[SkiGirl]

What's your take on them ? Im just asking because the next door neighbor just got one and i don't know to much about them ? Seem's like a nice puppy just hyper like ours ha

[brokendreams490]

Hmm.. well I guess any dog can be a good dog if trained properly. I would never own one, and honestly seeing one scares me. All the stories I have heard have always been negative about them. I dont know maybe if they a raised right then they may be fine dogs, but i would never own one and I dont really like them.

[MagicToller]

Wonderful dog, stupid people.

[britishbandit]

My honest opinion. Like any other dog there are good and bad examples. I've encountered both with APBTs. And it holds true, the badly behaved and aggressive ones I've met, were down to the owners. My one friend had one that was really "testy", but spent probably 90% of his day either crated or tethered up to a tree. Same goes for my old neighbour, his dog was outside 24/7 to "protect the house". Neither dog had any training or socialization.

Other friends of mine have had awesome Pitties, and quite honestly I wanted to nab em and drive off with them...LOL. Such incredible dogs. But they took the time, did the training and socialization.

I hate how the media portrays them, making them seem like monsters. And I hate even more that because of irresponsible owners, and the media hype, many places have now banned the breed. Since when has it ever been "guilty until proven innocent"? I hate BSL, it solves nothing.

[nrhareiner]

In Toledo they are consided a "Dangourus breed" and you can not have more then 1. TO me it is just the Dog wardens way of getting his own way and for the mayor to be able to say their is not a Gange problem in the city. Along with so much more politices I will not even get into it.

It is not the dog but the owner.

Heidi

[sobreeze]

i think they get a bad rap i have never owned one but i have meet a few i think it boils down to bad owners bad dogs good owners good dogs a lot of them are bred by stupid people for fighting or like my nephew that has two he dont keep a job or support him kids can you just think what care his dogs get he would fall under stupid they ones i have meet were very nice dogs i like the bull breeds english bulldog , boston terrier , frence bull ,bull terrier , boxers

[Elijah]

Originally Posted by SkiGirl

What's your take on them ? Im just asking because the next door neighbor just got one and i don't know to much about them ? Seem's like a nice puppy just hyper like ours ha

It depends on your neighbor and how he trains him...if he does at all. Unless you know your neighbors personality pretty well, I wouldn't turn my back on his pet. He may be like a lot of others who think they can turn a canine into a lean, mean, fightin' machine and many have been bred that way. In the wrong hands they're dangerous and I'd just be watchful. Most of us "ain't no dog whisperer". I've seen some the only way I'd go around them with them off lead is with a .45 Colt in my pocket.

[Tamara]

They do get a bad rap because they often get bad owners

[Tankstar]

They get a bad rap becuase people who own them are wannabe gangsters and watch to many music videos. They are a status symbol, and in most places the tougher dog you have the better they think they are. That is why they are on th enews all the time. Becuase those dogs were not trained and were more then likley caged with no socialization and then escape and attack.

Now the people that own them becuase they love the breed, those are the good dogs. The sweet family pets they are meant to be. They were never breed to be aggresive to people, they are bred to be awsome with people.

They are a good breed with proper training and socialization and love, just like any breed needs. A collie a lab a husky will all turn and attack if locked up with no training and teetherd to a 4 foot rope 24/7.

[DogAdvocat]

My opinion, which is mostly based on information I've gotten from pit bull rescues, is that a dog is made out of three factors -

Factor One - what they were originally selectively bred to do which is dog fighting. When a dog is selectively bred, all examples that are not desirable for that purpose are "culled" which can mean killed or just not bred. Pit bulls that attacked their owner/handlers in or out of the fighting arena were culled. Which meant that only people friendly, dog aggressive dogs were chosen to produce the next generation of pit bulls.

Factor Two - how they are bred now. Responsible breeders, of which there are few in any breed, selectively breed pit bulls to not only be people friendly, but also they have tried to breed out the dog aggressiveness. IMO this has to be difficult when it's considered that other breeds are selectively bred to preserve the original breed and what it was bred for. But responsible breeders now are trying to change the temperament for the better, while preserving the rest of what the dog originally was. The problem is, most breeders are not responsible. The balance are either backyard breeders who just breed two pit bulls because all their friends want them, or some other ridiculous reason, without having a clue about the parent dog's health or temperament -- or they are breeders that selectively breed for aggression, hoping to fight the offspring, or use them for guard dogs.

Factor Three - Who owns them and how they are trained. Responsible breeders make sure that they sell their dogs to people that are able to handle a strong tenacious dog, and who are ready and willing to properly train them. Backyard breeders just look for people to buy their dogs, and don't bother asking questions. And breeders breeding for aggression are likely to be selling their dogs to others with the same vision for the dog.

So given those three factors, and given that most people really don't know how to properly train any dog, much less than a power breed, my suggestion is that you hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. I would not put my dogs (or cat) in a position where they could be attacked by the neighbors dog. I would be very careful with children, and it's advised that all children learn how to act around any dog - like don't act like prey - running and screaming is dangerous, even in play. I'd also talk to my neighbor about my concerns. The best way to start that is to admire his dog. He'll probably gladly tell you all about him - and you can decipher a lot about the dog by what he tells you.

