Are Pit-bulls violent and vicious?

Question

I have heard that pit-bulls only attack other dogs, if they are treated with love and care. But others say that they will attack people no matter what.

Answer 1

not at all it just matters if you train them mean or nice.

Answer 2

All breeds have been selectively bred for centuries for specific traits. Because of that, each breed has stronger instincts to do certain chosen things.

All dogs might chase a rabbit. A greyhound will probably chase it much longer than a beagle, for example. All dogs might dig, a beagle will probably dig more than a greyhound, for example.

Pit Bulls have been bred for fighting for a long time. They were not originally designed for that, but that is what they evolved to. That instinct is much stronger in some individuals than others. Any dog's nature can be somewhat modified by training and how it is raised. It can be modified, but never erased.

If you do get a Pit Bull, I'm sure anyone will forgive you in the extremely unlikely event that it attacks a person or another animal. On the way to the hospital, you can calmly explain to them how careful you were to train it to be a good citizen.

They also need to understand that because of this careful training, such an attack was totally out of character for your dog. I'm sure your reputation as a world class trainer will also help them to understand how this was unavoidable.

Not all Pit Bulls are dangerous, but why on earth would you even take the smallest chance with a breed that was custom designed to kill and maim? I cannot imagine any traits that this breed has that would make it worth taking the chance. There are so many great breeds out there.

P.S. Boy, did you open a can of worms! The pro Pit Bull people seem to be giving thumbs down to anyone who says anything negative about their babies.

Perhaps I was wrong, perhaps they are the best dogs ever bred. Perhaps all those reports of the vicious attacks are all just negative propaganda by the press. Gosh, if your dog never attacked anyone, no Pit Bull must have ever done that.

Answer 3

Any dog can attack another dog or person or animal. But pit bulls were bred for fighting and usually have a higher prey drive than most other breeds. Pit bulls and all other high drive or working dogs need more training than other dogs such as golden retrievers. Any dog is going to need more than love and care. They need training and discipline. A dog can be trained to do just about anything. A pit bull can be used in dog fights or it can be used as a therapy dog. It depends on the training it receives and also genetics play a big role.

Answer 4

Just like any other breed, pit bulls are what you make them. Unlike Goldens, Labs, Poodles, etc, though, they are bred for a very different purpose. Their background, just like all the "bully breeds" (American Bulldogs, Boxers, Pit Bulls, Staffies, English Bulldogs, Cattle Dogs, etc), predisposes them to animal aggression and a strong prey drive. They were bred to attack, herd, or otherwise aggressively move around bulls and other large herd and game animals. These behaviors, in current times, also lends them to the unfortunate "sports" (if that's what you call it) of dog fighting and bull baiting. Much like the protection and herd guarding breeds (Rottweilers, Shepherds), "bully" breeds take a certain person and certain home to suceed. The breeds and crosses bred specifically for dog fighting (Presa Canario, Cane Corso, etc), are not the same in personality as the Pit Bull, but are also better dogs than their reputation gives them. That being said, not all pits are good dogs, just like not all labs, or goldens, or poodles, or mutts are good dogs. Each dog must be evaluated individually, and can be deeply influenced by their owners, handlers and situations. I work for a vet and recently we had to put down a miniature Poodle who was aggressively attacking anything and everything in her way, including techs, vets, owners, kids, other dogs, etc. No one would have guessed her as an aggressive dog from far away though as she always had bows in her hair, and wagged her tail. I personally own a Boxer who is very muscular and "cut", and I've had people cross the street when I'm walking him because he's obviously aggressive and mean due to his outward appearance.

All of that information aside, no, pit bulls will not only attack other dogs. THey do have a strong prey drive, and need to be worked with regularly to make sure that prey drive is contained and directed into appropriate avenues. If not directed, that drive can turn aggressive. They were bred to be wonderful family dogs, and should NEVER be human aggressive. If pits, or any breed, become human aggressive, that should be directed immediately. Obedience and training is ideal to deal with this, however, some dogs need to be euthanized because they are dangers to themselves and others. I always tell owners and anyone who asks, "If it has teeth, it can bite" and that adage is true regardless of breed. Pits get a bad rap because they cause more damage due to their breeding and original use. They are also inordinately identified as culprits in dog bites because they are obviously "horrible" animals, however a Lab, Golden, Dobe, Rott, Poodle, Mutt, Shepherd, or lap dog can bite and cause damage equally. I hope this helps you, and if it's not obvious, I am a bully breed lover, owner and activist. They are wonderful dogs in the right hands and any dog in the wrong hands can become a danger.

Answer 5

Pit Bulls are NOT VICIOUS dogs, they are just regular dogs that have strong jaws(no, they don't actually lock). Irresponsible owners training the animal to be vicious and attack are the Pit Bulls problems in this world. Some cities have had to put up certain laws regarding Pit Bulls because of the fighting problems, I believe Detroit,Michigan is one of these cities, but the police,animal control and others involved with dogs will tell you that it's not the animal's instinct to attack,it does it under command. It's a very sad thing for these beautiful wonderful dogs.They are truly just as loveable as any other dog, unfortunately for the dog, it is smart and trains easily, putting it in a bad position when matched with an irresponsible owner.

Answer 6

No. Not all pit bulls are vicious. That's a just a stereotype of pit bulls. The reason a lot of pit bulls are that way is because they have a lot of energy, and when it isn't used, they often turn to violence as a way to exert it. Violent pit bulls just don't get enough exercise.

Some people do train pit bulls to be vicious from birth, but that's a different story.

Answer 7

Yes pit bulls are known to attack but sometimes they can be like any normal dog and be loving and caring. It depends if they were trained to fight because they are fighting dogs but they can be nice. From me I wouldn't recommend a pit bull for first time owners. They can be nice and kind. I had a friend who had a pitbull and was pretty much like a helping dog. It loved the cats never growled and was always very friendly so it depends what kind of temperment they have.

Answer 8

No a Pitbull is not violent or vicious!
They are the most well behaved, loving, misunderstood dogs in the world. It's the people who shouldn't have dogs that give PITS such a bad rap. I've been raised around Pits my entire life, all of our dogs past & present have been well trained & well cared for, but most importantly well loved. It's not the breed that is violent & vicious, its the a**holes who get them so they can look tough They are the most damaging to the breed.

Answer 9

Once again, it is how theses dogs are raised. I have a 5 year old male pit bull, and he is the best dog ever. Funny, loyal, loving, a great companion. I have raised him since he was 2 weeks old. I know that he would protect his "pack". I would never let him do that to another dog or person. When we go outside, he is always on a lease and supervised. He lives in a household with all females. Ban the deed not the breed! The people that raise them to fight should never be allowed to own a pit bull. Once again, it is all in how they are raised and cared for.

Answer 10

I am depressed so I once went to group therapy and this lady was talking about how her little grandson was torn to pieces and killed by a pit bull she saw it all.the best dog i ever had was a German Shepard pit bull mix, with all dogs the Dog most always takes after the owner. the master,they should be trained, all pits can be mean if they 're just put in the yard on a chain and not trained, they MUST be trained.They're good pits and bad pits like humans were all different, but they do want to bite , they like it,Pits have 1500 lbs of pressure per square inch of jaw. its a part of them,they were breed to bite and hang on, and that's it, that's exactly what they were breed to do.I am developing a special breed of Shepard .Pits,mix. the pit part will bike the Shepard part will think about it before it bites and the dog will be an exceptionally smart dog

Answer 11

I have played with a number of friendly pit bulls. I am one of these people who will not give into what others say. Every dog is an individual case. Bad owners have bad dogs.