Always Carry In Your Home & Fear Your Own Dog

[Liberty]

The point is, are all pit bulls like this ? I have never heard anything positive about pit bulls. Any of you own one ? What are they like ?

I don't own one, never have, and never will, but I've been around them a bit. They can be very friendly and they love to to play. They are very powerful even for their size. They love tug of war and 75 lb Pit can yank my 250lbs around all over the place. The thing about them is they really need to know who is boss, and they can be very stubborn.

They seem to hate other animals. Females can be worse than the males. Once they go into an attack mode they are very single purposed. Unless they are disciplined they won't stop an attack until there is nothing left. They will shred and tear a cat or another dog apart until there is nothing left. A child is just another animal to them. Lots of people have undisciplened dog, They usually aren't dangerous. A pit will usually want to attack another animal, If its not trained to stop or respond to its owner the result will be pretty predictable.

[KBCraig]

The point is, are all pit bulls like this ?

No. They're all dog-aggressive, but few will ever be aggressive to a human. Properly socialized, they get along fine with other dogs too. Even intact males, with other intact males.

I have never heard anything positive about pit bulls. Any of you own one ? What are they like ?

I don't own one and never have, but I've met plenty of them. They're almost universally described as "big old wigglin' goobernuts" around people, even strangers. They're great family dogs, but should only be owned by responsible people willing to spend the time properly socializing them with other dogs.

As for this particular 110 pound monster, let me repeat: a large pit bull is 60-70 pounds. Only extreme obesity would push one over 80 pounds. I'll guarantee you that this dog may have resembled a pit bull, but had a lineage that was more mastiff than pit.

Many dogs are wrongly identified as pit bulls. "I know one when I see it" doesn't count. Can you pick out the pit bull?
http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html

Here's a good information page:
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Pitbul ... egends.htm

Kevin

[Tote 9]

The point is, are all pit bulls like this ?

No. They're all dog-aggressive, but few will ever be aggressive to a human. Properly socialized, they get along fine with other dogs too. Even intact males, with other intact males.
Here's a good information page:
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Pitbul ... egends.htm

Kevin

Thanks for the links, they helped anser a lot of my questions. That was interesting about the bite presser and death rates caused by different dogs. I thought the pit bull was just a breed that was mean, uncontrolable, and unpredictable.

[jbirds1210]

From the link that KB posted:

"In our country more families own the Pit Bull than any other dog
breed in existence. (WAFAmicus Alabama 2002)"


WOW, I would have put my money on black labs. I have actually seen very few pit bulls in my part of the world. I guess they are more popular in the northern states? Interesting reading, Thanks!
Jason

[TxFire]

I hate the characterization the Pit Bull has received. It is unfair to the breed as a whole , but is due to the persons who own these breeds that are unfit to own them. ALL dogs should receive at the least basic training, but any large or "dangerous" dog should most certainly receive plenty of training and socialization with dogs and people/kids. I would feel comfortable taking my two German Shepherds almost anywhere due to their training. They have slipped some since our 2 year old was born, but still very behaved dogs. I feel for the person who tries to harm the kiddo or Mama. My male Shepherd would be very averse to that, not sure what the female might do.

On a related note, I am training for another Marathon and do my long runs at White Rock Lake in Dallas. The last three times down there, there has been what looks like a Pit Bull roaming free in the same area. My hackles go up when I see it and I grab the OC I now carry. But I sure wish I a had my new running holster in for the P3AT.

[KBCraig]

I have actually seen very few pit bulls in my part of the world.

My wife is a grooming salon manager for a major nationwide pet chain. Because we work different shifts, I usually spend an hour or more each day hanging out with her at work, so that we can actually see and talk to one another while we're both awake.

This chain invites pet owners to bring in their critters while shopping, and many do. Of the dogs I see in the aisles (as opposed to the grooming salon), the three pit breeds are definitely in the majority. These are properly socialized pets, too, not redneck or rapper tough guy status symbols.

Kevin

[flintknapper]

From the link that KB posted:

"In our country more families own the Pit Bull than any other dog breed in existence. (WAFAmicus Alabama 2002)"


WOW, I would have put my money on black labs. I have actually seen very few pit bulls in my part of the world. I guess they are more popular in the northern states? Interesting reading, Thanks!
Jason

I would have to agree.

