pit bull research

[kris parker]

i have to do a research paper for my english class on something controversial and i decided to do it on the pit bull bans. i have a pit bull rotty mix and i ablsolutely love dogs especially pit bulls and rottys and boxers.. i hate the fact that they are discriminated against just because of the breed name. i need some information on pit bulls and why they are discriminated against. i know there are many stories of them attacking little kids and killing people and stuff like that but any dog could do that? it's the peoples fault not the dog..

[Michael William Shea]

We were taught to call them terrier pit bulls, especially when adopting them out to people in the humane society. The director thinks it sounds better. It was 100% Pit bull. I took the blood sample myself. The part that snapped was the pit bull.
You do not know where these pits are coming from. During the month at the humane society, they could tell the future owner that it had been there for a month. They could tell him, everything they know within that month. Bella was the sweetest, most loving dog I know. I loved that girl. However, they do not know where the dog had come from. It was not owner surrendered, it was found on the street. Did it come from a breeder? A puppy mill? It was super with other animals, children, strangers etc. But, was it abused before, or not properly socialized? You don't know, and that is where the previous owner is at fault. I certainly know that the pit can fall into the wrong owner, especially if they are not educated.
Look, I have trained hundreds of pit bulls and pit bull mixes. They are wonderful dogs, I have never been bit, they may growl a bit, but they are in a new environment, they are scared At the clinic, it is the same way. They are scared, new dog smells, vets can be scary. If I ever was bitten by a dog, I would understand the fear of the vet. However, I have been bitten by smaller dogs and not big dogs. I am no more careful with small dogs than I am with big dogs. I treat them all the same, gentle, quiet, loving and no fear. I am not afraid of the terrier pit bulls, or any other mixes.
Dogs are the best, I love my 65 dogs to death. Each of them have a different personality, but they are so loving and gentle. Most of mine are therapy dogs, and I love taking them to visit people.
I hate how pits are viewed, I hate how they are fought, there previous history, etc. They just seem to be attacking all the time. They can do so much damage so quickly. Can a smaller dog to that? Absloluely and smaller dog can attack just as bad, although most owners are aware that their dogs are more aggressive and protect them more. An owner came in with his new pit puppy of 11 months and as I walked the door, the first thing he said was " I don't know if my puppy will bite, will you mind muzzling him" That is what I like, an owner not taking chances, and being responsible.

[Don S]

I like www.dontbullymybreed.com lots of good information and history

[Mary Obrecht]

Pits are a very aggressive breed and they are prone to unpredictable behavior. One of the theorys behind this is that they they are not always capable of controlling their agression and that they misinterpret signs from people. Of course dogs are animals and as such any dog can attack but it seems more common among Pits. Add the fact that they are powerful dogs with locking jaws and you are looking at an animal that can inflict a lot of damage in a short time. Other breeds have come under fire, German Shepherds, Rotts, Dobermans and Mastiffs to name a few. All are large aggressive breeds and there are stories about all of them that describe attack without provocation. The fact that Pits are very popular right now and are sometimes owned by people who should never own a dog let alone and aggressive one, probably account for a good number of the attacks.

[Lyssa]

I suggest you actually go to the links and read them please. Pit bulls can be dog/animal aggressive but they should NEVER be people aggressive. Please don't generalize.

[kris parker]

me?

[Lyssa]

Oops new to discussion, should be a reply to Mary.

[Mary Obrecht]

I have to apologize for perpetuating the myth that Pits have locking jaws. I have heard Vets. and others who should know better mention this and never bothered to check it out. Stupid.
I still stand by the rest of my statement though. Any animal can be or become people aggressive for reasons known only to the animal. I think you missed the point I was trying to make. It is this. A Pit Bull is no different than any other large aggressive breed. Their reputation is exacerbated by the media,their popularity and by owners who are not responsible. This has happened with German Shepherds, Rotts, and Dobermans and other large breeds. I did not intend to come across as calling Pits bad. I've owned two and they were smart, loving dogs, I gave my daughter one for her birthday several years ago.

I adopted a St. Bernard once. His name was Sam and he had been mistreated. Everyone thinks of St. Bernards as rescue dogs that are fat, dumb and friendly. Sam could be very aggressive. He hated adults who wore hats, and certain gestures would make him growl. At 250 lbs he was a dangerous animal. Yet, he taught my daughter to walk, she would grab his ears and he would back up. Sam lived with me for 9 years without incident because I took the time to know him and keep him out of situations that might cause trouble. Does this in any way illustrate what I was trying to say?

[Lyssa]

Yes ty.

[kris parker]

yes.. i understand now.. thankyou.. i'm sorry if i sounded mean but when it comes to animals i get very defensive and sometimes over do it.. but i totally respect you for being a responsible pet owner

[kris parker]

okay first i have to say that i totally disagree with you in that whole paragraph. pits do not have locking jaws thats a false statement.. their jaws are just more powerful than most dogs.. thats the way they were bred.. thats the way people made them... keyword int hat sentence PEOPLE.. and if it werent for people they would not be aggressive.. and the only reason we only hear about pit bul attacks with no provocation is because when a golden retriever, sammy, or other "well tempered" breed attacks then everybody's like well the people must be lying about not doing anything to the dog... i have a pit and shes sweeter than my lab... plus ive been bit by my lab and samoyed and my pit or any other pit i have ever come in contact with has ever growled at me.. so dont sit here and tell me its the dogs fault when its really the people's fault.. they are not bad dogs.. they can be agressive if stupid people get them.. plus as ive been saying people know the risks of having a pit or any dog for that matter and if they dont then they need to tke the penalty for not the dog