Pit Bulls are the most misunderstood breed on earth and these two posts prove it.

 

Pit Bulls don't just turn a switch and attack. They are either raised properly or they aren't. That goes for all dogs and not just Pit Bulls. Pit Bulls get the stigma they have because they are more dangerous than other dogs when they attack but if my Huskies weren't raised properly they'd attack people also.

 

Appreciate and respect the angle PP92. I was a pit fan back in the day until I researched and learned more about the breed and its history. Have gone beyond 10 fingers on the number of times I can count the following situation: he/she was a great dog, never had any issues, very well adjusted, friendly, loving, and protective. This same dog breed, a pit bull, was introduced to a: trigger, situation, a new encounter, a situation to where a small child made a noise, ran, became an unfriendly on the pit radar...etc. and the dog came undone attacking the child. Said dog was never "trained" to do so.

 

The same has happened many times before with german shepards. I agree with Mexitucky on this thread. Two breeds I will never allow around my kids, grandkids, and I would encourage you to do the same. You can accomplish the same love and comraderie with a Golden Retriever. Have never heard of a Golden being put down for attacking kids!

 

The pit breed and INSTINCT allows for the potential "trigger" to endanger too many others. I'll choose to eliminate the opportunity for an issue by not allowing the breed around my family. Around adults, no issues....... the kids pose a problem!

Appreciate and respect the angle PP92. I was a pit fan back in the day until I researched and learned more about the breed and its history. Have gone beyond 10 fingers on the number of times I can count the following situation: he/she was a great dog, never had any issues, very well adjusted, friendly, loving, and protective. This same dog breed, a pit bull, was introduced to a: trigger, situation, a new encounter, a situation to where a small child made a noise, ran, became an unfriendly on the pit radar...etc. and the dog came undone attacking the child. Said dog was never "trained" to do so.

 

The same has happened many times before with german shepards. I agree with Mexitucky on this thread. Two breeds I will never allow around my kids, grandkids, and I would encourage you to do the same. You can accomplish the same love and comraderie with a Golden Retriever. Have never heard of a Golden being put down for attacking kids!

 

The pit breed and INSTINCT allows for the potential "trigger" to endanger too many others. I'll choose to eliminate the opportunity for an issue by not allowing the breed around my family. Around adults, no issues....... the kids pose a problem!

 

I love German Sheperds but have never owned one. Their intelligence has always fascinated me. I've never owned a pit and likely never will but my wife loves them to no end and she has softened my stance on them. I used to hate them but after many discussions with my wife and watching the show Pit Bulls and Parolees has made me alter my thinking. I have a good friend who raises Pit Bulls and has two young kids. I don't know, I can't help but think it is a case by case situation. I do still feel like they get a bad rap too many times and I hate that for a dog that if not for its powerful jaws it likely wouldn't have that stigma.

Appreciate and respect the angle PP92. I was a pit fan back in the day until I researched and learned more about the breed and its history. Have gone beyond 10 fingers on the number of times I can count the following situation: he/she was a great dog, never had any issues, very well adjusted, friendly, loving, and protective. This same dog breed, a pit bull, was introduced to a: trigger, situation, a new encounter, a situation to where a small child made a noise, ran, became an unfriendly on the pit radar...etc. and the dog came undone attacking the child. Said dog was never "trained" to do so.

 

The same has happened many times before with german shepards. I agree with Mexitucky on this thread. Two breeds I will never allow around my kids, grandkids, and I would encourage you to do the same. You can accomplish the same love and comraderie with a Golden Retriever. Have never heard of a Golden being put down for attacking kids!

 

The pit breed and INSTINCT allows for the potential "trigger" to endanger too many others. I'll choose to eliminate the opportunity for an issue by not allowing the breed around my family. Around adults, no issues....... the kids pose a problem!

This golden/sheltie mix absolutely has my heart, but I will not let her around young children, based on how she reacts to them. She has never bitten anyone (that I know of...she showed up at my house as an approx. 1 year old) but I do not want to take that chance with her. I don't know why she is this way and it makes me sad, because I have a 2 year old niece that loves dogs. My brother thought that I was being overprotective and making too much of the issue, until he heard her react to a child.

 

It's not about the breed, though I do agree that certain breeds tend to present more of problem than others. It's about each individual dog. Each of us just has to be responsible pet owners, to protect others and our dog.

Pit Bulls are the most misunderstood breed on earth and these two posts prove it.

 

Pit Bulls don't just turn a switch and attack. They are either raised properly or they aren't. That goes for all dogs and not just Pit Bulls. Pit Bulls get the stigma they have because they are more dangerous than other dogs when they attack but if my Huskies weren't raised properly they'd attack people also.

 

I agree with you that its all about how they are raised. I've seen pits that were raised right and may have a mean bark, but you would have more of a chance of them licking you to death or tripping you while trying to play with you than them actually hurting you.

