Pit Bull Opinions

[Zaroth]

I was came across an article today about Pit Bull myths and after reading the comments section, found out that there are some pretty extreme opinions on both sides of the fence.

So, I started wondering, what kind of opinions/experiences 3s owners have with them.


Personally, I am an avid animal lover(4 cats,4 dogs including a Pit Bull, 1 ferret, 2 birds and 2 fish tanks).

I have owned 4 pit bulls and have experiences on both sides of the fence as far as aggressiveness to overwhelming kindness.


Anybody have any experiences or opinions on this breed?

[j2k4]

Pits (in my experience) are not much different from any other dogs as pets, but while I have a penchant for rescues, I don't think I could ever, in good conscience, own a pit that I didn't raise myself, or that I wasn't very familiar with.

Dobes and Weimaraners, same thing.

Some abused dogs can be worked with, but there's to much risk with grandkids, etc.

[onebadmollafolla]

He's an OK hip hop artist. Does a lot of work with other musicians as well.

[dbest671]

I have seen both sides of the fence, and when I see one my skin will tingle. You just never know anymore, people are to careless when they own a Pit Bull. Was at PetSmart a couple of weeks ago, and two guys had a pit bull. They were not even paying attention and this dog was right at my calve, I will admit my butt puckered a little because of his body stance. The dog could have easily taken a chunk out of my leg before the guys could pull it off.

However, my cousin has 125lb pit on steroids (allergies) and it is the nicest dog in the world.

My uncle that lived with us had a pit... she was nice to almost everybody (except people who wore hats and she was raciest for some reason).

Personally I wouldn't own one, too much liability. Most homeowner's insurance require additional coverage for having an "aggressive breed". They were bred to do one thing... and they can turn at any given time. Not saying they will, but if they do the damage can be catastrophic.

There are just too many other breeds that don't have notorious reputations for aggression. I would guess a majority of pit bull owners have them for a status symbol, either "look at my badass dog" or "they are just wonderful dogs and misunderstood". Pit Bull owners, don't take offense to that.

[FeaRpb]

They are amazing dogs.

I am fond of your pitbull.

[Zaroth]

Pits (in my experience) are not much different from any other dogs as pets, but while I have a penchant for rescues, I don't think I could ever, in good conscience, own a pit that I didn't raise myself, or that I wasn't very familiar with.

Dobes and Weimaraners, same thing.

Some abused dogs can be worked with, but there's to much risk with grandkids, etc.

I definitely agree with that. I think a lot of their attitude and temperament comes from how they are raised. I love pit bulls, but I have met pit bulls raised for hunting hogs or just not adapted to strangers that I wouldn't want to be around alone.

[vroom4]

Lived with two. I found them to be some the most well trainer, well behaved dogs I have ever been around. The people I lived with that had these two pits were also a foster home for rescued pit bulls, so I saw a lot of different ones come in and out, most were pretty skittish though so you could never really get a true sense of their personality.

[Zaroth]

There are just too many other breeds that don't have notorious reputations for aggression. I would guess a majority of pit bull owners have them for a status symbol, either "look at my badass dog" or "they are just wonderful dogs and misunderstood". Pit Bull owners, don't take offense to that.

You sort of have to take a more protective stance over your dog when you have a pit because there is the stigma with them being mean because a lot of people do use them as fighting dogs. When your an animal person your dogs are your children and when you see how sweet they can be, it makes you want to defend them against people who say otherwise.

When I take my pit for walks I always give everyone I pass the sidewalk and take the street. Most of the time other peoples dogs will bark or growl at my dog and she will just have a puzzled look on her face. My girlfriend of 4 years commented the other day that she hasn't ever heard my dog bark or even growl.


As far as the people that have them as a "badass dog" status symbol, there are definitely those people. My cousin(Marine) bought 2 of them for that exact reason. Him being the most irresponsible and immature person I have ever met in my entire life, still has 2 incredibly sweet pit bulls.

[UTRacerX9]

Personally I wouldn't own one, too much liability. Most homeowner's insurance require additional coverage for having an "aggressive breed". They were bred to do one thing... and they can turn at any given time. Not saying they will, but if they do the damage can be catastrophic.


