What do you think of Pit Bulls?

I like them just as much as other breeds; they are beautiful. I've never had a negative experience with a pit bull.

I think they look nasty, not just because of their reputation. They might be OK, but they are involved in a lot of child maulings at least here in Australia, which is why a lot of city councils have either banned their ownership or require owners to register the dogs as dangerous and provide dog-proof fencing around their property. I understand some councils have a $50000 fine for a dog attack and there are also charges of GBH or manslaughter laid for dog attacks now. Considering the potential for these unpredictable dogs to attack and cause serious damage, I don't see why anyone living in suburbia would want one, especially if those people also have children.

I don't like them much.

I think any breed that has a tendency to be unstable or violent is something I'd generally avoid.

I don't think of Pit Bulls...

I think that many of them are named Mandy
I have a dog name

That's very cute. Yes you do have a dog name. My pit bull's name is Lucy. She runs like a horse and loves to play. She'd love to make a new pit bull friend named Mandy. Her best friend is Bibi (black lab/pit-bull).

Hi kaleb777. I got a pit bull because my husband wanted to have one - and I was reluctant because I thought she might "snap" or something some day like people tell me. But - I'm convinced now that the dog's temperament depends on how they're treated. We got her at the SPCA - so she has a past life we don't know about - but she's always been very sweet (too sweet for my husband's taste) and obedient. I don't think I can convince you - but I thought I'd give it a shot.

woof

I hate them.

I am afraid of most dogs.

I think Pit Bulls are the latest media created vicious dog myths. A long time ago it was German Shepherds, then it was Doberman Pinschers. I'm sure that some day they'll come up with a new dog breed to demonise.

poodles

I like them the same as other breeds you can breed dogs with nasty dispositions and train them to be bad. we raised German Sheperds we had one we didnt breed because of his nasty disposition we ended haveing to put him to sleep because he mauled a child.

He didnt kill her but she was tramatized.

I've "met" several pit bulls who are very sweet, lovable dogs, and I've never known a mean one. I think they got a bad reputation because some people breed them to be vicious. That doesn't mean they're all like that.

Your pit bull is "too sweet" for your husband's taste. Does that mean he was looking for a dog that would scare people? Therein lies the problem. Put a dog whose breed has a bad reputation with a guy who wants a mean dog, and that is just asking for trouble because he's likely to encourage the dog to behave badly. Or am I reading too much into your comment?

They're cool

I dont consider Mandy to be a dog name!

Anyway, fancy some doggy style action?

On all fours now!!!!

Same comment as I made in qual.

I'm no expert, but from what I have read they should all be destroyed. I believe they are banned here under the dangerous dog's act, so it's been over 10 years since I saw one.

If you do a search on the internet for the name Mandy a lot of the responses that come up are people's really cute dogs named Mandy...I swear. There's a pony and some parrots too

*obeys your every command*

Yeah, but then why would more pit bulls have been mistreated by their owners resulting in a higher incidence of pit bull attacks on children in particular. I think it goes beyond how the dogs are treated. There's something innate about attacking small animals - kids.

I think there's already a groundswell of popular support for that!

I don't find them very attractive. They look aggressive with their disproportional big heads. But it humans who gave them their bad name and reputation.

Break out the flea soap... she really goes for that.

Shush you, he's going to think I'm a freak!

I will remember that!

How are you anyway?

They are the same as any other breed, as long as they are raised right, I used to have one too and I know what you mean. Ihave Border Collies now.

Hee hee!! I thought he already knew!

I'm fine, thanks. Just can't pry Mandy away from the computer long enough for me to have a turn! (No, I'm just teasing her... I'm really too busy watching cooking shows and trying out the recipes to find much online time.)

I love animals but more a cat girl.....I do believe they as some other dogs, such as the Doberman, can get a bad rap...I believe because they can make good watch dogs if not treated with love and by the right hand their temperament can become very visous...when I hear of how one has attacked/killed a child it saddens me but also more for the dog who could have been a very loving dog if not for who ever raised them.

So how wonderful for your doggy that now has a great family!!