 

However a friend of mine had a pit that was a great dog, up until the day they had to put it down. It was raised right and loved people. But when it was around 3 years old it started becoming aggressive, for no particular reason. They took him to the vet when it was time for his shots and explained what was going on. The vet told them that sometimes with pits their brain keeps growing even after their skull stops growing. This puts pressure on their brain and can completely change the dogs demeaner. Eventually the dog snapped and nicked someone's hand that the dog had been around on a regular basis so they had to put him down.

 

It's probably rare that this happens, but the vet told them that it does happen with pits. Whether it happens with other dogs or not I don't know.

I agree with you that its all about how they are raised. I've seen pits that were raised right and may have a mean bark, but you would have more of a chance of them licking you to death or tripping you while trying to play with you than them actually hurting you.

 

However a friend of mine had a pit that was a great dog, up until the day they had to put it down. It was raised right and loved people. But when it was around 3 years old it started becoming aggressive, for no particular reason. They took him to the vet when it was time for his shots and explained what was going on. The vet told them that sometimes with pits their brain keeps growing even after their skull stops growing. This puts pressure on their brain and can completely change the dogs demeaner. Eventually the dog snapped and nicked someone's hand that the dog had been around on a regular basis so they had to put him down.

 

It's probably rare that this happens, but the vet told them that it does happen with pits. Whether it happens with other dogs or not I don't know.

 

 

That's interesting. I'd never heard that before.

 

That's interesting. I'd never heard that before.

 

It was what they were told when they mentioned to the vet that the dogs demeaner had changed rapidly and unexplainably. Whether it is factual or not I'm not sure, I never researched it since it wasn't my dog, a quick google search says it is possibly a myth though. There is a rare genetic disease that can affect any breed of dog in which the brain can grow quicker than their skull, causing extreme pain to the dog. It doesn't mention whether it would cause them to become aggressive though.

I am finally going to throw my 2 cents into this topic. First I think it only fair to give a little background.

 

I am a dog lover, all breeds. I trained dogs and was also a K-9 handler for about about a decade in the early 80's until the early 90's for the United states Air Force. We trained dogs for all 4 branches of the military including civilian police departments as well. I was also a police K-9 handler and have won numerous military K-9 competitions that included representatives from all branches of the military and civilian police depts.

 

I currently own 2 dogs, mix breeds, but I also have owned numerous others of different breeds, I've not only owned German Shepards but also a full bred wolf in the past. I've trained a lot of suffering breeds from beagles to Bouvier's. One thing I've learned is every dog has its own personality and some breeds are geared toward certain traits and is why you have different classes etc. such as working breeds etc.

 

One of my best friends have several pit bulls and actually 3 years ago his son and one of their pit bulls came in 3rd place in the national frisbee competition. His dogs are awesome and he Would bring them to the boys Basbeall games and would be th friendliest and most loving dogs you'd ever meet. That however isn't ignoring what the breed does have tendencies to do and it is what has been I stilled in their pedigree. A lot does have to do with the owners and how they raise their dogs etc. but it also doesn't garuntee the dog will never attack.

 

Pit bulls don't as some say bite down and just refuse to let go, what they do have however is the ability to lock their jaws and that is something a lot of people don't realize. Just about every breed of dog can attack but some more prelevant than others. For instance the St Bernard may be one of the most docile dogs you may find, as a matter of fact when filming the movie Cujo, Stepehen Spielberg had trouble finding dogs because he couldn't find. St Bernard that could actually "Act" mean.

 

My friends dogs are awesome, but I will never say they will never bite because I just don't ever say never. Just like any animal, they can become defensive and do what they need to do. Although I like pit bulls I also know that the numbers don't lie and that breed alone is responsible for the. Is't attacks by a dog breed than any other in the United States.

My LuckyDog's demeanor changed drastically as he aged. He was never a dog who was great with people, but as he got older he became even more intolerant. He was a Jack Russell/Beagle/Boxer mix, and although only 7 when he died, I learned that he had cancer on his spleen, which in hindsight caused him pain and the change in demeanor. I would urge anyone who has a dog whose temperament seems to be changing to have their dog thoroughly checked at the vet for physical reasons. It is my second biggest regret about the whole situation. I just put it down to aging.

My LuckyDog's demeanor changed drastically as he aged. He was never a dog who was great with people, but as he got older he became even more intolerant. He was a Jack Russell/Beagle/Boxer mix, and although only 7 when he died, I learned that he had cancer on his spleen, which in hindsight caused him pain and the change in demeanor. I would urge anyone who has a dog whose temperament seems to be changing to have their dog thoroughly checked at the vet for physical reasons. It is my second biggest regret about the whole situation. I just put it down to aging.

Couldn't have put it better myself. Growing up we had a toy poodle, yes a toy poodle so small it used to sleep in my dads slipper. As she got older she became more and more meaner and would try to bite anyone she didn't know. She ended up having rumors which caused her demeanor to change for the worst and for the good of her we ended up putting her down.