This. Dogs have their own personalities and quirks, even among the same type/breed of dog. My family has had goldens and mutts my whole life. A golden is known for being a gentle dog, good with kids, and not aggressive unless threatened. We had our neighbors over for dinner a few weeks back and they brought their twin 3 yr olds over as well. They ran around playing with our golden Cody, but they can get a bit too aggressive. They pulled Cody's tail and he didn't like it, he just growled so we knew something was going on he didn't like, then he got up and retreated to another room. A pit bull on the other hand, instead of showing restraint, is far more likely to just bite when aggravated.

A neighbor of ours just down the street has a massive (190lbs) Great Dane mix. He goes to the same dog park we do, and even though Titan is huge, he is non aggressive. In fact, Cody stands up and puts his paws on his back every time they see each other, and Titan doesn't mind a bit. About 2 months ago now they went to the local dog park and two pit bulls were there and attacked him. The owner fled, and Titan nearly died. Cost our neighbor about 3k so far in surgery bills and such. Animal control was called and the pits were put down, the owner never came forward.

A pit bull can be a good dog... if it's never in a situation where it feels threatened or gets upset. But if they do happen to get into a situation like that, watch out.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

I'm a firm believer that no dog is born mean. I have two friends with pits, and they are both awesome. A girl I know, her pit is worthless, because she has it as the status symbol and doesn't treat it right.

In my job, I deal with dogs a lot. Never had a problem with a large breed. The only dog I ever have a problem with is friggin wiener dogs. Hate those little shits, lol.

I'm the guy that people tell not to pet their aggressive dogs, and they always love me(had a "mean" rotweiler piss on my leg one day...yeah, he sure hated me haha). Cats, too, even though I despise cats.

Jeremy

[j2k4]

I despise cats.

Jeremy

I can't trust you anymore, Jeremy.

We're quits.





:lol:

[stealthee]

I'm a firm believer that no dog is born mean.

This times 50.

I love pits. I have never really had a problem with anyones dogs. Well one time I had a stray mutt (looked like a Shepard mix) come at me when I was walking my lab that I had. I pulled my dog back and punched the mutt in the head. It took off and I never saw it again.

[dbest671]

The only thing about Pits... is when they attack they cause so much damage. And when they attack, they just don't stop. 9/10 the attack was instigated by another dog/person, but against a pit it is a losing battle. Kids just don't know any better which is why they normally get their face ripped off.

Personally, I think a Chihuahua is the most aggressive breed... but they don't do much (if any) real damage.

My uncle's pit had puppies (she was full blood knocked up by lab mix) and we kept one of her puppies. He was well trained and very sweet/gentle. One day the neighbor kid was in our yard (don't know what for) the dog got out and bit the kid in the ass. He required stitches. I don't know what triggered the attack, maybe the kid was teasing him through the window or had done something to him prior to the incident. But we had to get rid of the dog, to many neighborhood kids that could be put into danger. So that is why I can say they can flip a switch at an instance. The couple we gave him too had a farm, and to this day he has never bit another person.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Sounds like the dog was just protecting its territory, and gave the kid a warning bite. As you said, they can lay into their prey. If that dog wanted that kid dead, it would've happened, right then and there.

Hell, I have two Yorkies, and I guarantee you'd think twice about coming in my yard. They would never truly do anything, but they get nasty on their side of the fence. Especially the little one, haha.

Jeremy

[dbest671]

But the thing was he knew the kid, as I babysat him... he had been around the kid his entire life. Kids were constantly walking through our yard. Our house was like the "cool" house for the neighborhood kids, hell I babysat most of them. Warning bite or not... it cause some damaged, and we couldn't risk something worse happening. I honestly don't think the dog would have stopped because I had to put myself in between the dog and the kid, until I was able to gain control of the dog. He wanted to tear the kid a new one (well technically he did). The parents could have sued and easily win the lawsuit, as we had no "Beware of Dog" signs. But we paid for the medical bills and all was good.

[Turbo Beast]

Any dog can be bad.
Hell, I've seen mean labs, cur dogs, poodles, huskies, rottweilers, dobermans and some mix breeds.

