Cross Breeds

What do you think of American Pitbull dogs?

Do you think they really are naturally violent animals. Some European countries even banned them.

Public Comments

1. The problem is rarely with the animal but rather with the animal's owner. Same thing with bad kids - its the parent's fault.
2. I've been gathering information on Pits for about a year. This is what I've learned so far: Pit Bull is a term commonly used to describe several types of dogs with similar physical characteristics. Its use in media is often vague and rarely descriptive of specific breeds. There are several physically similar breeds that are often termed "pit bull" in English speaking countries, including the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Perro de Presa Canario, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino, Alano Espanol, Japanese Tosa, Dogue de Bordeaux, and Perro de Pelea. These breeds are usually not included by name in any Breed Specific Legislation (see below), but are sometimes included because of a broad definition and confusion as to what a pit bull actually is. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published a study concerning deaths from canine attacks in 2000. [34] According to the study, between 1979 and 1998, one-third of all fatal dog attacks were caused by Pit Bull type dogs. The highest number of attacks (118) were by Pit Bull type dogs, The ordinance defined a pit bull as Any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying a majority of physical traits of any one or more of the above breeds, or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club for any of the above breeds. News media stories of pit bull attacks involving disfiguring injury to humans and other animals, the latter very often also fatally, ranging in size from attacks on smaller non pitbull dogs to horses can be found globally. The pit bulls involved were not always loose and off the owner's property, but sometimes were inside the home of the owner, who, or a family member or visitor, was the victim of the aggression. Fatal pit bull attacks to children and adults have been reported by the English-language news media in the United States and United Kingdom. A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association in September, 2000 reports that in the 20 years studied (1979 to 1998) "Pit-bull type dogs" and Rottweilers were involved in one half of approximately 300 dog bite related fatalities in the US[3]. Another study of American and Canadian dog bite related fatalities from September 1982 to November 2006 produced similar results, reporting that Pit bulls, Rottweilers, Presa Canarios and their mixes were responsible for 65% fatal dog attacks. [4] This study also noted: "Of the breeds most often involved in incidents of sufficient severity to be listed, pit bull terriers are noteworthy for attacking adults almost as frequently as children." A June assault left an East Baltimore woman hospitalized with bites and gashes on her head, neck, arms and legs. In April, a 10-year-old Towson boy spent more than two weeks in the hospital recovering from his injuries, and two Baltimore sheriff's deputies shot and killed a pit bull as it was attacking a 7-year-old girl. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a report that showed pit bulls were responsible for more dog bite-related attacks than any other breed during a 20-year period Indiana News Other stories from the INDIANA NEWS May 25, 2007: Indy Police: Girl Injured By Pit Bull May 16, 2007: Pit Bull Tears Into Child, Attacks Others May 14, 2007: Man Cited In Connection With Pit Bull Attack May 7, 2007: Pit Bull Disfigures 3-Year-Old Girl's Face November 14, 2006: Indy Dangerous Animal Ordinance Passes September 26, 2006: Girl Leaves Hospital 4 Months After Pit Bull Attack June 15, 2006: Pit Bull Pair Pounces On Pedestrian J june 8, 2006: Authorities: Teen Ordered Pit Bull To Attack Officer
3. I have owned Pitbulls in the past and have a new 14 week old pit now. It is all in the owner. You have to remember Pits were first bred as family pets. the stigma comes form the fact that two iditos got together one day and decided to fight the dogs. With pits you have to show you are in control from the start other wise you may never have control of the dog.
4. No, they are not bad. The breed has been used for dog fights for a long time, their trainers trained them to be aggressive & fight. No dog breed is bad, its in the training. I have seen a pitbull that was so sweet, & never hurt anybody, our smaller dog was always picking on her & she never would even growl. If you don't train an animal to be aggressive then it most likely wont be aggressive.
5. I love pits and anyone that knows one would say the same. There not 'naturally' aggressive. A lot of people just mistreat them to make them aggressive because they think it will make themselves look better.
