Why Do People Think SOOO Badly of Pit Bulls?

Question

I absolutly love the breed. ALL of the pit bulls I have ever had in my life have been so sweet. I think it is the owners who make them aggressive. I have done my research about them, I wish I didn't have to find a new home for mine, but I am having to move to a SMALL apartment and that would be unfair to him. I live in the Dallas area and people are known to fight and breed them to make money, how is that the DOGS fault? I see nothing wrong with these dogs. I heard that the CHOW is the most likely to bite a person. But I just want to know why peopl think they are so bad. Could this be the reason it is so hard to find him a decent SAFE home?

Answer 1

Perhaps the lineage of pit bulls in our town is more aggressive than others? or not the norm? I was in the vet's office to have stitches removed the other day..and a call came in about a sick pit bull..the vet's assistant told the caller that the doctor doesn't accept pit bull clients...So, then the vet came out to look at my dog, and the assistant told him about the caller..He said, I would like to help all dogs, but if it hadn't been for my steel toed boots, I would have lost my foot to the last pit bull I tried to help..So, never again.
Then, they got to talking about the Chihuahua puppies that had come in earlier in the day...3 Chihuahua puppies had been in their own yard, playing with children, when a pit bull climbed the fence and killed one and injured the other 2 , one of them died at the vet's..the 3rd one was still in ICU.

I have several local friends who have been attacked by their own pit bulls...None of them were bad owners..but the dogs just 'snapped' and attacked...so, I wonder...Could it be that our pit bulls are just worse than those in other areas? This is a very nice resort community.

I work PT at a doggy day care. We have 3 pit bull clients, and none of them will play nicely with the other dogs. As we are leading them out they attack the other kennels, and even cut their noses trying to get to the other dogs..None of the other boarding kennels will even accept them any more..the owner where I work has decided not to accept any others. .All of the other dogs play together most of the day with no problems, but the pit bulls can only be let out to play one at a time.

Answer 2

The problem are not the dogs, but the bad owners and the bad breeders. Owners needs to understand pit bulls should not be allowed to run around and play with other dogs. Even if they don't start the fight they will end it, and get blamed for the entire thing. They shouldn't be taken to dog parks and doggy daycares. If you want to go to the dog park, get a different type dog, same goes if you need to utilize doggy daycare.
When it comes to breeding... SOOOO many people breed pit bulls just because they have two to throw together with no care of temperment, health, bloodlines, etc... They are really doing major damage to the different pit bull breeds.
The media plays its part as well. You will see the "pit bull attack" story on the front page of the paper and the lab attack in a little column in the middle of the paper, if at all. Also, the people naming the breeds involved in the bites/attacks are usually either the victim or a witness, and they are often very wrong. Not very many people can pick a pit bull out of a line up of different breeds, but since the dog attacked it had to be a pit bull. Usually, pictures of the guilty dog surface and it is definitly not a pit bull. Of course, the media doesnt usually go back and give the correct identification of the breed.
WIth children... any dog can bite, and some will. Owners of any breed need to make sure to keep an eye on their dog and any children around as well as never leaving them alone together. I have been breeding APBTs for 15 years and have been around them for 30 and have never had one show any aggression towards a child. I have seen thousands of pit bulls, some I was familiar to and others who had never been around me but I have never had one show any kind of aggression towards me. But, the dogs I have been around have all been down from great bloodlines.

Answer 3

I agree that in many cases pits get a "bum rap". A lot of reported pit bull attacks are actually other breeds. I have an American Bulldog that is constantly being called a pit and it's made me realize that most people (even some pit owners) can't tell the difference. In most cases, it's ignorance plain and simple.

That being said, you do have to acknowledge the fact that the bite of a pit bull can cause more injury than that of a chihuahua (even though in my opinion the chihuahua is much more likely to bite...hehe).

The American Pit Bull was originally intended to be both a family dog AND a fighting dog. In the early 1900's, a good pit bull was bred to emphasize not only aggressiveness, but also loyalty and obedience to their owner. They also have an strong inbred desire to "finish the job", whether that job is pulling a sled or in an attack. Today, or in recent years, too many have been bred by irresponsible owners to increase the aggressiveness without much thought to the loyalty and obedience. In short, there are more American Pit Bulls than there are responsible owners. Too many without the proper training, breeding, socialization, etc. to make them good family pets. Therefore, it has become VERY difficult to find good homes.

My advice would be to check with a local Pit Rescue. They may be more qualified to find the right owner for your dog. Though you may find someone willing to provide your dog with a home, even with the best intentions, unless they have the knowledge to properly train and care for him, they may be doing him more harm than good.

Best of luck.

Answer 4

media has alot to do with and really most people couldn't pick a pitt bull outta a line up of other bully breeds. or most other bully's that have attacked could not be pit's at all... its a funny world. some pits are great some have quriks i can't imagine damning a breed for a few bad seeds that might have just had bad owners...and in truth most people can not handle the breed... the owner has to be the dominate one...so even though they might do great with a more laid back breed does not mean they should have a pit.
I love pits a couple of my friend have them and they are around kids. but the dogs know who is boss.
i talked to a trainer in my area and she said to me she is one off the only ones that will take pits in to her class...."yeah lets have this 'dangerous' breed go untrained...that will help everything" and as far a vet not caring for the pits that sounds a bit wrong to me they are to help any animal in need...muzzle the dog if ur afraid...

