Are pit bulls really dangerous?

Question

My fiance and I were considering getting a dog. He really wants a pit bull. I know that if raised incorrectly, they can be extremely dangerous. I also know that if raised correctly, they can be relatively friendly and safe. How safe are pit bulls? Anyone have any experiences raising or owning a pit bull?

We are hoping to have kids someday as well, so I'd like to get a dog that I would trust around my kids.

Answer 1

The American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS) breed statistics as of December 2005 show an 83.5% passing rate for the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier and an 84.7% passing rate for the Staffordshire bull terrier, as compared to an 81.2% average pass rate for all dog breeds. The ancestors of modern pit bulls come from England. The English White Terrier, the Black and Tan Terrier and the Bulldog are supposedly extinct breeds, this occasion stems from their forced retirement. However, that in their own time the English White Terrier, the Black and Tan Terrier and the Bulldog were prized animals. Vermin threatened people in more ways than just providing an unpleasant scare or as unwelcome guests; at their best, vermin ruined crops and damaged property; at their worst they served as a vehicle for fleas that carried the Black Plague. Terriers destroyed vermin efficiently and were easy animals to care for. As time went on the sports of badger and rat baiting — among others — caught on. It is from the terrier that pit bulls get their kind nature and juvenile behavior; it is also where the instinct to kill came from.These dogs were used in battle and for guarding, but they also served utilitarian purposes, such as farm work. Specifically, these dogs accompanied farmers into the fields to assist with bringing bulls in for breeding, castration, or slaughter. The dogs, known generally as bulldogs, protected the farmer by subduing the bull if it attempted to gore him. Typically a dog would do this by biting the bull on the nose and holding on until the bull submitted. Because of the nature of their job, bulldogs were bred to have powerful, muscular bodies, and the resolve to hold onto a violently-struggling bull, even when injured.

Eventually these dogs' purpose inspired the widespread practice of the bloody sports of bull-baiting and bear-baiting. In Elizabethan England, these spectacles were popular forms of entertainment. However, in 1835, bull-baiting and bear-baiting were abolished by Parliament as cruel, and the custom died out over the following years.There are often more dogs (many are mixed breeds which are lumped into the category of "pitbull") than there are owners. Pit bulls or dogs that appear to be pit bulls may be destroyed in dog pounds due to the stigma associated with the breed. Few, if any, statistics exist for these issues. Pit bulls and pit mixed dogs are a common sight in animal shelters. According to Nathan Winograd, president of the No Kill Advocacy Group, shelters today have failed to educate people about pit bull ownership and have not focused on finding them responsible homes, but rather are engaging in a "witch hunt".Dr. I. Brisbin (University of Georgia) states:

"The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the skulls, mandibles and teeth of pit bulls show that, in proportion to their size, their jaw structure and thus its inferred functional morphology, is no different from that of any breed of dog. There is absolutely no evidence for the existence of any kind of 'locking mechanism' unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier."One of the most popular and baseless urban myths about pit bulls is that pit bulls often ‘turn’ on their owners without provocation. However, no sane dog performs behaviors for no reason. When aggression becomes a problem the reasons can often be traced to such things as improper handling, lack of socialization or training, a misreading of dog behavior by the owner, lack of discipline, or even disease. When an owner is startled by a sudden, aggressive outburst, it is generally because they have been unaware of problems that were brewing.

Research performed by GoodPooch.com director, Marjorie Darby, finds that dogs involved in attacks overwhelmingly have a known history of aggression, even though many dog owners deny or minimize this fact. The neighbours are usually a better source for documenting negative aspects of a dog's history, than its owner(s). As such, it is further evidence that dogs, including 'pit bulls', don't just "turn" on their owners. A followup to a CDC report on dog bite fatalities came to a similar conclusion.

Answer 2

Pit bulls are not dangerous - the OWNERS are dangerous. Also, there is a huge difference between dog aggression (which is "bred" into Pit Bulls) and human aggression, which is not bred into any breed but is developed based on the dog's interaction with the humans around them. If you read the stories about dog attacks - whether or not they were done by Pits - the dogs were often chained up outside (which is never a good situation for any dog), new mothers, not spayed or neutered, etc. They were rarely if ever in a good living environment - and I would be suspicious if anyone claimed so.

I do know several families with Pit Bulls, and the dogs are loving, loyal, and fantastic with the kids - two families had the dogs before the kids came along, and one family got the dogs when their kids were young. The dogs did great in all those situations, but the important factor was that the owners were great owners who took amazing care of their dogs, both in terms of the dog's needs (food, shelter, etc) and the dog's obedience and training.

Answer 3

Hello. I do not own a pit bull, but they are absolutely my favorite dog breed. I have done a lot of research on them, and i know they are the right dog for me. I am going to get one as soon as we have enough money for a dog. And it is true that a dogs behavior has everything to do with how it is raised. Well raised pit bulls who are well trained and well socialized are some of the friendliest dogs i have ever met. They are so sweet and so forgiving. I work at a vet clinic, and a family was just asking us this same question. The whole family wanted a dog, but the husband REALLY wanted a pit bull. It took him a while to convince his wife, because she was affraid of pit bulls. Well they ended up getting a pit bull puppy a few weeks ago, and they couldn't be happier. He is a part of their family now, and is growing up to be a very nice citizen, a bit of a ladies man actually. I think a pit bull is a wonderful choice as a pet, as long as you know where your puppy comes from, and you raise your puppy right. They aren't dangerous unless tought to be.

