Do people know that dogs are bred for purposes?

Question

Do they suppose the Federation for the Blind has erred by not breeding "Pitt Bulls" for Service Dogs? Do you suppose dogs might have inherited charecteristics and this is why certain breeds are proferred?

For Joa5, Your fired!

Also the question is asked because so many people think Pit Bulls are "no different" that it's all in how they are raised, sorry to tell you, this is not so! They were bred to intimidate, dominate and kill, they are aggresive by nature, they WERE bred to be, Dogs, didn't just "happen" we bred inherent traits into them to serve our purposes. Lab Pit Bull crosses are not "good" childrens pets.

Answer 1

Pit bulls were bred for one and only one purpose, to fight other dogs in dog fighting pits, hence the name. They are unsociable, intollerant of other dogs and are loyal to generally only one person even in a family environment.

They were not chosen for service dogs because they would be 100% unsuitable for the task.

In Australia we are lucky, many states have now banned the breeding of and importing of pit bulls, which is as it should be.

Answer 2

Have you ever been to a dog show and seen the "Pits" there? None of them have problems and I'll have you know that there are many more Chihuahua's excused from the ring than Staffies. I'm not a great fan of the breed and would not have one simply cause I'm head over heals for my Labradors, but I think that people should wise up to the fact that the dog isn't to blame. Succumbing to media hype is just blindness. I've grown up showing dogs and I learned to walk hanging onto my folks Staffies. If you actually look at properly bred dogs and see how they behave you will better understand the particular breed in question.
And there are many breeds that aren't used as service dogs. My breed just happens to be the smartest (and best looking) so they get used the most :-)
Edit: There's no such thing as "good children's pets". Children should not be allowed to have pets and personally I wouldn't ever place one of my puppies in a home with kids without serious evaluation. Children are mean and often cruel. I remember only too well my wretched past. I'm sorry.

Answer 3

The Federation for the Blind has not erred. Pit Bulls are lovely dogs, and as a former pit bull owner I have to say that they make great pets if some idiot has not ruined them by rewarding rather than correcting aggression.

Basset hounds are lovely dogs, as are Foxhounds, Greyhounds, Mini Pins, Schipperkes, and Great Danes. The Federation for the Blind doesn't breed these either.

To be a suitable as a service dog for the blind, a dog should be medium large and bred to work under intensive direction. Foxhounds are medium large but are scent hunters and work independently. Schipperkes take direction well but are just too small to physically redirect a person. Great Danes are too huge to take most places. Get the picture?

The majority of pits have the strength but not the necessary size. They are not bred for working in concert with people under intense and exacting direction. Dobermans have the necessary size and ability to direct to make good guides and some have done so, but the pit shares a common drawback with them--people are often afraid of the breed and a guide dog has to fit in without causing concern to the general public, even if that concern is unwarranted.

It's no co-incidence that most guide dogs are harmless looking moderately large labs and goldens. German Shepherds are also great guide dogs, and because the public fears them less than Dobes they can function without causing an outcry, even though Dobes are the right size and excell at working well under instruction.

Answer 4

While certain traits are inherent, as a tendency to aggression may be, it is the training of dog that make the difference in how those traits are displayed. Pit bulls are not used as service dogs commonly for two simple reasons, they are neither a sight hound nor a retriever. They are however used quite frequently for other tasks, police dogs, search and rescue, drug location. I assist in teaching classes to local and federal agencies for first aid for service dogs, and have seen many officers who choose to use pit bulls. Also did you know that pit bulls are the most commonly owned breed by veterinary professionals (both doctors and techs). If any would know the so called "downfalls" of a breed it would be them, and yet they choose to bring these animals into their life and homes. I have been in the vet medical field for over 10 years, and have seen many bite episodes in the hospital. The most common breeds to bite? Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Chows and Shar peis.

Answer 5

Pit bulls (I hate how this term is used as if it refers to a breed) are not used for see and eye dogs as their "purpose" is VERY far removed from that type of work. The same as you don't see many Huskies, Great Danes, Yorkies or Border Collies used for it either. All breeds show classic traits of their breed, and all breeds have a "purpose", why do you suppose people don't know that. Just because a Ridge Backs have the "purpose" to hunt lions doesn't mean you can't own one if you don't go lion hunting once a week.

Some breeds tend to be smarter, some tend to be more trainable... not every dog of a certain breed is suitable for each job.

I wouldn't want to trust my life to the service of a whippet, mastiff, st.bernard nor a Maltese. But I'd love to have each having a job and each are prefered by different people for different reasons and different tasks.

What I find funny is the misconception people have about different breeds, like a yorkie is suitable to live in an apartment and would LIKE to be carried in a purse! Their "purpose" is to hunt rats and small household vermin for the poor!

Answer 6

Ah, good. I was hoping they weren't bred because people thought they were fun to watch....

Seriously, though. Yes, the inherited characteristics of certain breeds are preferable. As a species, dogs work well with humans, although some are more attuned to people and our behaviors.

Answer 7

You need to educate yourself regarding the American Pit Bull Terrier. "Pit Bull" is not a breed.

Pit Bulls do make great service dogs!

Helen Keller had a American Pit Bull Terrier.

The first certified hearing dog in Alaska was an APBT

http://www.pitbullpress.com/ARTICLES/atyourservice.html

http://www.pitbulllovers.com/training-articles/therapy-dogs-pit-bulls.html

http://www.pitbulllovers.com/pitbulls-therapy-dogs-kentucky.html

http://www.21stcenturycares.org/realpit.htm

http://www.pitbullregistry.com/workingpitbulls.htm

http://www.workingpitbull.com/activities.htm

http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/pospress.html

I have a young rescue Pit Bull and have thought about making him a therapy dog for children and the elderly. He is great with children. My 74 year old mother-in-law says it makes her feel happy when she pets him.

Answer 8

actually they were bred for certain characteristics. it is simple. its how evolution works. lets say you want a really fast dog. so you take the two fastest wolves you have and breed them. then you breed the fastest of the pups with another fast dog. its that simple. its how race horses are bred. and also its how sugar beets go to be so sweet. look it up!

Answer 9

Definitaly!
Pitt Bulls would make great service dogs, but, unfortunately their reputations (undeserved, I know) prevent them from being welcomed in certain places.

Answer 10

i agree with 110% keep up the good work trying to educate the obviously uneducated KUDOS to u

Answer 11

because certain breeds tend to be more calm, smart, and street smart