I'm getting an American Pit Bull Terrier and I still need to a bit about them. I still want to know are they still good around children,strangers,and older people. Please only answers if you have a Pit Bull Terrier or used to have one!! THANK YOU!!
2007-01-30 11:32:45 · 10 answers · asked by Dimitrius L 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I work with an animal shelter that adopts out pit bull terriers. So I haven't owned one, but I do know something about them.
Pit bull terriers, like any breed, can be great dogs and personally I have seen many that I have thought were sweet loving dogs. However, they are very strong and powerful animals and they can be strong-willed. They need a committed owner who is willing to work hard on training them to have exemplary manners. Without such training, they can difficult to manage around children and elderly people and can inadvertently hurt them just due to their physical strength (say, by knocking someone over or dragging them on a leash). Because they were originally bred to fight other dogs, some dogs, males in particular, may have a tendency to be aggressive toward other dogs, so early socialization with other dogs is critical. Spaying or neutering your dog is also absolutely necessary if you intend it to be a pet and it does help with possible aggressive behavior, especially in males. Breeding should be left to people who have owned the breed for years, know it well, and are breeding for showing, conformation, health and good temperment. There are way too many pit bulls out there and many are badly bred by people who breed them for the wrong purposes. As a result, shelters are full of them and most end up getting euthanized because too few people want to adopt them. So any breeding should be very selective. Because of all the negative attitudes about this breed, I feel that owners of pit bull terriers have a big responsibility to make their dogs into exemplary canine citizens - and that means lots of positive training and socialization. Don't be surprised if friends and neighbors are afraid of your dog or angry with you for having one. Keep in mind that some communities have banned them and some home insurance companies will deny you insurance if you have one (or charge you enormous premiums). It's not fair, but it's a fact. Only with responsible ownership can the negative attitudes about this breed be changed, so you should be aware you are taking on a big responsibility.
2007-01-30 11:54:03 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
I currently have a 16 year old Pit Bull and have had 7 others in the past (and one is currently in the U.S Army)
Everyone that I have owned was sweet and gentle and had the most unique personalities.
I've never had a problem with them around children, or older people. With strangers, I did have to be near by so the dogs knew that everything was OK. Otherwise the only "issue" I had was when my sister was dating a guy that the dogs never seemed to like, they would always be on alert when he was around but that was it. Dogs can sense bad people.
Be sure to read up on the history of this breed as it will help you see why they have some of their qualities.
Good Luck! :)
2007-02-02 16:38:15 · answer #2 · answered by hunnybunny0324 1 · 5⤊ 0⤋
As long as your pittie is dispositioned the way a pit is SUPPOSED to be, he'll be great with ALL people, but could be aggressive towards other animals. I'm a proud Pit owner, and my Tater is the star of the neighborhood, all the kids in the are play with her after school every day, and anyone that walks through my yard is greeted like an old friend at the fence. I just hope that you are getting your pittie from a shelter or rescue society as opposed to one of the puppy-mill breeders out there that breed them for the wrong reasons.
2007-02-03 07:06:10 · answer #3 · answered by Doc 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, if they arent socialized properly, it may be a problem. For the most part though, if you get them young you dont have to worry about that. If you're adopting an older one, make sure that you never leave the dog unattended with children. But essentially, IMO anyway, I think Pit Bulls are the PERFECT dog for children. As you know, Pit Bulls were BRED specifically to be bull baiting and holding dogs and then eventually were bred as fighting dogs. Knowing this, you have to understand that they have a very high tolerance for pain. Young children are usually rough with animals since they are just learning about them and this is how they learn. So kids and pit bulls are really great with each other. My 2 year old nephew adores my Pit Bull Lucy and Lucy adores him. She takes care of him better than his MOM!! lol but seriously, they are really wonderful with people and VERY loyal. If you want more information about Pit Bulls there are TONS of sites you can go to!!
www.pbrc.net
www.theworkingpitbull.com
www.thepitbullplace.com (this is a forum)
P.S. pit pulls CANNOT and I repeat CANNOT lock their jaws. they were bred to be HOLDING dogs. so the reason they dont want to let go after latching on to something is simple. they dont WANT to. but they CANT lock their jaws. their jaws are NO DIFFERENT than any other dogs jaws.
2007-01-31 12:55:18 · answer #4 · answered by Britt 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Pit bulls are the best. I have had 4 my current one is the sweetest thing you've ever met. I have a lot of nieces/nephews that always jump on her & she loves it. Heres agreat sight that I read alot from its my favorite pit site.
http://www.badrap.org/rescue/
Also read about the Colby family dogs. They are famous breeders and theres a bunch of history on them.
http://www.colbypitbull.com/
Petey from little Rascals was a pit. Celebrities own them too, like jessica alba & jessica biel
FYI: get ready for alot of negative people who wont like your dog at first but will learn to love them.
2007-02-03 15:35:57 · answer #5 · answered by ~chopperwon~ 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have a 2 year old Brindle Pitt Bull. She was abused as a puppy and was very fear aggressive and skitzy. Awhile after I adopted her she began getting better around people. Now a year later she is wonderful around me, my family, strangers, my other 2 dogs, my cat and other animals. Her best friends other than me are a nine year old girl, a tabby kitten, a Chihuahua and a Black Lab. She is the kindest, sweetest dog. Pitt Bulls are only violent, aggressive or vicious if abused, mistreated, or trained to fight. They are only seen as a violent dog because they can lock their jaw, they are strong, and when they are upset they look scary. Your new Pitt Bull should be as fine around people as other dogs. More Labradors have killed or injured more people than Pitts. You'll be fine.
2007-01-30 20:23:15 · answer #6 · answered by iluvgreendaygurl1000 1 · 5⤊ 1⤋
My daughter owns a Pit Bull mix and she is the gentlest dog I have ever seen. It all depends on how they are raised.
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2007-01-30 19:41:31 · answer #7 · answered by Weird Darryl 6 · 5⤊ 3⤋
They are generally good with people but a little animal aggressive. But properly raised and socialized with lots of people and dogs and cats, they can make a great pet.
2007-01-30 19:49:25 · answer #8 · answered by scott3714 2 · 4⤊ 3⤋
my daughters friend just got one and she has a hyperactive 3 year old brother the dog is great around him also she loves interaction with other people
remeber it all depends on how the dog is raised
2007-01-30 20:15:22 · answer #9 · answered by 86Mets 4 · 6⤊ 2⤋
If you don't know enough about them then please, don't get one!!
2007-01-31 16:31:10 · answer #10 · answered by BarbieQ 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