Pit Bulls: What's the appeal?

I myself had a chunk taken out of my leg by a Fox Terrier.

At one time, it was the most popular dog in the US. Petey from the Little Rascals was a pit. So was Nipper, the RCA dog. And Sergeant Stubby was a WWI hero. Also, pits worked at the World Trade Center site after 9/11. They're used as police and therapy dogs.

Keep in mind their violent track record is akin to that rash in kidnappings last year that the media created. Any large working dog can be made dangerous by years of neglect and abuse.

Dyson, I hope that eventually the owners were held accountable for their irresponsibility in owning such an aggressive dog. Those sort of dogs (of ANY breed) should be put down, and their owners deserve punishment.

(xp again)

heh. this thread is, of course, "the anecdotal evidence thread."

PIT: Spot of tea, good chap?

GEAR: Thanks, Pitty.

PIT: Anytime.

See?

Violent families = abuse of animals = bad dogs.

The pit bulls I've met at our local offleash park have all been very sweet, and have played nicely with my dog. I imagine dog-fighters and thugs who breed for aggression don't frequent the park very much.

I have been charged by a completely insane pitbull on a chain, in front of a club, held by a (white) THUG. I bet that dog could've bit me but GOOD.

Neither pro nor con, but Big Boi from Outkast breeds them... http://www.pitfallkennels.com/

I have no idea why anyone would want one of these animals. I'm not sure if this is correct, but I think of pit butll owners the same way I think about Hummer drivers - sure you can but why? And is it responsible?

Also, keep in mind that many news reports of 'pit bull attacks' involve dogs that are not actually pit bulls. In one case on my local news, the dog looked more like a German Shepherd.

People adopt them because they're supposed to be badass or something:
http://www.pitfallkennels.com/images/BIgBoiCover.jpg

I guess when they attack you or puncture your baby's eye, then they prove their worth

Searched the web for "Doberman attack". 
Results 1 - 10 of about 492

Searched the web for "german shepherd attack". 
Results 1 - 10 of about 141

Searched the web for "pitbull attack". 
Results 1 - 10 of about 478

Searched the web for "poodle attack". 
Results 1 - 10 of about 31

Your search - "chow-chow attack" - did not match any documents.

okay. there's 3 breeds right there you should require a licence to own then.
(also the media slant agains pitbulls doesn't seem so apparent to me here).

Searched the web for "pit-bull attack". 
Results 1 - 10 of about 1,900

damned vicious media¡

Some pits are ill tempered, some aren't - like a lot of people. You may say that not many people have mauled other people, but well, you'd be wrong there, too. I have a 6 year old son and two pit-mixes - who are the most gentle, goofiest dogs I have ever encountered. (And I've had lots of dogs). Sure pits have a terrible reputation, and I admit that when my ex picked the first one out of the pound, I said no fucking way, but with the right training, guidance and love, they're just amazing dogs.

(The only dog I have ever been bitten by was a chow).

(major xpost)

Listen, I'm sure most Pit-bulls are very sweet. But yeah, jerks who want to be tough/look tough adopt them and have those awful chains on them and then walk them on the street and scare the sh*t out of people. So, I automatically think they're awful. If I were choosing a dog, I'd rule out pit-bulls automatically because I don't want to be associated with that kind of ego/sadism. I'm sure pit-bull owners are aware of the stigma they're attaching to themselves and I guess it's a testament to the animals that they're willing to endure that.

Results 1 - 10 of about 17,000

I rest my case. (OK, a lot of that is actually stuff about the Queen, but still.)

Bull terriers, on the other hand, rock. They're generally very nice and really cool looking. I'm glad that target has brought them back into fashion to obliterate the memory of Spuds.

A: First it is important to know that Staffordshire Terrier and Pit Bull are not official breeds. They are common terms used to describe a certain type of dog. There are actually three breeds that can be easily confused. The correct designations are:

The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) - Recognized by the ADBA and UKC
The American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff or AST) - Recognized by the AKC
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier (StaffyBull or SBT) - Recognized by the AKC

They are essentially the same dogs but have been bred for a different purpose and/or size standard since the mid 30's. Some are even duel registered. Pete the Pup from "The little Rascals" was among the first APBTs to be registered with the AKC as an Amstaff.

