Pit Bull Perception

[Brattina88]

Maddie - Cocker Spaniel 1
Missy - German Shepherd 2

Sounds about right to me. I think I would switch them around, Missy have the one and Maddie have the two, but hey - no complaints here.

I just get frustrated that people believe that these behavioral traits are APBT specific, that there is no other breed with the same issues. Yet many dogs, both large and small, can, if not trained/raised properly, have the same, or worse, issues than the "Pit Bull".

I get frustrated, too. Easily. It's a very sad and frustrating situation. BUT, in my area, I've found that most people are simply uneducated. They simplly don't know, no one has ever told them anything other than Pit Bulls are vicious man-eating dogs. yeah. And it's hard to educate them, especially when a house down the road has two "pit bulls" - one male and one female and the whole neighborhood talks about them. The female is very aggressive, to both dogs and people. The male postures a lot, but after an unintended interaction Missy decided she loved him and they played He let me love on him, too. But these dogs, they literally tear down the house, break glass windows, and bust down doors while their owners are at work. And then both of them are loose all day until the owners come home... AC won't touch them I've heard rumors that the female has killed a cat, and bitten a neighbor. It has happen 3x that I know of, for sure.
And the best part is - they just bred them. Yep, the female is way preggo, now

 

[MamabearX3]

OMG!!!! I have been arguing all weekend with a close friend of mine about this same thing. He was comparing having a pitbull as a pet to having a Siberian Tiger as a pet.

I threw tons of info facts at him but he still did not want to acknowledge the truth. It seems like some people can not get over their fear long enough to soak in some facts.

Then I see this post on myspace about this picture!

"Subject: I don't like the dogs


Body: I luv all dogs, but that breed is aggressive by nature, just like the chow dogs, I was attacked by a mixed breed pit bull running lose. I see the dogs in the background in cages and the puppies running around. I know why they are separated, cuz they will attack the puppies. Those dogs need to be free in a big backyard and walked often.. I love all animal, but I'm scared to death of them dogs, and for good reason. I hate when people don't acknowledge the truth."

Oh WOW " I hate when people don't acknowledge the truth" I hate when people substitute ignorance for knowledge!

Just a good example at how people just assume and never take the time to find the real facts.

You know the story about the neighbor who watched the pittie and the girl that got her arm drug? Well, there is this girl in my neighbor hood that when ever she comes over to play I either put Chance in the house or put him on a leash. There is something about her that Chance just goes tunnel vision on. At first he was fine, but she was always putting her arms in his mouth to chew on she thought it was funny because he wouldn't bite hard. I always tell her not to do that but she doesn't listen. She was always hugging him and having him fetch his toys which he loves. Whenever she is around he just wants to follow her and jump up and play with her. And they are just little kids so they play pretty lound and fast which just gets him more excited.

He is a good boy, and he is not being aggressive he just got the impression that he could get all wound up with her and finally play rough like he does with the other dogs.

I could see how the dog in the earlier post may have felt that dragging that girl across the yard was ok especially if she engaged in any type of encouraging behavior. I'm not saying that she did, I was not there but it is possible. And it could have been any dog if that's the case.

I watched a lab grab a child by the life jacket at a lake once because the kid was playing all ruff with it. It wasn't trying to hurt the kid he just wanted the kid to go into the lake with him.

 

[savethebulliedbreeds]

WOW!!!! Am I sorry I missed this thread. Basically everyone has covered everything, so I see I am not needed here lol.

What the OP quoted is what the majority of society thinks about the dogs, unfortunately.

What really ticks me off is that my brother-in-laws new girlfriend is a TEACHER. When she first found out that I had Magnus, she said to me "oh, you have a pit bull, one of those mean dogs." I have given her fact after fact about bully breeds and she still won't learn! A TEACHER THAT WON'T LEARN! She listens to the media, plus it doesn't help that she doesn't like dogs period.

I took Maisey over to their house last week to play in their back yard while my husband was helping them renovate and she told my mother in law that she didnt want my dog on her property again. Everytime Maisey went near her she jumped away or cringed or put her arms up. She wouldn't touch her or even really look at her unless she was on the other side of the yard.

 

[noludoru]

that's disgusting. Just.. ugh.. Not too surprising, since a lot of teachers aren't really required to be very smart or open-minded, but still horrifying. Yes, ladies and gentlement, people like that are influencing your children. *sigh*

 

[ToscasMom]

Tosca's breed score is 1. Basically she lets other dogs walk all over her. And cats too, come to think of it.

 

[M&M's Mommy]

I think everyone's entitled to his/her own opinion, and if a person says he hates pittbulls and would never own one doesn't necessarily mean that he's stupid or ignorant or an idiot who doesn't know that well-trained pitbull can be a family dog, therefore he shouldn't be made into one. He just doesn't like pittbull and he has every rights to do so.

