Pit Bulls (long)

[Aj_Balls]

I've noticed that a lot of people do not like pit bulls (American Staffordshire Terriers). Most of the people don't even have a clue why. Just because they have 'heard' that pit bulls are this mean, ferocious, always aggressive dog; though never really encountering a pit bull themselves. It's because all the media does is post bad images about them. Are some used for fighting, yes. People fight roosters and people's opinions don't change about them. Even when people are attacked by dogs, some are just stupid and say it is a pit bull they were attacked by.

I will be walking my dogs and people will come up to me wanting to pet my dog. I have no problem with that. Some will already be petting them, some are about to pet them when they ask "what kind of dog is it?" I will then proceed to tell them "pit bull(s)". 9 times out of 10, the people will back up and walk away. Or when I'm walking them, people will run to the other side of the street. Kind of saddens me while at the same time, *to urinate* me off of people's ignorant nature.

I own three pit bulls. I have NEVER been attacked by either of them. None of my friends have EVER been attacked by either of them. The have never 'charged' another dog out of anger or wanting to fight. The only thing you have to worry about with them is scratching because they jump a lot in excitement. I use to own a Labrador Retriever. In less than one year, myself and family members have been attacked two times severely. It bit my younger sister on the face and as my mom said "you can see the meat in her face." I've owned a Shepard mix, a Labrador Retriever, and an Australian Cattle Dog. None of them compare to my pits. They are by far the most loyal dog I have ever owned and great with other dogs/people to the point I don't have to put a muzzle on them.

Please state your opinions/views on them. Here is a video I was shown a couple years ago, along with some pictures of my dogs. If you have any yourself, please post pictures.

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xeuy_PBlqz8&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xeuy_PBlqz8&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/myherps/Dogs/5.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/myherps/Dogs/7.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/myherps/Dogs/3.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/myherps/Dogs/15.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/myherps/Dogs/100_1010.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/myherps/Dogs/100_1013.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/myherps/Dogs/100_1037.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/myherps/Dogs/PICT0456.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x262/PrizedPythons/PICT1889.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x262/PrizedPythons/PICT1925.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x262/PrizedPythons/PICT2078.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x262/PrizedPythons/PICT2083.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x262/PrizedPythons/PICT2084.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x262/PrizedPythons/PICT2085.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x262/PrizedPythons/PICT2089.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x262/PrizedPythons/PICT2518.jpg

[Lorelei]

Both Fred and I adore the breed. We have owned a few in the past. They are incredible dogs - smart and good-natured goof-balls. I can't stand the media on them - so inaccurate.

I agree with most people claiming an attacking dog is a pit bull - when in actuality it is not: Here's a little game. . . Find the bull http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Findthebull/findpitbull_v3.html

The Top Reasons Why You Can't Trust Vicious Pit Bulls

10. They will steal your spot on the couch while you are up getting a soda.

9. They will take the treat you give them and bury in the back yard like a paranoid crack head hiding their stash.

8. They will jump on your bed with muddy feet. Making you do laundry...again

7. They will lick visitors with an uncontrolled passion only they understand.

6. They will cause children to smile.

5. They will make you feel horrible for not walking them by looking at you with deep sad eyes.

4. They will look at you like you committed a crime against them if you don't let them lick your ice cream bowl.

3. They will cause wide spread happiness in large group settings.

2. They will crack you up by shaking their butts so hard you think they are going to snap in half.

And the number one reason why you can't trust vicious Pit Bulls...

1. They will steal your heart like a thief in the night, showing you complete and pure love that only a Pit Bull can show.


We couldn't keep our pit because we didn't have enough room or time for her in this house. She found a great home with a young, single guy. We both miss her terribly. We do plan on getting Staffordshire Bull Terrier in the future (once we have a fenced yard), as they are smaller.

Here was our girl, Zada.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r240/lafollett/DSCF1976.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r240/lafollett/DSCF1979.jpg

[Joel]

I know your pain! I own three dobies. They get a really bad rap, maybe not quite as bad as a pit, but bad. I get people crossing the street to get away from me all of the time. The only thing they would get if they stayed on my side of the street is licked to death, LOL!

[burmlover16]

very beautifull dogs to began with.

i hate the rep. all these dogs get it's way overated. i used to have a pit but he had to be put to sleep due to cancer. and to this day he was by far my favorite and best dog i've ever owned. and he never once even growled at anyone. pits are not mean it's how people treat them. they make wonderfull dogs!!!

[JenHarmon]

I'm a Rottweiler person myself but I also love Pits. I've had a few that were rescues that I saved and re homed. I've seen the good side and the bad side of pits when I worked at a vet clinic. It is all in how the dog is raised and bred. They aren't bad dogs. Hell, I'm scared of ankle biter dogs....give me a big dog any day. I've been attacked by little dogs and I don't much care for them. I don't think that the Pit Bull deserves the rap they get. Here in Amarillo if you own a Pit Bull or a Rottweiler, you have to keep them on a chain even if they are in your own fenced yard. It's insane.

[TailsWithScales]

I have owned dozens of dog breeds and my pits were by far the best dogs I've EVER owned. I've owned six pits three of which were UKC registerd. My favorite of all time was my big boy Bogie. He was half Pit half mastiff. 140 Pounds of love and heart. I lost Bogie to cancer when he was just 2 years old.
NONE of my pits ever bit anyone, hurt another animal and they didn't have a mean bone in their body. A mean dog is made not bred.

That video is powerful. Thank you for sharing it. I wish I had photos of my puppers but they were lost from a computer virus. :( I'm a huge AMSTAFF advocate and will be adopting another soon. Pits have been the most loyal, kind, fun filled, loving (and all those great things) dogs I've owned. I hope that through education others eyes can be opened to what a wonderful - loving breed these guys truly are.

[lorenmps]

I'm really glad you started this thread! I can't even begin to explain how much I love Pits!! Having worked in pet stores for over 10 years I've seen just about every breed there is and NONE overall have been sweeter than the Pits!!!! I found one that was about 6 months to a year old in a Petco parking lot that was running around with no tags, scared and skinny as a rail. I sat out on the curb for over an hour tossing treats to him before he finally came over to me. I got him inside and took him to the grooming tub to look him over and he was covered in fleas so badly that when I ran the water over him it ran off red from the bloody flea bites. I got him home and let him settle in and started him on a steady diet of Nutro Large breed puppy food with long walks and runs every night. Within 2 months he had put on about 20 pounds of pure muscle and was looking great. I found him a home with a family that had 4 other dogs... and little kids. He immediately played with all of their dogs and fell in love with the family's little 4 and 7 year old girls. I hate when people talk down on the breed... it's the #$%&ing owners who should be put to sleep!!!

[Lorelei]

it's the #$%&ing owners who should be put to sleep!!!

Couldn't have said it better myself

[Joethar]

I could not agree more with all of the above statements. I have owned my pit for around 3 years. I got him from an abusive owner at 7 months old and he is by far the best dog I have ever owned. It saddens me though because I have to give him to my sister due to the fact that he has developed some skin problems since moving from Alaska to South Carolina and the vets cannot figure out what is wrong with him. I challenge anyone who says they are viscious animals to spend 5 minutes with my dog and tell me they are not an animal whose only fault is the ability to show unconditional love.

[Robilyn]

I've never owned any myself, but I've had roomies with pits and they have all been sweet. I agree too that the media on them is awful and they are loving pets if someone doesn't abuse them into being a fighter. In Denver they passed a law against them a while ago and I find breed restrictions to be just stupid.