Pitbulls

[Shaneelastic]

Seen a few lately, patted and played ball with one at my mates house. Playful and affectionate.

I would never own one, I grew up hearing of all the unfortunate attacks against humans and other dogs.

Anyone got one?? Or know of ones?

I have done some research and it is very easy to get one even now with all the laws in place

 

[wategos]

I shared a house once with one owned by a flatmate and was always wary of it. They can and do snap for some reason, though I never saw that.

One day they were at the lake and threw a ball into the water. The dog went in after it, sunk, and they never found him again.

 

[Scott No Mates]

None too bright?

 

[topcropper]

It's all fun and games till they eat a kid.


Bit of a change of subject, but click on this. Dunno if true or not but interesting.
http://www.independent.ie/world-new...ed-by-120-starving-dogs-reports-29885627.html
"North Korea’s Kim Jong-un had 'uncle killed' by 120 starving dogs"!!!


See ya's.

 

[D.T.]

Dogs only grow up to behave as theyre treated, just like children

 

[Cargs]

Dogs only grow up to behave as theyre treated, just like children

I'm also a firm believer of blame the owner not the breed, I've owned my pit bull for almost 10 years and people always remark on his beautiful gentle nature.

These dogs are very intelligent and eager to please their owners, they will behave in whatever manner their master teaches them which has unfortunately been taken advantage of by society's less desirable types...

 

[The Fence]

Yep true, but the dog world is not the same as the human world. Vastly different actually.

Dogs live under a strict hierarchy scheme.
Dogs must have one leader, yes just one.
Then there are those who step up the ladder towards leadership.

So, consider this.

The humans treat the dog on an equal or sometimes prefered basis. Might be ok when this human has no kids.
But even then, the dog is programmed to "challenge".
All dogs are programmed to challenge the leader.

So, when daddy comes home and greets the dog first before the kids the dog says, "ok, im higher up than these little humans, I might challenge them"

Pitbulls it seems are more prone to the challenge and more vicious in pursuit of leadership.

It's frightening how much people dont know about dogs.

Martin McKenna is a good source for people wishing to learn more about dogs.

 

[ok180]

Dogs only grow up to behave as theyre treated, just like children

Rubbish. How come it is just about always the same breeds you hear in these attachks then?

Always the same response from the owner too, "They never displayed any anger before" blah blah.

We have a pug/cavalier. Beautiful little fella but I would never leave him alone with my son. You just never know. And I have never heard of a pug or cavalier mauling a child.

The Fence summed it up well, it's just certain breeds no matter how nice they migh seem to their master always have that challenge streak in them.

 

[Jamie M]

We have a pug/cavalier. Beautiful little fella but I would never leave him alone with my son. You just never know. And I have never heard of a pug or cavalier mauling a child.

Yeah I agree.

I have two pugs that have never showed any aggression towards humans. However, I couldn't guarantee that they wouldn't snap if my 10 month old pulled their fur hard enough or tried to grab a toy out of their mouths.

Cheers

Jamie

 

[D.T.]

Rubbish. How come it is just about always the same breeds you hear in these attachks then?

Always the same response from the owner too, "They never displayed any anger before" blah blah.

We have a pug/cavalier. Beautiful little fella but I would never leave him alone with my son. You just never know. And I have never heard of a pug or cavalier mauling a child.

The Fence summed it up well, it's just certain breeds no matter how nice they migh seem to their master always have that challenge streak in them.

Just like its the same tenants you always hear in these news stories who trash houses then? They must all do that then. Way to stereotype mate. Way to get reeled in by media mate.

A friend of the family has a rottweiler and its one of the friendliest and obedient dogs ive met. This is coming from someone whos parents had a maltese cross while i was growing up. It lived to 18 years old due to being well looked after. Its funny how treating things with respect pays dividends eh?

 

[Peter_Tersteeg]

I'm also a firm believer of blame the owner not the breed, I've owned my pit bull for almost 10 years and people always remark on his beautiful gentle nature.