 

I also had a Shepard who changed her demeanor when she hit the age of 12. Even age will change the personalities of dogs.

I am finally going to throw my 2 cents into this topic. First I think it only fair to give a little background.

 

I am a dog lover, all breeds. I trained dogs and was also a K-9 handler for about about a decade in the early 80's until the early 90's for the United states Air Force. We trained dogs for all 4 branches of the military including civilian police departments as well. I was also a police K-9 handler and have won numerous military K-9 competitions that included representatives from all branches of the military and civilian police depts.

 

I currently own 2 dogs, mix breeds, but I also have owned numerous others of different breeds, I've not only owned German Shepards but also a full bred wolf in the past. I've trained a lot of suffering breeds from beagles to Bouvier's. One thing I've learned is every dog has its own personality and some breeds are geared toward certain traits and is why you have different classes etc. such as working breeds etc.

 

One of my best friends have several pit bulls and actually 3 years ago his son and one of their pit bulls came in 3rd place in the national frisbee competition. His dogs are awesome and he Would bring them to the boys Basbeall games and would be th friendliest and most loving dogs you'd ever meet. That however isn't ignoring what the breed does have tendencies to do and it is what has been I stilled in their pedigree. A lot does have to do with the owners and how they raise their dogs etc. but it also doesn't garuntee the dog will never attack.

 

Pit bulls don't as some say bite down and just refuse to let go, what they do have however is the ability to lock their jaws and that is something a lot of people don't realize. Just about every breed of dog can attack but some more prelevant than others. For instance the St Bernard may be one of the most docile dogs you may find, as a matter of fact when filming the movie Cujo, Stepehen Spielberg had trouble finding dogs because he couldn't find. St Bernard that could actually "Act" mean.

 

My friends dogs are awesome, but I will never say they will never bite because I just don't ever say never. Just like any animal, they can become defensive and do what they need to do. Although I like pit bulls I also know that the numbers don't lie and that breed alone is responsible for the. Is't attacks by a dog breed than any other in the United States.

 

I disagree with the bolded. My experience with a pit bull, he bit and wouldn't let go.One bad dog or one bad breed, who knows? Never taking that chance again.

When a Pitbull bites, it never lets go and shakes like a shark. Where other dogs have a tendency to bite for shorter periods of time. Also Pits weren't bred to be around families, they were bred to fight other pitbulls. A well trained Pitbull can be a good dog, but if/when it snaps, it has serious consequences.

 

That's not totally true. They are herders at heart, with an emphasis on the protection of the herd. I've been around well-trained pits that would pace the floor to no end until I joined the other five people in the other room, so that he could more easily guard us.

 

Well-trained pit bulls don't "just snap." However, not everybody needs to own them, because they take a special brand of training given their powerful build. Too many guys get them for the wrong reasons, mostly phallic overcompensation.

Although I like pit bulls I also know that the numbers don't lie and that breed alone is responsible for the. Is't attacks by a dog breed than any other in the United States.

 

I would've thought that honor still belonged to the idiotically inbred Dalmatian line. Such stupid dogs.

I would've thought that honor still belonged to the idiotically inbred Dalmatian line. Such stupid dogs.

Little tid bit about Dalmations that many people who don't own them may not know. You may think they are dumb, but in reality Dalmations are actually deaf. That is why they have become fire dept's mascots etc. They are not bothered by the sirens. around 12% of all dalmations are born deaf.

I disagree with the bolded. My experience with a pit bull, he bit and wouldn't let go.One bad dog or one bad breed, who knows? Never taking that chance again.

Their jaws lock, that is what many think when they say they don't let go, it's not that they won't let go, it's that they lock their jaws which gives them a vice like grip. All breeds when they bite if they don't want to let go they won't let go, the pit bull however locks it's jaw and you can see that compared to other breeds that will continually chomp down. That is the major difference.

 

My friends dogs are awesome, but I will never say they will never bite because I just don't ever say never. Just like any animal, they can become defensive and do what they need to do. Although I like pit bulls I also know that the numbers don't lie and that breed alone is responsible for the most attacks by a dog breed than any other in the United States.

 

I think this what you meant. Spellcheck/autocorrect seemed kick in...

 

I was going to say that 'the dog is just licking icing before it eats the cake.'

 

We had a cocker spaniel before our we had first child (yes, the replacement child in the early days). We sent it off to get trained - and maybe that was a mistake because it never considered either of us the 'lead' of the pack. It wanted to be the lead of the pack and would not like discipline at all. It also hated and would lash out at - a) men in hats, b) small children, c) babies and other things that for some reason it concidered threats or did not like. We tried to 'train' to like babies using a lifelike doll when our first was on the way. But it was not working.

 

It finally went after me very viciously when I was trying to discipline him and using a very stern tone. I offered my wrist to bite since it was going after my neck. Still have a small scar. We had to put it down the next morning. We knew we could not keep him and did not feel right putting him up for adoption knowing his tendencies. So I guess all breeds can be flaky and its not just the breed.