The statement in red is utter nonsense (assuming the country in question is the USA). It is hard to know the number of "Pits" (or mixes) in the U.S. but common sense tells us that if they were "owned by more families than any other dog breed in existence" that we would literally see them on every street corner.

I would venture a guess that the plain 'ol "mutt" (mixed breed of whatever) is Americas favorite and most owned dog. The AKC does not recognize the pit bull as a pure breed if I remember correctly, and as such, does not register them. The UKC does.

Here are some excerpts from the AKC and UKC as concerns registered dogs. We may assume as many non-registered dogs of other breeds (not pit bulls) exist as do non-recognized pits, so it can't be argued that pits are simply not counted as registered.

Labrador Retriever Tops According to AKC's 2004 Registration Statistics

[Wednesday, January 12, 2005]
-- Small Breeds Continue to Make Largest Percentage Gains Over Past Decade --
For the 15th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular purebred dog in America, according to registration figures released today by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Nearly three times as many Labs were registered in 2004 as any other breed.

The AKC released the figures in conjunction with the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Tampa, Fla. on January 15th and 16th. The event will give the public the opportunity to view all 153 breeds registered by AKC – from the universally loved Lab (#1) to the lesser known English Foxhound (#153) – in a two-night live simulcast on Animal Planet and Discovery Channel, beginning at 8pm both nights.

Golden Retrievers came in behind the Lab, followed by German Shepherds, Beagles, and Yorkshire Terriers to round out the top five spots. In 2004, the German Shepherd reclaimed third place by displacing the Beagle, which held that position in 2003. The Yorkshire Terrier also edged out the Dachshund this year, reclaiming its former position as the fifth most popular dog.

The top 10 most popular dogs in 2004 are:

Labrador Retriever (146,714)
Golden Retriever (52,560)
German Shepherd Dog (46,054)
Beagle (44,557)
Yorkshire Terrier (43,527)
Dachshund (40,774)
Boxer (37,744)
Poodle (32,673)
Shih Tzu (28,960)
Chihuahua (24,853)


Kalamazoo, Michigan, May 20, 2005 - The United Kennel Club announces its list of top dog breeds for 2004. This list, based on UKC registration figures, reflects the Performance Dog philosophy that is the backbone of United Kennel Club. Truly – “Our Dogs Do Stuff!�

The Top Ten breeds include:
1. Treeing Walker Coonhound (Scenthounds Group)
2. American Pit Bull Terrier (Terriers Group)
3. Bluetick Coonhound (Scenthounds Group)
4. English Coonhound (Scenthounds Group)
5. American Black & Tan Coonhound (Scenthounds Group)
6. Redbone Coonhound (Scenthounds Group)
7. Labrador Retriever (Gun Dogs Group)
8. Beagle (Scenthounds Group)
9. Jack Russell Terrier (Terriers Group)
10. American Eskimo (Northern Breeds Group)



It is important to note that while this list reflects the top breeds in the UKC Registry, it is not intended to represent the “Most Popular Dogs in America�. There has never been any viable research to define a list of America’s “most popular� or “most numerous� pure-bred breeds.


I'll simply ask these questions: Do you see a Lab, a Golden Retriever, or a mixed mutt just about everywhere you look? YUP! How about pit bulls? Well..........not so much.

I'd say you're dead on Jason.

[stevie_d_64]

Pits are bred to never turn on humans even during a fight.

An animal can be TRAINED not to attack humans but no way will it be born knowing not to attack humans.

Different breeds have different instincts. The instinct to not turn on a human has been bred into the pit breeds just as deliberately as the instinct to attack other dogs.

It's no different from a border collie's instinct to herd, or a corgi's instinct to nip ankles, a hound's instinct to trail, a terrier's instinct to dig, or a greyhound's instinct to chase prey by sight.

Kevin

Totally agree...

Animals are products of their environment as well...The slightest trend in how they are treated and interact with humans can be amplified many times when a stressfull situation occurs around them...

