Cross Breeds - Is a pitbull really as bad as people say they are? I want to get one for my family. Are they good family dogs?

Is a pitbull really as bad as people say they are? I want to get one for my family. Are they good family dogs?

I have 2 teenagers and would be able to pay for care and training. Do they make good family pets? I had a previous dog (chihuahua) that would occasionly try to take a snap at people (maybe because i never took it to training). I dont want that happening with the pitbull because if it connects, we would have some serious problems...

Public Comments

it depends on what type
It is fine as long as u train it extremly well because aggresivness is part of their nature.
If you're so worried about them, why do you want one?
Good dogs with the right training. Contact a trainer that specializes in Pit Bull dogs. Please research the breed before buying and make 100% sure it's the right breed for you. It's not a dog for everyone.
They are great pets, they are statistically less dangerous than golden retrievers, collie,s and other "great" family dogs They are nothing like the media portrays them to be
Pitbulls have been stereo typed. They are actually very nice dogs. However, be sure to look at the parents before anything:) Also be sure to train any dog very well to be friendly
keep in mind ALL dogs will attack if provoked or they feel threatened. With that in mind, consider why and how pit bulls were bred over the past centuries. They were NOT bred to be docile lap dogs; they were bred to be agressive killers. I'd suggest a border collie, poodle, australian shepherd, or collie (don't get a long hair dog if you live in a hot climate though)
It all falls on the owners! Up to you and your family to raise it to be a good dog.
mostly all dogs make good family pets. pitbulls as well make good family pets. but i would consider you to get a 2 or 3 month year old pitbull. then you should maybe invite your friends and family, so he or she can get use to having many people around him or her. you should also consider walking him or her everyday to a park, where there are many pets and kids. train him or her earely to, gudluck!! ♥
1. No, American Pit Bull Terriers are not as bad as people say they are. 2. They are very good family dogs.
Lol i have a Chihuahua right now and shes a good girl, she doesn't do any of that or bark! Accept if i want her too, but i did foster two pitt's in the past two years. And they were both super hyper. With tails that knock over EVERYTHING!! They were really sweet though (both males) just sooo hyper have to have alot of attention and have to be walked and run around aloooot!!! hope that helps.. Its all based on the person who raises the animal like with every breed!!
No dog is bad, the owner is. They're great family dogs. The breed is best for a family with older people, and no other pets. (except a dog of the same size). Training must be started ASAP. and always get a puppy, you can't trust a fully grown pit bull.
Pit bulls are high-energy (not aggresive) dogs & need lots of attention and exercise. You need to make sure that you are capable of providing that first. The aggresion only comes out when they have energy to burn & can't or they are taught that way. Remember there are no bad dogs, just bad owners. The dog in The Little Rascals was a Pitbull. I own a Pitbull & a Rottweiler. I get tired before they do, but both breeds are excellent. Mine is awesome with kids (was raised around them) and is doing a fine job of protecting the home. Wish you all the luck.
They can make great pets. If you are buying from a breeder, ask to meet both "parents". You will be able to assess their temperament. Pitbulls have been unfairly labeled as violent. Keep in mind that Peety from The Little Rascals was a pitbull. With some training, you will have a loyal, wonderful dog :-)
No. Pit bulls are actually really loving dogs. They make great family dogs. Just make sure you get it from a reputable source so you know it's parents weren't fighting dogs. Make sure you train it, because the can be aggressive (not aggressive as in mean, but pushy and such). Don't let your teens play tug-of-war with it. Make sure they don't teach it to play rough or be aggressive with it either. The pit bull just has to know everyone in the family is 'high' then him on the chain of command, so to speak. Don't treat him like dirt, but don't let him take advantage of you. Be careful when training though. They are STRONG dogs. Anyway, just a last word on the chihuahua. They are actually quite a snappy breed of dog. It's because of their size, they're often afraid and will lash out to protect it self, with out thinking. A lot of people think this is cute as a puppy and don't train it out, so they keep on doing it. Anyway, good luck on your such.
No dog is aggressive if raised right.Like people some are abusive,shy,or friendly people depending on how they were raised and treated. I know some one has a pit bull with young kids she is a very sweet and calm and never has bit or snapped at any one her whole life and she old.She plays with the older kid all the time they run and play all the time with each other. and the other child is to young for her to play with so she leaves him alone.She is a very loving dog loves to play and great family dog love attention and gets along with all the neighbors dogs and cats.
Just realize that you are getting a breed that has basically been weaponized through breeding. Can your kids keep it out of a dog fight? Dogfights, regardless of the breed, are not that uncommon. Dogs weaponized through breeding are a bit more dangerous than other dogs when in a frenzy. A bitbull owner in court doesn't usually have the odds in their favor.
It depends on the dog, and the family, although all of the "Pit Bull" breeds (American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers) have been called "nanny dogs" in Britain for their love of children and at one point in time were a family dog of choice because of their general love of people. Any dog that does not receive adequate socialization, exercise, and training can be an aggressive or mis-behaved companion. Pit Bulls tend to be energetic dogs and, being terriers and working dogs, some may exhibit prey drive towards smaller animals and need a "job" (this can be accomplished through anything from agility or weight pull to therapy work or farm work, which was their original purpose along with hunting wild boar). My current dogs, a male American Pit Bull Terrier and a Pit Bull/Pharoah Hound mix despite coming from horribly abusive and tragic situations have made good family companions for children, teens, adults and even with cats, birds, and other dogs. I also have taught them basic obedience and practice NILF (Nothing In Life is Free) in the household, which I'm sure helps a lot. Your best bet when looking for a "Pit Bull" would be to get one from a reputable breeder or through a reputable rescue group, I have posted resources for both of these below. I would strongly suggest getting an adult from a purebred rescue though given the Pit Bull breeds' current situation of being bred for all the wrong reasons