American Pit Bulls
- Thread starter zaidoo
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It's not solely dependant on upbringing. Genetics will play a big role. If they're from a fighting background, they will be more likely to be aggressive (especially dog-aggressive) than pit bulls from a different background - say, show line AmStaffs - or other breeds.
And while it's true that dog-fighting breeds were traditionally not bred for human-aggression, in practical terms, a large and powerful dog that is strongly dog-aggressive is more likely to end up biting a human than a dog who is not dog-aggressive. An awful lot of serious dog bites and maulings seem to stem from dog-on-dog attacks. The attacked dog's owner intercedes to save their dog from severe injury or death, and the attacker starts biting the human too.
And while it's true that dog-fighting breeds were traditionally not bred for human-aggression, in practical terms, a large and powerful dog that is strongly dog-aggressive is more likely to end up biting a human than a dog who is not dog-aggressive. An awful lot of serious dog bites and maulings seem to stem from dog-on-dog attacks. The attacked dog's owner intercedes to save their dog from severe injury or death, and the attacker starts biting the human too.
it really depends on the dog. there are dogs that come from fighting lines who are relatively "cold" (ie, relatively non-dog-aggressive) and there are show bred amstaffs who are dog-aggressive as could be. part of it's genetic, part of it is socialization, but what counts the most in the end is how the dog is owned, managed, and handled.
I think if the pup got some very good obedience school and training and worked one on one or two with someone who is really serious about making sure this dog doesn't become agressive then it could work.
At the shelter I worked at we got in some very rare colored pit puppies from some idiot who was fighting the parents and a bunch of others. All the adults were euthanized as shelter policy. But the puppies we thought we would hang on to and see how they acted. Well they received one on one attention from one or two employees but I just don't think that is enough because one day at about 4 months old, something set those puppies off and they ripped each other to shreads, jumped over the very high cage wall and attacked the poor dog next door and bit two employees. They were immediately euthanized. It was sad because yesterday they were so sweet and today they did this.
So if you are taking in a pup from fighting parents, be absolutely serious about putting time and money into training that dog perfectly, neuter it when time comes by 6 months, this is one time when I don't think you want those hormones setting in if it is a male. Train that dog as best as you possibly can and bond one on one with it and I have a feeling it will work out.
At the shelter I worked at we got in some very rare colored pit puppies from some idiot who was fighting the parents and a bunch of others. All the adults were euthanized as shelter policy. But the puppies we thought we would hang on to and see how they acted. Well they received one on one attention from one or two employees but I just don't think that is enough because one day at about 4 months old, something set those puppies off and they ripped each other to shreads, jumped over the very high cage wall and attacked the poor dog next door and bit two employees. They were immediately euthanized. It was sad because yesterday they were so sweet and today they did this.
So if you are taking in a pup from fighting parents, be absolutely serious about putting time and money into training that dog perfectly, neuter it when time comes by 6 months, this is one time when I don't think you want those hormones setting in if it is a male. Train that dog as best as you possibly can and bond one on one with it and I have a feeling it will work out.
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I have a very good insight into this.
Sal is from showlines of American Staffordshire Terrier, he is very friendly to dogs and people.
Athena's mother was a breeding bitch in a Dog fighting ring that was broken up in Freeport IL. After the raid her mother was siezed and they discovered she was going to have puppies real soon. The mother had the babies in the Animal Shelter a few days later. The mother and the puppies went to a Pit Bull rescue in Madison WI where I adopted her (Athena) 10 weeks later.
Athena has fighting lines in her (how far back I don't know, but this was a well developed and organized fighting ring) however she has never known a world of anything but kindness and good socialization.
With that in mind, Athena is not only great with other dogs but cats and other small animals. She will growl and snap and large male dogs who try to mount (but most females of any breed will do that) her but has never actually bitten. She is somewhat protective of Sal at the dog park but has never really done anything...just runs over to distract the dog that is mad at Sal.
So what is my findings from having both Show and Fighting bloodlines in my house....They are both wonderfully friendly and I believe that Nature is 25% and Nuture is 75% IMHO.
If your dog is young puppy when you get them and you know what you are doing and are consistent then it doesn't matter what bloodline they come from. Also Neutering and Spaying will help suppression any aggression problems.
Sal is from showlines of American Staffordshire Terrier, he is very friendly to dogs and people.
Athena's mother was a breeding bitch in a Dog fighting ring that was broken up in Freeport IL. After the raid her mother was siezed and they discovered she was going to have puppies real soon. The mother had the babies in the Animal Shelter a few days later. The mother and the puppies went to a Pit Bull rescue in Madison WI where I adopted her (Athena) 10 weeks later.
Athena has fighting lines in her (how far back I don't know, but this was a well developed and organized fighting ring) however she has never known a world of anything but kindness and good socialization.
With that in mind, Athena is not only great with other dogs but cats and other small animals. She will growl and snap and large male dogs who try to mount (but most females of any breed will do that) her but has never actually bitten. She is somewhat protective of Sal at the dog park but has never really done anything...just runs over to distract the dog that is mad at Sal.
So what is my findings from having both Show and Fighting bloodlines in my house....They are both wonderfully friendly and I believe that Nature is 25% and Nuture is 75% IMHO.
If your dog is young puppy when you get them and you know what you are doing and are consistent then it doesn't matter what bloodline they come from. Also Neutering and Spaying will help suppression any aggression problems.