Pit Bulls: What's the appeal?

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Call me cah-razy, but I think that when you're buying a pet, especially a family pet, you should always prefer to error on the side of caution.

― may pang (maypang), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 06:24 (twenty-two years ago)

So yes, smart parents don't buy pit bulls.

― may pang (maypang), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 06:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Well if you really wanted to be cautious you wouldn't get a pet at all. And you would never place your child in a car. Cause thousands of people die every year in crashes. And you would keep your baby in a hermetically sealed bubble at all times. All of you who don't are simply bad parents and should be ashamed.
/sanctimonious judgement

― oops (Oops), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 06:33 (twenty-two years ago)

But yeah, thanks for calling Luna a dumb parent, bucko.

― oops (Oops), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 06:34 (twenty-two years ago)

If I was a parent, I'd probably do my research and look for a car with the best safety ratings. Ditto for a dog.

I'm no fun, am I?

― may pang (maypang), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 06:39 (twenty-two years ago)

as with any potentially dangerous situation (car, bathtub, electric sockets, etc), exercise caution with kids and dogs. unless my puppy and child were raised together, i would never leave the latter alone with an animal. it comes down to common sense, which a lot of people unfortunately lack.

― lauren (laurenp), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 07:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Pit bull owners here say that the pit bull as a breed is not any more aggressive than any other dog, and that the irresponsible owners (made worse by the attraction of the breed to irresponsible people) causes the pit bulls to go bad.

However, dog breeds have been created by selective breeding - owners selecting specific traits, including temperament. Isn't it possible that the irresponsible owners have been irresponsibly breeding - selecting extra aggressive dogs for breeding - thus warping the breed into one that has a more aggressive temperament over the years?

When you buy a breed of dog, you are told that there are risks of genetic problems. I think that Cocker Spaniels have a couple, including a kidney problem and a blindness problem that breeders are specifically trying to eliminate. There is also some sort of 'rage' syndrome in a very small minority of the breed that the breeders are actively investigating and trying to eliminate by not allowing these dogs to breed, and also not allowing dogs related to them to breed. Are pit bull breeders doing any of this?

― marianna, Tuesday, 27 January 2004 10:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh, I see in the text from the pit bull site that the responsible pit bull people recognize that the irresponsible breeding is an issue. Maybe laws banning these types dogs for general ownershop, or having some sort of test for ownership/breeding standard would at least help situation.

― marianna, Tuesday, 27 January 2004 10:27 (twenty-two years ago)

i agree with your last point marianna, strict controls on breeding should be applied, so that the dog's history can be checked & controlled.

Also, with regards to having dogs 'fixed' is interesting. We were told to 'fix' our first dog to curb his agression, but he became more agressive. Our second dog, a poodle, (not our choice, it belonged to a relative) was the sweetest dog who was boisterous but placid & not agressive at all. We had her spayed as it is healthier for female dogs & have nearly had to have her put down. She has turned completly viscious as she no longer has any female hormone to repress the male agressive hormone in her. I would rather have a bigger dog as in my experience they are not as agressive as smaller dogs. I am keen to get a dog when I have children. Possibly a staffy/doberman/rott but I wouldn't get a pit. I have had nothing at all to do with this breed & maybe if I'd had more contact with them I may feel differently. They can be beautiful dogs & apparently very affectionate. You just don't tend to see pits here at all. I always thought an Amstaff was an apbt. I'd love to actually meet someone who owned a friendly pit so that I could get used to them & get rid of any mistrust that I have in my head.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 10:57 (twenty-two years ago)

what kind of irresponsible owner would let any dog off-leash in a public park?

Have you ever been to Britain, stence? Are you just talking about pit-bulls, or any kind of dog? I am baffled by this comment.

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 11:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Yep, definitely a UK-US divide thing here. There is no law restricting dogs ebing let off in public parks although they are not allowed in specified kid's areas. That said, there arent as many pits in the uk as in the states. That said, there are plenty of other large dogs so that makes no difference whatsoever.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 11:13 (twenty-two years ago)

George wants to know where all the love is?

http://webpages.charter.net/cmvenuti/images/george.jpg

― Chris V (Chris V), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 12:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Awww what a cutey! *snugglez with the cute dog*

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 12:33 (twenty-two years ago)

He loves to snuggle. THats my boy.

― Chris V (Chris V), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 13:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Awww. I really want a dog. :-(

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 13:39 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.leerburg.com/Photos/babypit1.jpg

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 13:48 (twenty-two years ago)

I pretty much agree with Alex NYC throughout this thread.

Well, Jeezum Crowe, Elvis, where in blazes were you yesterday when i was almost fed to the kennel by these frothingly mad-dog-loving zealots?

