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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 1:56 pm Post subject: Pit-Bulls...are you afraid?

Just curious...

Up until two or three years ago, I was. If you hear all the negativity about the breed, all the time, non-stop, with nothing good about them...who wouldn't? Of course then I met the cutest pitbull at Petco who was behaving perfectly while my lab pup was goofing off and acting like a crazy man. Laughing

Then I saw some pitbulls as therapy dogs....and then when I first came here to Petfinder, I saw and heard about all the great pitties you guys are owned by, and now I'm hopelessly in love with the breed. Very Happy

So, be honest on the quiz, and tell everyone about your experiences with the breed (good or bad) and if you were at on time afraid of them, what made you change your mind about the breed?

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:07 pm Post subject:

I'm not afraid of any breed of dog, but I know that there are some breeds that would not fit into my family, and that's where Pit Bulls fall for me. I'm kind of lazy, and I am afraid that I may not be as diligent as I should be. If my current dogs started having problems, then by all means I would do whatever I had to in order to keep them safe and happy, but I wouldn't adopt a dog that I *knew* may become dog aggressive.
Same concept as with Saint Bernards - I love the breed, but couldn't handle the drool and the hair. So I won't own any of those, either.
I wouldn't like always wondering if my dog was going to be 'cold' or if one day he might get dog aggressive. If I only wanted one dog, then I would consider a Pit, but I like having two dogs so they have each other for company if we are gone for the day.
The Pits I have met have been wonderful dogs. They are beautiful, too. But they just wouldn't be a good fit for me.

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:16 pm Post subject:

It won't let me answer Sad

I think they are a great dog when they have the right owner. And I've seen one wrong owner luck out (he brags about his intact 4 year old male who is a great dog but I strongly disagree with his "no dog of mine will ever be altered!", at least his female doberman is fixed though)

I personally will never own one (unless I end up with a mix, and I suspect my last dog may have had some pitbull in her) but it's more not trusting myself to be a strong enough trainer.

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:17 pm Post subject:

I voted They're great dogs...just not the right dog for everyone..., and that includes me! I'd love one someday, but right now I know I'm not the right kind of owner to take on that kind of responsibility.

I'm not afraid of any dog just because of the type of dog it is. I'm very wary of any dog that has a careless and/or irresponsible owner, or that appears unfriendly and unsocialized. I was cornered once outside of my apartment by a tiny chi-mix who was snarling and growling and wouldn't let me pass. Course I had Kodiak with me and all she wanted to do was run the other way Rolling Eyes

I used to be more suspicious of pit bulls. When I was in college, there was a teeny tiny 8 week old pit puppy who used to terrorize the other dogs, even dogs way bigger than it, by latching on to their throats and growing in a very not playful way. But I also knew an adult pitty who was the sweetest dog ever. So even back then I suspected that it was an individual dog/owner problem rather than the breed in general.

There's a pit bull in my parents' neighborhood who is very aggressive, has attacked dogs and people, and yet is still allowed to run loose. It makes me so mad, not just because it's incredibly dangerous, but it just perpetuates all of the negative myths about the breed, so whenever I try to talk to my parents about how misunderstood pit bulls really are, they don't believe me, because their real life experience is the opposite.

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:18 pm Post subject:

I do not own a pit but have had contact with many at the shelter. The only thing I'm afraid of is losing an earring in the process of being licked to death by a pittie. Would I trust a pittie around my dogs? Probably not. Would I own one in the future? Sure if I wasn't married to a man who is sometimes a bit distracted and can never figure out how the dogs get into things when he is home. Pit bulls should only live with VERY responsible owners, IMHO.

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:21 pm Post subject:

I wasn't able to vote...My answer is they are great dogs, but not the right breed for everyone.

As a child, we had several Pitties in our neighborhood who were anything but nice. Like you, I only heard the bad things and my dad was constantly ranting about how people should never own a Pit Bull, etc.

I was never allowed to have a dog when I was a child. I didn't get my first dog until I came to college. There are lots of Pits in this town, many of which are used for the wrong purposes. Sad

However, when I started volunteering with a rescue, one of the very first dogs I met was a Pit mix who had been locked in a dark shed in the middle of the summer. As if that wasn't bad enough, she was also pregnant. Without food, Bridget was forced to eat her sick puppies. I was horrified by this story until I met her. I had seen the "before" pictures of her emaciated body, but the Bridget I met was a completely different dog. She was close to her ideal weight by that time, had a beautiful coat, and was all muscle. She was gorgeous, but still timid around new people.