Oh and can u PICK THE PIT?
this is not the best one i've seen but its good.

Answer 5

I had a year old Belgian Malinois (an even more active breed than a pit bull), a husky/Rottie mix, and an Aussie mix in a very small apartment. The size of the place doesn't matter. What matters is that you'll get your dog exercise! Two of the best apartment dogs are greyhounds and Great Danes and they like to pick a spot on the floor and sleep. It's more unfair to ditch your dog because of convenience to you. Keep your dog and keep on looking. It can be done. Where there is a will, there is a way!

Answer 6

I love pit bulls. I think this hate for pit bulls has to do with the media. Most of the stories on the news are WAY over exagerated, or completely UNTRUE! I know a lot of people who claim they were bit by a pit bull, but it was really a completely different breed. My friends dog bit the neighbor, and the neighbor reported it to the police as a pit bull attack, but it was actually a COCKER SPANIEL mix. I think this happens more than people realize.

I work at a vet clinic, and refering to one of the answers, I have never heard of any vet clinic that refuses service to pit bulls. Infact, we LOVE to see a pit bull walk through the door because they are so sweet and easy to work with. And pit bulls can have a high prey drive, and be aggressive toward other dogs. But a responsible pit bull owner would be aware of this. And often times, through LOTS of socialization and training this can be prevented. But pit bulls have NEVER been bred to be aggressive toward humans, unless there are irrisponsible breeders out there who think pit bulls should be mean, who specifically breed the aggressive dogs (and i'm sure there are some out there).

And any dog can be aggressive, and it does have to do with how they are raised. i was attacked by a Golden Retriever who nearly took the right side of my face off. I still have the scars on my face. And this owner didn't train her dog to be aggressive, but she was still irrisponsible because she neglected that fact that he IS aggressive. After he attacked my, she told me that he has done this before. But she still doesn't seek help. She just makes excuses for him. BAD owner, not a bad dog. And it is the same with pit bulls.

Answer 7

Frist for those stupid enought to think pit bulls were frist bred for fighting please go read thier histroy:
http://www.pitbullregistry.com/PitBull%20History.htm
Pit bulls are not the only dogs used in fighting. In the Roman Empire a now exint breed of dog called Molossi were used as war dogs. Guess what they were trained to kill? Breeds that are directly related to this breed areSpino Ilalino,Great pyrenees, Black Mounth Cur And the St. Bernard. All of those dogs expect for the St Bernard, have been used in dog fighting alone with Akita , all mastiff, Boxer Chow Chow, rotts, shiba inu, doggo cubico, bull terriers. The media and stupid people are to blame for what is happening to the pit bull now.. The pit bull is the most abused and under trained dog in the world. Thugs, gandsters and drug dealers use these dogs becasue they look "bad" and can kill. Punish the only thinking being in this the human. Any dog can kill. We are having troble with labs in my town, no one wants to ban labs and there as been 2 deaths. My nephew was attack by thier family lab. Stop and think ban pits the bad guys wil pick another large breed and they will be the next to be on the chopping block and then maybe it will be the breed you love.

Answer 8

Its mostly the media, i have a pit bull and hes sweetest as any dog can be.And knows when theres a threat and when to protect. and knows when its OK. there very loving dogs pit bulls are the only dogs that are made for not being human aggressive, because when they put the dogs in pits they would have to take them out without being bitten.small dogs bite more than big dogs you dont hear about it because the media wants good story's and they dont care if a chihuahua bites because it cant do much damage!

P.S. and also it would be more unfair to get the dog a new home then be in a smaller apartment.The dog would be waaaay happier with YOU and in a smaller apartment then in a new home.(ALSO WITH A POSSIBILITY THAT YOUR DOG MAY BE FOUGHT.) my advise keep your dog

Answer 9

Too many big media stories of pit bulls mauling little children. It may well be over hyped. I've never seen any good numbers comparing pit bull attacks to other breeds. The fact that people often use them for fighting dogs, doesn't help there reputation either. I'm on the fence myself. I could easily believe that the media has blown the whole thing out of proportion, like they did with Sharks, but I don't believe that enough that I would be comfortable with one anywhere near my kids.

Answer 10

This is going to sound mean and judgemental but I feel like I have to say this.

You have a dog that is a difficult breed to rehome for all the reasons you already know. You say you love your dog. KEEP him.

Get a bigger apt or make it work in the smaller place. You live in Dallas? There are zillions of apartments there, pick another one. Or if you have to move into that one, walk him more often. I have 5 dogs (4 of them labs) and they would be happy to live in one room as long as they were with me.

I'm not trying to be mean, but you made a decision to get this dog. You have to live up to your decision. You can't return children when you have them. And dogs aren't disposable either.

You will have a very difficult time finding a home for your dog so don't find him one. He HAS one. Keep in it.

Sorry to be harsh but with a pit you are fighting an up hill battle.