and without correct temperament and appearance in mind. American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers, contrary to popular belief, were NOT originally bred for fighting or even bull-baiting, they were originally bred as working dogs; they tracked down and hunted wild boar, for farm work including pulling heavy equipment and pest-control, and even simply as family companions. Their working aspect attracted bull baiters who used them for this sport, and finally, when bull baiting was banned, they were used for dog-on-dog fighting. Today there are working, show, and unfortunately preserved fighting bloodlines. The traits that make American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers (trainability, general love of people, eagerness to please, tenacity, prey and working drive) preferable fighting dogs also make them excellent working (search and rescue, hunting, drug detection, even therapy) dogs. "Hunting boar in the colonies. Primarily used as an animal which could pin and control large and dangerous beasts such as boar, bear and bull, dogfighting was never the original purpose. Dog fighters will argue this point, but the evidence is quite clear." - Dianne Jessup, working "Pit Bull" owner, dog trainer, Pit Bull rescuer/rehabilitator (reformed one of the ex Vick dogs and is training him to be a professional police dog for drug and bomb detection), owner of Law Dogs USA. “The American Staffordshire Terrier or "AmStaff" is considered an "all-American" dog. It has been developed since the early 1800's as a result of crosses between the bulldogs of that time and game terriers and was known in America as early as 1870 under the names Pit Dog, Pit Bull Terrier, American Bull Terrier, and Yankee Terrier. This type of dog was instrumental in the success of farmers and settlers, and was used for general farm work, hunting wild pigs, bears, and other large game, guarding the homestead, and general companionship. A number of the early ancestors were also used for the "sport" of dog fighting. This now illegal activity is, unfortunately, more often cited as the early purpose of the dogs rather than the general farm work." - American Kennel Club "“Sometime during the nineteenth century, dog fanciers in England, Ireland, and Scotland began to experiment with crosses between Bulldogs and Terriers, looking for a dog that combined the gameness of a terrier with the strength and athleticism of the Bulldog. The result was a dog that embodied all the virtues attributed to great warriors: strength, indomitable courage, and gentleness with loved ones. Immigrants brought these bull and terrier crosses to the United States. The American Pit Bull Terrier’s many talents did not go unnoticed by farmers and ranchers who used their APBTs for protection, as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions. Today, the American Pit Bull Terrier continues to demonstrate its versatility, competing successfully in Obedience, Tracking, Agility, Protection, and Weight Pulls, as well as Conformation.” – United Kennel Club breed description of the American Pit Bull Terrier.
No, I do not believe that pit bulls are as " BAD " as people think they are. I think a pit bull is a great family pet. I love pit bulls a lot. I would have one myself if my apartment that I live at would allow dogs. Some time in the future I would really like to own one myself. I have gotten to know a few of my friends pit bulls and they are as gentles as can be. These people also have young children and don't have any worries about the dogs and their kids. These pit bulls are part of the family just like any other pet would be in a family. People need to try to put aside, " the fighting pit balls that are treated terribly by their owners and are taught as puppies to fight other pit bulls to the death."They are beaten beaten and and beaten drugged and God only knows what these terrible mean people do to them besides what I have mentioned. How can't understand why people are so mean and unkind. Oh yeah, it's called money. There is big money to be had in the so called business of pit bull fighting. I think that these people should be the ones who are pit in the fighting pit with these pit bulls. Geez, I wonder what would happen......the pit bulls would sure get their revenge. And I for one would give them around of applause ( the pit bulls ). If a dog or any animal, as a matter of fact, is treated wrongly and inhumanely and is trained to kill or fight to the death that's what that poor animal would become.. Just like a human being. If they are treated abused as children a lot of times they become mean and do bad things when they reach adulthood. It all really makes perfect sense at least to me anyway. So I wouldn't be afraid of getting a pit bull to add to your family. I know I would if I could. And training is VERY important with basically ALL animals. So please make sure you train this pit bull or take it to a training class. And don't forget to give your pit bull ( if you do decide to purchase a pit bull. They are beautiful animals and will also give you a ton of love back). a ton of love. I think that you'd would really be happy with a pit bull. Good luck.
pit bulls are very loving animals as long as train them right and get them from a responsible breeder you know because sadly animal shelters dont take pitbulls. if you put a pit bull on a chain all day it will turn aggresive. but i have had pit bulls before and if trained right are very loving , smart , and reliable dogs to have as a family pet. but keep in mind they are high energy dogs and need to be taken on daily long walks at least twice a day.
I have owned two and I say from experience they are good family dogs.... BUT it's the visitor they will attack. They are over protective and they take there own initiative they dont look for directions in a tense situation. They have a strong fight or flight response geared towards fight. they are good dogs just very unpredictable. you can never be sure who he sees as a threat. first time they meet you no threat the next time something in them says you are and he needs to attack to protect his family even if his family doesn't see it. This may never happen but the only dog I know of that has a worse recorded record believe it or not is a dalmation. If I may suggest..research a dog called the black mouth cur. you'll love them.
Pitbulls are some of the most loving dogs I have ever worked with(as a Pet instructor) They are obedient and very loyal. The only reason they attack is if the OWNER trains them to do so or they feel threatened which any animal, including humans, would do. And some studies found and from me personal experience, chihuahuas are more aggressive than pitbulls. They can be an amazing family dog as long as you give them the proper training and lots of love.
They are great family dogs! They do how every take a very responsible owner. They aren't an easy dog to train and might not get along with all other dogs. Make sure to do your research and find the best dog that fits your family, might want to get on a forum and ask some questions about the breed. www.AmstaffTalk.com
kill them all......