Why do people assume a large dog is a pit bull?

Question

They don't get that large, actually they are smaller than labs and retrievers. If you see a dog that is about two-and-a-half feet tall to the back, it ain't a pit bull.

I saw some people arguing over a dog in the back of a pick-up truck, saying how it should not be allowed out in the public without a mussel and chained down. I do agree, but they went on to say that all pit bulls like that should be euthanized.

Okay, the dog wasn't being mean, number one.
Number two it appeared to be a mix of saint bernard and bull mastiff, but that was just at a glance.

Why do people assume that large dogs are automatically pit bulls?

Answer 1

Because their reputation is bigger than life.

I have a Newfie. That's a big dog.

Answer 2

First of all why do you agree that large dogs should be muzzled and chained down...and the reason people think all large dogs are pit bulls is because they want to find away to fear the dog and pit bulls tend to have one of the worst reputations but if you actually do the research pit bulls are some of the best dogs they have a great temperment which is why they are used for handicap people but none of the good things pits do are publized only the bad things....but the breed of dog or size of dog means absolutely nothing its all how you raise and treat them...such as a child

Answer 3

sounds like the people saying this are not needing to be euthanized as since they already are BRAIN DEAD...
a big dog?> umm hercules the english mastiff is 284 lbs
theres a great dane her in calif thats about 7 ft 2 in tall when she stands on ehr back legs? define big...well maybe if your use to tehm yappy little purse alarm type hamster dogs anything over 4 lbs must be big, dont take it personal the world is full of idiots know ti alls and pre wits and DEE DEE DEES! My staffs are in the 80 to 120 lb range, my male dane is right at 220 lbs hes a moose and a bit too tall for his breed but hes a doll. my dogs are considered umm a little large I guess but not big like some i have seen

Answer 4

The news media reports virtually EVERY dog bite, dog attack, dog peeing on a neighbor's car, dog that chases cats, ad infinitum, as a "PIT BULL ATTACK!!" Very often, the dog involved is described by someone in the artical as "huge" or "massive" or "unstoppable", so the general public, which is ignorant as dirt where most animals(dogs included)is concerned, just assumes that Pit Bulls have to be these enormous, "Incredible Hulk" dogs that can eat a semi tractor-trailer truck for breakfast. The situation is made worse by unscrupulous people who breed huge, massive mixed-breed dogs(generally some sort of Mastiff cross, like a Neopolitan)and call them "Pit Bulls". The phallically-challenged guys who feel the need to have the biggest, meanest, baddest dog on the block are impressed by these mutts, so they get some of these, and then cannot(or WILL not)control them. When one of these mongrels bites someone, or kills a neighbor's Yorkie, the deed is of course, blamed on "Killer Pit Bulls".
I have had Pit Bulls(the real thing)for the past 22 years, and I have found out that most people have no clue what a Pit Bull Terrier actually looks like! I've had people come up and start petting one of my dogs(which typically weigh around 38-50 pounds, hardly what I'd call "large"), going on about what a sweet and nice dog he/she is, and after about 10 minutes, finally get around to asking me what KIND of dog he/she is. It's not an unfamiliar reaction to have that same person, who was JUST petting the dog seconds before, leap back in horror and shock when I tell them that they've been petting a Pit Bull, and then tell me, "but it doesn't LOOK like one-I thought they were a lot bigger and had teeth that stick out of their bottom jaw and stuff!" To make things more confusing, many of the dogs involved in attacks are mutts of extremely varied appearance and genetic background, often dogs of completely unknown parentage, but since in news reports they all become "Pit Bulls", people have no idea just what a real Pit Bull looks like. In a fatal attack on a two-year-old Richmond, VA boy a couple of years ago, both of the dogs involved were strays that had been taken in by the boy's family. The female dog was a small(about 25 pounds or so)short-legged white dog with tan spots and HUGE Gremlin-like ears that stood straight up; she really looked like she was mostly Jack Russell Terrier, or a Rat Terrier mix. The male was a really tall brindle dog with very, very long houndy ears, who really looked like a purebred Plott Hound. Neither looked even remotely like each other, or that they were even mixed with the same breed. Both were strays of totally unknown parentage, yet BOTH were called "Pit Bulls" by the media, by animal control, and by the ignorant owner who'd taken them in and left her two-year-old kid alone with them! Then, there's the infamous Diane Whipple mauling in San Fransisco, which involved two purebred Pero Presa de Canario dogs, which are big dogs. Even now, I still often read of these two dogs being "Pit Bulls", thus reinforcing in the public's mind that Pit Bulls are huge monsters.

Answer 5

I think its because the most "feared" dog is a pit bull so when people see an intemidating dog they say Oh my god a pit bull. Pit bulls are very loving as long as you train them right, you can make anydog a vicous dog, even a chihuahua, if you train them that way, its just ignorent people. Bann The Owner Not The Breed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

People who are scared of dogs seem to not educate themselves on breed because they don't care. To them all dogs are mean and in their minds pit-bulls are the infamous mankillers, so therefore, all dogs are pit-bulls. So sad that these kinds of people can't see that 99% of dogs are friendly and loving. Oh well, their loss.

Answer 7

Sounds like those people are dumb to me. Pitbulls have a very bad rep. Also, alot of mixesd do indeed have pitbull in them because of poor breeding and not neutering dogs. I am a groomer and people complain to me that their "prissy" poodles shouldn't be anywere near the rotties and pitbull mixes that come in. Some people are just too stuiped for their own good.

Answer 8

The only people who think that are ignorant individuals who don't like dogs in the first place and know nothing about them

These are the people who have nothing better to do than to create problems when there are none readilly available for them it's just an excuse to start SH!*

These types of people aren't happy with there own lives and they don't want you happy

Answer 9

I don't. Pits are muscular and some people think they are scary. Really, they are a medium sized dog and they aren't scary at all. When I think large, I think Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd.

Answer 10

Because they don't have dogs of their own. They don't take the time to really look at a dog. Some people are so focused on one breed of dog they couldn't tell you what another breed is. My thinking is that they are trying to be so smart they don't even hit the target.

Answer 11

Because they're idiots, and they think that if they cry 'pit bull!' they can get any dog they like put to sleep. Idiots.

What really makes me laugh is when people try to pass off boxers as pits. Could they LOOK less similar??

Chalice