Something obviously instigated, confused and triggered this attack, and I can almost guarantee you that the dogs were not kept for companion needs...There's a lot more to this and other attacks similar to this situation than is ever reported...

Obviously some breeds of dogs are more aggressive than others...Heck, I have two Dalmatians and they are considered an aggressive breed and not good for households with small children...

I'm not supportive of how Pits are classified and kept for the reasons "some" people keep them for...Thats not a blanket statement for everyone that has one or more of this breed (and that it works out for them), but some get them for the wrong reasons, and I am totally against that idea...

But thats just my opinion...

[flintknapper]

All of this talk about dogs reminded me of a humorous (and probably true) sign I saw the other day.

It read: My Doberman makes the fence in 2.8 seconds, can you?

[RPBrown]

The key here is proper training. Any breed or mix of breeds can be dangerous. I have been in the A/C business for 33 years and have been bitten twice. Both times by Chihuahua's. My wife and daughter owned a dog grooming shop (and about to open another one). They have several pits come in. There have been 2 that they refuse to do because of their disposition. Supposedly they have been trained, but still try to attack them and other dogs.

As stated before any breed can be dangerous. My experience with pits are that they can be very stubborn but so was my last shephard.

Even my golden puppy (1 year old) is stubborn at some things, but overall is a good dog and very protective of house and family. She has and continues to be trained but has a problem sharring ith the smaller dogs we own (or that own us).

[bauerdj]

I have run into a problem witha year old female Lab which I have not encountered before. Previously she has been kept in the house and let out loose on our property (fenced, 6+ acres). She seemed to housebreak well and we have had no problems in that respect since she was a fairly small puppy. Last week she broke her right front leg, a compression fracture according to the vet, most likely caused by jumping something and landing badly. In any event the leg is splinted and she must be walked on a leash and not allowed to run free. My problem is tha while she will urinate when taken for a walk she absolutely refuses to defecate while being walked even to the point of having an 'accident' five minutes after returning from a walk!

Any ideas?

Dave B.

[Tote 9]

WOW, I would have put my money on black labs. I have actually seen very few pit bulls in my part of the world. I guess they are more popular in the northern states? Interesting reading, Thanks!
Jason

Just reminded me of the chocklet lab my son has. He bought the Lab for duck hunting but he is allso a good watchdog. It was earlier said that the pit weighted 110 lbs. Thats hard to believe. My son's lab is the largest I have ever seen and I have seen a lot of labs. The last time he was taken to the vet and weighted he weighted 136 lbs (the dog not my son.). No kidding.

[Crossfire]

My problem is tha while she will urinate when taken for a walk she absolutely refuses to defecate while being walked even to the point of having an 'accident' five minutes after returning from a walk!

Any ideas?

Dave B.

Dave,

My dachshund is the same way. She absolutely will not go if on a leash. Is she well trained enough that, if you let her off the leash, she will not run off? If not, then can you fence a small area (not big enough for her to run in) that she can go to?

Good luck with this! Sounds like you have had MUCH more than your share of stress this holiday season. We continue to pray for your family.

[KBCraig]

It's important to remember that while all breeds have certain innate instincts, dogs are pack animals, and they will adopt the attitude of their pack leader (which is supposed to be, but isn't always, the human responsible for them).

That's why mean and crazy people have mean and crazy dogs.

We started watching "The Dog Whisperer" this year. We enjoy it not because we're learning something new, but because Cesar Millan does a good job of boiling down and articulating what we've always known about handling dogs.

Kevin

[Lucky45]

It is amazing to see how people are emotional about these dogs being aggressive or non-aggressive.
To me it goes back to basic biology or evolution. An animal is an animal no matter how well you train it, groom it and dress it up. It is in their DNA.
I am not a psychologist, but the difference between a human and an animal is that "HUMANS CAN DIFFERENTIATE."
Otherwise, we are not as civilized as we think we are. And those in the public that are not civilize are considered what???......ANIMALS. i.e. murderers, rapist etc.
Most animals are territorial and will attack if provoked or attack on "instinct." SOME humans know that someone walking by while they are eating is not trying to steal their food and will not attack or growl.