I once agreed with you that it's the owner and not the breed and certainly the owner has a lot to do with the dogs temperament.

Unfortunately after witnessing my own dogs behaviour I've got to admit that the breed can be a contributing factor. I've got two dogs, a Lab (Tessie) and a Foxy/Chiwawah cross (she's essentially some sort of terrier) named Jac.

As far as I'm aware, Tessie the lab has never killed anything. She'll fight if threatened but is otherwise incredibly friendly and gentile if exuberant as her breed suggests.

Jac is also very gentile and a wonderful lap dog. If she feels threatened, like many small dogs she will actively attack other dogs. Whilst Tess will stare at a possum, Jac will literally rip it to shreds (at which point Tess eats it).

Both dogs have been brought up the same way since they were pups. Their attitude towards prey animals is very different. If Jac though a baby was prey the baby would be in serious trouble.

I've met plenty of friendly pitbulls but they are a breed to be treated with caution regardless of how well they're raised. Personally I'd choose a breed with an easier reputation. Even if the dog is fine, it's always going to carry its reputation with it.

 

[spanna]

I have a female English Staffy who is beautiful! I have seen her with friends young children, she is so gentle with them (under very strict supervision)
I would never leave her alone with a child, like any animal her size and what she is capable of needs to be respected and this also needs to be the reason for strict obedience. Unfortunately a lot of the owners of these breeds of dog don?t follow the same line of thinking. I must admit it hurts a bit when people bad mouth breeds based on stereotypes.
I have however forgotten my keys one night and had to jump over the size gate. My dog came tearing around barking and angry like I have never seen her before chest all puffed out. Looked vicious?. As soon as she knew it was me she dropped to the floor ears went back and tail was wagging?. But instincts can kick in!

 

[lizzie]

I'm going to wade in and offend a lot - but I have no trust whatsoever of Staffie's.

I have had dogs since I was a child - usually labs, retrievers or mongrel crosses of placid breeds that have been breed to keep close company of humans - current dog is retriever/border collie and previous dog was keeshond/shepherd - and I have always seen them, on or off the leash, be extremely gentle with any child or other dog/cat/rabbit, whether they know them or not.

Now, I've lived near families - and been friends with them - who have had Staffie's. They would swear black and blue that they are the most loyal, affectionate and gentle dog there is ... and ... yes ... I agree ... they are with their own "pack".

But when their pack is not immediately to hand, I have also seen them savagely attack other dogs they perceive to enter their territory (the street) with no provocation - I have seen them pack (neighbours had one each) and attack other dogs that they are usually friends with individually - I have had one that I knew well (and was friendly towards) enter my garage and bail me up growling.

The problem with that breed is that they were initially breed as fighting animals, they also have extremely strong jaws that are designed to lock on - as I found out when one grabbed my cat and promptly killed it.

It had nothing to do with the way they were bought up - both were in loving households with children - they had been socialised with other dogs - I simply believe that a few generations of affection cannot override hundreds of years of genetics when instinct kicks in.

In comparison, my keeshond would happily go home with anyone who happened to be walking past (and often did) ... and often got in trouble for thinking that every other dog was friendly, and bound up for a play, only to find out they weren't

 

[spanna]

I'm going to wade in and offend a lot - but I have no trust whatsoever of Staffie's.

I have had dogs since I was a child - usually labs, retrievers or mongrel crosses

Sooo never owned a staffy?

?The problem with that breed is that they were initially breed as fighting animals, ?

This is not true at all!

As I found out when one grabbed my cat and promptly killed it.

Sorry to hear this but do you think your option could be slightly bias ?


They are certainly "people dogs" don?t get along to well with other dogs.... doesn?t mean that they are unsafe .... does make me feel uncomfortable when people feel threatened by my dogs presence though!

PS I have been at a BBQ and a collie mauled a Childs face he had to have his nose stitched back on! The owner took the dog behind the shed and shot it! All large dogs are capable of hurting you!