[SkiGirl]

Well we did ask him because his dog was trying to jump our fence to get to our dog . HE said the dog is very nice it just doesnt like other dogs in which my husband was pretty upfront in the fact we have a baby and we don't want his dog to jump our fence he seemed nice aobut it but I guess its not his it's his son's who doesnt live there . I don't have a problem with the breed I had a friend who had them and they were nice dogs however they do scare me and I feel crappy saying that they just do however I don't really trust any dog when it comes to my son . For example we have a chihuahua and she bit him in the face she only weighs about 3 pounds but she still hurt him she is going to petsmart for training next week lol

[Kerry]

After all I've read about breeders, there is NO WAY I would ever get a pit bull and would not like one being next door.

If I can't even get a "reputable" breeder to figure out how to produce healthy Golden pups, how would I ever trust someone to produce a pit bull that isn't prone to aggressiveness? The whole business is pretty shady to me. Apologies to those of you who are truly good at what you do...
"Bad dogs, bad owner", etc. Yes, that is partly correct. But I wouldn't trust that a "good owner" would be able to overcome any genetic traits. Pit bulls are powerful animals and can turn without a moment's notice. Everyone always says, "Oh, not my dog. He's a sweetheart." Yeah, right.

[Tamara]

I really think DA hit it on the head.
Every breed is personal choice

[DogAdvocat]

Originally Posted by SkiGirl

Well we did ask him because his dog was trying to jump our fence to get to our dog . HE said the dog is very nice it just doesnt like other dogs in which my husband was pretty upfront in the fact we have a baby and we don't want his dog to jump our fence he seemed nice aobut it but I guess its not his it's his son's who doesnt live there . I don't have a problem with the breed I had a friend who had them and they were nice dogs however they do scare me and I feel crappy saying that they just do however I don't really trust any dog when it comes to my son . For example we have a chihuahua and she bit him in the face she only weighs about 3 pounds but she still hurt him she is going to petsmart for training next week lol

Don't buy into the idea that it's not your neighbors dog. If he is harboring the dog, then he's responsible for it, and/or any damages it might do.

[DOBERMAN_07]

Dobies, Rotts, and GSD have been where the Pitts are now. As soon as the media gets tired of concentrating on these dogs all the hype will be directed at another breed.

[Lorina]

HE said the dog is very nice it just doesnt like other dogs

A pit bull next door wouldn't necessarily worry me. I've met some very sweet ones.

A pit bull that the owner admits doesn't like other dogs would scare the **** out of me.

I'd ask the owner if they'd consider putting up a higher fence, or even ask if they'd like to go halfsies with you on a fence. If they refused, though, I'd want an 8ft stockade fence between an agressive pit and my yard, and would put it up myself if I had to.

[DOBERMAN_07]

Originally Posted by RedyreRottweilers

If persons who love dogs feel this way, those of us who enjoy the hobby of purebred dogs are doomed.

Your statements are just so wrong, it is so upsetting to realize that people really do think this way.

Dogs do not turn on a moment's notice. Dogs do things because of their breeding, their past experiences, and their handling. All human roles. When research is done, experienced people can nearly always see the event coming.

I have pitties living in my n'hood. One next door is an adorable male puppy who is typical of the breed. SO sweet, tail always wagging, always wanting to lick me through the fence. He is a mush, and he likely always will be.

There is one that stays on a chain across the street that I would not trust as far as I could toss it. It's a reflection of it's owner.

When dogs do bad things, there are people to blame. Period. People should pay the price for the actions of their dogs, no matter what the breed.

But they do turn on a moments notice. If a dog is bred to be protective (like my Dobie) it will turn from a sweet lovable dog to a sharp, cautious, and jumpy animal. You cant train the dog to avoid what is in-bedded in their genes.

[DogAdvocat]

Originally Posted by DOBERMAN_07

But they do turn on a moments notice. If a dog is bred to be protective (like my Dobie) it will turn from a sweet lovable dog to a sharp, cautious, and jumpy animal. You cant train the dog to avoid what is in-bedded in their genes.

I may be wrong, but I took that to mean that they don't turn without warning that could be read by those knowledgeable about dogs. I've seen dogs give subtle signs through body language that they are about to attack, that their owner/handlers totally missed. I think most people tend to be so busy saying "he wouldn't hurt anyone" that they miss the clues just before he does hurt someone.

[workingdog]

I have owned them for over 30 years. They are good dogs. Now days it is a little harder to find a breeder that cares what they breed.I would be very careful about who i bought one from now. A well bred pit is not people aggressive and mosy certainly would not turn on their owner. That is just crazy. The only fault a pit has, is they will become anything their owners want them to become. Dog aggressive yes,some more than others. The problem is just stupid people,and uneducated owners.

[nrhareiner]

All animals will give off sings of what they are going to do. You just have to learn how to read it. Once you do and pay even 1/2 attention to the animal you will know what they are going to do.

Heidi