How do you feel about pitbulls?

Question

On the tv show The Power of 10, there was a question about the percentage of Americans who believe people should not own pitbulls. The percentange was 55%. I couldn't believe it was so high. I have worked at a vet clinic for quite a while and out of the hundreds of pits who have come in, not once have I had a bad experience with one. Of course, the people who usually bring their animals to a vet's office aren't the type of people who raise animals to be vicious towards other people and animals.

For those who hate the breed, have you actually been around multiple pits or is the hatred you profess to from just stuff from the tv. And don't you think it's unfair to hate the whole breed from a few instances. I mean, that would be the same thing as saying you hate black or white people because one hurt your friend.

Answer 1

I agree with you my friend. I have owned Rotweilers and they aren't looked at as bad-but the still have that reputation. It disgusts me to hear talk of entire states trying to band the entire breed. Lets face it-all dogs have the potential to bite and become aggresive. It is all about the repect you have for the animal when it is being raised. Earlier this summer I was driving to work and I saw a man walking his gorgeous pit down a busy street. The dog was perfectly poised, Not walking beyond his owner but right with him. I group of kids passed and the dog didn't even blink. But the owner kept yanking him around and hit him and pulled his chain. I think the commomn misconception for the ******* that raise their pits this way is that they have to be mean and instill fear in the dog in order to have the dog behave. This is WRONG-raising a dog this way makes a dog obeidient out of fear and that is where you hear those stories about people having owned their dog for years and it "turns" on them out of no where. Dogs raised by physical and verbal abuse listen out of fear but the don't trust their owners!

Answer 2

First of all, great questions. I love pit bulls personally. They are gentle and get a bad rap due to irresponsible owners. We have a 9 month old pit puppy, my sister and brother both have pit mixes, as do many other people I know. Anyone that is going to own any kind of pet should do so responsibly. Being a pit bull owner requires 150% responsibility. I did a college research paper a few months ago on Breed Specific Legislation with an emphasis on pit bulls. These dogs are amazing with people... the trouble is other dogs. Many people will say that it is not a smart move to take pit bulls into dog parks... there is just too much of a chance that something could go wrong. A lot of the problem is that the media often reports dogs that have attacked as pits when they are a completely different breed. It is also rare that an attack from any other dog gets reported.

Answer 3

I own 5 pit mixes and as far as I'm concerned, I couldn't find better dogs. They are great with my 7 year old son, and when strangers come to the house they only bark until they sniff the person and know they're OK. Then it becomes a whine and lick fest. My guys have never shown an aggressive side towards people, but then they were socialized when they were young. Actually we took them to Pet Smart on a regular basis as puppies. No I'm not worried about one of them "turning aggressive" when they get older, the eldest is 8 yrs in Oct. and she's a wuss.
Like you having worked for a vet, I worked at a dog boarding kennel, and even the pits that belonged to people that wanted tough dogs were still very friendly. I used to worry more about the toy breeds trying to bite and be aggressive than the pits.
I know some pit lines are in-bred and this can have the potential to cause problems, but in the end they are still dogs, and just like our kids, it's all about how you raise them. A well socialized dog (of any breed) is a better animal in the end.
The worst part of the prejudice against pits is that 90% of the people out there don't truly know what a pit looks like and many mistake other similar built breeds as pits. check out the link below and you will see what I mean. You may have to copy and paste the URL to view.

http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html

Answer 4

55% does not surprise me. That is a bunch of people that have never seen a Pit Bull or been around one. The media has created all the negative attitude against Pit Bulls. When was the last time you heard about a Cocker Spaniel biting someone, or a Lab, or a German Shepard, or any ankle bitter?
I'll admit I was taken by all the media hype. When my grandson brought home an ABPT and I looked at the big head and slanted eyes I thought "What am I in for now'?
Well, she is the greatest dog I have ever had. She is four years old now and we have another three month puppy. They play fight all the time and sleep together. On my bed, of course, along with the nine year old Chi/Rat Terrier mix and the four and a half year old Beagle. Yeah, I got a house full.

