I think you hear more about bigger dogs biting because they do more damage and in certain instances end up killing the victim than smaller dogs. The top three dog breeds for attacks/bites are actually dachshunds, chihuahuas and Jack Russell terriers, which is surprising given how much you hear about the bigger dogs. The problem is that pit bulls were initially bred for fighting and hunting so they have the disposition there for and they continue to be bred for the former. This leads to some pits having that natural aggression which leads to attacks and bites. Dachshunds were originally bred to hunt freaking badgers which are not the easiest of prey to hunt and have a nasty mean streak themselves which is probably why they are one of the top biters. Also, dogs would be natural apex predators so all breeds at some point will bite of course breeding and owners have a lot to do with that. I think it is a combo of breed and owner in these cases.
I have a lot of respect for you as a poster, but I disagree. I have a pitbull and she absolutely loves my 2 1/2 year old son. By far the best dog I've ever had and I've had many popular breeds throughout my life. Typically Pitbulls are not aggressive toward people. If they are, it's almost always due to neglect and some form/s of mistreating. I agree when one attacks, it's usually very bad, some people just shouldn't own them if they're not prepared to do right by the dog. Also, I've seen in many instances as the dog being called a pitbull, when in relaity it's a mongrel or mixed with another bully breed. Check out top ten dogs that bite percentage wise, pitbulls are not there. I know there is usually no way to convince someone that they are great dogs when they haven't owned one and the media has drilled it into everyones head that they are stone cold killers. I challenge you, do your own investigating, dig deep and learn about the breed. Yes there are breeders out there that breed for the wrong reasons, I'd always stay away from those types of dogs. There are breeders that breed for conformation and temperament, that is what you look for. I completely understand why people feel the way they do about the breed, but I know from experience with several pits, they are extremely loving and loyal. Please save me the I can't believe you have your child around that dog statement though. My child means the world to me and if I thought for even a second something could/would happen with my dog attacking my son, I wouldn't have my dog. Spare me the that's what they all say. If you truly understood the breed, you'd just know. Until you buy one(from a reputable breeder) and experience it, you'll never know.
yikes just googled pitbull attacks and they looked more like zombie attacks. I knew they were aggressive but not cannibals and killers.
As Pitbull killed the woman, did he start naming all the people around him? "Pitbull, Ne-yo, Marc Anthony, dale"
I suspect that the media likes to sensationalize pit bull stories. I don't see as many headlines when other dog breeds attack/kill people. But I also suspect that pit bulls do have an ultra-aggressive edge (more, so, than most breeds) that most dog-lovers try to downplay. I'm sure they're sweet as sugar 99% of the time... but that other 1% is a real b****. (pun intended)
This is true. I have a Jack Russell and she will bite the **** out of any male who walks through the door, either on your hand or the back of your leg if she can't get to your hand. She has never bitten a female, though. I usually just don't tell my friends that my dog bites and just let her get one good bite in. Because after she bites you once, if you don't fight back, then she'll be on your lap kissing in seconds. When I have her in public and people with other small dogs approach and ask, "Is she friendly?" I always say No. The owners usually laugh, apparently thinking I'm joking, then let their dog of the leash to come play with my dog. This has happened too many times to keep track of, but it always ends the same way: the dog owner screaming/yelling as they run off with their injured and bloody dog. It's to the point that I don't take her out in public anymore, which sucks because she loves going to new places. My girlfriend has a chihuahua/dachsund mix, but it doesn't bite anyone. And speaking of pit bulls, my Jack Russell attacked a full-grown one before. But only because it was standing over my other dog (Rat Terrier) who at the time was about 3 months old. The pit was very friendly, but the Rat Terrier was (and is to this day) a big baby and started whining. So the Jack Russell took off and snapped the pit on the face. The pit was so well trained that it did nothing in retaliation. I like to think that the pit was just laughing on the inside, because this puny thing wanted to fight him.
I think the reason you hear more about pitbull attacks is because they often KILL people. I can't remember the last time I heard about a small child dying in the deadly clutches of a rabid dachshund. I understand there are pitbull owners who have never had any problems and let their kids play with them, etc. To me, it's almost like saying a live grenade is totally safe for kids to play with - as long as they don't pull the pin.
Lots of bull**** misconceptions about pitbulls in this thread. The kind of garbage I thought the smart people of this forum would have figured was false a while ago. Sad. Props to all the responsible Pit owners out there. We all know how hard we work to fend of te humans more than the dogs.
I love dogs and pits unfortunately have a bad rep due to the media. however, even though my lab is the kindest, gentlest living animal in the world i don't allow toddlers near him. you just never know what makes a dog snap. i hate to be responsible for that kind of damage to someone's kid.
Pitt Bulls were known as the nanny dog because they are very gentle and loyal creatures within the family. http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/upshot/pit-bulls-surprising-past-nanny-dogs-195612543.html People love Dalmatians because of: There is a reason they were fire dogs. Fireman used the dogs to scare people away from the scene of a fire. They are a much more aggressive breed towards humans than pits/amstaffs. Here are the numbers behind dog aggression/temperament: http://atts.org/breed-statistics/ Some numbers for large/medium sized dogs: American Pitbull Terriers: 86.8% pass rate American Staffordshire Terriers: 84.2% pass rate Golden Retrievers: 85.2% pass rate Great Dane: 80% pass rate Cocker Spaniel: 81.9% pass rate Dalmatian: 82.5% pass rate Doberman Pinscher: 78.2% pass rate German Shepherd: 84.6% pass rate Border Collie: 81.3% pass rate Boxer: 83.4% pass rate That's right... the Pitt Bull has the best temperament out of all of these common household pets. What is temperament? W. Handel, German Police Dog Trainer, in his article, “The Psychological Basis of Temperament Testing,” defines temperament as: “the sum total of all inborn and acquired physical and mental traits and talents which determines, forms and regulates behavior in the environment” The ATTS test focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog’s instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat. The test is designed for the betterment of all breeds of dogs and takes into consideration each breed’s inherent tendencies. The test simulates a casual walk through the park or neighborhood where everyday life situations are encountered. During this walk, the dog experiences visual, auditory and tactile stimuli. Neutral, friendly and threatening situations are encountered, calling into play the dog’s ability to distinguish between non-threatening situations and those calling for watchful and protective reactions.
The breed has been both discriminated against and abused by humans. In Texas, any shelter that has a pit brought in will put it down immediately. For those that are saved from the streets & abuse, they do have a chance to turn their lives around with love. Until then, they are essentially wild animals trained to be aggressive. There have been many pitbulls rescued from fighting circuits and rehabilitated into a normal home. One of Vick's dogs: http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=5729309&page=1#.UFM3xY0iZBk
My take... These cases where Pit Bulls are killing people....those dogs, Im positive, have had a history of aggressive behavior. Im sure this woman that died, has previously experienced her dog, in some form or fashion, act violently. These dogs dont act like babysitters or grandmothers for 3 years, then one moment decide that it would be nice to be a killer. That just doesnt happen. Therefore, if you've had one since it was a baby and you've never experienced beyond aggressive behavior, then the dog isnt going to randomly snap and kill. That just makes no sense.
