Pitbull and other so called "bully breeds"

[edlund1]

I think it is very dumb of people to judge a dog by its breed. Many people assume that pitbulls or rotweilers are aggressive by nature.

In fact in Sweden where i live, the government have actually been thinking about forbidding the breed pitbull because they think it is "to dangerous". Personally i think this is just rubbish. Because it does not have to do with the breed of the dog. It is the owner behind the dog. And the way they have raised the dog.

I think that it should be harder rules for the people that want to own these kind of dogs, since it is not a beginners dog. Only experienced people should own these dogs. Because it is a lovely breed, it is just as loving and adorable as any other breed out there, if they have the right owner.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

Well, this should be no-fun.

 

[Emily]

Yes and no.

All breeds are not the same, and it is NOT "all in how you raise them." Dogs (of ANY breed) can have a poor temperament that predisposes them to aggression, usually driven by fear/instability.

"Pit bulls" should be incredibly friendly towards people - all people, all the time. However, they are predisposed towards dog aggression. It's just how they are. Herding dogs herd, hunting dogs hunt, and fighting dogs.... fight. Doesn't make them dangerous towards people - not anymore than my spaniel mix chasing ducks makes her likely to chase children. Dog/animal aggression and human aggression are totally different and separate.

That said, ANY breed can bite. And any breed's downfall begins when scum adopt said breed as their mascot. Then you get cretins breeding them with poor temperaments, cretins raising them with poor socialization, and cretins allowing them to harm the public.

Still, though, raise a "pit bull" and Lab in the same house, the same way... and they won't turn out the same. It's important to acknowledge a dog's genetic heritage.

 

[Emily]

Well, this should be no-fun.

:rofl1:

 

[edlund1]

Yes of course different dogs can have different temperament just like humans do, but if you raise a pitbull in a correct way, you will not see any aggression. It is only when people mistreat them and don't know what they are doing that dogs will start to show aggression.

 

[Renee750il]

The American Pit Bull Terrier, as it should be bred, should be non-aggressive toward humans. When you start breeding mixes, inbreeding and following poor breeding practices in general you are risking the genetic heritage of this breed.

If you own one, however, you should always, ALWAYS be prepared for that desire to fight with other dogs to kick in, as well as to hunt other animals -- and not always smaller animals! There are cold dogs out there, but even a cold dog can have a hot moment, so part of owning one of these dogs is being prepared and vigilant.

We also must be prepared to protect our dogs from other people's hatred and stupidity . . . and off leash dogs.

And never, ever subject them to anyone like CM who uses outdated, bullying and downright dangerous "training" methods.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

]

And never, ever subject them to anyone like CM who uses outdated, bullying and downright dangerous "training" methods.

We talk about this often at work. Bullying methods of training sadly work wonders with pit bulls because they beg and plead and try harder to make things right, I sometimes wish the "me or the dog" trainers would try to raise their fist to dogs that will take the first punch and then bite off a few fingers each time the handler tries to punch again.

 

[Renee750il]

We talk about this often at work. Bullying methods of training sadly work wonders with pit bulls because they beg and plead and try harder to make things right, I sometimes wish the "me or the dog" trainers would try to raise their fist to dogs that will take the first punch and then bite off a few fingers each time the handler tries to punch again.

I've often imagined how gratifying it would be to see one of them try that with an adult Fila . . . but I'd rather the breed not come to their attention, or that of the overall television viewing public.

But yah, how enjoyable would it be to see a 175 lb. male Fila -- or even a 120 lb bitch -- hand CM his ass, bearing in mind that as long as you don't move, these dogs are geared to hold you in place rather than savage?

Of course, punching a Fila will likely hurt your hand and wrist anyway :rofl1:

 

[elegy]

Only experienced people should own these dogs.

Define "experienced".

 

[HayleyMarie]

Define "experienced".

Yes, Please. I would also like you to define this.

 

[HayleyMarie]

The American Pit Bull Terrier, as it should be bred, should be non-aggressive toward humans. When you start breeding mixes, inbreeding and following poor breeding practices in general you are risking the genetic heritage of this breed.

If you own one, however, you should always, ALWAYS be prepared for that desire to fight with other dogs to kick in, as well as to hunt other animals -- and not always smaller animals! There are cold dogs out there, but even a cold dog can have a hot moment, so part of owning one of these dogs is being prepared and vigilant.

We also must be prepared to protect our dogs from other people's hatred and stupidity . . . and off leash dogs.

And never, ever subject them to anyone like CM who uses outdated, bullying and downright dangerous "training" methods.

Ha ha. Whenever CM is on and my parents are watching him, or I am watching him to let out my anger. I always yell at the TV. "I would like to see you take on a FILA, It would own you"

I know on one of the episodes he was working with a fearful Boerboel. I was just thinking to myself that if that boer had the proper temperment than no way would CM be getting away with what he was doing to the poor dog.

 

[Mina]

.. I was just thinking to myself that if that boer had the proper temperment than no way would CM be getting away with what he was doing to the poor dog.

If the Boerboel had the correct temperament,
there probably wouldn't have been an issue
for which to have contacted CM
(or anyone else for that matter) in the first place.

 

[puppydog]

There is never an issue that requires to contacting of CM.

 

[Mina]

Yes of course different dogs can have different temperament just like humans do, but if you raise a ......... in a correct way, you will not see any aggression. It is only when people mistreat them and don't know what they are doing that dogs will start to show aggression.

No. Sorry, but you're wrong...

