Changing views on pits, one person at a time

[FattyBumBlastie]

I just wanted to share a story about Penny.

Penny's an American Staffordshire Terrier, and as with most pits, people have assumptions and are scared of her. She's one of the most people-friendly dog I have ever met and loves attention.

The other day, I was walking Penny by a hot-dog stand. The vendor had his little girl with him (maybe 4 or 5) sitting in a small plastic chair beside the cart. She saw Penny coming and panicked and got up to run away. Unfortunately, she stood up too fast and started falling forward just as Penny was walking by. What kept her from falling was that she put her arm out and regained her balance by clutching Penny's head, smooshing her ear and covering her eye. The little girl's dad screamed, but Penny just stood there, staring at the girl and wagging her tail. And the look on the girl's face was priceless--first it was shock, and then she just broke out in a huge smile and a look of awe came on her face. It was like "wow, I'm touching this big dog and she's not hurting me!"

I have to tell you, that totally made my day. It upsets me so much all the assumptions people make about Penny--they cross the street, pick up their children, and even yell at me to hold her closer.

Hopefully on that day, I had a couple of new converts!

 

[filarotten]

How sweet. Bless Pennys' heart. I hope it did make an impact on those people. Not all pits are bad. Everyone I have ever met has been a wonderful dog. I wish we would hear more good stories about pits, and not just the bad ones.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

That is so sweet!!! Penny is doing a good job about giving bully breeds a better reputation.

 

[Barb04]

What a great story. Way to go Penny!

 

[keyodie]

Yay!! I hate it how people will make assumptions about pits when they are actually a very nice breed. What a sweet story!

 

[Mindy Miller]

Too bad not all dog owners are responsible enough to train them well. I think most of the bad opinions about pits come from the reputation they have gotten because of irresponsible owners. I too, had a wonderful pit. He was the most obedient, loyal dog I've ever had.

I also know a person who is not so responsible with their pit bull. He recently killed another dog. Unfortunately, that will get more attention than the pit bull who helped someone. Any untrained dog is capable of doing serious damage.

Good luck with your quest. It's always good to hear stories like that.

 

[Zoom]

You should make a habit of walking by that hot dog vendor often. Good news!

 

[Bubba Love]

i can't wait till i get a pit bull, there is a law here that requires you to have a vet recomendation and vet records of a previously/currently owned dog to get one, luckily i have bubba

 

[CanadianK9]

I remember a quote somebody had, And I love how it is worded

"Band the deed, not the breed"

This is so true, and I think the only reason people automaticly center things on certain breeds is because of size, strength, and media coverage. Sadly some breeds get a worse reputation that others.

Good job to both you and Penny by breaking a common stereotype

 

[rottiegirl]

This is so true, and I think the only reason people automaticly center things on certain breeds is because of size, strength, and media coverage. Sadly some breeds get a worse reputation that others

I think they want to ban the breed, because its a quick fix, and the "deed" is already banned. The reason why pits are the center of all this is because they are at the top of the list when it comes to fatal dog attacks. Pits are not that big, they are medium sized. If people were going after a big dog then they would be after the rottie.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

The reason pits are one of the breeds that attack most is that there are many people who use them as fighting dogs. They breed extra large dogs and breed them to be aggressive. They chain their dogs (which makes them more aggressive), and irresponsibly let their dogs escape. The dog escapes and attacks someone. Often times these dogs aren't even purebreds, their like mastiff/pit mixes (a "good" way to make large pit bulls). And you can't always trust the media to tell you the truth - ever heard of the "pit bull" attack that ended up actually being a samoyed? The shelter that received the dog were told is was a pit, when they go the dog they confirmed it was a sammie - a puffy, white dog with straight up ears is not a pit bull.

 

[SiberianMaster]

Good job Penny!! That's a great story.

 

[Bowowee]

PitBulls in the Philippines

Here in the Philippines most people are not afraid of Pitbulls. We have a lot of Pitbulls here. In fact, the are the most bred dogs here in my country. The only drawback is, they are not recognized by the local canine club. I wish we have something like UKC who recognizes the breed. Thats why, if ever your pitbulls gets banned by your local laws you can send em here. We'll be more than happy to take care of them. The Philippines is a pitbull loving nation!

 

[CanadianK9]

Sadly the government has enacted a pitbull ban in my area. Its very disappointing

 

[sparks19]

Sadly the government has enacted a pitbull ban in my area. Its very disappointing

I actually heard today on the news that they might be changing that law a little bit. i didn't get much info as I was also supposed to be working but supposedly the change came about because of so many complaints by dog owners all over

 

[FattyBumBlastie]

I read somewhere that stats about pitbull attacks are skewed because a lot of people will call any dog that looks similar to a pitbull a pitbull, such as presa canarios. Usually, if it's muscular, has cropped ears, and a squarish face, people just call them pitbulls.

Though one time, someone asked me if Penny was a beagle!

 

[rottiegirl]

I read somewhere that stats about pitbull attacks are skewed because a lot of people will call any dog that looks similar to a pitbull a pitbull, such as presa canarios. Usually, if it's muscular, has cropped ears, and a squarish face, people just call them pitbulls.

That is true for stray dogs, but alot of the times the dog owner is the one who says what breed their dog is. I am pretty sure that an owner knows the breed of their own dog.

 

[Brattina88]

I also hate how people make assumptions about pits, but we as "fellow dog lovers" need to be very realistic. I think it needs to be known that dogs are individuals, and yes some have a very real potential to be aggressive, but at the same time there are Very sweet "pits"

 

[Bowowee]

I sure hope rascist folks would be a lot more open minded and stop bashing the breed. They should be a lot more open minded and stop disciminating the breeders and the breed as a whole. Pitbulls are nice dogs and very loyal companions as well.

 

[Amstaffer]

Great Story-- I hope you let the father know that its not just Penny who is super friendly. My male Sal (black and white in pic) is super out going and friendly. When people meet him they say "wow he's not like most pits you hear about" and I always correct them and let them know that VAST majority of pitbulls are just like him.