Are pitbulls by nature dangerous?

Question

Are pitbulls by nature an aggressive breed of dog that (given the right circumstances), will cause harm to another animal or human?
OR
Do pitbulls respond negatively as a result of their social conditioning? That is, is you raise one "right", they will behave "right"?
OR
Do you have another perspective? Just curious...

Serenity, it may seem weird that I asked this question under "Society & Culture", but I thought that asking it under the "Pet" section may result in some biased responses.

Answer 1

They naturally have very high agressive tendencies; but a lot of the time, it due to poor/bad trainers/owners and inbreeding.

Answer 2

No.

I have worked with numerous pitbulls. Raised by caring, intelligent families, they are as safe as a breed can be. However, small children should NEVER be left unattended with any dog of any breed (believe it or not: Cocker Spaniels have the highest infant fatality rate of any other breed... think about that).

The other problem is, there are three breeds of dogs that can be properly classed as 'pit bulls'. However, there are over 20 breeds that are commonly mislabeled as pitbulls. Also, many journalists will intentionally or inadvertantly call the attacking dog a pitbull even though the incident reports clearly call it another breed. For example, I witnessed a mutt about a foot high terrorize a young lady. When the incident report was written up, the dog was identified as a mini-pitbull (ignoring the fact that there is no such thing).

As it happens, pitbulls were originally bred for human friendliness and canine aggression -- that is, to be good towards humans and vicious to other dogs. Responsible breeders and owners have managed to breed out most of the canine aggression, and the rest can be mediated by proper training.

Answer 3

NO. That is a big no. Pit bulls are not naturally aggressive animals. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Pit bulls are very stubborn animals, and can withstand abuse and pain longer without getting angry than any other animal, and are generally more pleasant.

However, the difference with Pit bulls and other dogs is that when they -do- get angry they are more deadly than other animals.

This is why dog fight owners often choose pit bulls is that they can take abuse longer so they can mold them into a killing machine so that the dog they fight will get the short end of the stick.

Also, you can raise ANY dog right, without worrying about it "behaving wrong," as long as you know how to do it. The same way if you raise it badly, it will behave badly.

So, to answer your two answer shortly...

1. No. They are a very mild breed, just extremely dangerous when they do get angry.

2. Yes. All dogs are changed by how they are nurtured (or abused.)

The belief that pit bulls are evil dogs that are inherently aggressive is an ignorant belief.

Answer 4

Pitbulls were bred to be strong and aggressive, but they are not by nature vicious. A pit bull is a one-person dog with true devotion to the chosen one. They are very sensitive to correction, cowering and slinking when told NO. However, they do form packs, which can be good or bad, and their play is very rough, which can be misunderstood. My daughter has three pitbulls which is a hand full, but one or two at a time will be very loving and devoted when loved in return.

Answer 5

I believe it is currently both.

Pitbulls by nature are more aggressive. It was a trait that the breeders wanted to see increase in the dogs, and bred them accordingly for hundreds of years.

As for social conditioning; most people buy them and raise them to encourage their aggressive nature. They have also become a status symbol for many people. The "I am tuff and so is my dog" mentality.

Anatomically, they are very deadly. The musculature and bone structure of their jaws gives them incredible bite strength and allows for a prolonged holding of its prey.

They are very very dangerous animals, but through no fault of their own. Humans made them that way.

Answer 6

Pit bulls have been bred for years pecifically for dog fights which are now illegal. because of this its become a natural instinct for them to be aggresive. If you can find a reputable breeder who has been breeding pitbulls for years, you can usually find good pitbulls who are very mild and loving. It took humans years to domesticate dogs, the same can be done with pitbulls too, all you have to do is breed the instincts out of them. though mind you you can't get rid of every instinct.

Answer 7

Pit bulls were originally bred to be both a family dog and to be used in (now illegal) dog fighting.

There is a common belief that pit bulls were bred to be aggressive. This is not true. Pit bulls were bred for strength, tenacity and dominance in order to be successful in the ring. These traits can lead to aggression if not channeled properly. Pit bulls, like all dogs, are social pack animals.

The American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS) breed statistics as of December 2006 show an 84.1% passing rate for the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier and an 83.9% passing rate for the Staffordshire bull terrier, as compared to an 81.5% average pass rate for all dog breeds.

Many sources propagate the myth that pit bulls have a "locking jaw" mechanism, and that the dog cannot let go once it has bitten. This is untrue. 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."

Answer 8

This is true but often the dog will be taken from you & put on a secure facility while they test its temperament, if it behaves badly without you or fails a single test they won't give it back & will put it down. I hate this law as pit bulls were bred to be family pets but their strength means idiots use them to fight & they get a bad rap. My friends family always had pits & she grew up with 4 males who never fought or hurt her when she ragged at them as a kid. They had 2 left when the law came in, you could give them a real bone from the butchers & take it off them without even a growl, they never even pulled on a lead & were better behaved than most other dogs now but they had to send them to live with their family in America & it broke her heart. I think people should be tested not the dogs, professional breeders & shelters ask lots of questions & get to know you before they let you have a dog, this should be standard. Even buying over the internet you should have a chat with each other personally first to ensure the dogs will life like dogs not weapons.

Answer 9

Natural aggression that can be contributed by the way the own of the pit bull treats the dog.

Answer 10

Pitbulls have been bred to be aggressive so unless it's trained properly, it will probably have some aggressive tendencies. And not to be picky, but isn't this the wrong section?