6. I stay in the UK where the effers r banned, and i see them in same light as Gary Glitter
7. Personally, I love them. They are the sweetest things ever. People say they are dangerous. How? The worst thing they could do is kill you with kisses! Even thats not so bad ;) Pit bulls are like high school students, 9 out of 10 are great, but you always hear about that ONE naughty one, and you never hear about the good ones. Almost all pit bulls are sweethearts, but there is always that one that had a bad owner that never trained it properly, or neglected it, or just never cared to discipline it. I think there is never a bad dog, just a bad owner. People who can't properly take care of a dog should never have one.
8. No. They are not "naturally" violent at all. It was bred into the pit. Pits were bred to be aggressive to dogs, however they were not bred to be aggressive to people. When in a fighting ring, collars had to be pulled back and if the dog bit the person, it was shot dead. Anyone who thinks Pit bulls are aggressive to people, are wrong. And the reason the dogs were banned is because they were used for fighting. One pit may have turned on a family before but that doesn't all pits are the same. Blame the deed, not the breed. No dogs should be banned.
9. Well, a common problem unfortunately is owners believing that a well trained, well behaved dog means that they are in perfect control ( the pack leader). This is more often than not, not the case and especially in breeds such as pitbulls and rotties. These breeds, as most owners of them will tell you have the sweetest natures. This means that the dogs will naturally try to be as good for the owner as possible, making the owner believe it has the dog under control. In fact, the case is usually that the dog is in complete control, believes itself to be the leader and an otherwise perfect dog, when confronted with even a minuscule sign of threat from a person or animal will attack. There is a very complex psychology behind this, but to make it easier for you to understand, I have had clients with champion obedience dogs that have severe behavioural, dominance, aggression issues. The level of obedience and training does not always equal the level of psychological leadership by the handler. It is true that alot of the attacks by pitbulls are on children, but that is purely due to the fact that children cannot read the warning signs of a dog and too many children are not taught by their parents to have any caution around dogs. They also tug, pull, push, hit, cornered and play with dogs when they absolutely should not be allowed to. NO dog can ever be trusted 100% with children, because children can't be trusted. Dogs just react to what we, as humans and handlers do. If you are thinking of getting a pitbull, you need to make yourself a VERY strong pack leader from day one. No slip ups, no days off, even moments off. All dogs need consistency and proper handling. Some just take to it alot easier than others. If you would like, I can email you a detailed information pack that I have written which will help you should you wish to get a dog, pitbull or any other breed.
10. I am an owner of 5 Pit Bulls, I also have a Golden, A Rotti/Pit mix, a dachshund mix. A cat. They all live peacefully together. No they are not naturally violent towards humans. They can be Dog aggressive and have a high prey drive. I do have control of my dogs. They are not in control, like a poster thinks. There is no alpha/dominate dog in the home. It is me, my husband and children. Training never stops in our home. Exercise never stops in our home. These dogs can be bad in the wrong hands. Dogs will do anything their owners train them. They are eager to please. These places that have banned the dogs are also finding out bans don't work. Media feds into all the hype. No dog should ever be left alone with children whoever it's not the dogs fault when something goes wrong when they are left alone. It's the parents/owners fault. My dogs are never alone unsupervised. They are crated when no one is home. I do not set my dogs up to fail. Pet peeve of mine. It's American Pit Bull Terrier, Pit Bull is two words.
11. I happen to love "pits". I own a purebred APBT and a rotti/Pit mix) as well as another mix breed dog) and they are all wonderful, loving dogs with us, our children and everyone else that comes to my house.
12. it is the problem of the owner. dogs are not BORN violent they are taught and trained to be that way. agree with the other poster,,,kids are not born bad it is the parents/enviorment that cause problems banning one breed will NOT stop the problem,,,if one breed is banned and eventually eliminated,,they will move onto another breed.