Pitbulls, Dangerous?

Question

Are Pitbulls the vicious attack dogs the media likes to make them out to be or they just as lovable as any other dog when properly raised?

Answer 1

they absolutely are just as lovable as any other dog!!

any dog can be trained to attack or fight and be mean..

just ask anyone who's ever met my dog, who used to be a fighter btw.

Answer 2

The answer is all in the breeding my friend. You know this is another one of those commonly asked questions at the office. The American Staffordshire (commonly known as the pit bull), like the Dobbies, Rots, Chow Chows, and such have all gotten a really bad rap over the years. How did they get this bad reputation? That is simple to ask. These dogs were breed to fight at one time. During the early 20th century these dogs were brought into what were called "bull pits" (yes it's where the the place were the preacher stands gets it's name). In these pits were placed 2 dogs that would fight pretty much to the death of one and sometimes both while on lookers bet on the dog who would survive. The American Staffordshire was never really an aggressive dog, but they are very very intelligent by nature and pick up on behaviors really fast. This made them the likely dog to train to fight. The dogs would be placed in cages for days with no food and the only human contact through bars where they were poked and proded. That's enough to make anyone, especially a dog go made. So that is how they got their original bad rep. Now to the reason why they retain it. As I said before these dogs are very intelligent and pick up on behavior really easy and quick. So often times if they are mistreated they respond in kind, simply because that is the only way they know.

There is also another thing that can make a dog turn vicious. Breeding. Inbreed dogs have a higher likelihood of viciousness later in life then those dogs who aren't highly inbreed. Watch out when choosing any breed for inbreeding. It causes many mental and physical problems that may not be noticed as pups.

Anyway sorry for rambling on, but the American Staffordshire is probably one of the sweetest dogs I know if raised and trained properly. I put a couple of sites in my sources to give you a little more information on the breed. Hope it helps and don't let the media's misguided thoughts on a breed turn you away from them do the research and make your own decision.

And to all you other Vet Techs and Vet Students out there who commented about the little dogs, oh yeah I sooo agree. I've worked in vet clinics for over 15 years and have owned pets all my life and I have to say I have been bit by bore Chiuauas and Bichons and poodles and the likes then I can count. I've only been bit by one large dog, and that was a Weimeriner, and that was probably because the vet didn't warn me before he was going to stick her with a needle so more my fault then the dogs.

Answer 3

Any dog has the potential to be dangerous. Pitbulls are one of the powerful breeds such as rotties, german shepherds, dobermans..etc. and require more responsiblity than the other breeds. The reason you see aggressive dogs is because in most cases they are not socialized and receive no exercise (putting a dog in the backyard is not exercise). Pitbulls need to be trained as should any dog but most people think that love is enough for a dog but it is not. Love is only part of it. If you are considering a Pitbull and you don't have time to train it, exercise it, and be a calm submissive leader then let me help you out....don't get a Pitbull. Also I have seen alot of cases when Pitbulls where to blame for an attack but guess what...they weren't Pitbulls at all. I have seen Cane Corsos, rotties, and even a ridgeback confused for a Pitbull. So don't believe everything you see in the media.

Answer 4

Mean or nice? That depends on how they were raised. It really is not the dogs fault if the person who handles the dog is mean to it. You know the dog will turn out mean too. Now if you treat the dog with respect and get it proper training. More then likely that dog will turn out good. It is the owners not the dogs who are at fault.

Just make sure you can legally own a pit in your town. Some town you can not have a pit unless you have a hefty insurance policy in force. Have the dog inside a fenced yard and tied. Do your homework on the breed. Buy your pit from a reputable breeder with references. Properly train your pit. Treat him with respect.
All dogs can turn on people but it seem like it is the pit that has the worst reputation. Remember they were bred for fighting and bull baiting.

I do not particularly like the breed. Past experience where my cousins girl got mauled my a pit. They had to use a pry bar to get the dogs jaws off the girl.. Her face is scarred for life. But she turned out to be a very beautiful girl anyway.

Answer 5

No, they always report it was pitbull even if it is an unknown breed. I've seen people call English bulldogs, boxers, and even labs pitbulls. The media leads you to believe pits and rottweilers are the only ones that attack. Sure, it happens. The only reason you hear about it is cuz a large breed like a pitbull bites are usually more serious since they're such a large dog. Check out statistics for dog bites and you'll see smaller breeds are much more likely to bite. But how often do you hear about a poodle attack on the news?

