"Pit bulls".... What is your opinion on the breeds?

Question

I said breeds because (as many of you already know) "pit bull" isnt really a breed.. It is a term that some people use to describe 3 breeds.. American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. I asked, what is your opinion on "pit bulls" because I want to see what people really know about these breeds and how they feel about them. It is amazing to me how many people dont know anything true about these breeds... most people will start telling me all of these "pit bull" myths as if they were facts and it really bothers me. I dont even see how anyone can really believe any of the crazy "pit bull" myths that are out there! I have spent alot of my life around these wonderful breeds and it really is such a shame that more people dont understand them. It breaks my heart to have to stand up for my family and my dogs all of the time. I asked this question hoping to be able to help educate people on these breeds, so that more people will know the truth!

Answer 1

I love Staffies, Amstaffs and APBT's. I actually have an APBT myself and she is all I could ever ask for in a dog. She's so smart, loyal, obedient and good natured around everone. She was actually rescued from an abusive home, and after all that she is still a great dog and still trusting of people. I hate how people buy into everything they hear or read in the media. I wish they could see that its not all true and that people will say anything t sell a story. I hate the dirty looks some people will give me when they see me walking my pit. Its so sad that they hate her, but they don't even know how great of a dog she is. I have known quite a few of these dogs considered 'pit bull' breeds and they were all great dogs. They never once bit or even showed their teeth to anyone. Its just so unfortunate that some people will never really know how amazing these dogs can be, and they would rather have them killed or banned than give them a chance.

P.S. their jaws don't lock, and they do not randomly turn on their owners. There is actually scientific evidence to prove that. I don't understand how people would rather believe something they heard from someone, over something that was scientifically proven otherwise. And pit bulls were never bred to be human agressive. That was intentionally bred out of them back when pit fighting was legal. Manbiters were automatically culled, because the dogmen would have to be able to handle their dog in the midst of a fight and they wouldn't want to be bitten. So it wouldn't make sense that they stayed human agressive if they never were in the first place.-just fyi rebelyankeelover.

Answer 2

I have an American Bulldog/Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix and he is AMAZING. Truly wonderful dog.

I am glad to hear such positive comments from everyone here; however, I have to bring to light a most important point. I noticed alot of posts carry the theme of "bad owners=bad dogs" and vice versa: "good owners=good dogs". While it is true that the manner in which a dog is raised and handled majorly impacts the dog's behavior, that alone is not enough to say a dog will never exhibit aggressive behaviors. Pit bulls (including all breeds under this umbrella) are GENETICALLY HARDWIRED to have a greater degree of dog aggressive tendencies than other breeds of dog. Read about the history of the breed for more information. This is not to say that every pit bull will attack, or hate other dogs, etc., but a responsible pit bull owner is aware of this genetic component, respects it, and is always in control of their pit bull to ensure safety. This includes SUPERVISED play with other dogs, especially after the pit bull reaches the age of maturity. It also includes avoiding dog parks and other situations that are attacks waiting (or not waiting) to happen.The bottom line is you cannot "train" or "love" or "socialize" this genetic tendency out of pit bulls and like breeds. NEVER trust your bully not to fight! It may not start the fight, but you can be sure it will end it.

Answer 3

I know people that had them for years, even puppies, and those dogs were lovable. I think it's as with any animal, or even humans, it's in how they're raised. A Pit Bull shouldn't be teased to be made aggressive. They're how you treat and raise them. If I raised a German Sharpard, and had that dog fighting other dogs, teased the hell out of it, and abused it, YES, it would adventually turn on me too. I'd deserve it too! I hate animal abusers, and most of the time, when an animal turns on someone, it's because that person treated them very badly and they never forgot it, so they have it coming to them. Like these animal trainers that raise these wild animals. We see the shows, not what goes on behind closed curtains. Animals get abused when they're young and become afraid, but once they grow into maturity, they feel more confident, and that's when they remember who hurt them, and they act. Animals have feelings and they're very intelligent, if they attack, 9 times out of 10 it's revenge. Pit Bulls are intelligent beings and I feel they should be protected, instead of looked at as a threat. I know many people who are more of a threat than those innocent dogs. I know a woman that used to have a chiuahua, ( I know, spelled wrong) and that little sucker was mean!

Answer 4

want my opinion? don't breed him. there is currently NO demand for the breed. THOUSANDS of pit bulls are being killed in shelters EVERY YEAR - why you want to add to that already growing number is beyond me. I volunteer at a shelter, which just so happens to be a kill shelter- we currently have 5 Staffordshire Bull Terriers, 2 English Bull Terriers and 8 American Pit Bull Terriers - know what the sad thing is? Most of these will most likely never see the light of day again. Thankfully, im not the one who fatally injects them, i only volunteer as a dog walker. And, I hate to say this, but they usually always end up in one place - on top of a rubbish tip. Do you really want to be responsible for these Dogs deaths? Why breed a dog when there is no demand for the breed? seems pointless doesn't it? - that's because it is. you Got him at 5weeks old? - yet another reason for him to not be bred. NO reputable breeder gives pups to new homes under the age of 8weeks. I doubt you'd change anyone's opinion on the breed if you overbreed them - you'll just make things 10 times worse. Since he's most likely from a BYB/puppy mill/ irresponsible dog owner, I highly doubt you have his papers and know what bloodline he's from. Breeding a dog when you have no idea of its ancestors background is just like playing with fire. Please do the responsible thing to do and have him spayed. Although I'm a breeder myself, I always advise people to don't buy while shelter animals die. - so if you want another pit to help change people's views on the breed - adopt, don't shop. If adopting doesn't suit you, then get one from a reputable breeder - NEVER buy a pup under the age of 8 weeks old. Visit your local kill shelter and work there for a day - I can guarantee you, the Experience will no doubt make you change your mind about breeding this already over populated breed.

