Pit Bull lovers?

Question

Why is it that pit bulls have a constant prejudice against them? Why them and not dalmations, akitas,so on & so forth? It breaks my heart. Tonight I brought my dog (pitbull mix) to my boyfriend and dad's softball game. Everyone loved her but I had a little girl come up to me and asked what kind of dog she was. I said she has pit bull in her. The girl gasped and her eyes got big, she said, 'She's not going to attack me is she!!?' I said, 'No, it all depends on how the dogs are raised.' It makes me so sad that by just the way the my dog looks, people automatically don't want her to come near them, which she doesn't understand. I've been hearing that certain cities/states that they are completely banning pit bulls. Also, why is it that pit bulls have less time in a shelter than ANY OTHER dog? In Tennessee it is a law that you put the pit bull down within 24 hours of not being claimed. What are your thoughts on all of this? How do you feel about them being stereo-typed?

I came across some great videos, watch them if you'd like. They both made me cry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEhak-Y0_bY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmwaHMzgrKk

Answer 1

I agree. Pitties get a terrible rap - all because some evil people want some kind of "tough-guy" image. And the media loves a good story - I mean, who wants to read about someone being bitten by a grouchy golden retriever? Oh no. the slavering, snarling pitbull is ever so much easier to blame.

And those kids who get mauled - well, why weren't their parents watching them? And if the poor, unsocialized, neglected dog is not accustomed to children, why didn't the owner of the dog make arrangements to keep the dog out of harm's way? But no. Le't s blame the dog - certainly NOT the humans.... That makes news. News sells.

But thankfully most pit-parents are like you and me - we take the time to train and socialize our pitties -

My Baby Blue is a wonderful dog. My breed of choice is the Doberman but Blue is a pittie. Truly I never ever thought I'd love a pittie but by gosh, he's absolutely a wonderful doggieboy. I rescued him from someone who didn't train him or feed him properly. At least he wasn't tied up in the back yard someplace or used for bait - but he wasn't being cared for as a dog should. So I took him. I've never regretted it.

My Dad, a professional trainer, was really skeptical at first but after seeing how well Blue did both on and off lead, he claims I don't deserve such a wonderful dog and that I should turn Blue over to him.

Interestingly the pit bull was the most popular dog in America in the latter half of the 19th century up until the mid 20'th century. "Jack" the brindle bulldog in the Laura Ingles Wilder Little House series was a pitbull. Helen Keller owned pitts. And it is rumored that Rudd Wetherwax (who trained Lassie) preferred Pitties because they're so smart.

The USMarines mascot is - a pitbull. Sgt. Stubby - a pitmix was/is the country's most decorated war dog (WWI) who not only saved his men from gas attacks but also single-handedly (paw-edly?) captured a German Spy.

And Popsicle, the country's most successful drug dog is = you guessed it. A pitbull. And Dakota, a pitbull, is one of the country's most honored search and rescue dogs. And Weela, Ken-L-Ration's dog of the year for rescuing over 30 people and animals during a massive flood is - a pitbull. Of course!

But sadly, it's easy to turn any breed of dog into a villian because the news loves that kind of story and people tend to be knee-jerk-reactionists....

Answer 2

It's frightening to me that legislators think they have to tell American adults what kind of dogs they can or can't own, and that they are literally forcing spaying and neutering, euthanization, and making breeds illegal to own. In Texas, bills are being passed that make a first bite a felony that puts owners in jail. In Fla., a couple was arrested after their dog bit a Vet tech in the face when some invasive procedure was going on. All this hype and you have to wonder, why are Pit Bulls suddenly turning into night of the living dead type monsters? Is it an alien invasion? Or is it society, on a worldwide basis, going into a cult like frenzy trying to keep up with the Joneses and exterminate a breed of dog so they don't have to focus on the REAL issues that are of concern.
Any breed of dog has a few in their number that turn on their owners or that bite, harm, seriously injure others and that is a tragedy. A bigger tragedy is exterminating a breed because of a few incidents, largely based on irresponsible owners.
Who thinks it will stop with Pit Bulls? It won't!
Already cities are labeling dogs dangerous, from many different breeds with no regard to their individual temperament.
Humans have serial killers, sadists, child rapists, and all varieties of breed gone bad. Way more than Pit Bulls. What if God judged humans the way people are judging dogs?
We'd all be dead because of the deeds of a minority.

Answer 3

I understand your frustration. I am a proud mama of 2 Dobermans, which suffer the same treatment due to misunderstanding. I think breeds like this that have fighting, protective, or even hunting instincts can be trained or bred to be aggressive. That means they CAN, not WILL be mean. I have known the sweetest pits that I would trust with any child, and I have known poodles that were meaner than all get out. People just need to realize that same as race in people, dogs breeds don't mean they are destined to a certain thing. I think you can raise a dog a certain way and have a very predictable behavoir in any dog. Instincts such as hunting, protecting, herding, etc. can be used and honed, just like fighting dogs are trained to call on that instinct and fight, but dogs are not born killers. It's sad really.