(i have never heard of a pit bull turning on it's owners. I don't know where this came from.)

Answer 4

I have a pit who is either largely pit or all pit. (her mother was a stray and was pure pit, had a litter and the pups were on the way to a shelter. in my city they kill pits or pit mixes at the local spca.)
I got her when she was three weeks old, as a rescue. She is the sweetest dog and completely safe around children. I have children that visit regularly (relatives) and feel absolutely safe when she is around them. Children should be supervised around any animal, but Pit's have a high tolerance for pain so they are less apt to bite. What makes them dangerous is that they do have a powerful bite if and when they do bite.
I trust my dog absolutely, but I know her temperament from when she was small. Any dog you may be considering to adopt should be temperament tested to make sure they are appropriate for children and that is for any breed.
A temperament tested Pit Bull would make an excellent pet for a family and as a family dog. They used to be called "Nanny" dogs because they were commonly used as guardians of children. "Petey" from "The Little Rascals" was a Pit Bull.
The woman in France who had the first face transplant had her face ripped off by a Labrador Retriever.
So temperament test any dog.

Answer 5

Pit bulls aren't good dogs for first time owners, just like many other large breed dogs. but can be wonderful pets. I would recommend adopting a pit bull from a rescue, rather than buying from a breeder. That way, you already know the dog's personality, and you're saving a life while you're at it. If bred from fighting dogs, the puppy may have no say in growing up to be aggressive. Also, pit bulls and AmStaffs in rescue groups have often been exposed to children, so the staff can tell you who is good with kids, and who is not.

Answer 6

Cesar Millan, dog behavioral expert and star of National Geographic's _The Dog Whisperer_, has this to say:

"There are no killer dogs! Dogs are not born killers nor do they choose to be killers. What we are seeing in the news with the recent rash of canine violence is the tragic outcome of humans who own dogs, but do not know how to properly fulfill the needs of man's best friend."

Cesar has a pack of over 50 dogs--mostly "dangerous breeds" like rotts, pit bulls, and German shepherds--at his Dog Psycology Center in Los Angeles. They all run together and don't fight--and many of them are dogs that were bred to fight--or even former fighting dogs!

If you decide to get a pit, I would suggest reading Cesar's book, _Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems_.

Becoming the pack leader to your dog will allow any breed of dog to be safe, and if you teach your children to be pack leaders there is no reason why it wouldn't be safe to get a pit bull.

Still, you should get a puppy from an established breeder.

Good luck!

P.S.--For more info and summary of Cesar's method and the show, check out http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20041017-9999-lz1a17beast.html .

Answer 7

Pitbulls are only dangerous if they are trained to be dangerous. They have teeth that go up to the side of their forehead unlike regular dogs have them to their jaw. Just don't get a pit bull angry. Other than that they are nice, loyal, friendly dogs. I had a gorgeous and loving pitbull but i had to give her away because I can't have pets. But I have also played with big pitbulls and they are just like any other dog.

Answer 8

I have included several links which if you do your homework before getting the dog could prove to be invaluable.


They can be very dangerous! The pit bulls can be dangerous if you are ever planning on getting married and having children reconsider it.
Many home owner insurance companies won't insure with pit bulls or rotweilers. Likewise rental apartments.

http://www.pitbulllovers.com/pitbull-articles/pitbulls-and-fatal-dog-attacks.html

Fact: Out of the estimated 53 million dogs in the United States 92 fatal attacks are contributed to Pit Bulls or Pit Bull Mixes (2 were from American Staffordshire Terriers) from 1965-2001.

Source: Fatal Dog Attacks by Karen Delise

Imagine that. 53 million dogs. 92 fatal attacks out of 431 that span a 37 year period (1965-2001). Now I ask you, after looking at the numbers do we have a dangerous dog problem?

Responsibility for Dangerous Dogs

http://www.thedogpress.com/Columns/AV%20Mike/AV_Dangerous_Dog.asp

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pets_pitbull

Answer 9

Stunned by the gross ignorance of your responders. Please simply google "Pit Bull attacks" and Thousands of stories will come up where innocent people and Babies, toddlers and children are literally ripped to shreds in their own yards, on the street, on a horse, while jogging and owners abs children of owners in their own homes! Want to be responsible for your neighbors limbs being ripped off, wake to find your babies throat ripped out, or offer up your own because you are a classless, ignorant Macho FOOL or the wife to be of one?? A) ditch the low class fiancé. He's an Idiot. B) do a quick and simple google search to read the 100's of true horror stories. These dogs kill Far more people than sharks each year. They should be eradicated from the planet (and their owners too would be a wise idea).

Answer 10

Pit Bulls are great dogs. It is how a person raises them. I have owned a male pit for the past 5 years. He was given to me when he was just two weeks old. I have raised him ever since. He is the best dog. I have a young daughter and he is fine around her. Max ia a great dog..loyal, loving, funny, protective, all wrapped up in one dog.

Answer 11

Pitbulls have the capability of being very dangerous, because they were bred to fight and were bred to keep their mouths automatically clamped on whatever they've gotten ahold of when they bite.

On the other hand, I've never met a pit that wasn't by nature exceedingly meek with people....another characteristic that's been bred into them, I think. Pits have and will take incredible amounts of abuse from two-legged idiot monkeys without "turning" on them. Of course, this characteristic can and has been trained out of them sometimes, using the proper torture techniques.

Pits, in general, are much maligned but that reputation results mostly because of the attraction that violently-inclined mental midgets have for them.