A very good book about a pit bull, I read is 'The Dog Who Spoke With Gods' by Diane Jessup
http://www.villagebooks-mtshasta.com/dogwhospokwi.html

Cute!

Cool! I'll have to read that!

You're right - you read right, and I agree. He's from the Brazilian ghetto - he wanted to have our dog's ears cut pointy to look scary, and he's disappointed that she's not aggressive. Where he lives - people need guard dogs. They line walls and windows with broken glass bottles so people won't climb over. The cats are strange there too. There probably are some sweet cats - but I didn't meet any in his neighbourhood that would let me pet it.

Kaleb777 - I've heard that argument - of course - and I hope so much that they aren't innately vicious. Maybe some owners are innately vicious? A friend of a friend many years ago used to keep a pit bull - and used to bash it on the head with a 2by4. What an idiot. I've heard of other abuse like that. That particular dog did attack my friend. She knew not to blame the dog.

Thanks so much for the intro to a book to read. Did you know that the dog in the Little Rascals was a pit bull? Pit bulls used to be more popular as family pets.

I just went back and think I should add - that he's NOT going to force our dog to be vicious. He plays with her - in a fun way - and encourages her natural, healthy instincts - like being protective of us - but he doesn't beat her or keep her locked on a chain or anything like that. I couldn't tolerate that - or that characteristic in a partner.

would like to know what you think of the book if you do read it!

You are welcome

That's right...the doggy was a pit bull.

I love them just as much as other dogs. All dogs need love just like people. No love equals dangerous people. Just like dogs.

i've been known under the name pitbull for a while now, and people seem to like me ok!!

i even get my tummy rubbed if i'm a good boy :)

Yes but are owners of pit bulls more abusive than owners of other breeds? It's possible. I mean how many people who would be cruel to animals would own a poodle?

I like them less because I don't trust them. It isn't very often that you hear about the collie that mauled a child to death or a german shepherd that tore apart a toddler.

Pit bulls are very intelligent and easily-trained dogs. They make excellent pets when in the right hands. The only reason some are vicious is that they are raised that way. In fact, my son (who's 5) enjoys playing with my brother's pit bull, Diamond, who is a total sweetheart.

I think so. Some people are cruel to poodles - but definately the poodles wouldn't be as dangerous as a mistreated pit bull (or other big dog). But a lot of people who get pit bulls (maybe the majority but maybe not because I keep meeting nice owners) are purposefully mistreating them to make them vicious.

I don't know enough about them to judge. I have heard some horror stories about them but I believe it is the owner/trainer that is mostly responsible.

I love your name and don't consider it a dog's name. (It's my daughter's name also) I have known a few dogs with my name too,(Susie). When I was a kid my best friend had a dog named Susie when they called her I would always come.

My SO's name is Sue and we always joke about how we have dog names
"Here Mandy...Here Susie......"

Yeah, most guys that have pit bulls seem to be lacking in the brain dept.

Ha

You know, you bring up a good point. I bet most cases of pit bulls mauling people happen in tough neighborhoods where there is a lot of violence. Do you guys live in a scary neighborhood now, or does your husband have a hard time breaking old habits? Maybe it comes down to his survival instinct.

Will do.

We live in a nice neighbourhood - I think it is about old habits - but not really "habits" - he's purposefully trying not to lose himself by assimilating too much. He loves being Brazilian, you know. Some of these preferences - like having a mean dog - are definately linked to the neighbourhood he grew up in.

I can certainly understand him wanting to preserve his heritage. It must be hard to move to a new country and leave behind everything you know. I did it for 3 years knowing it would be temporary. I wouldn't have liked doing it permanently.

I like them fine. I hate the humans that have selectively bred them for the most aggressive traits to participate in blood sports, dog fighting. Unless you are CERTAIN of your new pit bulls parentage you could end up with a puppy that is sweet but is predisposed to violence, simply because his genetic line has been bred for it.

I have a Pit Bull she'll get aggressive with strangers but she is the sweetest, cutest, little 1 year old puppy! I hate people who hate pit bulls. They are so sweet if your sweet to them!