Answer 4

Well you're right those type of dogs are stereotyped because of their history. Its terrible but some people have had terrible experiences with Pit bulls like I have and its just a fear we have of them. I don't hate them as dogs I think they can have qualities of any other well behaved dogs. In my subsdivision they raised these pit bulls to fight and three of those bite to kill dogs escaped and attacked a small boy almost totally gnawing off his arm. Now there is a petition to try to get Pit bulls and Rockwilders out of the area. Stories like those are what scare people. I am scared of them as well but if it seemed harmless maybe not. The little girl didn't even know what breed the dog was until you told her and when you told her she just automatically assumed the worst its typical not just with dogs but races as well. Im sorry you and your dog have to go through so much with stereotyping. I wish you well!

Answer 5

I have a ten month old pit bull/lab mix she is a loveable, sweet, calm dog. We have had her since she was seven weeks old we got her from the local animal shelter,her eyes melted our hearts. I get very upset when people say oh pit in her she will be mean and attack well any dog will turn on a person poodles are very spiteful and vicious my pit/lab thinks she is a lap dog and loves to sleep with my kids.

Answer 6

if you'll excuse the analogy, the reason Pitt attacks are so fanatically covered by the media is the the same reason that every airplane crash is covered. it happens so rarely, it's big news when it does. media doesn't crave facts, it craves what will put viewers butts in the seats to view their reports. ur absolutely right. it is all in how the dog is raised. case in point, a few yrs ago, a study was done on what breed of dog is the most aggressive. from all the media reports, u'd think Rotties, Chows, and Pitts would b top contenders for #1, right? nope. #1 most aggressive dog was senile Chiuauas(sp?). My wife and i have a full blooded Red Tiger Pitt, and she's the most easy going, gentle, and friendly of all our 5 dogs(she's also a sucker for green Skittles). Love ur Pitt baby, n do what u can to dispel the myth,bc that's all it is, and an outdated one at that. btw, most "PItts" that get blamed for attacks aren't even really true Pitts. they're "Pitt like" breeds. the media just says they're Pitts bc it's sensational. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.

Answer 7

I totally agree with you. We have a male pit also and love him. I used to be like many people who thought pit bulls were born aggressive and mean until my roommates and I decided to bring the pup to our new place. You are absolutely right in that it's how you raise them. If you want a mean dog, be mean to it and it will be mean, regardless of the breed. We have a 3 year old baby girl and she loves the dog and the dog loves her. Changus (our dog) is afraid of his own shadow. He's big but his heart is even bigger. He is the first one to greet me when I come home, frantically wagging his tail and smiling, waiting for me to pet him. He's this way with everyone and even strangers that come over. He doesn't bite or play rough and listens to whatever we say. I wish more people would understand it's not the breed, it's not in the gene. If it were, I challenge anyone to prove it and show me proof. They are wonderful dogs. Thank you for saying something I've been wanting to say too.

Im going to go hug him right now.

Answer 8

Heather. A dog is nothing more then a reflection of its genetics and environment, just like we are. The genetics pre-determine the dog's temperament, its drives etc, and the environment it will live in shapes it. That is step number one is understanding ANY dog. I have a mnlinois that I bought because of certain genetic traits, certain drives that came inherent in his bloodlines. I use that dog for work. Whatever owner I might be I could NEVER in a million years put into that dog the temperament he was born with. Why do people have such a hard time accepting that and keep repeating the same mantra about "it's how you raise it". The dog already has its genetic materials in it, you cannot make it do anything it was not born to do. You can train it right, but you cannot instill in it things that are not there genetically. As an example, I can wish all I want that a certain dog will do police work, but, the reality is that if that dog does not have the drives in it already, he will never do that type of work. Pit bulls have certain drives in them that make them want to fight other animals, that is what they were bred for. A correctly bred pit will look for and enjoy that type of activity, and you cannot take out or put it in him, if it's not there GENETICALLY. People need to understand what kind of dog they are getting and what potential this dog has. Some people look at some dogs and get apprehensive because of their rep. The owners and breeders of pits should take the time to realize and educate the world about the breed, only after they educate themselves and become realistic on their breed. It is not a dog for everyone, it is not a dog for a weak handler, it is not a dog that will always be safe around other dogs because of its genetic make up. Educate the public on the realities and capabilities of the breed, not your opinions, facts. That will be the only way to save the breed. Do not deny, educate and keep it real.


ADD: This is exactly what I am talking about. People denying the facts and prefer stories based on fiction. That is the reason the breed is suffering, because people are only interested in their crap. Good luck.

Answer 9

That is a sad situation. I am a dog groomer and come across them from time to time. They are quite a docile breed compared to most others, however, I think that the major problem with pit-bulls is their ability to turn very suddenly, and often unprovoked, without any warning or a sign of aggravation. They are a very powerful dog and when they turn they manage to do a lot of damage. The other factor with pit-bulls is that often their owners have them simply because they are known as a 'tough dog' and have very little or no discipline or affection to give their dog. It is really sad for the breed because in my experience most dogs who are treated badly are themselves quite aggressive, either that of ridiculously timid. Also sadly, in a lot of cases dogs are much smarter than their owners!

Answer 10

I also have a pit mix.
She is a family dog.
She is the sweetest dog. Everyone who meets her is astounded at how peaceful and sweet she is. I simply do not tell them what she is when they ask.
I say, " She is a mix and we got her from the pound when she was a yr old."
Pits are one of the most social and trainable dogs therefore they do what they are trained to do.
Being abused and neglected (as some big dogs are) trains them to be mean or aggressive in order to get the attention they crave.