Sometimes I have the feeling that some of you who own pittbulls try to force the love of the breed to other people. Please realize that you can not force love.

 

[DryCreek]

People not wanting to own "Pit Bulls" isn't a problem. Everyone has preferences about the breeds they like and dislike.

But....

People saying that owning a "Pit Bull" is the same as owning a lion or tiger is ignorant.

People saying that ALL "Pit Bulls" need to be killed is ignorant and nasty.

People assuming that all "Pit Bulls" are aggressive child eating monsters is stupid.

I spend a fair amount of time reading on line news stories about so called "Pit Bull" attacks. Many times you can leave comments after these stories. I always read the comments left as it is one place where I can try to educate people with the truth and try to dispel the myths. You would not believe what people will say about this breed. Many times the story identifies a 90-120 lb dog as an APBT. There is one now that has a video of a Pit Bull attack where the dog is not a Pit Bull but a Lab cross, but people don't care to learn that the breed was misidentified. They hear Pit Bull and wham, post after post about these demon dogs, evil spawn, monsters, need to be killed, euthanize them all, I shoot every one I see. It's horrendous. And these opinions are not based on factual knowledge or experience, but on the media fed hysteria and misinformation.

So if someone does not want to own a Pit Bull, that's fine, but if someone does not want to own one of those dangerous dogs, I for sure will try to set their ignorant mind straight.

 

[Dekka]

Hmm JRTs are a 5..no surprise there. They have very 'sensitive' triggers. I am so glad they are a small breed, or they would be banned before the pitties.

For those who think pit bull and are dangerous, I always point out that public perception has really changed. The pit bull was the family dog in the 'good ole days

The pit bull was the image of american stalwartness in WWI

What a change from then till today. This video always brings tears to my eyes. http://gprime.net/flash.php/thepitbullproblem**

Some people like having others think for them.

 

[noludoru]

Oh, Dekka, I love the pics you posted. I hate how people can't remember that. My father, supposedly, is a history buff... and yet he thinks pitties are dangerous, vicious, animals. Has no idea what a 'pit bull' even is.

 

[Chrisbosgroup]

APBT's

I've thought about this issue over and over again, my family has raised APBT for ever since I can remember. I've come to the conclusion, that no matter the dog, either pit bull, collie, poodle, beagle, etc., it's all in the hands of the person who is raising the dog. PERIOD. I believe all dogs have a good or bad path, that path is chosen by 1 person, the OWNER.

Here are a few pics of my babies, I hope one day the world will see them the same way as I do, and always will!

 

[adoptashelterpettoday]

I think everyone's entitled to his/her own opinion, and if a person says he hates pittbulls and would never own one doesn't necessarily mean that he's stupid or ignorant or an idiot who doesn't know that well-trained pitbull can be a family dog, therefore he shouldn't be made into one. He just doesn't like pittbull and he has every rights to do so.

Sometimes I have the feeling that some of you who own pittbulls try to force the love of the breed to other people. Please realize that you can not force love.

I do not mind if someone has their opinion but when their opinion is soley based on no knowlege, that is ignorance....The vast majority of people who hate pit bulls have never even taken the time to meet one. If you hate something you know nothing about, you are ignorant.

I dont care if someone doesnt like them as a breed. I could point out many, many, many breeds who I would not own. What I do care about is people wanting to kill them off. You go down to my local shelter and ask what the nicest dogs there are and they will all tell you pit bulls. I have been told many times by the manager there that pits are THE sweetest dogs in the shelter, without a question. But they are going to try to pass a ban here?

K9 police dog in our city attacked it's partner and tried to rip her throat out-was not a pit bull. Never saw anything on the news, yet stories about pit bulls biting someone clear on the other side of the world make the news? How fair or right is that?

I say good luck to them trying to pass a ban here because every dog person I know has actually MET a pit bull, and have seen how "they really are" so they will fight the ban. Pits are the opposite of how they are made out. My pittie foster is by far the sweetest dog I have met. He loves absolutely every person he meets. No one has the right to tell me this dog should die. To anyone who would I would urge you to meet him and then decide. I warn you though he can be very pursuasive. It's very hard not to like this guy.

People need to stop believing everything they see or read, and instead find things out for themselves.

