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

 

Me either.

I am around a LOT of dogs in the rescue business. I will agree on one thing: Pits, Rotweilers, German Shephards, Chows, and others are "powerful breeds". Meaning as well, don't get in the way when they are chasing each other around. Beyond that and beyond the breed, is the individual energy level of the dog and how that energy is managed. And, dogs and their personalities are as individual as humans. SO, to classify and stereotype a breed is no more useful than stereotyping people based on their race. The DNA is 99% the same.

 

However, Pits are one of the most populous breeds...about 6% of the total dog population. And, unfortunately they seem to be the dogs of choice for stupid people: protecting drug properties; making a statement; or trying to intimidate people with their dog. I don't know any drug dealers who ever got a Labrador or a cocker spaniel to hang around outside their property. If you think this isn't the case, then one needs to open their eyes. Pits also seem to be the dog that these stupid owners do not want to neuter.

 

BUT, I would agree that a novice or inexperienced dog owner does not need to take on any of these breeds and especially if there are children in the house.

 

BTW, my daughter who is a veterinarian states that the dog breed she finds the most troublesome is the St. Bernard. She says every other breed she can read and tell their state of mind, but the St. Bernard will turn on a dime.

 

My daughter is pregnant also, and has a German Shephard and a Boxer/Rotweiler mix in her house....they are staying with me right now. I would trust the baby (a girl) with those two as much as I will trust her with most people.

 

Lastly, I am not a fan of letting the dog lick or otherwise put its mouth on people. One thing they should learn early on is bite inhibition, and it is harder for them to remember this if they are allowed to put their mouth on people.

At one time, the American Pit Bull Terrier was one of the most beloved and revered dogs in the USA.

 

 

About the Pit Bull: Origins and History | PitBulls

The Pit Bull--American's Sweetheart

 

During the first half of the 20th century, the American Pit Bull Terrier was the closest thing the United States had to a national dog. Pit bulls were the dog of choice for famous personages such as Helen Keller, Laura Ingalls Wilder (of Little House on the Prairie fame), and President Theodore Roosevelt.

 

Meanwhile, pit bulls were chosen as mascots by the Buster Brown shoe company and by the United States itself, which featured pit bulls on American propaganda posters for each of the first two world wars.

 

Fittingly, the first dog decorated with medals by the armed forces was one Sgt. Stubby. In the first world war, Sgt. Stubby not only survived being twice wounded in combat, but captured a German spy and saved his entire platoon from a poison gas attack.

 

In 1903, an American Pit Bull Terrier named Bud became the first dog to travel across the entire US via car. He accompanied the first humans to make a non-stop journey cross country by automobile, but his fame eclipsed theirs, as newspapers in cities across America featured a goggle-wearing Bud.

 

After WW II, pit bulls retreated to relative obscurity, accorded neither more nor less notoriety than other breeds. Surely, underground fighting took place, but this was only a small percentage of pits. Others were used for herding, hunting or guardian purposes, but most were bred and kept primarily as companions.

 

 

A pit bulls brain does not continue to grow as it ages. That myth was actually started about dobermans and some how got moved over to pits.

 

They do not have a trigger anymore than any other dog does. In fact when tested in situations of distress and shock. They are one of the calmest dogs there is.

 

They are phenomenal animals.

 

As with any dog. You have to pay attention to their bloodline. Aggressive dogs (any breed) bred with aggressive will, in general, give you an aggressive dog.

 

The sad part is that so many myths have become reality.

One of the most famous pits.

 

Police: Family's pit bull kills Butler County woman

BBC News - Widnes dog attack on boy, 4, 'heartbreaking', says dad

 

The dog was a cross breed and was not believed to be an illegal or dangerous breed of dog, police confirmed.

 

There are anecdotal situations to support just about any argument.

Police: Family's pit bull kills Butler County woman

 

I wonder how much of the pit bill debate falls apart for the advocates when adult family members (probably the ones who did the training) are the ones who die.

And as I read this a pit killed a 60 year old adult being broadcasted on the news.

 

:idunno:

I wonder how much of the pit bill debate falls apart for the advocates when adult family members (probably the ones who did the training) are the ones who die.

 

 

Doesn't fall apart for me at all unless you are going to tell me it was a pit bull that was professionally trained. My huskies were trained by me and while I seriously doubt they would hurt anyone if they did it wouldn't be because I am a qualified trainer. I'm not qualified to train any dogs but I know my dogs very well and I always keep a close eye on them. My dogs are more apt to kill the neighbor's cat or another dog before harming a human. Doesn't mean they won't harm a human.

Doesn't fall apart for me at all unless you are going to tell me it was a pit bull that was professionally trained. My huskies were trained by me and while I seriously doubt they would hurt anyone if they did it wouldn't be because I am a qualified trainer. I'm not qualified to train any dogs but I know my dogs very well and I always keep a close eye on them. My dogs are more apt to kill the neighbor's cat or another dog before harming a human. Doesn't mean they won't harm a human.

 

Not enough details yet from today's incident.

Pit bull-mix that mauled girl put down

Stray Pit Bull Saves Woman, 2 Year Old Child Held at Knifepoint

:laugh: Did you go find that article to counter my article?!

^Yep.

 

Point is, we can post links to stories of Pit Bulls attacking, or saving, or any other dog breed doing the same, all day long.

 

It happens with every single breed and is a result of poor training and stupid owners just as much, if not more so, than the dog breed.

2 children were killed in ATV accidents this past weekend in Kentucky. Why are we discussing banning these as well?