Buddy of mine has a sweet as can be 2.5yr old pit, weighing in at around 160lbs, doesn't hurt anything and is afraid of cats.
My father in law has a blackmouth cur and that dog will kill anything it can get on; snakes, cats, pigs, chickens, raccoons. Doesn't hurt people though.

Theres just no telling with a strange dog.

And April, you made the right move, that dog didn't need to be in an area filled with kids anymore. Doesn't mean its a bad dog, but he wasn't suited for the area.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Well, then it sounds as if there was some provocation on the kids behalf(but, who knows?). Again, if the dog wanted the kid dead, I don't think you would have stopped it by yourself. The worthless pit I mentioned earlier attacked one of my friends dogs. It took 4 of us beating the absolute shit out of the dog(this was a juvie pit, at that), and several sledgehammer shots to the skull to finally get it to back off. Owner was right there; the dog cared not about her advances, commands, or attempts to intervene. He was not going to stop until he killed the dog.

I'm not trying to argue or discredit your testimony(I certainly wasn't there, so I don't know), but I just don't buy into the theory of dogs "snapping" for no reason. :)

Jeremy

[JasonY]

I dont hate pits, but I will never trust them, ever. Still have scars on my face from one that was what every pit owner says they are, just a big sweety. I ended up having to almost kill that dog but not before it fractured my left arm, and left two large holes in my face. I broke its back on an outside corner of the house and literally in one of those adreneline rushed/saw red/gone ape shit crazy moments swung the dog by its collar like a bat until it quit fighting back. Dog was about 80-90lbs at the time, fortunately not a 150+lbs mature one.

All provoked by standing up from a chair. The result of that outburst has always led me to distrust them no matter what anyone tells me about them...All in all i got lucky i got my let arm between my neck and was literally able to run as hard as i could directly into a sharp corner of the house with enough force to badly hurt that fucking dog.

Jason

[MeTarzan]

I have had pitbulls and many other breds and mutts as well as worked with animals for 15years and a pitbull is one of my top 2 favorite breeds along with Neapolitan Mastiff.
Pitbulls are not born with a natural aggression that is trained into them either by the isolation that a lot of them expericence tied up in someones back yard as well as people not knowing how to train an animal. The breed originally came about for fighting hense its name but one fact a lot of people dont know is that they were trained to be aggresive but only toward other dogs, since people had to be in or around the pit/ring. Any animal that showed signs of aggresion toward people were put down.

I personally have been bitten by 2 dogs, one was a Collie (came from behind a house running full steam and bit me as I was walking down the street) and the other was an Akita had bitten my leg when I walked by him.

If people would have seen me playing with my pits they would have thought I was being attacked by them, growling, biting my arms, foaming at the mouth, but when they would bite my arm it was so easy thier teeth barely put any pressure on my skin. and as soon as I gave them the stop command they were perfectly calm. So people just need to be responcible and LEARN themself how to raise an animal.

This is one breed I'm sure a very small percentage of you have ever heard of if any.
Caucasian Mountain Dog and it is NATURALLY AGGRESSIVE!!!!!
http://puppyer.com/img/foundation_stock_service/caucasian_mountain_dog_62_1.jpg

Caucasian mountain dog - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/embed/mMwRGVLuq1Y)

[dbest671]

I rather be in a room full of pit bulls over an Akita, Chow, or Shar-pei ... I was attacked by an Akita while I was sitting on the couch helping a girl, I was babysitting, with her homework. I had just taken that fucking dog for a walk right before and all was good. I made the parents come home because I was not staying in the house with that dog. The parents were pissed because the kids told them I kicked the dog to stop it from attacking me. Luckily the bit wounds didn't require stitches, but nothing like having holes in your arms and legs.

[Miguel92.3000GT]

I've had about 4 pitbulls. They were never agggresive unless someone threatened them or us. They were the best dogs in the world. As dbest671 said, I loved them because they are a misunderstood breed. Ok, the badass look he had when walking down the street was also a factor. lol. But overall theyre good pets. I've seen more aggressive gloden retrievers than pitbulls here in Georgia.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

I can get on board with the Chow talk. That is a dog that has always frightened me a bit, though I rarely ever see them. That, and dobermans. I've been bit twice by dobermans, once in the ass, and the other in the face(t'was not pretty, stitches were involved, but it was 100% completely my fault).

