Are people scared of Pitbull dogs or is it just a stereotype?

Answer 1

I am definately. They are intimidating, and I fear for my children when I see one.

Answer 2

It's not an "either/or" type of question.

People are scared of the stereotype. Similar things happen when a white person is stopped at a red traffic light. If a car full of young, black men pulls up to the same red light, the white driver may make sure his doors are locked.

The young black men may be not be a danger to the other driver, but that driver was reacting to the stereotype.

With dogs, fads come and go. The "so called" pit bull breed was not always the most feared of dogs. For a while, in the 80's, rotweilers were the ones with the bad reputation. Prior to that, it was doberman pinschers. In all the old cartoons, the stereotypical fierce dog was the bulldog.

While temperments can be bred in and out of certain bloodlines, training and environment is the biggest factor governing an animal's behavior.

Answer 3

The FACT is that Pitbulls (along with Rottweilers) kill more people each year than any other dog breed. Raising them well helps, but it's important to remember that these dogs have been bred to have a high pain tolerance and can have unpredictable temperments and high prey drive. I've known some VERY sweet Pit Bulls, but I've never been completely comforatable around them because you just don't know. Pit Bull owners get very defensive about this breed as will be evidenced by the thumbs down ratings, but the statistics don't lie. Yes, a Pomeranian is just as (if not more) likely to bite, and have caused death, but Pitbulls are far more likely to kill if they do attack. They need a strong owner, constant supervision around people and other dogs, and good training. I'm not anti Pit Bull, but I do hope the aggressiveness in the breed is eventually bred out.

Side note: Several dogs fall under the blanket of "Pit Bull"

Answer 4

Stereotype, people are scared of them because of the media. One thing EVERYONE should remember is large dogs don't make good first dogs, always make sure you can restrain it. Most of the time they are fine but good control is a must, larger dogs can do more damage which is why they are feared. All dogs need good training, but the consequences are a lot worse with large powerful dogs. And Jennifer most medium and large dogs are capable of causing damage and kill, NOT just pitbulls do not sterotype them.

Answer 5

Yes. People are terrified of them and some cities don't even allow you to have one as a pet. But, it all depends on the breeding and how they were treated. My cousin has a pure bred Pitbull and it is the sweetest, most lovable, most loyal and one of the smartest dogs I have ever known. Until about 3 years ago, they had two dogs, the Pit and a Golden Lab. When she had her daughters, they had to have the Lab put to sleep because she was nipping and growling at the children if they came within 5 feet of her. She bit the oldest daughter's head one time when she fell asleep on the floor watching a movie. But, the Pitbull lets them crawl all over her, pull her tall, pull her ears,sit on her, ride her, they can do whatever they want and she loves it. And when one of them cries or gets hurt, Indica, the Pitbull comes running over to them and starts licking their face. Of course, I would never trust any dog b/c I have been biten myself. But, it just goes to show you that each dog has a different temperament regardless of breed. I have never seen a nasty Lab before theirs.

Answer 6

People are afraid of pitbulls because of the way the media portrays them, as well as the fact that many people can't even pick out an actual pitbull from a line up of dogs. I have 2 full blooded pits who are absolute hams. I have been around many of them, and the ones who are bred right are great. Just like any other breed, those that are not out of good breeding stock and bred for temperment can have behavior, emotional, and physical problems.

Answer 7

I am terrified of them. My example is when I was 13 I was babysitting a family that I started looking after when I was 10. I was ultra-protective. Another family went out and got a pitbull. When I was out walking the youngest child I was looking after, we went past the owner and his pitbull. I was holding the child's hand and was in between the child and the dog who was on the outside of his owner (furthest away from the child).

As we were going past, and without provocation from the child, the dog snarled and lunged past me and tried to get ahold of the child. With quick thinking I was able to knee the pitbull under the mouth at the same time the owner grabbed the dogs leash and pulled him back. Within an hour, the owner put down the dog and wrote an apology in the paper to the child, her family, to myself and to the town as a whole. He finally realized with this ordeal that yes indeed, pitbulls were bred for fighting. They were not bred to be a family pet.

Read the statistics on pitbulls and see for yourself and just how many owners who bragged about these dogs were mauled themselves by the killing machines.

Now I must say I do not agree with the statistics on other animals as I've owned a variety of dogs myself (2 being rottweilers that were more gentle than any other dog I owned previously or since).

Answer 8

Some people are scared of pitbull dogs especially if they or a family member has a deadly encounter with them. BUt genereally, pitbull dogs are very gentle and loving.

Answer 9

Pits look intimidating. They were bred for fearlessness and the ability to fight- however, in practical application each individual has a different personality. Pits tend to have dominant personalities which make them more challenging to train.

There are other breeds that tend toward dominant personalities as well- Chow Chows, most of the herding breeds such as German Shepherds, Huskies, Akitas, etc. Dogs generally react to how they are treated. A dog who is taught good manners and socialization will almost always be a good dog regardless of breed. The process of socialization is more difficult with a dominant personality. A dog with a submissive or neutral personality may learn to function based on its owner/handler's approval and rewards. A dominant personality looks out for him/herself first. This doesn't mean there are no good dogs with dominant personalities only that they need to be handled with care and respect, regardless of breed.

A Pit who has been mishandled (i.e. taught to fight) can be a dangerous dog because he/she has been rewarded for fighting. A Pit who has been raised properly can be a most excellent and gentle dog. Handling and care matter more than breed.

Answer 10

I am no more scared of pitbulls then any other dog. Of course I wouldn't pet one without knowing it, but that goes for any dog. I have a beagle mix that will probably bite if anyone tried to hurt me, I keep him away from strangers. My sister has a pitbull and she is very sweet. It depends on how they were raised.

Answer 11

Pit bull dogs are only as bad as their owners.

One neighborhood I lived in was over run with pit bulls. The next door neighbor (over)bred them to earn extra cash on the side, and he used to beat and torture them to "make them mean so they would defend his house." The guy was an idiot. Those pit bulls would attack the mail lady and joggers and anyone that came near them. Once, one of them came through the fence and I was bitten so badly on the hand that I still have scars. You'd think that would be enough to make me prejudiced.

Then, good friends of ours had pit bulls they would baby and treat just like their children. They were the best dogs I've met in years, well behaved, well trained, and big teddy bears. Awesome dogs.

I would say it all depends on the owners. If a pit bill is vicious, it's a reflection on the owner, just like if a pit bull is a big teddy bear, that too reflects on the owners.

There's nothing to be afraid of a pit bull, until you get to see who the owner is. If they treat the dog poorly, you have lots of reason to be afraid, but if the owner treats the dog well, there's nothing to be scared of.