Answer 5

If you check out a pit bull website, one on the side of pits, you will probably read that there are a number of "all american dogs" that are generally more aggressive than pits. I will be honest, when my husband approached me about getting a pit I was nervous; not because they are vicious but because they are so strong and don't know their own strength. At the time our children were 4 and 3. But we got our dog Rojo in January and I could not have asked for a better dog to join our family. He does not have a mean bone in his body, but he is very protectful of us. My kids can ride superman on his back, lay on him, play tug with him, he lets them jump over him. He is a great dog. My parents were not so sure we should get him based on all the bad things they have heard, but let me say it out loud: I AM A PROUD OWNER OF AN AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER. And I am serious when I say that if they ever banned them in our town we would move. There are NO bad dogs! ONLY BAD OWNERS! People become prejudice when they are ignorant about something. I hope this TRUTH can change at least one person's mind about the breed. I mean, I call the vet and they ALL know my dog by name. And he is NO mutt, he is purebred with papers. He is an angel, a protector, and just the best dog we could have asked for. Let me tell you too, HE WAS FREE. We saved him from being taken to a shelter because he could not be sold at 1,000 dollars.

Answer 6

I've always felt there was enough evidence to support that its all in how that breed is handled, raised and socialized.

There are a few instances where there were unprovoked attacks by this breed - but you will find there are many other breeds who fit this situation as well.

The pitbull breed is a wonderful and loyal breed, however if put in he wrong hands, some one inexpierenced and has maliouse use for these dogs only go to support the sterotype on this breed and the truth is, this sterotype can be put on any dog in similar circumstances.

I have seen many well socialized and behaived pitbulls who meet the standard of an exceptional pet. Its an unfair sterotype baised on fear.

Truth is these are highly intellegent dogs who neet to be in capable hands.

Answer 7

There is no such thing as a bad dog only bad owners. People need to be responsible for the care and training of their pets. Humans bred the pit bull to be a fighting dog-that is what they were bred for.So the only one to blame is human error for making this breed and unfortunately the dog will have to pay the price with his life.Don't get me wrong I have had a purebred pit bull for a pet and he was a very powerful dog.Sometimes I would worry what would happen if he was o ever get loose-I feel it would have been disastrous if he would have been confronted and this dog was never abused he was a loving family pet but because of his breeding he could be a danger if the situation arised. I feel bad for this dog breed but I think they really need to stop the breeding of this breed. = (

Answer 8

i feel they're satisfactory puppy best puppy i can ever possess..and to the individual who mentioned you prevent them and the will extra liable house owners? good thats any puppy..any puppy can also be imply..you feel pitbulls are the one ones that chew? but if one does thats all you pay attention at the information for weeks they on no account make tremendous offers on labs biting however im confident they do, part the time you do right here of a pitbull assault its often no longer even a pitbull ...however to so much individuals if it appears like a pitbull it need to be one..i do know alot of individuals with pitbulls all very liable and has on no account had any aggression issues

Answer 9

I don't hate them- but my dog WAS attacked by a pit mix- I tore him off so my dog was fine. If that had been my only experience maybe I may have become one of those haters. My dog's first pit was at the park one day- the owner showed up- he played gently with my dog- they had fun. She told me the dog had serious ear problems, was in constant pain, had had 3 surgeries and needed another- would be on steroids the rest of it's life- so she was taking it to be put down and had 2 hours to kill- so they had come to the park. I was almost in tears- such a wonderful, sweet, young dog.

My dog has played with other pits since then- one was a little rough, other were great. He has also been attacked by a pack of westies- do I hate them - nope.

Answer 10

Making a choice for a dog - Why get a pit bull?

I believe there are a lot of people that get the wrong breed for them, or not willing to make the commitment for a dog based on breed standards. Pit bull are not alone in this, but due to their power stand out.