Are pit bulls inherently vicious? Or does it depend on how the dog is raised?

Answer 1

one thing is a fact, this breed is good for absolutley nothing!

Answer 2

Any dog will be vicious if the owner is not responsible. If you as a dog owner are not willing to step up and be the alpha, i.e. dominant force, then the dog will. Think about wolves in the wild, which is where all of the breeds today originated. They have an alpha male or female that runs the show and all of the other wolves don't even eat until the boss says it's ok. You can see the see behavior in packs of stray dogs too. Yes, some dogs are naturally more dominant or submissive but all dogs will learn to respect you as the boss. You just have to be constant and never let the dog get away with anything that you don't want him to do. Not too long ago I read a report on-line about dog bites. Do you know what the breed that caused the most reported bites was? No, not the pit bull. Not even a Rottweiler, Doberman, or German Shepherd. It's Poodles. People don't think that they need to be firm or dominant with poodles because of their appearance, but that's also why they bite the most people. You wouldn't expect that cute, fuzzy little guy to attack you. Oh no, only big vicious dogs do that. Ha! I work at a vet clinic and over half of the poodles that come in are aggressive. And dachshunds run a close second. I'm not saying by any means that all poodles & dachshunds are mean and that all pit bulls are good. It comes down to the owner and how he or she raises the dog. One of my co-workers has a pit bull and he is one of the most gentle, good natured dogs I've ever seen. It's because she took the time to properly socialize him and she's not afraid to correct him if he's doing something he shouldn't be. Sadly these people who think they can handle a strong, dominant dog are the people giving breeds like pit bulls a bad rap. Or worse, people make these dogs so out of control so that they can use them in dog fights. Have you ever seen a dog that was just balistic to everyone BUT the owner? No way. That's because the dog knows it intimidates everyone therefore it's the boss. Yes, some breeds may have a stronger drive to be the alpha but again it comes down to the individual dog. Do your homework before selecting a breed, be sure that from the start the dog knows who's boss, and socialize your dog so that it becomes familiar with other animals and people. And think before you just run up to some dog on the street. Ask before petting and if it's a stray, unless it comes up to you in a submissive manner, don't even try.

Answer 3

Probably the way they are raised (need socialization with people and other animals at a young age)but I also think the way they are bred (hopefully without inbreeding) but I wouldn't trust one with small children no matter how great it was raised. You have to start obedience training early so that the dog knows who is boss and knows to respect you....as well as give it a great deal of love. We had a Rottweiler for many years ( my husband had her since she was a puppy) and she was a really great dog...big teddy bear and I never had problems with her (she was the best dog I ever had!) with my son who is two...but I NEVER left the two unattended together because my son could trip and fall on her or step on her accidentally. At 2, kids make sudden moves and I just felt they shouldn't be alone at any time. You just don't know with any breed, but especially these breeds that have been known to show aggression. I watched them like a hawk. I had to have her put down because of bone cancer...and if I didn't have a 2 year old in the house I'd get another one. I worry I may not be so luckly next time and I am not willing to take that chance with a child in the house.

Answer 4

I personally believe its how they are raised. The most important thing is to socialize your dog as often as you can. Take them to store such as PetCo etc. wherever dogs are allowed. We have a pit and she doesn't realize it. She is people friendly. I honestly can say I have never heard her growl at anything. She never chases cats etc. We never rough housed her when she was a puppy and made sure she was well trained in commands. Any dog has the potential to bite or attack anyone or anything. With this in mind we are careful when we have company. She is put up for a few minutes until she is used to them being there, not because we are worried about her attacking, she just wants to lick them to death. They are very smart and loyal. Our grandbabies climb all over her, but we are still careful when they are around. Anyway, if this is the type of dog you choose, good luck. Our dog is now going on 9 years old and still acts like a puppy!

Answer 5

During my time as a cable guy, I've become an expert regarding whether or not a dog is going to bite my face off. Honestly, I've met very, VERY few vicious animals. Most of those which would have been willing to attack me were guard dogs and specifically trained for that behavior. Those naturally prone to attacking, though, shared one major feature in common: anxiety. Nervous, antsy dogs are quick to assume the worst in people and react accordingly, and most of these are relatively small and unable to do much damage above the knees.

Pit bulls, dobermans, rottweilers, etc, are strong and protective animals, but rarely nervous. If you behave calmly and respectfully, and show respect to their pack (human or animal) and its belongings, the dogs are usually sweet and gentle. I've met dozens of owners of so-called tough breeds who were hoping to adopt an intimidating guardian and instead ended up with a friendly face-licker.

