Here is something for all "pitbull" lovers and haters...?

Question

I just keep reading all these stories about how evil "pitbulls" are and I just wanted to say... do you own a "pitbull" do you even know that thats not an actual breed?

but just to dispell a couple myths ... I have a lab mix-- a recently deceased plott hound and a staffordshire terrier

which would would you guys guess would be the meanest and the guard dog-- probably the "pitt" right? WRONG--- chevy would just sit there and lick them to death or shake with them.. (hes really good at shaking) whereas my other two babies would actually bark and protect me and/or the house

I just wish that more people that own these dogs would speak up for them and advocate on their behalf!
here are my babies-- (please note my plott hound was just killed in a tragic accident and she is no longer with me)
Chevy is the light brown color-- Meika (pronounced ME-KA) is the black and Daisy is brindle hound
http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o44/Sweety8513/?action=view¤t=a3775e35.pbw

Answer 1

Thanks for sharing the photos! All your babies are gorgeous. Those of us who are neither ignorant nor swayed by the media DO know that "pit bull" is just a catch-all term. It refers to dogs generally bred from the lines or mixes of lines of Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, even Bull Terriers and American bull dogs. Sometimes boxers and mastiffs are confused for "pit bulls".

I like the term "bully breeds", which encompasses most of those breeds and their mixes as well. Sometimes unknowing people will see a Rottie mix, a Great Dane mix, a lab or a pointer and think it's a "pit bull". Hey, folks! Take the Pit Bull Challenge (link below). Can YOU find the "pit bull" from the photo lineup?
I have adopted several "bully breeds" from inner-city municipal pounds. People would roll their eyes at me, assuming the dog had at one time been "fought". I had a boxer / pit mix from a pound who was submissive to every animal - dog, cat, rabbit, bird - that she ever met. She was also extremely loyal, obedient, people-pleasing and SWEET! (She passed away from cancer in December).
I also adopted a pit/Great Dane mix from a pound. He was also a very sweet, laid-back gentleman who was never aggressive to any humans or animals. Seriously, my chihuahua mixes are MUCH more intolerant of other animals and CHILDREN (which is common in toy breeds)!
My friend's 4 year old cannot be around the chi mixes for long periods of time. She used to hang on my pit mix, Sahara. She'd lay on her, cuddle her, kiss her, etc. That's what a "pit bull" is - a FAMILY dog who is loving, non-aggressive, non-guard dog, a peaceful soul who wants to please his/her people.
Why do you think they are put in the fighting pit by thugs? Think about it. It's because this very loyal "breed" of dog, (which also happens to be relatively muscular and impervious to pain), wants SO badly to please his person, he will enter the pit, willing to fight and die there because his "master" told him to. That's why the loser drug dealers and gang bangers choose THIS type of dog to use and abuse, make money from, and then KILL. (And of course they think they look cool and tough if they have a muscular dog).
But the "pit bull" is really a goofy, sloppy, silly dog who loves to play and be close to his human. And for all this loyalty, what did the "pit bull" get in return? a) A false bad reputation caused by media hype, b) a national lynch-mob of uneducated idiots who want all "pit bulls" dead, c) breed-specific legislation born of instability, ignorance and media-inspired fear...
I just wish that everyone who fears and loathes the "pit bull" would spend ONE afternoon with a homeless / abandoned / sheltered / rescued pit bull - even one that was previously abused, tied outside in every type of weather, bred repeatedly, beaten daily, etc. Those people would then see the resilient, angelic dog that I see. And that abused, abandoned dog will hold no grudges against humans. We should all be so forgiving.

Answer 2

Cute dogs and sorry for your loss I know how bad it hurts. I have a yellow Lab and my brother's Pit Bull. The Pit Bull, Remy is the absolute sweetest and most loving dog. My Lab is a big baby but is way more protective than the Pit Bull. I have several friends with Pit Bull and we often have doggie parties which always includes 5 Pit Bulls, 3 German Shepherds, 2 Rottweilers, 1 Cane Corso and 8 Labradors. Not one of those dogs is a problem and in 5 years we have not had one fight. we recently asked 3 owners of little dogs not to come anymore because they were problems. Anyways you are right and i often stick up for the Pits and all breeds. I hate or "bash" people not a innocent dog of any breed or size.
Our Pit Bull Remy belonged to my brother who past away. Remy was his only request when he was diagnosed with a very rare cancer. Remy stood by him the thru good and awful times. Thru the tears, the fears, and anger. Never once did he leave his side until the end. My brother spent the last couple years of his life trying to help save Pit Bulls. We often brought Remy into the hospital not only for my brother but for the other sick people and kids. It is only ignorance and biased media that has crucified a wonderful dog at the hands of brutal sick monsters that fight and train and exploit a great dog.

Answer 3

You do have beautiful dogs. I agree that staffordshire terriers can make wonderful pets, but you have to understand that the majority of these dogs do NOT go into pet homes. They are fought on the streets, or used as "bait" dogs if they aren't aggressive enough. I can't see anyone advocating this kind of inhumane acts, and personally I think if it would save these dogs lives than yes, the breed should be banned. These dogs are also more prone to be aggressive than others, its bred into them. I've seen a friends staffie turn on people. This dog was raised with tons of love, and yet had to be put to sleep because it finally attacked an officer.