How can we make the difference? We can't really. We can only try to guess the breed based on some very subtle factors that may differentiate them. Note that even experts can't always tell if a Pit Bull is an APBT, an AST or a SBT

The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT)
The APBT is bred for performance above everything else. The breeders usually focus on the working aspect of the breed, and unfortunately for many breeders that means specifically pit fighting. Therefor, many APBTs are bred primarily for their fighting abilities and for certain physical characteristics that will ensure good performance in the pit (mouth, air, stamina, etc.). Some are also bred for the characteristic called gameness.

Because performance is the most important trait, less consideration is given to conformation (this refers to how closely the dog matches a set physical standard for the breed). You may see APBTs as little as 30 Lbs and as big as 100 Lbs. In general though, the APBTs bred for the pit are usually less than 70 Lbs.

Not all APBT breeders breed for the pit. Some breed for conformation, temperament, weight-pulling, obedience trials, therapy work, etc. The foundation of their bloodlines however, has most likely been tested in the pit and kept the physical and mental characteristics of the pit dogs; Lean and athletic body, agility, intensity, drive, etc.

Cropped ears are not an indicator of the dog's background. Some dogs bred for the pit have cropped ears, some don't. Show dogs often have cropped ears, both with the APBT and the AST, but not always. Some dog fighters prefer cropped ears, some don't.

Today, you will find that a lot of people are breeding Pit Bulls for nothing in particular, or just to be pets, or for protection, or to make a quick buck. In general, these dogs are a little larger than the original APBT. Most of them have stable disposition and make excellent companions. Unfortunately some backyard bred dogs may be born with terrible temperament and human-aggressive tendencies because unknowledgeable individuals who don't make temperament a priority, are allowed to breed dogs. This is true of any breeds by the way, not just the APBT.

The American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff)
The AmStaff (or AST) used to be the same dog as the APBT but was taken out of the pit in the mid 30s. AKC opened its stud books to a few APBTs that fit a standard they had chosen, and came up with the name Staffordshire Terrier. In early 1970s the name was changed to American Staffordshire Terrier, to avoid any confusion with a breed called "Staffordshire Bull Terrier" from England that was also recognized by the AKC.

AmStaffs are now primarily bred for conformation and temperament. They have a set height standard and usually weigh between 50-80 Lbs. They may be a little stockier than the APBT, but not always.

Since they share the same ancestors as the APBT (some are even dual registered), AST and APBT not only share the same look, they also have similar personalities. Dog-aggression is a potential trait in both breeds although not as strong and common in the AST than its close cousin the APBT. AmStaffs are very dominant dogs though, and just like the APBT they often have a threatening and intimidating look. That look and dominant attitude could trigger an hostile reaction from other dogs and result in a fight.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Stafford, Staffies or SBT)
Staffies are a little less common in the U.S. but remain very popular in England. They also share the same ancestors as the APBT and AST. They are much smaller though, about 15 to 40 Lbs max and their ears are rarely cropped. They are essentially bred for good disposition and conformation. They are often referred to as "nanny dogs" because they are excellent with children. Some people still use them in the pit in certain countries, but rarely in North America since they are so rare to obtain.

Q: I heard that Pit Bulls were not good with children, is it true?

Most Pit Bulls are excellent with children. Since they were bred to perform in the pit, they have a high tolerance for pain, and in general will patiently endure the "abuse" young kids unintentionally dish out. However like any large, powerful dog, they must be supervised with kids at all times.

Pit Bulls are enthusiastic and strong, and can easily knock over an unsteady toddler with their wagging tails. They can be quite rambunctious until they mature, which is around 2-4 years of age. Pit Bulls should be taught to play gently, not jump on people, to sit and wait for a signal before going through doors, etc. Positive training methods work best.

Adding a juvenile Pit Bull to a home with toddlers or very young children may not be ideal since the dogs are very energetic at that age. You may want to consider adopting a mature Pit Bull instead, that has proven himself with children. It is possible to have a young dog with toddlers or infants, but you must be diligent with your supervision. Pit Bulls are great playmates for older, respectful kids.

Q: Our neighbors bought a Pit Bull and now we are scared to let the kids play outside. Are these dogs really mean and vicious like the media portrays them?

A: Most Pit Bulls are NOT human aggressive. In a large number of cases, when a Pit Bull attacks a human, it has been trained to be aggressive towards people, most likely abused, and/or seriously deprived of socialization with humans. Those dogs are usually in the hands of uncaring and irresponsible owners who own them for the wrong reasons.