The only times I've ever encountered a dog that truly seemed vicious is when the animals were isolated from social contact or abused, but that would twist any social animal, people included.

Answer 6

It really does all depend on how the dog was trained and raised, you could take a dog say from 2 parents that were vicious, and their parents were vicious, and so on down the line, and if you brought up and trained that one dog to NOT be agressive, you could and would have a nice dog. Remember, a dog is only as smart as it's owner.

Answer 7

Most are not inherently vicious. Some can be through bad breeding and interbreeding practices. But mostly it people that have trained or abused a dog to be vicious. I have seen vicious ones, but that is because the owners abused them and used them to fight. I have met many more that were so friendly I got wet from all the kisses.

Answer 8

All animals are inherently vicious. They are animals and they live by instinct. I've known many pit bulls, rotties, and other bully breeds to be well behaved and loving when they are raised in a loving environment. They make good guard dogs, because they are territorial by nature. My Pit/boxer mix will aggressively come at someone if they enter my house if he doesn't know them. However, once introduced to someone, he will jump on them and demand to be petted.

Answer 9

No, Pits are not inherently vicious dogs! I have a Pit as well as several other "bully" breeds and they are all as sweet as can be. And they were all stray rescues, many of them had been starved and horribly abused (beaten). And they all still turned out just fine once I got them and showed them the love and consistency that they needed. The only dog that I have that will bite is a Golden Retriever mix. She was also horribly abused and I have not been able to get her to overcome all of her fears yet.

I have worked in a vet clinic for many many years and I have only ever encountered one truly aggressive Rottweiler, not once have I encountered an aggressive Pit. I've encountered many that were scared and might bite in defense, but NONE that were just out and out vicious. And the Rott that was, had an idiot for an owner who thought it was funny that his dog was so aggressive! He encourage him to be that way.

Ten Facts About Pit Bulls Every One Should Know:

1. Pit Bulls are commonly used as therapy dogs. Whether they are visiting a senior care facility or helping someone recover from an emotional accident, Pit Bulls are making a mark as outstanding therapy dogs.

2. Pit Bulls are used in Search and Rescue work. One example of well known SAR Pit Bulls is Kris Crawford and her dogs. Kris and her dogs have helped save the lives of many people during their efforts. http://www.ForPitsSake.org

3. Pit Bulls serve as narcotic and bomb sniffing dogs. One Pit Bull, Popsicle (named that because he was found in an old freezer) has the largest recorded single drug find in Texas history. Read more about Popsicle here. Including how he found over 3,000 lbs of cocaine in Hildago, Texas.

4. Pit Bulls are great with kids. They weren't referred to as the "nanny's dog" for nothing that's for sure.

5. Pit Bulls are not human aggressive. The American Pit Bull Terrier as a breed is not human aggressive. In fact, quite the opposite is true of the breed. They are gentle and loving dogs. Like any dog individuals can be unsound and have behavior problems.

6. The Pit Bull was so popular in the early 1900's they were our mascot not only in World War One, but World War Two as well. They were featured on recruiting and propoganda posters during this time period.

7. Sgt. Stubby. A Pit Bull war hero. Stubby was wounded in action twice, he saved his entire platoon by warning them of a poison gas attack and he single handedly captured a German spy.

8. Pete the Pup on the orginal Little Rascals was a Pit Bull.

9. Pit Bulls score an 83.4% passing rate with the American Temperament Test Society. That's better than the popular Border Collie (a breed who scores 79.6%). View the ATTS stats here.

10. They are dogs not killing machines.

http://www.pitbulllovers.com/pit-bulls-ten-things-you-should-know.html

Answer 10

It's completely about how the dog is raised. Though, they are a very strong dog- so if choosing to own one, much care needs to be taken to properly train. I've seen the most gentle, loving pit bulls interacting well with children and other dogs. But- ALWAYS- you have to be careful with any dog. Any dog, when provoked in any uncomfortable way, can overly react- bite, nip, or worse. Take care in owning a dog. They are the best companions.

Answer 11

I have raised 2 pit pups one was mistreated by the previous owner and the other was not. They both grew up to be sweet lovable dogs. As long as nobody moved to fast in my direction then they would 'protect' me. I think its all in how you raise any dog if they a vicious or not.