Answer 5

Here's another myth ... "There are no bad dogs, only bad dog owners". This is not completely true!
Bad breeders often pair two dogs with bad temperaments in the hopes of having a litter of mean spirited, badass puppies. Unfortunately, there is a strong buyers market for badass dogs (especially Pit Bulls). Such pups would be bad dogs no matter who owned them. Bad breeding isn't limited to Pits, but they've developed quite a reputation through specific incidents receiving mass news coverage.
Good / responsible breeding of the Pit Bull breeds would more likely yield good dogs in future generations, as would good owners doing their part in keeping only good dogs and not buying badass dogs.
Pit Bull people who don't care to hear negative remarks about their breeds would probably serve themselves better if they got on the cases of bad breeders and bad owners, rather than plead their case to folks who might already have a strong negative opinion of their dog(s).

Added: Now, if we could only keep all dogs away from drug dealers and dog fighting people ...

Answer 6

I've only worked with a couple via my job at my county pound, but the few I did I loved dearly. The sweetest things, all of them. I've been more afraid for my life from Border Collies than Pits. I don't believe the propaganda the media feeds us daily about Pit bulls. They're just another dog breed. They deserve the same chances, love, and respect as any other.

It's sad really, when you think about it. We, humans, are what created Pit bulls. Now we're calling for them to be put down because of the acts of a few irresponsible breeders and owners.

Answer 7

I dont know much about the breeds but I do know with its rep I wont have one nor be around one if i can help. I wont take a chance that one might turn and bite me or my kids. It just that they were used in fighting and so they have a bad rep All i ever really heard was their mean and when they bite their jaws lock so they cant let you go and they end up doing bad damage. I have a Boston Terrier and actually when that breed came out they used them in pit fighting too but its temperment changed. It just went into a non aggressive state where "pitbulls" stayed aggressive becasue people make them that way. i dont fully trust any dog but with a rep like that I wont take any chances. Any "pit bull" I have seen as far as tv or stories were always mean and hateful. I'm sorry that i dont like them but i dont. i dont want nothing to do with them or any other dog that have an aggressive back ground today or a rep like that. I dont know what happened to the boston terriers i guess they just have more english bulldog in them and not so much terrier. i dont know. I did learn though from you that pitbulls arent exactly one breed. when i did look them up it did have them as a breed labled pitbulls and it was when i punched in dog breeds. so i dont know why it was like this if its actually not a true breed. I know i will be researching them again just to learn more. thanks for the info.

I just went under a site and it says there is a difference in pit bull terrier and the Stafford terriers here is where i found it. i then punched in purebreeds and guess what each breed you named is a pure breed and they are all different. so now i am confused. even more why i dont want nothing to do with pitbulls.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/americanpitbull.htm

Answer 8

I actually want a American Pit Bull Terrier, I don't believe a Myth until proven fause or true. My neighbor had a Stafford Terrier and American Pit bull and i fell in love with Harlem as a kid and into my younger teen age and always wanted one and im 20 years old now..but i have two kittens atm and living in an apartment by myself that doesn't allow dogs :(

I liked to chat with you sometime online, you seem intelligent enough to hold a Decent conversation with me, maybe even a-bit flirty :P

Yahoo messager= [e-mail]
MSN- [e-mail]

Answer 9

My opinion is that they are a nice dog that unfortunately has a habit of attracting poor owners that do not control them properly or worse promote anti-social behaviour in their dog.

Once the dog thinks it is the pack leader then incidents will happen. If the dog is allowed to become too protective of the family pack and attacks strangers then problems occur.

PS:
every time I hear a story of a pit bull being "put to sleep" after an attack on a child etc - I ask myself "Why isn't the owner in prison ?" - it never seems to be the responsible owners' dog that attack.

With all due acknowledgement to pro-gun lobby...
"Pit dogs don't hurt children - poor pit dog owners do!"

Answer 10

My younger brother had a beautiful brindle pit bull named Lexus. She was a very sweet dog and very affectionate. My brother claims to have gotten her from a reputable breeder, but I can't be certain that he did. At one time my brother and his fiancee and their 2 year-old daughter were living with my mom with the dog. There were a few times when Lexus would get between an adult and my neice and growl - for no reason, she was becoming overly protective of my neice. Another time my mother went to walk the dog and coincidentally the neighbor was bring her small toy dog in at the same moment (in a condo building) Lexus grabbed the other dogs head and wouldn't let go, she had to be pryed off the other dog. It was a mystery as to why she had certain moments because she was otherwise very friendly and very loved. My brother had to give the dog away and I believe it lead to her being put to sleep. Very unfortunate, but it may have been a product of bad breeding.