Although socialization and training can help quite a bit, temperament is fundamentally controlled by genetics. If the sire and the dam are inherently aggressive, pups will probably be so, too - this, regardless of how lovingly they are raised.

Back at the pits:
As Renee has already mentioned, "The American Pit Bull Terrier, as it should be bred, should be non-aggressive toward humans."
However, with so very many poorly bred Pitbulls and Pit crosses (as well as other breeds!), to suggest that simply raising them "in a correct way" will magically change their genetic predispositions is dangerously unrealistic.

 

[puppydog]

I must say. I have NEVER met a HA pit.

 

[Moth]

No. Sorry, but you're wrong...

Although socialization and training can help quite a bit, temperament is fundamentally controlled by genetics. If the sire and the dam are inherently aggressive, pups will probably be so, too - this, regardless of how lovingly they are raised.

Back at the pits:
As Renee has already mentioned, "The American Pit Bull Terrier, as it should be bred, should be non-aggressive toward humans."
However, with so very many poorly bred Pitbulls and Pit crosses (as well as other breeds!), to suggest that simply raising them "in a correct way" will magically change their genetic predispositions is dangerously unrealistic.

If your are going to talk about genetic predispositions get it right. Predisposition means there is a likelyhood that with the correct triggers (environment, development, diet, disease) some condition or the like can occur. That does not mean it must! While raising "right" a poorly bred dog may not change the predispositions it may keep them from developing in such a way that these predispositions will ever become an issue.

 

[Lossalfling]

I think it is very dumb of people to judge a dog by its breed. Many people assume that pitbulls or rotweilers are aggressive by nature.

In fact in Sweden where i live, the government have actually been thinking about forbidding the breed pitbull because they think it is "to dangerous". Personally i think this is just rubbish. Because it does not have to do with the breed of the dog. It is the owner behind the dog. And the way they have raised the dog.

I think that it should be harder rules for the people that want to own these kind of dogs, since it is not a beginners dog. Only experienced people should own these dogs. Because it is a lovely breed, it is just as loving and adorable as any other breed out there, if they have the right owner.

Isnt * pitbull* just another word for many of the bully breeds? or do you mean APBT ?

 

[kady05]

I must say. I have NEVER met a HA pit.

Neither have I.

However, there are SO many poorly bred ones nowadays, ones crossed with guardian breeds, etc., that HA is more likely to occur.

And I agree that it's NOT all in how you raise them, in regards to HA and DA. I've known dogs that were raised together from the time they were pups who decided they wanted to kill each other when they hit 2yrs. I've known dogs who just weren't "right", despite being in great homes, that had to be PTS due to HA (and thank god had responsible owners who did the right thing).

I personally would love to see less people owning Bully breeds.. to get them off the radar. Unfortunately, many get them on a "oh, I have to save a Pit Bull!" whim and don't understand the responsibility involved in owning one of these dogs.. You ARE held to a higher standard, like it or not.

 

[Mina]

If your are going to talk about genetic predispositions get it right. Predisposition means there is a likelyhood that with the correct triggers (environment, development, diet, disease) some condition or the like can occur. That does not mean it must! While raising "right" a poorly bred dog may not change the predispositions it may keep them from developing in such a way that these predispositions will ever become an issue.

I won't bother arguing the point as, obviously (and fortunately), you've never experienced this. Although I've heard of quite a few examples, I've only personally familiar with a few. And interestingly enough, each of these dogs was raised and trained from puppyhood by very experienced, very loving owners...

After exhausting every conceivable possibility in an attempt to "fix" the "predisposition" to aggression of their dogs (which, perhaps, might also have been described as extreme "over-protectiveness"), to their collective credit, rather than euthanizing (which was recommended by many other people), each kept his/her dog. And each accepted the serious, life-long responsibility of taking extreme care with whom their dogs were allowed to be exposed. Undoubtedly, with different owners, these dogs would certainly have been put down. I should also point out that each of these dogs had an aggressive dam (I have no idea of the sires with these particular dogs).

For the record, none of these were Pitbulls or pit mixes. And I, too, (thankfully) have never personally met a HA Pibble...

One cannot help but be amazed at the resilience of this wonderful breed, even with individuals which have lead obviously abused lives and are "rehabilitated". Kudos!

 

[Moth]

I won't bother arguing the point as, obviously (and fortunately), you've never experienced this. Although I've heard of quite a few examples, I've only personally familiar with a few. And interestingly enough, each of these dogs was raised and trained from puppyhood by very experienced, very loving owners...

After exhausting every conceivable possibility in an attempt to "fix" the "predisposition" to aggression of their dogs (which, perhaps, might also have been described as extreme "over-protectiveness"), to their collective credit, rather than euthanizing (which was recommended by many other people), each kept his/her dog. And each accepted the serious, life-long responsibility of taking extreme care with whom their dogs were allowed to be exposed. Undoubtedly, with different owners, these dogs would certainly have been put down. I should also point out that each of these dogs had an aggressive dam (I have no idea of the sires with these particular dogs).

For the record, none of these were Pitbulls or pit mixes. And I, too, (thankfully) have never personally met a HA Pibble...

One cannot help but be amazed at the resilience of this wonderful breed, even with individuals which have lead obviously abused lives and are "rehabilitated". Kudos!

I was merely pointing out that a genetic predisposition is not written in stone. I am sorry, but it just isn't. There can be a predisposition in people toward mental illness if one or both parents had some form of mental illness, but it doesn't mean that all their children will be raving lunatics for sure...