 

[adoptashelterpettoday]

delted

 

[Red_ACD_for_me]

sophie is the dog i trust most to behave well in all situations. its the blue boyys i wouldn't trust with strangers.

i also believe some breeds DO have the tendancy to be more aggressive. but i also believe that this "instinct" can be socialised out of them if done by an expereince person. i include ACD's very highly in this list, also kelpies. aftre speaking with many other owners opf these breeds, it appears its very difficult to train a kelpie or ACD to enjoy the company of other dogs. and that ACD's are naturally not welcoming of strangers.

i myself, wouldnt take on a pit till i was confident i could make it a good example of the breed. this being said, i don't have any prejudice towards these breeds, i don't think OMG a cattle dog or OMG a pit RUN! but i am aware of their background. actually, the only dogs that have ever acted aggressivley towards me have been ACD's. but their still my favourite breed, i just resepct their heritage

Great post Mrose! Obviously I own an ACD and am VERY aware of the suspiciousness in them. IMO and I have met other dog owners who agree even pitbull owners that if they saw an ACD running up to them or a pitbull they would run from the ACD before the pittie LOL! I socialized Caiza to the bone and he still gets socialized but it is so in these guys to protect and guard that if you aren't always one step ahead of them then they can get out of line. This is why I always stress to people on how they aren't for everyone or the first time dog owner. You really have to know what you are doing and be a great leader when owning this breed. For their size they are ALOT of dog and very powerful. Anyways, back to pitties! I love the breed and always will. The reputation this breed gets is so uncalled for! It is pure ignorance that leads to BSL............The majority of the owners in Boston here who own pits are thugs to say the least *lower class people*! Thanks to people like this the breed gets ruined! Lets face it you don't see alot of middle to upper class people owning this breed......Although, my aunt who lives in an upper class town owns one who is an absolute marshmallow. Her neighbors despise her for the breed they chose and even her next door neighbor who owns a rottweiler thinks all pitbulls are killers.............

 

[savethebulliedbreeds]

Unfortunately its the way society works. We have been trained to believe everything we hear on TV and radio, no matter how far fetched it may be.

By the way, all the pictures are adorable!!!!

Dry Creek, thanks for using quotes around "pit bull". Sorry everyone but that is one thing that drives me crazy....when people write pit bull instead of "pit bull". Don't know why it bugs me so much but it does lol.

 

[ACooper]

Orson is rated a 5 very dog aggressive. As of right now, this isn't true at all, but he is only a year old, and as maturity sets in things can change. This is something I am aware of, and act as though he already IS dog aggressive in the way I handle him. IE...He is never loose, he is in the fence, in his kennel, or on a leash......PERIOD. When he was tiny, he would lay on the front porch while we sat out there.........but no more unless he is leashed.

Right now there is a Pittie at the house behind us. This is a new development. I don't feel the owners are resposnible in the least. The dog is being left alone inside a 4 foot, wide spaced PICKET fence. The dog maybe the sweetest dog on earth...........but this is still a bad situation.

It's owners like this of any 'bad boy' breed that cause problems for the rest of us who DO take precautions and care properly for our dogs.

 

[MamabearX3]

I think everyone's entitled to his/her own opinion, and if a person says he hates pittbulls and would never own one doesn't necessarily mean that he's stupid or ignorant or an idiot who doesn't know that well-trained pitbull can be a family dog, therefore he shouldn't be made into one. He just doesn't like pittbull and he has every rights to do so.

Sometimes I have the feeling that some of you who own pittbulls try to force the love of the breed to other people. Please realize that you can not force love.

From my experience most of the time when someone is proclaiming how much they hate "pitbulls" their reasoning is based on stereotypes things that are not even true.

I completely agree everyone is entitled to their own opinions and preferences, and I would never encourage someone that feels this way to pick up "pitbull" . The reason why I get so emotional is because it is that attitude and mis information that spreads fear into peoples hearts and encourages things like bsl and mis treatment of the dogs.

My goal is not to make people fall in love with the breed, but more to give people facts and encourage more research before they go and spread the fear around. I don't have to make people fall in love with the breed, these guys have no problem getting people to fall in love with them all on their own.

It's just hard for them because most people won't give them a fair chance.

 

[Miakoda]

I think everyone's entitled to his/her own opinion, and if a person says he hates pittbulls and would never own one doesn't necessarily mean that he's stupid or ignorant or an idiot who doesn't know that well-trained pitbull can be a family dog, therefore he shouldn't be made into one. He just doesn't like pittbull and he has every rights to do so.

Sometimes I have the feeling that some of you who own pittbulls try to force the love of the breed to other people. Please realize that you can not force love.

I am not forcing anyone to "love" my breed of choice. I don't even care if you like them. But like someone has already stated, I hate it when someone makes their decision based on a bunch of lies & misinformation & media portrayed stereotypes. This this person is being an ignorant bigot. Period.

If I think I hate something or don't understand it, the I educated myself with the facts to further decide where I stand on the issue. Most people don't & that IMO makes them lazy.

As for making someone like a particular breed of dog, it goes both ways. Don't try to make me love your dogs & claim they aren't "mean like pit bulls" & other dense statements like that.