After weeks of volunteering and spending time with Bridget in the play area, she started to play with me. She would come to me for belly rubs and butt scratches. She was a total lovebug! Even after her past, she was still a very adoptable dog. After a few months of working with her in new environments, she realized there was a lot more fun to be had. She got along great with people of all ages, male dogs, and even cats.

Today, she holds a very special place in my heart. I actually cried when she got adopted. She now lives in Ohio and is spoiled rotten by her new boy and his mom. Her name was Bridget, and even today, I have a framed picture of her smiling face on my desk.

Since then, I have tried and tried to educate as many people as possible, but especially my parents, on what great dogs Pits really are. I plan on always having several dogs in the house, so I really don't see a Pit fitting into our family anytime soon, but I still adore them!

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:24 pm Post subject:

They are great dogs, but not right for everyone. That also includes me that they are not right for. Although there are probably a bunch of breeds that would fit that catagory. I have neighbors who have two pitties. These two are a definate credit to their breed as they are just wonderful dogs and extremely well trained.

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:31 pm Post subject:

As everyone said, they are great dogs but not for everyone. HOWEVER, this can be said for any breed of dog. Dogs do not come in a one size fits all model. People should educate themselves before adopting any animal to ensure it will be a good fit.

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:39 pm Post subject:

It never lets me answer polls, but my 2 cents, pit bulls are great pets, for the right owners, just like any other breed. (I personally would never own anything under 30 lbs, over 80 lbs, or with long hair, or a pit, except for a pit named Darma.) There is nothing wrong with the little ones, or extra large ones, or with long haired guys, they are just not for me.

Darma is what I call a "once in a life time dog", but most dog lovers own 2-4 of these guys through their life time. For thoes of you who don't know what I am talking about, a once in a life time dog is your and your family's alone. No one else could ever have the same relationship with this 4 legged angel as you. They always know how you feel and how to best care for YOU! They are truly empathic toward their specific pack. Some may be able to share their gift with others, but the bond is always most strong to their pack.

Darma is a pit, as I said before, and while her owner wouldn't part with her for any and/or everything in the world, she is the only pit I could ever own. She is beyond smart, loving, patient, and everything else good that a dog could hope to be.

"There is no bad breed, only bad breeding." This is true for pits more than most other dogs.

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:51 pm Post subject:

I'm scared to death of them! BUT it's not just pit bulls.....it's almost any dog that I don't know.....I think it stems from a childhood thing....Also I don't hate the breed either.....I hate the owners that give them a bad rep.

I'm in Ontario where the ban is put in place but I didn't want it there....it's not going to help.....it's going to be the responsible PB owners that follow all the new rules and regulations while the irresponsible owners let their dogs run around unleashed not spayed or neutered ect.

I don't hate any breed but I am scared of a lot of them....if it weren't for irresponsible owners none of these dogs would be considered dangerous and be banned....I personally think it's ridiculous.....

I would never own one because I would be a bad owner.....you can't show that your alpha in the "pack" if you're scared of your dog......I don't know I'm just rambling now...LOL.

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 3:00 pm Post subject:

I picked They are great dogs, but not for everyone

I am not an owner of a pittie but I would LOVE to have one someday. Everytime I see a pit bull on petfinder, my heart melts. I have never disliked Pit Bulls and never will dislike them, they are one of my favorite breeds of dogs, like Stacey I know some dog breeds won't fit into my household, but I love all dogs really regardless of the breed Very Happy

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 3:49 pm Post subject:

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 3:51 pm Post subject:

I've never seen an aggressive pit bull. Ever. I've seen them be aggressive towards other dogs, so I'm extra suspicious when pit bulls are around me and my dog, but I've never seen a pit bull be aggressive towards a human yet.
I've met quite a few sweetie pit bulls, though... Smile

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 3:58 pm Post subject:

wont let me vote..
but I am the proud owner of a pitty Very Happy

he's my first pit bull, but certainly wont be my last Smile

i absolutely love this breed!!

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 3:59 pm Post subject:

No, they are probably my favorite breed. I do agree they are not the right dog for everyone. They are very high energy, always wanting to be doing something. Cool

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