Answer 4

I own 5 Pit Bulls, and none are aggressive, I totally and completely agree with you. Everyone stereotypes Pit Bulls, when more people are killed by Rottwielers (sp?) and cribs than they are by Pit Bulls. I think I read somewhere that more people are killed by falling coconuts and bullets a year. I LOVE Pit Bulls, and all my Pits get along with my other dogs. I have one dog/kid aggressive dog, but guess what? He's full blood English Pointer!! My pure bred Lab is even dog aggressive. Your babies are beautiful! Keep up the good spirit!!1

Answer 5

You have a good point about pit bull owners speaking up more about their good qualities. The media gives them such a bad reputation. Pit bulls are GREAT people dogs and are a very misunderstood breed. People are always shocked when I tell them that after five years of working in emergency medicine, I have NEVER seen a pit bull try to bite a staff member.
I have, unfortunately, seen many little dogs and cats brought in after being attacked by pits,usually more than one.
I believe this is owner negligence more than anything...again, misunderstanding the breed.

Answer 6

Well I am trying, but it seems like a one man crusade. Every time someone posts a question like "What is a great dog for my family?" which results in 90% of the answers being a Lab, a Golden Retriver or a Beagle, all great dogs. I try to convince them to look at the APBT. I have even had a bit of luck. I have had two people tell me I helped them make up their mind and get a Pit.

Answer 7

Nice photo's and the pups look great. Our family raised the pit bull for several years. They are a mis-understood breed. Your a good owner/handler and that is what it takes to boast the reputation of this breed of dog. Our pits loved children. Each dog, learns from it's owner. So you have just proved that the Pit Bulls are good dogs, if they are lucky enough to have a good home and a responsible owner.

Answer 8

I have a 90lb. blue nose american (all white) pit and she is as sweet as can be. When we first got her the guy said she had been abused and that she could not be around other smaller pets because she used to be a hog dog and would probably do something but since she's been here at my motherinlaw house she is great. She is assertive but not aggressive. She is an awesome dog. I like to think that it is really how the owner treats its dog/any breed can be mean.

Answer 9

There are many urban legends surrounding the pit bull, mostly based on the idea that the dogs are somehow physiologically different from other breeds of dog.

A Pit Bull's jaw.
Many sources propagate the myth that pit bulls have a "locking jaw" mechanism, and that the dog cannot let go once it has bitten. This is untrue. Dr. I. Brisbin of the University of Georgia states:



Positive press
Although negative information about pit bulls is widespread and, when a negative news story occurs, highly publicized, there are also many positive stories. Some work in hospitals and care facilities as certified therapy dogs, many are well-loved family pets, and some have even saved people's lives. There are many incidences of pit bulls being productively employed by U.S. Customs , as police K9s.
Often pit bulls have been reported to "adopt" other species of animals (such as kittens or squirrels), earning the breed the nickname "nanny dog".
A rescued pit bull called Popsicle is a United States Customs dog, and is famous for sniffing out one of the biggest cocaine busts in history.
In February, 2006, New Yorker magazine writer Malcolm Gladwell published an article surveying the research on pit bulls which concluded that legal attempts to ban the breed were both crude and unnecessary.
In February 2007 a pit bull named "Chief" rescued his family of humans from a spitting cobra by dashing in front of the attacking snake and taking the deadly bite himself. Chief subdued the snake but died of the venom 30 minutes later.
In April 2007, columnist John Canzano of The Oregonian newspaper wrote a favorable piece on Hollywood, the pit bull that formerly belonged to NBA player Qyntel Woods. Hollywood, renamed Stella, was adopted by a loving owner and reformed from a fighting dog to a lap dog.


Actress Jessica Alba has a pit bull named Jim Bowie.
Actress Jessica Biel owns three pit bulls.
Rapper Big Boi from hip-hop duo Outkast is a registered pit bull breeder.
Actors Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson have a pit bull named Penny Lane.
Actor Michael J. Fox owns a pit bull named Burnaby.
Radio host Ira Glass has a pit bull.
West Coast Chopper owner Jesse G. James owns three pit bulls; he named his 50's style burger stand after Cisco.
Jin Joo Lee (Korean Singer) has two pitbulls.[citation needed]
Good Charlotte twins Joel and Benji Madden own a Blue pit bull named Easy.[citation needed]
Daddy is a "pack member" of Cesar Millan's Dog Psychology Center. Hip hop artist Redman, Daddy’s original owner, gave the four-month-old puppy to Cesar.
TV cook Rachael Ray has two pit bulls.
Actress Alicia Silverstone has a rescued pit bull.
Comedian Jon Stewart has pit bulls.
Author Andrew Vachss, a vocal opponent of pit bull fighting and breed-specific bans, has a pit bull named Honey

Answer 10

I agree with the general consensus here. Its a matter of how you raise a Pit and how they are treated.

Then again, we have to admit, that there were heaps of people (and still are some) that bred the Pit for fighting. They are the real culprits.

Now I am not a violent old lady, but if I came across one of those idiots who trains dogs to fight, I would punch his lights out.


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