You have more of a chance of being killed by a falling coconut than a Pit Bull. Its the people, not the dog.
The true name is American Pit Bull Terrier, they were bred in this country as Nanny dogs. They do not have special locking jaws or any other super power, like guns in the hands of the wrong person any dog
can be deadly.
John - 11 years ago
I think of pit bulls and other similar dogs like motorcycles. When driven by an experienced rider, you are less likely to be in an accident on a motorcycle than in a car. When raised properly, I would assume you are less likely to have problems with pit bulls than other dogs as pit bulls were specifically bred for their loyalty, not just fighting prowess. The problem with both motorcycles and pit bulls is that when things go wrong, they go really wrong. Neither are worth that risk.
Nemo - 11 years ago
"American Pit Bull Terriers are one of the most loyal, loving breeds of canines. It depends on how they are raised. "
The fact remains: They were bred specifically for fighting and not to let go once they clamp down. I don't care how they are "raised," it's what they were bred for, and that instinct cannot be reliably and consistently controlled. I have lost count of how many people who "raised" them in a loving home, without problems for years, were shocked that their dog attacked instictively in a situation that they were not prepaired to handle, nor did they expect.
I will never turn my back on a pit bull, nor a dobie or rottweiller.
Matthew Mueller - 11 years ago
I find it interesting that the question is posed with the cavieat, "whether the reputation is deserved or not" which goes to show that the problem isn't with the dogs, it's with the way the media has overhyped the risk of owning Pit Bulls.
I own two beautiful and loving pit mixes. The only risk they pose is with their tongues as they will lick you to death.
JP - 11 years ago
Greg is right. American Pit Bull Terriers are one of the most loyal, loving breeds of canines. It depends on how they are raised. Trained properly, they are less aggressive to humans than most dogs. I have adopted one and rescued another, and plan on rescuing another when my 12 year old girl is gone.
The media wrongly continues to perpetuate the myth that they are vicious killers.
Greg - 11 years ago
Why even bring up this persistent falsehood? It's no better than racism. Dogs are as good as the person that trained them. I have had countless encounters with aggressive over-protective dogs that growl, snarl and bite but the media doesn't print articles about nasty little-dogs because only pitbulls get pageviews. I've had a (rescued) pitbull mix for years and wouldn't hesitate to get another.
Andrea - 11 years ago
I currently own a pitbull mix - she is my first dog and when I think about adopting a second dog, I always think about pitbulls! I also spent time with many a pitbull in the dog shelter where I volunteered a few years ago. Despite the distorted portrayal of pits in the media, they are the most lovable, loyal, and devoted animals. Not only is it "not always pit bulls," it is more often than not another breed that bites people.
Bo Lasquis - 11 years ago
There's no such thing as a bad dog; just bad owners.
Jen - 11 years ago
I have owned pitbulls all my life. Currently have one now. It is all in how they are raised. You should be more afraid of my ankle biter pomeranian, she will bite you before the pitbull does. Now that being said, neither of them bite at all, but I'm just saying... If a pitbull attacks it's all over the news as "PITBULL BITE..." "PITBULL ATTACK..." but if another dog bites, if it even gets on the news, it's always "Dog Bite..." or "Dog Attack..." The media helps in keeping the reputation of pitbulls what it is. If you raise a pitbull correctly, you will have no problem with the dog for life!
You have more of a chance of being killed by a falling coconut than a Pit Bull. Its the people, not the dog.
The true name is American Pit Bull Terrier, they were bred in this country as Nanny dogs. They do not have special locking jaws or any other super power, like guns in the hands of the wrong person any dog
can be deadly.
I think of pit bulls and other similar dogs like motorcycles. When driven by an experienced rider, you are less likely to be in an accident on a motorcycle than in a car. When raised properly, I would assume you are less likely to have problems with pit bulls than other dogs as pit bulls were specifically bred for their loyalty, not just fighting prowess. The problem with both motorcycles and pit bulls is that when things go wrong, they go really wrong. Neither are worth that risk.
"American Pit Bull Terriers are one of the most loyal, loving breeds of canines. It depends on how they are raised. "
The fact remains: They were bred specifically for fighting and not to let go once they clamp down. I don't care how they are "raised," it's what they were bred for, and that instinct cannot be reliably and consistently controlled. I have lost count of how many people who "raised" them in a loving home, without problems for years, were shocked that their dog attacked instictively in a situation that they were not prepaired to handle, nor did they expect.
I will never turn my back on a pit bull, nor a dobie or rottweiller.
I find it interesting that the question is posed with the cavieat, "whether the reputation is deserved or not" which goes to show that the problem isn't with the dogs, it's with the way the media has overhyped the risk of owning Pit Bulls.
I own two beautiful and loving pit mixes. The only risk they pose is with their tongues as they will lick you to death.
Greg is right. American Pit Bull Terriers are one of the most loyal, loving breeds of canines. It depends on how they are raised. Trained properly, they are less aggressive to humans than most dogs. I have adopted one and rescued another, and plan on rescuing another when my 12 year old girl is gone.
The media wrongly continues to perpetuate the myth that they are vicious killers.
Why even bring up this persistent falsehood? It's no better than racism. Dogs are as good as the person that trained them. I have had countless encounters with aggressive over-protective dogs that growl, snarl and bite but the media doesn't print articles about nasty little-dogs because only pitbulls get pageviews. I've had a (rescued) pitbull mix for years and wouldn't hesitate to get another.
I currently own a pitbull mix - she is my first dog and when I think about adopting a second dog, I always think about pitbulls! I also spent time with many a pitbull in the dog shelter where I volunteered a few years ago. Despite the distorted portrayal of pits in the media, they are the most lovable, loyal, and devoted animals. Not only is it "not always pit bulls," it is more often than not another breed that bites people.
There's no such thing as a bad dog; just bad owners.
I have owned pitbulls all my life. Currently have one now. It is all in how they are raised. You should be more afraid of my ankle biter pomeranian, she will bite you before the pitbull does. Now that being said, neither of them bite at all, but I'm just saying... If a pitbull attacks it's all over the news as "PITBULL BITE..." "PITBULL ATTACK..." but if another dog bites, if it even gets on the news, it's always "Dog Bite..." or "Dog Attack..." The media helps in keeping the reputation of pitbulls what it is. If you raise a pitbull correctly, you will have no problem with the dog for life!