Why is everyone against Pitt-Bulls?

Question

I know there are cases where these dogs are vicious, but Pitt-Bulls aren't mean naturally, it's how they're bred and raised.

I've had Hercules, my pitt, for five years and he has never once even growled at a human being. The one and only time he ever bit anything was a rottweiler my neighbor had that jumped our fence and the rottie started it. People who beat, starve, and abuse these dogs are the reason they are labeled as dangerous, vicious, and evil. When in reality, the majority of pittbulls who are raised with loving owners who take care of them, are sweet, loving, and extremely loyal.

Answer 1

Perhaps the lineage of pit bulls in our town is more aggressive than others? or not the norm? I was in the vet's office to have stitches removed the other day..and a call came in about a sick pit bull..the vet's assistant told the caller that the doctor doesn't accept pit bull clients...So, then the vet came out to look at my dog, and the assistant told him about the caller..He said, I would like to help all dogs, but if it hadn't been for my steel toed boots, I would have lost my foot to the last pit bull I tried to help..So, never again.
Then, they got to talking about the Chihuahua puppies that had come in earlier in the day...3 Chihuahuas had been in their own yard, playing with children, when a pit bull climbed the fence and killed one and injured the other 2 , one of them died at the vet's..the 3rd one was still in ICU.

I have several local friends who have been attacked by their own pit bulls...None of them were bad owners..but the dogs just 'snapped' and attacked...so, I wonder...Could it be that our pit bulls are just worse than those in other areas? This is a very nice resort comminity, not a hoodlum's area..

Answer 2

The truth of the breed is that they are a hybrid, bred to fight. Kinda' like raising a Tiger or even a racoon. The fight is in the bloodlines, and it comes natural. Pit Bulls don't usually want to do anything but kill another dog. anyone can raise a Pit Bull to be loving and obediant, however those owners are few. Most of the owners of Pit Bulls want a big, intimidating, strong, man eater, thats why they choose a Pit. Anyone can take agressive breed and ruin the breeds reputation. Rot's, Dobermins, Boxers have all suffered the same abusive profiling. Nobody say's anything about Daschounds, or Jack russells, but those are 2 other breeds that are badger killers, rat killers and wager hounds. Oh and don't forget Blue Healers.
Never met a dog I didn't like, but I never trust any of them...not even a poodle. We have a Pit in our family and he's never bit anyone or anything. But there's always a first time for everything.

Answer 3

It's not so much the breed of dog that people are against; it's more the breed of person that tends to keep these dogs.

Any dog can be vicious if it's treated in a certain way.

Unfortunately, as the pit-bull is bred for fighting, it makes an ideal candidate for those "people" who want a vicious, aggressive dog.

If they are treated in the right way, they can be as placid and friendly as any other dog.

My mother has an English bull terrier, which is the most placid, lovely dog going. However, if it gets excited and starts running around, it can knock a grown man off his feet.

Answer 4

Just for a few of the readers to understand them better.


In recent years, pit bulls have gained more than just a foothold in the public awareness. Unscrupulous breeding and negative media attention have resulted in many apartment complexes, neighborhoods and even counties imposing bans on the breed, citing them as "inherently dangerous" to the public.
But did you know that pit bulls, despite the fact that they were originally bred to fight with each other, were also bred to be trustworthy and friendly to people? These dogs actually earned the nickname "nursemaid's dog," because they were so reliable with young children.

Today, however, the breed often attracts the worst kind of dog owners--those who are only interested in them for fighting or protection. It's a shame what has happened to this loyal and affectionate breed-but as the pit bull population has increased so rapidly, shelters are now struggling to deal with an overflow of image-plagued, hard-to-place dogs. And despite its illegality, people are still training and breeding pit bulls to participate in dog fights in cities and towns across the country.

Answer 5

Well i guess like most animals with bad reputations it's a combination of bad media attention and as you say the way/environment in which it is raised. Most of the dog attacks I've heard of in the news fall to Pitt bulls, and also from looking at those stories, the owner generally has them chained up 24/7 or they're locked in a cage.

Answer 6

Dogs can be vicious. I think that people who raise them have a huge responsibility in their temprament and how they act around other people.
However, like most animals, all dogs (not just pitt-bulls) have the ability to act viciously with no other reason but the fact that its just in their nature regardless of how they have been treated

Answer 7

Most of them aren't even pitt bulls. The breed is often expanded to encompass upwards of 10 other similar breeds, so a lot of times people don't even know what they have. Bottom line though: a dog is only as big an assshole as the assshole holding the leash.

Answer 8

American Staffordshire Terriers, or "pit bulls", are natually aggressive dogs. Nuture can prevail over nature in this situation, but aggressiveness runs in the blood of this breed. This breed, along with Chows and German Shepherds, have been studied and there is a valid reason why they have been labeled the way they were.

Answer 9

Yeah, instead of banning breeds, I think we should ban politicians, most dog breeders, and most importantly, ignorant owners.
Back in the day, Pitts were refered to as "english nannies". They were THAT trustworthy with children. Bad breeding and handling by stupid people has ruined the majority of this breed.
Too bad, good ones make fantastic pets.

Answer 10

As you yourself are not against pit bulls, it cannot be true that everyone is against pit bulls. Many people who have not had first hand experience with the breed have probably adopted the negative stereotype from the media.