are pitt bulls to aggressive to have as a pet? Are they bad dogs?

Question

I'm a single women looking for a campnion dog, I've been offered a very sweet pit bull, but am hearing a lot of conflicting advice are they too aggressive?

Answer 1

You're getting alot of controversial information on here as well, but as a potential pit bull owner, you need to be prepared for this for the duration of the dog's life or however long you own him/her.

In answer to your questions, pit bulls are not "bad" dogs. They are not "too agressive" when raised and trained properly, and under responsible ownership whereby the owner is fully committed, knowledgable, and aware of their dog's needs and tendencies. It is imperative that you do extensive research in the breed before agreeing to take on the HUGE responsiblity of being a pit bull owner. Depsite what some people say, owning a pit bull is VERY different than owning other types of dogs. This is not negative; but being cognizant of this is what separates responsible owners from irresponsible owners. Irresponsible owners believe pit bulls are do not require anything different from other breeds. In fact, pit bulls demand much more from their owners and require a little but more of everything, and responsible owners are aware of this and cater to it.

Also, to address the issue of your single status:

1. Pit bull breeds are VERY family and people-oriented. This is NOT a dog you can keep crated or alone for 8 hours a day while you work, everyday. Not only will this destroy the potential bond between you, but it will shatter your dog's spirit and set the stage for destructive behavior.

2. Pit bulls, despite popular belief, do not make very good guard dogs. If you are looking for a dog that will protect your home, pit bulls are not the way to go. They have no instinctive rpotective tendencies toward property and are in fact just too friendly with people, even strangers, to make very good guard dogs. Pit bulls are fiercely loyal though, and will go to reasonable lengths to protect their handler under threatening conditions.

Here are some websites that may help you in your beginning research:

www.understand-a-bull.com
www.blessthebullys.com
www.stopbsl.com
www.happypitbull.com (this is my personal favorite; I would suggest checking out the Pit Bull Owner's Code of Conduct: f you can't committ to EVERYTHING on the list, DON'T get a pit bull!!)

The bottom line is that with pit bulls' bad reputation, they cannot afford irresponsible owners. PLEASE be sure that getting this pit bull is really what you want to do, and you are totallly prepared to be there 100% for your dog.

Best of luck!

Confidential to "Cup Cake": I would be VERY interested in knowing the exact credible resource (not your pea-brain)where you obtained that little tidbit "statistic" you felt the need to include: "But Pits have a higher risk of that [snapping]". Because the last time I checked, according to the American Temperment Test Society (atts.org), all the pit bull breeds had a higher passing rate than the classic beloved "family" pet, the Golden Retriever. Next time, put up or shut up.

Answer 2

I want to put in my 2 cents worth. Everyone has told you how great they are. Well I just to add a little more.
The most common family dog in years past was the Pit Bull. The Pit has been referred to as the "Nanny Dog" because they are so good with children.
The most decorated military dog in US history, WWI, was a Bull Terrier.
Petey from the "Our Gang" comedy's was a Pit.
Now a bit about personal experience. I have three dogs. A little Terrier mix, a Beagle and an APBT. They all fight in a playful way, running through the house. They never get hurt. It is just about who is dominant. The little 20 lb Terrier always comes out on top, he is 9 years old and the two are 4 years.
All of my dogs love people.
But if I had to pick the most lovable of the dogs, which includes all the dogs I have ever owned, I would pick the Pit. She is the greatest dog I have ever had. A close second was the Old English Sheep Dog, another very lovable dog, but he did not like everyone.

Answer 3

pit bulls are an incredible type of dog. they are amazing athletes (though some are couch potatoes), they play hard (though some don't like to play), and they are true people dogs (though some are aggressive). since pit bulls are a type of dog and not a breed, their personalities run the gamut from very dominant to very submissive. However, a normal average pit bull is strong, fearless, and great companions. they tend to be dominant and need obedience classes. they have a tendency towards dog aggression (a completely different behavior from human aggression). some can never be with other dogs (regardless of socialization) just like some greyhounds can never be with small animals.
if you are willing to take the time to obedience train her and deal with any quirks responsibly, and you have met her in person, then please, take her. pit bulls make some of the best companion animals out there, due to their "high please drive". just remember that she must be an inside member of the family or her temperament will suffer.
if she is sweet in the home, then she will likely be sweet with you.
please go to www.happypitbull.com
it is a great resource.
oh, and to answer your second question....there are roughly 6 or so million pit bull types in the US. only seven or so kill people every year. coupled with the fact that they are the most abused type of dog in the country, if they were "bad" you wouldn't be able to walk the streets alone. lol. no it is what the owner makes of them, as only people can be bad.

Answer 4

That's not all true. There have been aggressive pit bulls, but pit bulls by nature are very sweet, loving dogs. It's bad owners that make them aggressive and mean. Just in case though, do a background check on the dog, and if it's all good, go for it.

Answer 5

A pit bull is just like any other breed of dog. Some of them are dog agressive, but with early socilization and exercise you have nothing to worry about. They are the perfect companion as well as an intimidating guard dog for a single woman. I would not trade my pits for any other breed on earth. Majority of the time its the owners that give the breed a bad reputation. If you have the time to train and bond with your dog it will becomr your best friend.

Answer 6

Pit bulls are dog aggressive (i.e. they don't like other dogs and will attack other dogs). As long as it has been socialized with people, it will be fine. Pit bulls should be extremely happy and friendly with people. They are only aggressive because people train them to be 'guard' dogs which is not right. As a companion dog a pitt bull would be great. Make sure you look into the breed and talk to responsible owners who own pitt bulls. Also look into obedience classes so that you can learn to control your dog.

Answer 7

I also have a pitbull and he's a great dogs. they are large with people -- despite if no longer so confident approximately cattle. in case you make sure you hold your pitbull on your administration in any respect cases, i think of they are between the suited canines to have, as they are sooo very attractive and cuddly. They do want an excellent type of exersise, so a place with an excellent type of area to run around is considerable. expert training training are additionally no longer a bad theory the two. the educational is for the owner as much because it is for the dogs. on the thank you to answer you preliminary question, no they gained't harm your toddlers as long as they are given the right interest and not saved chained interior the outdoors. cattle - they could see as interest, and could desire to doubtlessly harm them. i could shop them seperated from issues like chickens and goats. besides the fact that, my putbull and bunny get alongside large at the same time. i think of it has to do with the undeniable fact that he would not see my bunny as available, interest, or nutrition in any way, so he could in no way harm him.

Answer 8

Reading through these the common theme is that "no" pitts are not aggressive. I own one and I have another big dog. The pitt loves the other dog and if the other dog loved her back they'ed do just fine. All I can say is watch out for small animals. She bit off a cats tail, killed an opossum, and killed a racoon. However she was on the streets before we found her, so maybe they just looked tasty. She has never been aggresive with me outside of play, and even then she gets that "hey not too rough now, lets just be friends" attitude. She's the most careful and lovey-dovey dog I've ever owned.

Answer 9

No, they are absolutely not bad dogs. The pit bulls I've met have all been very sweet. If the dog has been used for fighting, that could be an issue. If the dog has a clean upbringing, by all means, take the dog!

Obedience classes are a must, as well as researching what you're getting into. People with bigger dogs have more pressure on them to train their dogs.

Answer 10

Pit bulls are not intrinsically bad. They are often bred, however, for a certain temperament and aggressive natures in pits is generally seen as a positive.

If the pit you've been offered really is sweet, and you know this from experience, not just what you're being told, I'd say go for it. However, PLEASE look up training information specifically geared toward non-aggressive Pits, and follow through.