The dobie that bit me in the ass...the owner told me to come up the next day and he'd hold the dog while I beat it with a stud. Gee, can't imagine why his temperament was as it was... :rolleyes: No, I certainly did not take him up on that offer.

Jeremy

[vr4tune]

Americian Bulldogs > Pitbulls

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss357/vr4tune/my%20dogs/thelast3boys086.jpg

My stud!

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss357/vr4tune/my%20dogs/beatrixpups003.jpg
http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss357/vr4tune/my%20dogs/bulldogpuppies3-15-09043.jpg
http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss357/vr4tune/my%20dogs/ee64343c.jpg

My dam!

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss357/vr4tune/my%20dogs/thelast3boys010.jpg
http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss357/vr4tune/my%20dogs/thelast3boys108.jpg
one of my litters

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss357/vr4tune/my%20dogs/adpics2-14-2009005.jpg
http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss357/vr4tune/my%20dogs/bulldogpupsandNiko032.jpg

[MeTarzan]

Americian Bulldogs > Pitbulls

American bulldogs were involved in creating the Pitbull breed so Pitbull>American Bulldog :P

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Beautiful dogs! :cool:

Jeremy

[Zaroth]

I think we are having some size over exaggerations here. Pit Bulls don't weight 120+ lbs. The fattest laziest pit I have ever had weighed in the high 60's with the most muscular one being in the high 50's. Maybe you guys are thinking of a different breed than I am. I'm referring to American Pitbull Terriers.

I would love to see what a 160lb pit bull looks like though if there are pictures out there. That would be a monster of a dog. I'll post a few pictures of mine up later tonight.

[dbest671]

I think we are having some size over exaggerations here. Pit Bulls don't weight 120+ lbs. The fattest laziest pit I have ever had weighed in the high 60's with the most muscular one being in the high 50's. Maybe you guys are thinking of a different breed than I am. I'm referring to American Pitbull Terriers.

I would love to see what a 160lb pit bull looks like though if there are pictures out there. That would be a monster of a dog. I'll post a few pictures of mine up later tonight.

In every breed, there are size abnormalities. 50lb is a little small. Also they are not a "recognized breed" by AKC, so it would be hard to set "breed standards". My cousins dog is one of abnormally large Pits, but that is probably due to the steroids. My uncles dog at her fattest weighed about 90lbs, she looked like a keg with legs LOL.

[MeTarzan]

I think we are having some size over exaggerations here. Pit Bulls don't weight 120+ lbs. The fattest laziest pit I have ever had weighed in the high 60's with the most muscular one being in the high 50's. Maybe you guys are thinking of a different breed than I am. I'm referring to American Pitbull Terriers.

I would love to see what a 160lb pit bull looks like though if there are pictures out there. That would be a monster of a dog. I'll post a few pictures of mine up later tonight.

I've had a 70# and 90# both males. I have seen Pits in many different sizes, by brother had one and she weighed in just under 55 and I called her scrappy cause she was so lil...I have seen a few big pits weighing 130+

[UTRacerX9]

I think we are having some size over exaggerations here. Pit Bulls don't weight 120+ lbs. The fattest laziest pit I have ever had weighed in the high 60's with the most muscular one being in the high 50's. Maybe you guys are thinking of a different breed than I am. I'm referring to American Pitbull Terriers.


Agreed. If it's any bigger than 70-75 lbs, it's not a "pure" pit.

[MeTarzan]

Also they are not a "recognized breed" by AKC, so it would be hard to set "breed standards".

They acutally are recognized by the AKC but use a different name for them American Staffordshire Terrier, only due to the fact that they dont want to be associated with Fighting dogs in any way. ALL other governing bodies call them Pitbull Terriers

and AKC isnt the only registering orginzation for Dogs, here is the UKC (United Kennel Club) standard
http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite.nsf/Breeds/AmericanPitBullTerrierRevisedNovember12008

[vr4tune]

American bulldogs were involved in creating the Pitbull breed so Pitbull>American Bulldog :P

Where did you get that info? I have never heard that before. I'm under the impression that Pitbulls are the older breed.

