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Originally Posted by
Jimmors 
See, thats one common misconception about pitbulls (and dogs in general), that certain breeds are "more agressive." Any dog has the capability to be "agressive," even small tiny dogs...but the small dogs dont get the stigma because people think its "cute" when they do, whereas a breed like a Pit, gets legislation enacted against them, simply because genetically they are stronger then other breeds.
Pitbulls are no more agressive then any other breed, they just happen to be much more stronger, and genetically were bred for hunting, they are a cross breed from an English Bulldog and a Terrier...Bulldogs have the strength, but they are not very fast or active; Terriers are quick and able to hunt small animals (rodents/foxes), but are too small for larger game. So, they crossbred them and youre left with a breed that is both strong, quick and able to hunt larger game like boars. Their method of hunting is similar to other hunting dogs...strong biting mechanism, holding prey in place and shaking them to cause more damage. So, if a person does not train them properly, then you end up with a dog that tries to follow its natural behavior...a pack leader that excels at hunting.
Im just passionate on this subject because dos should not get the blame, people should. Plus, i have seen both ends of the spectrum...Pits that were poorly trained and were dangerous animals, and Pits that were properly trained and would not endanger anyone without cause (even a well trained dog will defend its master).
I'm fairly passionate about it too. I've owned dogs my whole life, and I can tell you that it is NOT a misconception that some dogs are more agressive than others, and those traits follow bloodlines. You might as well tell me that all dog breeds are identical, there are no genetic differences between them, none have any health issues specific to that breed and none bark more than others (yappy little dogs, etc.)
I'm not saying the dogs are to blame. I'm just stating that it's ignorant to say that there is no variance of agressive behavior between different breeds. That doesn't mean that it's the dog's fault by anymeans.
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Originally Posted by
blinddeafmute I'm fairly passionate about it too. I've owned dogs my whole life, and I can tell you that it is NOT a misconception that some dogs are more agressive than others, and those traits follow bloodlines. You might as well tell me that all dog breeds are identical, there are no genetic differences between them, none have any health issues specific to that breed and none bark more than others (yappy little dogs, etc.)
I'm not saying the dogs are to blame. I'm just stating that it's ignorant to say that there is no variance of agressive behavior between different breeds. That doesn't mean that it's the dog's fault by anymeans.
Fair enough...it comes down to the definition of "agressive." I was using it in the sense that people have the misconception that Pitbulls will attack you just because they are pitbulls...and this is completely false. Pitbulls can be agressive for the same reasons other dogs are...defending their territory, protecting their family, over food, etc. As hunting dogs, they are agressive in the sense that they are genetically built for hunting, and will display those qualities...but i dont classify that as the same form of agression that many people tie to certain breeds.
But yes, in the end...it comes down to the human that is training the dog. And if a person does not feel comfortable in their ability to train a strong breed like a Pit, then they should definitely not do it, and find a dog of a different temperament.
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Originally Posted by
Jimmors Fair enough...it comes down to the definition of "agressive." I was using it in the sense that people have the misconception that Pitbulls will attack you just because they are pitbulls...and this is completely false. Pitbulls can be agressive for the same reasons other dogs are...defending their territory, protecting their family, over food, etc. As hunting dogs, they are agressive in the sense that they are genetically built for hunting, and will display those qualities...but i dont classify that as the same form of agression that many people tie to certain breeds.
But yes, in the end...it comes down to the human that is training the dog. And if a person does not feel comfortable in their ability to train a strong breed like a Pit, then they should definitely not do it, and find a dog of a different temperament.
I agree. I have been around some of the nicest pitbulls, rots, dobermans, etc. And then I've also been to peoples houses where they have to put the dog away before you come in. I personally have never owned a dog like that. Well, my parents had a chihuahua/dashound mix that would attack anyone that got near it, but like you say, he was small and couldn't actually do any damage.
Eventhough I think that some breeds are more agressive than others, I think it all boils down to the owner's responsibility to train their dogs properly.
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Originally Posted by
blinddeafmute I agree. I have been around some of the nicest pitbulls, rots, dobermans, etc. And then I've also been to peoples houses where they have to put the dog away before you come in. I personally have never owned a dog like that. Well, my parents had a chihuahua/dashound mix that would attack anyone that got near it, but like you say, he was small and couldn't actually do any damage.
Eventhough I think that some breeds are more agressive than others, I think it all boils down to the owner's responsibility to train their dogs properly.
Yeah, alot of breeds are simply wary of strangers. And that is why people will put them away when company comes over. Again, its not that the breeds are "agressive" per se, its just their temperament is a reflection of their breeding...guard dogs were breed to be wary of strangers, house dogs were bred because they are more sociable.
My favorite dog was the first one i had as a child..a Chow Chow. And Chows are notoriously aloof as well as shunning strangers. She would be perfectly fine with family and neighbors, but if i took her outside to play in the yard and a stranger just happened to walk past the house on the sidewalk..she would go apeshit and chase after him barking up a storm (we had a chain link fence, so nothing would happen anyway). She wouldnt bite or attack them, but she would definitely let us know a stranger was walking by.
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Junior Member
Pregnant woman kills pitbull instead 
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Originally Posted by
Jimmors Dogs are animals, and they follow a pack mentality. So you can have two dogs, not train them worth a damn, and have one become the "alpha male," and be aggressive, while the other becomes the beta male, the follower. To properly train a dog...YOU, the human, have to become the alpha in the pack, and have the rest follow you. I have a friend that has 2 pits and 3 husky half breeds, and they are trained well enough, you can put a baby in the middle of them and nothing would happen, because the dogs know their boundaries.
Really, you can put a baby in the middle of those dogs and nothing will happen? What happens when you put a small child in the middle of those dogs and the child starts pulling on the dogs tail or ears? I will agree with you in most cases that the owner needs to raise the animal right but there are still cases where the animals turn on their owners, the big difference is you don't hear about less agressive animals killing their owners like you do with Pitbulls or German Sheppards.
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Up until a few years ago I had a Bullmastiff. I took him to training for many years and was a great disciplined dog-loyal, loving, and would give up his life to protect our family. As he grew up around my friends Rottie his disposition would change. Slightly, but just enough to notice a difference. As he aged he also got a bit more crottchety and if you pushed him on a bad day he would get riled up. He had a bad day and got after my buddy who knew him his whole life. The saving grace of the breed is to just tackle and hold not to bite.
Basically you can train every day but it just takes one day, one bad or off day, or a day where they perhaps don't feel well to have something happen. One would not put poison, knives, or a gun on a table or near a child and a large breed or working dog should be a bit sequestered just like any other potential danger. And just because you can put a child in the middle of a pack does not mean you should or encourage it. It is foolish.
Arguing on the internet is like winning the special olympics, even if you win your still messed up.
Restore the roar!
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Originally Posted by
4th and 26 Really, you can put a baby in the middle of those dogs and nothing will happen?
Yep.
What happens when you put a small child in the middle of those dogs and the child starts pulling on the dogs tail or ears?
The dogs most likely would yelp then run away.
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