pit bulls

[Dobester]

what do you guys think about pit bulls

[rutylr]

They like any other dog is great if you get them from a good breeder.They can also be bad from a bad breeder
Here is a really good site to learn about the breed.
http://www.apbtconformation.com/

[Blaze]

The Pit Bull is a great dog when it comes from a good breeder and has the right owner. I like them a lot.

[sheplovr]

I love the look of the Pit Bull, but know too many including a State Trooper friend that slept with 3 and ended up putting one down due to a change in behavior. Too many horrow stories and they were brought up properly from pups. They have massive jaws like a vice when they do bite they rip the tissue, muscle and all from the face or wherever it hits the child or person.










There is no specific breed of dog called a "pit bull". The term refers to a group of dogs developed a for competitive dog fighting. Fighting Mastiffs were described by Caesar after his invasion of Britain in 55 BC and various types were developed in ancient Rome, China and Japan. As long as humans have raised dogs, we have raised protection and fighting dogs. The breeds include bull dogs, terriers and mastiffs. Bull dogs were developed as "catch dogs", dogs used to hold animals for a hunter or butcher to prepare food. Terriers were developed to find and kill vermin and fur bearing animals for hunters and property owners. Mastiffs were developed to protect property and warn off poachers. Eventually, "catch dogs" were no longer useful and bull dogs were routinely crossed with terriers to develop a family pet that would also be agile and tough enough to be protective without being too large.

Throughout human history, animals (including humans) were pitted against each other in spectator sports. Dogs were pitted against bears or bulls, horses against each other. These contests were brutal and eventually made illegal around 1853 (in England). In some US states it's a felony. However, people continue to get together for "my dog is better than your dog" contests. Spectators trainers and owners bet on the outcome of fights. Trainers select dogs for breeding that fight without turning on handlers so that a dog that is injured can be rescued. Trainers also select pain tolerant dogs that are willing to go after all other dogs-even when the other dog is signaling a desire to make peace. Some terriers are still encouraged to "spar" or square off with other dogs (from a distance) at AKC dog shows. Currently, most fighting dogs are developed by crossing the bull and terrier breeds with large, protective mastiffs. Fighting breeds are still valued as pets for their loyalty and tenacity much as herding dogs are valued for their intelligence and sporting dogs for their energy. Of course, some of the fighting breeds, such as the English Bulldog, have been altered so greatly since their fighting days they can no longer be considered working dogs. A few of the fighting breeds that are still agile and have the endurance for competition perform in weight pulling contests or obedience and protection trials.

Unfortunately, large aggressive dogs are in demand by criminals seeking an extension of their own machismo as well as to protect stolen property or contraband. Unfortunately, many breeders still engage in dog fighting regardless of its cruelty and the legal restrictions against it. Thus the group of fighting dogs has acquired a bad reputation because of its association with crime.

Fighting dogs as a group received media attention in the 1990's similar to German Shepherd Dogs in the 50's and Doberman Pinscher's in the 70's. Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Great Danes and Doberman Pinschers still evoke fear in the general public. Several myths about the these dogs persist such as the belief that a dog's jaw "locks" onto a victim or that the jaw pressure of one breed is greater than another's. As a group, fighting and guard dogs are energetic, loyal and willing to please. They are not very reactive to pain and enjoy rough play. These dogs are large and muscular and can be difficult to control as adults if they are not trained to respond to their owner's commands. Guarding dogs all have large heads and jaws. Dog bites from larger breeds are more severe than bites from smaller dogs because of the size of the injuries and the dog's ability to knock a person down during an attack. However, large dogs DO NOT ATTACK MORE OFTEN THAN SMALL DOGS. A large dog attack is just more injurious.

