Pit Bull owners...?

Question

Do you have to defend your breed often from people who don't know about the breed or watch to much T.V.?

Answer 1

You would not believe how many times my husband and I have had to defend our dog. We have seen it all. From mothers picking up their children until we pass them to people staying in their cars until we leave the park. Our dog is more gentle than a kitten. She loves to chase squirrels and birds but besides that she's mellow. I've had people yell at me to put her leash on when we're in a no leash park. I've seen people pick their dogs up when they see our dog coming. Bailey (our dog) is more scared of them then they are of her. I'm feed up with the crap they show on TV because any dog can bite and any dog can be vicious. My dog will protect me if it comes down to it however, she is very gentle. I've educated most of the dedicated dog walkers at this park I go too so most folks love Bailey.

Answer 2

I am not a Pit Bull owner, but my upstairs neighbor is. I don't think that its all about defending the breed from the stereotype the public has about it. I think that it can sometimes be the opposite, defending yourself from the stereotype that the breed owners are all thugs and gangstas. I know my upstairs neighbor has tried to intimidate me when we were in a dispute. Answering the door in a tank top, baggy shorts, and pushing his Pit Bull in my face while its wearing a spiked collar.

As much as people have a negative view of the breed itself it has been embraced by the hip hop wanna be gangsta set as a sign of being tough, having street cred, the same as being in a gang or carrying a gun. I think that when people see the breed they might be afraid of it for the reputation it has gained in the press, but people have the same view of the owners as well.

Answer 3

Don't have Pit Bul, but have 2 rottweilers. And yes, you do have to be a bit defensive. My outlook on the problem is to be extra vigilant about being a good dog owner. Unfortunately the dogs behavior is a reflection on the owner- this is how the Pit Bull problem started- with irresponsible owners. The news stories NEVER report the information fully. The "attack" is sensationalized, and the other information is supressed. I always wonder how many dogs were being taunted, teased and aggravated by people before they snapped and bit somebody. That information is never presented. MY respnsibility is to protect my dogs, and be the best ambassador to the breed that I can be. This helps my dogs be good ambassadors as well.

Answer 4

I have a pit and a one year old son I have to defend my dog to my in-laws all the time they insist that they need to come over to make sure that the dog is not aggressive all the time and my mother-in-law is scared to death of him but the truth is that he would not hurt a person he knows better because he has been trained better. personally i think that it is good that people have a fear of them, to a certian extent, because there are alot of people out there that breed them for the wrong reasons and personally I would not want my child to go up to the wrong dog and get bitten. I think that people should fear all dogs in a way becuase any breed can bite you it is not limited to just pits and rots.

Answer 5

Yes.
Being a pitbull owner has a lot of added responsibility.

And you have to fight stereotype of the breed.

My dogs are all rescues, and very loving and loyal.

To many people are ignorant and only know the pitbulls from the media....or he say/she say stories that are not always correct. Like, many dog bites/attacks attributed to pitbulls were not even done by a pitbull type dog...many people do not know how to identify breeds, and label all aggressive dogs as pitbulls.

I do believe all pet pitbulls should be neutered/spayed to curb animal aggression. Human aggression should NEVER be tolerated by the breed, and if a pitbull is human aggressive, he/she should NEVER be bred, and ideally should be put to sleep as the dog is NOT a good representative of the breed.

I try to educate people I meet on the breed, and help them to see what kind of wonderful loving companions they really can be.

http://www.libertydogtraining.com

Answer 6

You are the one who chose that breed. Yes it does come with certain assumptions because of the history. Have you ever seen a child that has been mauled by a dog? Any dog? They were all sweet dogs, until they attacked for unknown reasons and without provocation. I have more than once. It's terrible. One of the breeds most likely to "lose his temper" is, unfortunately for you, the Pit Bull. I was attacked by a doberman once, I waas lucky and was able to get away. I did nothing to provoke the animal. It was scarry to say the least.
You will need to responsible with the ownership of your pet. Being on the defensive will not get you anywhere at all so why waste the energy. Sorry owning one means you will have to take the guff. The best way to handle it is to ignore the comments.

Answer 7

Yes. I had a pit bull growing up, and when I would have friends over to spend the night, I would have to lock Terra up in the bedroom because they would be scared of her. They had gotten the media version that all Pits are attack dogs. They had no clue that there could be some that were sweet. Terra was the biggest baby. She was an 80 lb dog and would climb up in your lap and give you "the lean". Do you know what I mean by "the lean"? She would lean on your chest and love up to you and press in. It was really cute. She was my baby and I miss her.

However, there are some people who buy Pits specifically for training them to be attack dogs, and they are the ones who get all the media. Sad for the people who own them. I think my city is going to pass an ordinance banning them. Sad!

Answer 8

Some people let there imaginations go to wild...there stupidity can be alot worse the a pits bite. I had 1 a few years ago gentle as could be i loved him to death but everyone had to stick there 2 cents in on what could happen which put him on a log chain behind a fence for the rest of his life. Then some neighbor had poisioned him i knew he did but couldnt prove it. He died a horrible death. So protect the ones u love.

Answer 9

Disney needs to come up with a really good Pit,Rottie story. This attitude that prevails needs to be curtailed at the childhood level.....Pits and Rotties can be good.....Teach the kids that ownership of these creatures is a trust. If you are a guradian of such a pet you do have added responsibilities....thats how it all starts....Education.

Answer 10

I am a rottie owner, but yes. public opinion is swayed by al sorts of bad stories. however a lot of people do have more than one brain cell and can make their own mind up. my friend got attacked by a sausage dog last night, blood everywhere. nothing was done further than an apology. if that was a pitbull you would have had to put the dog down.
it's unfair but it does have its advantages. for example, anyone who comes to my house sees the two rottweillers and they certainly dont hang around. so its good security