I'm sick and tired of the "bully" stereotype

[savingdogs]

Bless you Steve. Unfortunately I've seen that before and dealt with it, too. The people did not realize the puppy would grow and no one noticed.

 

[Kansaseq]

Post # 41 My Mica came to our hospital with gunshot wounds and a broken leg, then her owners dumped her on us--had given us all phony information, so they never intended to come back for her. We think they were drunk and shot her themselves. She, too had no reason to trust people, but she's been an awesome handful of a dog, and would no doubt, protect me to the death (her own) if she truly had to. But honestly, she'd much rather sit in your lap and lick you to death

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

It's funny (in a good way) how they respond and they seem to know you are helping them. I've got about a 3 inch scar on my wrist from Lucky when we were first cleaning her neck, she bit me to the bone but never anything after. She knew she hurt me I think and her demeanor changed after that. She does look out for her 3 house mates (all rescues) and Sharon and myself. Some people have bundles of joy some have bundles of teeth.

Steve

 

[hunterjumper999]

I quit reading at page 5.... too long for schools slow loading computers

I too don't see 100 % Pit Bull. he's very cute

And maybe some of the PB experts will chime in here but when i think BULLY i think blue hippo dogs ( and yes, i have two!) and ADBA dogs, to me look like this :

Sorry, i do not know whos dog that is.



my other comment pertains to the discussion about attitude and training of PBs.

I think , at this point (in the breed) you really can NOT find a dog, buy a dog from a byb or adopt a dog and say "this dog is NOT agressive for sure"( and fwiw i prefer the term gamey in this case). you can still get lucky going to one of the show kennels ( again, just because they have a flashy website with the hottest rap doesnt make them a show kennel and NOT a BYB)

HUMAN aggression should not be tolerated in ANY breed- I would put down one of my own dogs if we developed a problem with HUMAN aggression that i could not trace back to any given incident or problem. I'm at this point with one of my brother/sister pair of Pitties. He is undergoing behavioral testing with a trainer and we'll take it from there. . . but i will not allow him to ruin the reputation of more pit bulls just because i love him . . .

DOG and other animal aggression understood in my book. . . because I believe that you can not train it out of the pit bull. it's there. they are GAME DOGS. . .

from wiki

The American Pit Bull Terrier is the product of interbreeding between terriers and a breed of bulldogs to produce a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the bulldog.[9] These dogs were initially bred in England, Ireland, and Scotland, and arrived in the United States with immigrants from these countries. In the United States, these dogs were used as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions;[9] however, some were selectively bred for their fighting prowess,[10] and starting in the early 20th century, they began to replace the bull terrier as the "dog of choice" for dog fighting in the United States.[11][12]

I don't condone use of them for sport fighting, but i DO see them used heavily here as hog dogs ect. they are bred to ignore pain and troop on. I would never BREED one of my dogs that is highly dog aggressive but I dont see a problem with having them in general. Hailey is dog aggressive and shes my best girl... BUT if i had to rehome her ( EVER) i would almost rather put her down than risk her being displaced and used for fighting. . . because i live in an area where it happens and people have commented to me that shed do great in a box ( which, btw took many months of googling to figure out wth they were talking about!) . Its disgusting.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

I understand what you are saying HunterJumper, having hog dogs is one thing. Breeding the "gameness" in a breeders lines is ok, except when they breed dog aggressive dogs. A high prey drive for hunting is completely different than a dog that actively seeks out other dogs to fight with -- generally with the intent to kill. If people want to change the opinions of people then all breeders need to have their breeding stock evaluated for dog and people aggression and then vow to never breed a dog with either trait, no matter how beautiful or loved the dog is.

 

[chick4chicks]

There are many dog breeds and there are many temperments but there are good and bad in all breeds. Depends on a lot of things.
Thank you for taking these wonderful dogs in.