 

[VaSSagO]

My wife use to volunteer at a dog refuge and of all the dogs she worked with the one that went her the worst was a Labradoor. People can screw up any dog!

We have an english staffy, great with kids and adults. Has never attacked another dog but has defended itself against a stupid little fluffy dog that went her. She just dropped the little dog and held it there, did not put a scratch on the stupid thing.

 

[lizzie]

All large dogs are capable of hurting you!

I don't disagree - and small dogs too ... I am just talking from what I have seen and experienced. There was not one isolated incidence but rather many over time so maybe my opinion is biased ... I would never choose to own one. I also do not like Maltese dogs as find them very aggressive towards other dogs.

I have also seen my parent's retriever attack my sister's boyfriend - they were playing at wrestling and she screamed ... the dog ripped the buttons off his shirt and no more.

You yourself said you don't trust your dog (a Staffie), so why get offended when someone agrees with you and gives examples why.

Initially bred for fighting (and extremely loyal to pack): http://www.thestaffordshirebullterrier.co.uk/history.htm

 

[INVSTOR]

My son was attacked and bitten by a neighbours tiny chihuahua x terrier while outside our house and owners let it free. It left a huge bruise and bleeding on his ankle.
I've been bitten by my sisters mini poodle x Bichon and have a scar on my wrist from it. Her male dog was protective of my female dog. When my son went near our dog, my sisters dog jumped up and tried to bite my son on the neck. I instinctively hit it and got bitten on wrist.
I have owned a few Staffies and they've never bitten anyone. I also would never let my dogs roam free though!
I have been researching dog training lately and I found these interesting. As you can see a wide range of breeds have issues!

I've just finished level one dog training course with my pup at RSPCA.

Unknowingly We were doing a few things wrong that encouraged bad behaviour. I understand my dog a lot better now and his behaviour has improved. I've also altered how I treat him to put him in his place, eg. I always walk through doorways before him.

http://www.badrap.org/dogdog-tolerance

http://shibashake.com/dog/dog-to-dog-aggression

 

[ok180]

Just like its the same tenants you always hear in these news stories who trash houses then? They must all do that then. Way to stereotype mate. Way to get reeled in by media mate.

A friend of the family has a rottweiler and its one of the friendliest and obedient dogs ive met. This is coming from someone whos parents had a maltese cross while i was growing up. It lived to 18 years old due to being well looked after. Its funny how treating things with respect pays dividends eh?

So all breeds are the same and it is the owner who creates the dogs instincts?

Rottweilers are a pretty good breed actually. I don't think they rate that highly as dogs that just snap and attack. Their bad rep is probably more about the way they look than anything.

 

[spanna]

Fair enough....
But this
Although individual differences in personality exist, common traits exist throughout the Staffords. Due to its breeding, the modern dog is known for its character of indomitable courage, high intelligence, and tenacity. This, coupled with its affection for its friends, and children in particular, its off-duty quietness and trustworthy stability, makes it a foremost all-purpose dog.

It has been said that "No breed is more loving with its family"

The breed is naturally muscular and may appear intimidating; however, because of their natural fondness for people, most Staffords are temperamentally ill-suited for guard or attack-dog training.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier appeared in the top 10 breeds most suitable for families and especially children in a report researched and published by Southampton University in 1996[5]. This breed is highly intelligent, eager to please and very people friendly. It adapts readily to most situations making it the foremost all purpose dog. Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies are very easy to house train


Not getting offended ... no one should ever trust a large dog

 

[wylie]

You shouldn't trust even a small dog. We have a toy poodle. Beautiful temperament, fiercely protective of us, scared off a burglar from my parents house (burglar had climbed in a window whilst they were watching tv) but he nearly caused a big problem when he jumped up to attack a carpet cleaner and snagged his scrotum with his tooth. Man was NOT happy and I had to do some major sweet talking so he would it take it further.