Is a Pitbull a good dog?

Question

I'm thinking about getting one. NOT FOR FIGHTING!!!!!!! So I dont want comments about fighting Please! Thanks!

Answer 1

They can be very good loving and affectionate but you must research the breeder very carefully.
Even if you raise him/her in a loving home, if agression is in the genes you could have an unexpected problem waiting to happen.
They tend to be very people friendly but other animals may be a problem.
Never ever ever put a pitbull on a chain in your yard. Even a loving family pet can turn vicious if someone enters there "teritory."
Whenever you buy a dog remember for what the breed was originally intended. There will be heriditary instints that you can not train out of them.
Keep him/her close at hand. Do not let him/her roam freely and you will have yourself a great companion.

Answer 2

I have a staffordshire terrier ( American pit bull) and he is no more aggressive than a chihuahua or any other breed. You do not want to adopt an older dog. The younger the pup the better because you can teach them early they are very fast learners and like any terrier they are hard headed at times i live in city limits of Austin Texas and have never had my dog try to attack any, cops or people of other races. He did get hit by a car about a month ago. But he had no broken bones and is almost completely recovered. Oh If you get a female get her fixed as soon as possible if she has a litter when she gets of age she will be very aggressive and protective of her pups even towards you. I have raised and breed Staffordshire terriers for 11 yrs. They have huge hearts and an unconditional love for their Owners. I suggest you buy one from a breeder who you can check out the pups parents. If the parents are more aggressive the pup will be slightly aggressive. I do not suggest getting the low rider breed of pits, go to a staffordshire terrier web site to see the difference.

Answer 3

Pit bulls are bred to be animal aggressive. A tempermentally sound, well bred pit bull should NEVER be human aggressive.

I highly advise adopting from a shelter. http://www.pbrc.net is a good place to start your search.

Make sure you do your homework on the breed. There is a lot involved in being a pit bull owner.

You have to be more responsible, more diligent, do more training and socialization and be educated about dog bans/restrictions in your area.

Owning a pit bull limits the places you can live, and when you travel you need to be sure the place you go, and the ones you travel through, allow pit bull breeds there.

A pitbull is not a good first time dog owner breed. They need someone who is assertive, has time to devote to training and socialization, and who is educated about the breed and what goes along with owning one.

You should get your dog spayed or neutered, because we don't need any more irresponsibly bred puppies that will end up dying in shelters or by the hands of cruel people.

Pit bulls are indoor dogs, and should never be left outside 24/7 or chained up.

Please visit my website and feel free to email me if you have any more questions regarding pit bulls and dog ownership.

Please don't Buy
While Shelter Animals Die!

http://www.libertydogtraining.com

Answer 4

A Pit Bull is an excellent dog but they are very strong willed and you want to socialize them and train them from puppyhood. They are very intelligent and mine (Pit mix, mostly Pit) is the sweetest dog I ever had, potty trained the quickest etc.
Pit Bulls used to be called "Nanny dogs" and were guardian dogs for children. "Petey" from "The Little Rascals" was a Pit Bull and so was the Crocodile Hunter's dog, "Suey".
The only drawback that I can see is the media's obsession with any attacks that occur, usually by mal-treated dogs. This sort of media has led to banning of the breed in some states and other states are trying to keep up with the Joneses. Unfortunately in mine city, while Pit Bulls are not outlawed, if puppies were taken to the local SPCA and suspected to be Pit or part Pit they would be euthanized.
My opinion? Pits make really great pets! But you might want to check about any restrictions in your area.

Answer 5

It depends. You'll need to thoroughly socialize it with other dogs, and be willing to accept the fact that despite socialization you still might end up with a dog who is aggressive towards other dogs. There is a possibility you may have to have a one dog household. So, if you want a dog that can have "friends" and play with other dogs, then the APBT is not for you.

If you are willing to deal with the increased chances of dog-dog aggression and prey drive, then go for it.

As with all dogs, socialization at a good puppy class is a very good idea. Check out classes before you get your puppy. You want to look for a class that does not use cruel or overly physical training methods and that promotes controlled interaction between the other dogs. NOT just letting all the dogs run loose together - they should be seperated into groups with dogs of similar size and temperment. I know from personal experience - my Boston Terrier was in a puppy class that was not well run, and the first day we got there she was thrown into a situation with larger, rambunctious puppies. A large pup came barreling up to her and she was scared to death. That negative encounter really stuck with her, and even though she's had plenty of positive experiences since, she still has dog-dog aggression.

Okay, back on topic... make sure you get one from a responsible breeder. APBTs sadly are being overbred, so you really have to be careful.

Answer 6

A pit bull can be the best dog ever if properly trained, I had neighbors who had one and he was the sweetest dog, he only one ever jumped on was the mail carrier, but I was able to get him restrained and he did not know me very well at that point. He only jumped on her because he was "protecting" his home and his "pups" (12 yr old twins with a mother who was never home because she had to have 3 jobs due to a deadbeat ex-husband who racked up a ton of bills). The dog was murdered by a friend of the twins older brother, who was stoned.

As someone else said do not ever let him ever run loose, as someone who is prejudice against these dogs will call the animal control same with him barking a lot.

Answer 7

Most people think when someone says they want a pit bull they are going to fight them, sad but true. People think the only thing pits are good for is fighting. Pit bulls are great dogs. I have one name Batman. He lives up to his name he as twice stop a pervert from taking little kids. He loves kids and other animals. Pits need to be trained well. They need a lot of exercise. As long as you do these things you will have one of the best dogs around. Also know where you are getting your puppy. There are people that breed the most aggressive pits to fight them. There are some great kennels out there and if you do not wanted one for breeding a lot of rescue groups that do nothing but pits. Its hard to see but the dog in my pic is my pit

Answer 8

I have a pit named Jada. Its all about your responsibility as an owner and what you want the dog for. if you want one to look cool, don't get it. If you really love and want to raise a dog, go for it. A dog is a dog and w/o training does not know right from wrong. And even after training you need to be responsible for a pit around kids. They are great dogs and have gotten a bad name because of bad owners. My pit lives with a Boarder collie and they get along great. Get the dog as a pup and raise it right, never hit your pit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are a lot of work and responsibility, but its worth it they are really loving dogs when raised right. Just some food for thought, cockerspaniels are the dogs that attack or bit the most! who knew.

Answer 9

My dad owned three pitbulls when i was a baby and they were great. Back then my dad would fight them (not something I agree with) but they still were great with me. My parents always said that it wasn't the breed it was the trainer. Pitbulls need to be trained and trained very very well, if that happens then you should never really have any problems with them. I will say this though they really don't get along with other animals Pop-eye (the one that was most protective of me) used to kill rabbits and was accused of killing a cow. You just need to be very aware of what your getting into. Dog shelters are way to overcrowded with Pitbulls already, they don't need anymore.

Answer 10

Im not an expert on dogs but i do read about them a little and this is what i've read. "The American Staffordshire Terrier (pitbull terrier) from a reputable breeder should, like its English relative (English Staffordshire bull terrier) be affectionat and trustworthy towards its owner and a fine guard. Owing to its ancestry, it is likely to be aggressive to other dogs and to need firm control. However some irresposible breeders and owners have encouraged the dog's aggressive tendencies, making this breed widely feared. It needs alot of exercise and regular grooming." hope this helps.