and everyone's all over Loki, but no one wants to touch Bartleby. :(

[katiem]

We have people who think our Bartleby is a pit bull. We try to tell them he's a boston terrier mix, but they still usually don't let their kids near him. It's pretty sad because he loves people just as much as Loki does. And then we go to the park and everyone's all over Loki, but no one wants to touch Bartleby. :(


My Loeke is a mean old man, but when I walk in the park people always want to pet him and Dan, and shy away from Levon! Levon is the friendly one people! Dans fine too, but Loeke hates strangers, kids, other animals. I think it has to do with living on a secluded farm for 9 years and then being thrust into city life, and then dumped by his owners when he didn't adjust well. I think people are attracted to him because he's pretty-little do they know!

Here's a picture of him, because I don't think I've ever posted one. Loeke the Newfie x Shepherd:
http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z163/littlemustardseed/?action=view&current=loeke.jpg

[Flyleaf6688]

i love any kind of dog and no matter what people say..i dont believe that a pitbull or any other type of strong dog was born mean. i think that it is entirely how you raise them. . like people have been saying i have also known some really nice dogs that were pitbulls.. i used to own one... but then i knew a guy who lived in my neighborhood who had a pitbull and he used to throw stuffed animals over the fence and the pit would tear it up.. then when ever the dog got out of his pen or another animal got in the pen. he would attack and kill them. he attacked a lot of nieghborhood dogs. finally the landlord made him get rid of the dog.. and they ended up having to put him down b/c he was soo mean. i mean the guy used to beat him over the head with a 2x4. so yeah i think that it is based on how you raise them.

[Reyvin]

I love my pit mix. Out of our 3 large dogs he is the best with the kids. Eagle is too old any more to put up with any antics her arthritic joints won't stand for it. Sheba has never been a real kid dog- doesn't mind them but prefers mom and dad to anybody else. Dane- well heck they ride him, lay on him, drag him, push him, feed him, tug his ears, poke him, and by golly... he comes back asking for more!! I have watched him closely and taken great care in his raising. He does not wrestle with people, and we've had ot moderate his play with the other dogs. He does get aggresive- not mean- just aggresive. He is afraid of strange cats, and has no idea what to do when Pilea tags him from behind a tree. Grizzy curls up with him (he is her favorite dog). I loves to chase bikes of all sizes, deer (though he knows he'll never catch them) birds... ?? and squirrels.. well.. he and Sheba make that their number one mission. He LOVES water and its hysterical to watch him swim along find something intresting floating on the surface, stop swimming and sink. Everyone who meets him.. gets to know him, loves him.
The worst thing about him... is his gas.

[MiniSchnauz1]

I believe that when pit bulls are owned by responsible people, they can be good dogs. However, I admit when I take my dogs to the dog park, I’m very uneasy when a pit bull approaches.


Nicki
http://www.dog-health-info.net