Any large dog should be supervised around children, and Pit Bull dogs are no exception. They can be rambunctious and play with a lot of intensity. Pit bulls can be animal-aggressive, and should be controlled around other pets, but human-aggression is NOT a normal trait of the breed.

You should evaluate the dog on its own merits, not just that it is a Pit Bull. Most veterinarians will tell you that Pit Bulls are very nice dogs, and not a danger in most cases. Owner responsibility, however, is a must with ANY large and powerful dog and all canines should be well-socialized with adults and kids.

Pit Bulls face prejudice and misunderstanding from many people who do not understand them very well, so ownership requires a willingness to consider your neighbors' fears, and educate them about the dog. The largest issue is to know the owners keep the dog as a pet, give it lots of love, and every opportunities to be around humans. The dog should not be chained outside alone and without the chance to interact with humans.

Etc, et al.

http://www.pbrc.net/info.html

In all honesty, the dogs that NEVER made a move on me at all were the German Shepards and the Rotts. I am pretty sure she's had a doberman too and that never bothered me. The poodle and the chihuahuas are mean motherfuckers!

FWIW the worst animal scar I am still carrying came from a FERRET.

I reiterate: the worst scarrings I've ever received were from an English bulldog and a ferret.

And if you don't know how I could have them near my son, clearly you haven't spent any time with them. They are, once again, the goofiest, most gentle dogs I have ever known.

http://staff.washington.edu/timk/wildlife/mammal/white_cheeked/gibbon03.jpg

I have thoughts about pit bulls but fuck if I'm going to put them in the ZM thread.

Pit bulls and similar breeds can absolutely be cuddlebugs if trained not to be aggressive, and can absolutely be killers if trained to be aggressive. My feeling is that absent any focused and intentional training one way or the other, dogs will default to behaviors that have been cultivated over decades and centuries. Diggers gonna dig, herders gonna herd, lapdogs gonna...whatever they do.

If I see a pit bull or similar, I treat it like I would if I saw a handgun; it's a potential deadly weapon until I know for sure it's not loaded/has the safety on/has been trained to be a sweetie/isn't owned by an aggressive asshole. I can't tell, on first glance, how dangerous it is. I am always watchful, always wary until I'm more sure of the dog (any dog).

Maybe TMI but many pitties I have known have taken particular interest in my crotch. However, I am way less nervous around pits I don’t know than human men I don’t know

Hmmm. Trying to come up with a mental list of animals scarier than men and it’s pretty short.

when i meet friendly pit bulls i always think more highly of their owners as a result

there’s a lovely pit a few blocks up from me - her name is Money. she used to bark when i first was walking by but now she leaps (launches, lol) off the top porch step onto the ground and quietly comes up to the fence wagging her tail <3

I’d be terrified of a tiger or a bear. New poll idea, “Men: Can you scare off a tiger or a bear?”

Everybody knows that bears are scared to death of walking sticks with bells attached.

^^ No such luck at the gay bar last week.

Ha!

“Men: Can you scare off a tiger or a bear?”

I have personally scared off several adult black bears whilst hiking. I didn't have to do much except stand there and watch them run off as fast as they could. It was a cutie of a bear cub the size of a chihuahua that scared the shit out of me. I had no idea where the mom was and didn't want to find out.

Tigers otoh are terrifying.

there’s a lovely pit a few blocks up from me - her name is Money. she used to bark when i first was walking by but now she leaps (launches, lol) off the top porch step onto the ground and quietly comes up to the fence wagging her tail <3

I don't meet many large bull breeds out and about, and never off the lead anymore, but when I do, this is the bit that gives me pause. Not that they'll attack me or anything, but that they'll jump on me and clonk me with their massive hard skulls or swipe the legs out from under me. I'm the same with overly friendly golden retrievers, which are an extremely large dog that I sometimes think people forget are an extremely large dog, and when those bastards hurl themselves at you, it bloody well hurts.

I do miss a good staffie. You never see them anymore round here, and I miss their big heart-shaped heads and smiley faces. But I'm not a pit bull/XL bull person and I am happy enough not to have to deal with them, even if they're not vicious.

we have a staffie in our neighbourhood, lovely funny little thing and cannot imagine it being considered dangerous, the big shaggy German shepherd that we see every day is much more intimidating

Not sure this is the right thread for this discussion.

German Shepherds are bad too

You're bad