[vr4tune]

Beautiful dogs! :cool:

Jeremy

Thanks

[CoopKill]

There are two types of "Pitbulls" English "Staffordshire Bull Terrier", and American "American Staffordshire Terrier".

The American are 1/3 to 1 times larger, and can reach around 150lbs+. The English are between 35lbs to 70 lbs give or take.

I have rescued 4, and owned 7. I have not seen one yet that can not be turned around, they do exist, but the breed is not what dictates that in total. They are by far the BEST dog I have owned.

If you do not know him, and his ways, please read watch:

Amazon.com: Cesar Millan Dog: Books (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=Cesar%20Millan%20Dog&tag=dogbreedinfo05&index=books&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325)

Amazon.com: Cesar Millan Dog Movies & TV on DVD & Blu-ray (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=Cesar%20Millan%20Dog&tag=dogbreedinfo05&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325)

[Zaroth]

In every breed, there are size abnormalities. 50lb is a little small. Also they are not a "recognized breed" by AKC, so it would be hard to set "breed standards". My cousins dog is one of abnormally large Pits, but that is probably due to the steroids. My uncles dog at her fattest weighed about 90lbs, she looked like a keg with legs LOL.

I don't know where your information that they are not a recognized breed lol. This is just plain untrue. It does look like you are referring to a different breed than I am though. I have seen pit bulls much larger than mine( I don't know how much they weighed), but they were mostly used for hunting wild hog.

[dbest671]

^I said by the AKC because that is the leading breed registry in the US. The ONLY way you can get an AKC registration on a pit bull is if you can prove the linage came from an American Staffordshire terrier (parents registered as AST). While the UKC says there are one and the same, the AKC does not. And I don't even consider the CKC a real breed registration, they usually register just about anything.

[Turbo Beast]

This is Beau at around 1yr old

[Zaroth]

You said


In every breed, there are size abnormalities. 50lb is a little small. Also they are not a "recognized breed" by AKC, so it would be hard to set "breed standards".

There is more than one organization that has "breed standards". Just because one doesn't have it as a "recognized breed" does not make it more difficult to look at breed standards for any of the other organizations. Regardless of your person opinions of them.

[Zaroth]

This is Beau at around 1yr old

Jeez Turbo, he is definitely a beast. I really like the color of his coat.

[FeaRpb]

Beautiful dog Colin. My buddy in Waco has a female that same color.

[AdamVR4]

Every pitbull I've ever interacted with has been amazing, but I won't lie, when I was with my 7 year old nephew the other day and we walked past an unleashed pit bull, I was staring at the dog expecting the worst.

[Zaroth]

Every pitbull I've ever interacted with has been amazing, but I won't lie, when I was with my 7 year old nephew the other day and we walked past an unleashed pit bull, I was staring at the dog expecting the worst.

I'm that way with pretty much any unleashed dog I see. I actually had a jack russell try to attack my pit bull last night while I was walking her. She didn't show any aggression towards it even though it charged her and then started snapping/barking at her from maybe 2 feet away.

I, on the other hand, was trying to kick the life out of it. It eventually ran away.

[ictponder]

My neighbor had a pit chained up in their backyard. One of my Yorkies, Winston, would always run over and greet her with no problems. However, they never paid any attention to that dog, which leads me to believe that they kept it as a status symbol.

[MeTarzan]

Pitbull doing Parkour :D

TreT - PARKOUR DOG FROM UKRAINE - YouTube (http://youtu.be/pXElh_VM0Uc)

[VR-4 0wnz j00]

My pitbull is one of the sweetest you will ever see. All she wants is loves.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/Arschloch/NerdyDax.jpg

My other dog Tica is much scarier (she is 13lbs, lol)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/Arschloch/P3259475.jpg

[CoopKill]

Cooper rip!
http://personalpages.tds.net/~coop81/coop1.jpg

Annie
http://personalpages.tds.net/~coop81/anniebeach.jpg

Pete rip! & Annie
http://personalpages.tds.net/~coop81/anniepete.jpg

All three are rescues, I have no pics on line of the others :sad: