I agree, these dogs are not for the average novice dog owner. They take a lot of responsibility as well as knowledge.
I have a pit bull and she is the sweetest dog I've ever known. However, I've also treated her well and did a lot of research on pit bulls when she was given to me.
I keep her away from other dogs (she's a through and through scrapper), I don't walk her in the neighborhood, I have a high fence that is kept up, and I make sure everyone that comes into my house knows what kind of dog she is, and I tend to keep her away from guests. I keep her away mostly for my guests' sakes since many people are intimidated and afraid of pits.
Additionally, I've had her 11 years now with absolutely no problems, but, as I said, I don't allow any of my guests alone with her unless she knows them well, and neither do I allow other people's children to be near her or play with her. I allow my son to play with her, but only when I'm nearby. I watch her and him closely.
I fully understand the nature of pit bulls and while I don't believe she would ever hurt anyone, I also try to make sure she is not given a chance. When it comes to other dogs, she loves to fight, but she has never started a fight nor has she ever hurt a dog smaller than herself.
That's not to say she would never attack another dog. I believe she would. She does love to fight and would definitely harm another large dog if not kill it. I won't deny that aspect of her breed. That is precisely why I keep her away from other dogs.
Having done my research on pit bulls, I know that the old pit breeders (the ones that bred dogs for fighting) always put down any dog that showed the least bit aggressiveness towards people. No pit bull breeder who fought dogs wanted a dog that would bite. Handlers are right there in the pits alongside their dogs and to have a people aggressive dog was risking life and limb. Therefore, those dogs were put down immediately.
Additionally, pit breeders only wanted a dog who would go after another dog of the same aggressiveness and size. Any dog who attacked puppies or small dogs was also put down. To pit breeders, that trait is a serious cowardly flaw and not desired.
I am strongly in favor of those practices.
And of course that's the main problem with pit bulls these days. Today you have any Joe Blow breeding pits without any knowledge whatsoever of what makes a good pit. People started breeding pits for people aggression instead of putting those to sleep. And to make such a strong and fearless dog aggressive toward people was/is a huge, huge mistake. It's the reason why we're in the position we are in today.
These dogs require very specific breeding and training requirements as well as knowledgeable breeders and owners. Breeding and raising pits is serious business. As it stands, I'm not sure I'm against local bans on pit bulls. I at least believe, every pit should be fixed immediately unless you have a license to breed pits or it's a show dog.
This message has been edited by roxrkool, 06-27-2005 09:20 PM
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