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 15:38 (twenty-two years ago)

I was kinda shocked to find that pit bulls are banned here in Winnipeg. Fucking Rottweilers everywhere and I find them way scarier.

― Bryan (Bryan), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 15:42 (twenty-two years ago)

may - you grew up in the oak¿ that's crazy (+ unfortunate¡). i went to lo¥ola and was a total outcast + all the ginos hated me - so don't believe anything you may've heard 'bout 'ol dys.
although it's prolly true.

― dyson (dyson), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 15:45 (twenty-two years ago)

fixin' dogs can have odd effects, as previously mentioned. My folks' dog Dexter was fixed, yet afterwards, he transformed into a Happy Humpin' Dog.

― Huggy Dork (Kingfish), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 15:47 (twenty-two years ago)

I can't believe this thread is still going!!

― Kerry (dymaxia), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 16:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Haha, I know! I think i just kept it up (ahem) by posting cute pics!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 16:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Not at all related to pit bulls, I love it when people who have no children criticize parents' choices. Love it.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 16:35 (twenty-two years ago)

so only people with kids could criticize, say, jack-0 dangling his kid over a balcony¿

― dyson (dyson), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 16:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Just because you wouldn't make the same choice doesn't make someone else right or wrong, so cram the self-righteous bullshit.

Pit bull owners here say that the pit bull as a breed is not any more aggressive than any other dog This is also bullshit - I own two pit mixes, and I would never presume to say anything like that.

The bigger picture here is that Alex asked what the appeal is, people have explained their points of view, he doesn't agree, and everyone is fine. The end.

― luna (luna.c), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 18:04 (twenty-two years ago)

And there are 3 Oak-villains here!!

OK I only lived there 99-02 going to school and was a hermit so I really don't know any of the town. Except apparently people there are so god damn useless they have nothing to do but hang out in the parking lot of Coffee Time on Trafalgar and show off their dumb cars. The place was also really gross inside but that didn't stop me from going like 3 times every night for more caffeine.

― sucka (sucka), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 20:46 (twenty-two years ago)

And your point?

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 20:49 (twenty-two years ago)

that was for may pang and dyson foo!

― sucka (sucka), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 20:55 (twenty-two years ago)

i know of a certain blood stain (under the lip of the counter) that was there for over 3 years and may still be there¡ (god i loath that place)

― dyson (dyson), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 20:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, Jeezum Crowe, Elvis, where in blazes were you yesterday when i was almost fed to the kennel by these frothingly mad-dog-loving zealots?

I posted yesterday!

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:02 (twenty-two years ago)

+ like i was invisible all yesterday or soemthing. hmph.

― dyson (dyson), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Sorry, dyson. I didn't mean to cut you out of the circle of persecution there.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:08 (twenty-two years ago)

Solange to thread.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:11 (twenty-two years ago)

I sort of had your back to Alex!

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:12 (twenty-two years ago)

YOU were being persecuted? Yeah, okay.

― luna (luna.c), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:13 (twenty-two years ago)

No shit. And don't you just love it when someone attacks something about you, you respond, and they say "jeez why are you so defensive?"

― oops (Oops), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Right, well, I guess we all do it, so yeah um, the original question was answered and we're all happy fun time super blammo yay now, right?

― luna (luna.c), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:16 (twenty-two years ago)

Don't worry Luna, it's because Alex thinks pit bulls are robots.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:19 (twenty-two years ago)

YOU were being persecuted? Yeah, okay.

Please invest in a sense of humor, Luna.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:21 (twenty-two years ago)

I still think there are interesting meta type questions, but I'm satisfied that ILX pit-bull lovers have good reasons for owning their safe/cute dogs.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh shut the fuck up Alex. Like you're one to talk.

― oops (Oops), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Please invest in a sense of humor, Luna.

If you were funny, I'd laugh.

― luna (luna.c), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Did you really think I seriously meant the term "circle of persecution" seriously? Come on now.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Alex, I don't know you well enough to tell, honestly. I just have to go by what I read. If I misjudged, I'm sorry.

― luna (luna.c), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Don't worry about it.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:26 (twenty-two years ago)

more PUPPIES!

http://stmartinsanimalfoundation.org/news/pit.jpg

― Huggy Dork (Kingfish), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:34 (twenty-two years ago)

See, now if I was really a big, devil-advocating jackass, I'd post a "more WOUNDS!" pic. But, I'm going to take the high road. This time.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Sure.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:42 (twenty-two years ago)

then post something that is violently cuter, instead.

― Huggy Dork (Kingfish), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:42 (twenty-two years ago)

No one needs to see more Jaz Coleman pictures, don't encourage him.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:45 (twenty-two years ago)

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