Answer 6

First, Pit bull can mean many different dog breeds. are they dangerous? sure, any dog can be dangerous, plus the average american has no idea what a pit bull is...show 10 people a picture of a boxer and 4 or 5 will say its a pit. pit bulls (or whatever) make good family dogs. Adopt a puppy at a young age set boundries and socialize it and you wont have any problems
Pits just tend to not get along with other dogs if not socialized early in life.(but the same is true for other breeds as well, but not considered an issue with smaller dogs).
Another problem with the breed is that people use them as fighting dogs and guard dogs and some owners encourage the aggressiveness in thier dog because it makes them feel tough.

Clinically, i have been snapped at more by daschunds, labs, chows and cockers. I once had a pit that had been severly abused who licked my face while i cleaned his wounds and stiched him up.

Answer 7

pitbulls have the instinct to attack like all other dogs but they use it more often because if they arent spoiled rotten and always having attention they will turn mean. they are attention loving dogs and if they are treated a pinch under normal they will snap. the problem is most people get pitbulls as attack dogs and thats even worse for their image.if someone said "chihuahua" you would think aww its a nice cute dog but if someone says "pitbull" everyone runs and screams acting like its a terrorist or its poisinous or something. pitbulls are only mean if they are mistreated so stay away from the houses with any dogs (for that matter) that have been mistreated because then the dog thinks all humans are evil so therefore it is more likely to attack.

Answer 8

For long version, read top paragraph
Short version, read last couple of sentences.
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The Story

I was bitten by a Pit Bull mix once on the face. His name was Jaguar. It was the scariest experience ever and the doctor gave me thirty stitches. As I laid on the table, the trauma technician had to cover me with warm towels because I was going into shock. The lacerations came so close to my right eye and I could have been BLIND!

Through the moment of dilemma, I was thinking in my head that the dog should be destroyed. It was my neighbor's dog. And it happened on my neighbor's daughter's birthday. The dog was just sniffing my cake and the owner was pulling Jaguar on the lead with a PRONG CHOKE collar. That's when the dog got irritated and snapped...right on my face.

Since it was their dog, they had to pay the medical bill for punative damages. It took them awhile to come up with the money and the owners were BLAMING ME, that the dog attacked me.

After 16 years of getting over the trauma of dog biting, I became a dog groomer. I washed Pit Bulls, Chow Chows, and Rottweilers, studied them and came to the conclusion that there were some aggressive breeds and very sweet ones. The good ones were the dogs that were trained by good owners. I washed Pit Bulls that actually laid on their backs for a tummy rub.
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In short:

You know who is to blame for a Pit Bull's agressive behavior? It's the owner. Pit Bull's or Staffordshire Terriers were not born ferocious beasts. But if the owner trained the dog to attack and is exploited for senseless dog fighting, the breed will rip you to shreds. Don't fear the animal. Fear the irresponsible owner.

Answer 9

I think the problem with pits is that when they do attack, just like many dogs do, the damage they do is much more extensive. I work at a vet hospital and would much rather deal with a pit bull that has been raised well than most of the Chihuahua's, Lhasa apso's, Akita's and so forth. I have a lot of friends with pits that treat them well and socialize them early, take them to puppy class, obedience etc, and they are great. If you are willing to take the time and raise them right, just like any other breed, they will be a great part of your family.

Answer 10

It's the OWNERS THAT MAKE THEM AGGRESSIVE. Dog fighters make thousands of dollars illegally fighting the poor dogs, and the owners pump them with steroids and make them run on treadmills without free will for hours. And then, because the dogs are so worked up and were trained to be vicious, when they get loose they attack what they see; BECAUSE THEY WERE TAUGHT TO DO SO. I'm a proud owner of a pit bull, and she is the SWEETEST thing. I have people come up to my door just to pet HER, because they always think Pit Bulls are 'scary' when they're just sweet hearts. As strange as this sounds, she's just as sweet as my Golden Retriever! Maybe even nicer. :)

Answer 11

Pit bulls at one time was the most popular family in this country. It was used a the symbol of courage and national pride in WW1. It was a pit bull that was the first army dog, SARG Stubby, he was the most decorated dog in the history of the army, and it was for saving lives not taking them. They are used as service dogs for the handicapped, I have one and there is over 100 APBT as service dogs in my cities. They are SAR dogs, Detection dogs, A pit named Popsicle as more arrest to his record than any other dog, They are used as therapy dogs and in education. There are over 5 million pit bulls in this country, if they are as bad as what the media says should there not be dozens of attacks very day. It is a shame that the media can turn a loving family dog into a false monster for their own profit.