It is important to note that dog attacks are exceedingly rare. Thousands of times greater numbers of people are injured by guns, accidents and fire than have ever been attacked by dogs. Many times more children are killed by their caretakers in a year than have ever been killed by dog attacks. However, dog bites are a serious health problem. Purebred and mixed breed dogs bite people every year. However, the dogs most often responsible for severe bites to humans, especially children, in the US are Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds and mixes of these breeds. These breeds are the most commonly owned dogs according to AKC registrations and dog licensing records. Increased popularity of guarding and fighting dogs measured by AKC registration, indicates that these dogs are becoming the most commonly owned breeds. So it is likely that they will soon be responsible for most bites, simply because there are so many of them. Media reports lead the public to believe that packs of roaming Pit Bulls are more likely to bite than the neighborhood dog on his leash. Over 80% of dog bites occur when the dog is with his owner or ON his owner's property. A large number of small children are bitten by dogs they know while visiting the dog's home. Because stories of Pit Bulls stimulate fear, the media is likely to report all cases of biting pit dogs or pit mixes but not stories of injury by poodles and spaniels (which used to be the most frequently reported bites). In addition, the media reports "attacks" when a guarding breed barks at or chases someone even when no one is injured. This adds to the public perception that this type of dog is more dangerous than any other dog. Some statistics lump several breeds into one category and report that "Pit Bulls" cause more serious bites than any other breed. This would be similar to counting all the bites inflicted by Retrievers (Goldens, Duck Tolling, Flat Coats, Labradors, Chesapeake Bays...) and comparing that total to bites inflicted by Miniature Wirehaired Daschunds. It would appear that Retrievers are much more dangerous than Daschunds. But are Flat Coated Retrievers more dangerous than Mini Wirehaired Daschunds?
Some of the current confusion about pit breeds resulted from the UKC registering the American (Pit) Bull Terrier in 1868 and the AKC registering the same dogs as the (American) Staffordshire Terrier in 1935. Meanwhile, two completely different breeds, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the Bull Terrier, were registered by the Kennel Club in the UK. Other Kennel Clubs that register fighting breeds are the American Dog Breeders Association (especially the American (Pit) Bull Terrier and the Animal Research Foundation (especially the American Bulldog).



When groups of dogs are labeled as unsafe by the press, families and pets are harmed. Dogs are turned in to shelters by frightened owners. Animal shelters have a difficult time finding new homes for the dogs because they are not willing to place the dogs with people looking for "guard" or "protection" dogs. Governments start banning pet owners from keeping dogs and insurance companies are afraid to offer home owners' policies to people who keep large dogs. :aw Suits abound and no jury pool of people that have not been convinced of the danger of various breeds is possible. Breed bans are difficult to enforce because criminals disregard the law. Dogs can't be DNA tested for breed. Even more difficult to control are mixed breeds. A harmful side effect of breed bans is an endless supply of "new" breeds. The chart below outlines a number of fighting and guard dogs, most of which are not regulated because they are constantly changing. Animal Protection Agencies (AHA, HSUS, Animal Control) prefer legal restrictions on people who train or use animals as weapons or cruelly treat or neglect any animals.



"Petey" of the Lil Rascals was an American Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Terrier (during the brief period where the breed was one) and a movie star. I know an American (Pit) Bull Terrier who pulled her owner from under a tractor and lost her own leg in the process. I don't think everyone should run out and adopt a large tough dog. These dogs are a handful. They are full of life and energy and need adequate training. But the best weapon against fear is knowledge. Unfortunately, until dog bite actuarial tables are popular reading, dogs labeled Pit Bulls will have a difficult time finding responsible and caring owners and families will have trouble keeping their pets. Law enforcement agencies will find it difficult to keep irresponsible people from owning large dogs even if bans are in place and bans will encourage importing of larger, more aggressive dogs.

[rutylr]

http://www.ukcdogs.com/breeds/terrie...rier.std.shtml
Here is the standard for the APBT.They are great dogs .I was at a Pit bull fun match.There were 25 pits there and not a single fight.
Donna

[MargotPom]

I have many friends with pits. Most are friendly, kind, and perfect companions. Some are a little over excited and jumpy. One friend had a female that jumped an 8 foot fence and killed the neighbors dog, some kind of collie. That pit was beautiful, but not friendly, and I had pleaded with my friend to get rid of it.
We have a 6 pound female pomeranian. Her best friend is a 65 pound, fixed, staffordshire terrier (basically a pitbull) named Meatball, one of the kindest dogs ive ever met.
It bothers me when people breed pits that they think are perfect when there are so many nice ones that deserve to be rescued, like Meatball was.
If you have a pit with a bad attitude, do everyone a favor and end its evil existence, or at least keep it chained and dont breed it.
I have lived in neighborhoods terrorized by mean dogs, and it is not fair, and it is one of the reasons I own a gun (if the pepper spray doesnt work)

[Dobester]

any more replies

[rutylr]

Do you want more web sites about the breed?I have alot,but only if you are going to read them.
Donna

[BratBoxers]

I just wanted to say my pit bull is the best dog i have ever had!

[RiverKayleesMuM]

Im my opiniong Pit Bulls are the most beautiful,friendly, and loving dogs ever! I love their tempermant and they are just stunning!