How do you explain to the average person why American Pit Bull Terriers aren't vicious killers?

Question

While making it short and to the point.

There are so many things I would like to say to people who ask me about my APBTs, but the average person doesn't want to be lectured -- I know if someone was explaining the entire history of their dog's breed to me I'd become annoyed.

How do other APBT owners (or the owners of dogs seen as monsters) explain things to curious strangers?

2boys2dogs2birds, I honestly wonder where people like you get their information. There has never been any scientific studies to back up anything you have said. Repeating things that you have heard or making up false information yourself from your opinions is terribly ignorant. I almost feel sorry for you.

GotNewfs?, I completely agree with you. I for one second have never stated that APBTs aren't dog-aggressive or have a high prey drive -- I know that only too well and never allow my APBTs to be alone together for that same reason. Fortunately, however, my problem is with those who think that this breed, as a whole, is human-aggressive.

Some people have obviously misunderstood my question. I'm not out to prove anything to anyone who already has their mind set on how aggressive APBTs are. My question was how to explain to someone who has an honest curiosity about APBTs.

Answer 1

Let your well behaved, well trained dog be a shining example of how wonderful the breed can be. If people ask and really want to know explain to them that it is all about the way they are raised and trained. Explain that some breeds have a natural tendency to be more aggressive than others because of there original purpose (in the case of bull and terrier breeds bull baiting, Rottie guarding cattle, Dobie personal protection ect. ) Explain that in APBT this aggression is not directed at humans ever in a properly raised dog and that in properly trained dogs the natural aggression toward other animals is controlled and and prevented from being expressed.

If they don't ask or don't really care (ie asking how you can own such a vicious dog) nothing you will tell them will change there mind so there is no use wasting your breath.

Answer 2

I don't think you can convince anyone of anything if they have their mind made up. All you ever see on the news these days is the bad rap that APBTs and STTs are getting. I've never owned an APBT but I do own a boarding kennel and can tell you first hand ANY dog can be vicious. Honestly, it's the toy breeds that bite the most in my personal experience.

Unfortunately, it's the few losers in this world who have turned a very loyal, stout breed into having the reputation of being a fighting mean machine through selective breeding for the most vicious dogs.

I wouldn't waste your breath personally. I also wouldn't own one because I'd lose my homeowner's insurance...sad but true :(

Answer 3

I do not understand how people can NOT admit that pits are different from most other breeds. I could NEVER take two Newfs and make them fight to the death. They do not have that kind of personality and temperment. Pits can be easily trained to do just that. They are trained easily by total idiots and even teens. If they did not have that kind of personality and temperment, it would not be that easy. It is just a fact.

Does that make them a bad breed??? No. But should they be owned by just anyone??? NO!!!! They are not good dog for people who are clueless about dogs. If fewer criminal mined, and clueless people owned them, there would not be as many problems and people would not be trying to ban them!!!!!

You just see SOOOO many people on here that own them and tell everyone that they are the best and sweetest breed on the planet. Many of them state that pits are no more aggressive than any other breed.
I think if good pit owners (like you appear to be) tell people that they are a breed that can be very aggressive, but when raised correctly by good and experienced owners they make wonderful and loyal companions, people that want to understand will.
It is hard. I would not sign up to live next door to a pit. You never know what the owner is like and the breeding the dog came from, and when either goes wrong, it can go REALLY wrong!!!!!!!!
I wish there was some way idiots, criminals, and macho-seeking people could be kept from owning them. They are the reason the breed will be banned

Answer 4

Its really hard to change peoples minds who have never even been around the breed. I work at a vet and see many different breeds everyday. Believe it or not I actually see more aggressive labs and golden retreivers more than the so called dangerious breeds.(Rotts, Pitts, Germ Sheps, ect) And these are supposed to be the so called family dogs. These people really should judge a breed until they have experience their behavior. If half of them would just spend 10 mins with a well behaved and socialized pitts they would fall in love. The best way to explain to these people is just to educate them, most are just ignorant and only know the horror stories they hear about.

Answer 5

I agree with most of the other answers, it's how the dog is raised. I personally love the look of APBT's and it's sad how many people are ignorant to the fact that all those so called "vicious" breeds are mostly brought up to be that way by irresponsible owners.

Answer 6

OK several things. For the record, I am a bully breed owner (American Bulldog/Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix).

If people are truly curious and have taken the time to ask you about your dogs, you have no choice but to assume they are willing to listen to what you have to say. It's not like you are preaching unwanted information; they ASKED you for it. My advice to you, so you don't go overboard, is to ask the person what he or she would like to know. You’d be surprised at how many people have specific questions ("Well, I heard...") That way your "lecture" stays short and to the point, and curiosity gets satisfied. I also agree that actions are far more powerful than words, so having your pit bull act as an excellent breed ambassador will speak volumes.


Also in response to Freedom: I can see your point, but on the other hand, your Danes are not facing bans, being purchased for dogfighting, or the topic of nightly news. As a pit bull owner, it’s very clear to me that other people ARE thinking about it and making my dog their business, making nearly impossible for me to enjoy my dog. It’s not just about people “not liking our breed”; it’s about the very real possibility that our breed might not be around for long, and about people going out of their way to make owning a pit bull very difficult. Just food for thought, but I agree that more pit bull owners should put up or shut up and start putting their money where their mouths are. If you want to keep pits around, do something about it! www.stopbsl.com

Answer 7

I'm soo glad you're asking this question. To the majority of people who don't understand dogs and their behavior patterns they think that all Pits are aggressive and vicious. It can go either way with a Pit, I have curled up with one of the nicest Pit bulls in the world, and my dog has been attacked by one... It's ashame that many of them are bred to fight, and the owners are sooo irresponsible.

Answer 8

blame the deed not the breed, it is thru training and poor care that causes any breed of dog to behave badly, look at how many chow chows, rotts, ans shepards behave aggressively.
But pits do have a look about them huge head muscles that words can not do the trick. try addling a cute collar or even have your dogs carry back packs instead of fear from people you will get questions about what your dog is carrying. Pits are made to work and carring water bottles or pulling a cart is good for them.

Answer 9

I believed in the whole how it was raised scenerio up until I read about the last pit attack. A families 2 pit bulls got loose, went through a neighbors window and mauled her. These dogs were the stereotypical pits. You know the ones who were Sooooo nice and gentle. Screw that, the pit breed has been so inbred they can snap for no logical reason and, no responsible owner would allow them to be near children. You can lecture me all you want about how ill informed I am. There is a reason why thugs keep pits.

Answer 10

Tell them, that the pit bull breeders are breeding them to be aggressive. They are NOT BORN aggressive. They can be just as sweet as a lab or any other breeds. It depends on the dog too. SAVE THE PIT BULLS!!!