 

[drdoolittle]

I have always dearly loved the "bully" breeds. They have a tough, macho exterior, with a gooey, lovey middle! I too am against breed specific legislation----it is usually the owner's fault when a dog attacks someone-----either the did not socialize the dog early enough, mistreated it, or purposely trained it to attack or fight. I had never been afraid of any dog my entire life, until one frightening day a few years ago. I had just moved into a house in a small neighborhood, and the day I moved in, I was asking the former owner about the people next door----I had noticed 2 rotties, 2 pitbulls, several pitbull puppies, and 2 beagles in the backyard. The lady told me that the guy was a breeder or something, that he had sold omne of the pits a few months before, and the buyers had half-way trained it for fighting, and brought it back! She said sometimes the guy would let the dogs out of their kennels and watch them, and sometimes they would just get loose! Fast forward 2 weeks: I had just put one of my 2 JRTs out on the runner to potty, and looked out to check on him, to see one the pits running across the back of the property! I got my dog in, but my other dog squeezed out the door, and ran acros the yard to the pitbull! They were just sniffing noses, so I thought everything was o.k. I walked over and picked up my dog, and I think the motion of me lifting her up into the air set something off in the pitbull. W/O so much as one growl, this fighting machine starts jumping and snapping those iron-like jaws at my little girl---then he switched to trying to get me! The scary thing was the look in his eyes----there was nothing there. I was out there all alone, turning this way and that, backing away, and screaming for help-----the owner had just come out---must have noticed his dogs were out-----he came running over and grabbed the dog by the collar, repeatedly apologizing. I was in a state of shock, shaking and trying to breathe---I was having an asthma attack. A friend came over, and we called Animal Control, and the police----Animal Control had 1 officer on duty, and he was busy trying to save a dog that was in danger of drowning due to recent flooding in the area. So, the cop got there first, and came to my door to talk to me before going to investigate----he kept saying "Are you sure it's a pitbull?"-----that upset me a little. Well, he was saying he couldn't do anything, that it was up to the A.C. officer. Once the A.C. officer got there, they went together to check out the dog and property----when they came back, the cop said, "Well, we talked to the owner and checked everything out, and the A.C. officer will make out a report, and I WILL be making out a report of my own-----he can not continue to have those dogs over there." I was relieved, but all that kept going through my mind was, what if that guy hadn't come out when he did? What if it had been one of my children who had tried to get my dog? Anyway, it was kind of a wake-up call for me------I don't ever assume ANY dog is friendly anymore---------you just never know what their background might be. But, I still LOVE pitbulls----just not the creeps who train them to fight!

 

[savingdogs]

IWe had a neighbor who let his two fighting pit bulls roam occasionally and they came over and attacked one of our dogs. Thank goodness he has moved away! He did not take responsibility of course and I had a big vet bill sewing my dog back up.

Here is what I think the stereotype of the pit bull personality SHOULD be, IMHO:

Very smart, loyal and eager to please. High energy level as well as high prey drive, both of which can mellow with age. Usually very treat oriented and respond well to positive training methods, but need a firm leader or will fill the void and become the leader. Does poorly in groups of dogs and should not go to dog parks or other uncontrolled situations as its playing style might insult other dogs and it really doesn't mind getting in a fight if the situation goes sour (some well trained and well socialized exceptions here). Does well with families but may be too strong for people with small children and overall needs lots of attention to become the best dog it can be. Not a dog for beginners mainly because of its ability to escape the yard, challenge boundaries and in general be a more active dog than most and requires more strength and savvy to handle. Should be socialized with kids, cats and livestock when young for best results.

 

[hunterjumper999]

just thought i'd add my guys

I love to take pictures of them, but unfortunately since i don't let them run loose with the critters I have them on a chain ... i'd love to get some 'naked' ones of them sometime

I also feel that if you undertake owning one you have to be WILLING to micromanage

hailey - my ultra gamey girl who i have to stay ontop of 24/7

shes a bed hog as well...

Beezus

Capone

Tubbs

 

[Mrsfoote]

So I LOVE Bully dogs....I have one named skye and she is my love mind you i have 2 very small kids daughter just turned 1 today and my son will be 3....do i trust my dog with them ABSOLUTLY would I leave my kids unattended with her Nope but then again I wouldn't leave my kids alone with my 2lb teacup chihuahua....i agree with the nature vs nurture my dog is a result of that she LOVES other dogs LOVES our Cats LOVES everyone....has she liked every dog she met nope...got into with my mother in laws pekenise or however you spell it but then I ask people do you like every person you meet no.

Before getting her fixed skye was kinda moody and had to get to know dogs on her terms now that she is fixed she just plain likes everyone. I don't understand peoples hate towards a breed they haven't gotten a chance to REALLY know my mother in law hated Skye when we first go home from my husband being in the army now she LOVES her although she wont admit that.

My husbands friend who he was stationed in Georgia with had a HUGE black pit I MEAN HUGE and he would bring him to me during the day to baby sit and that dog was TERRIFIED of my chihuahua and i do mean would hide away from him. He was the sweetest big thing ever!

Here is my Skye as a baby doesn't she look vicious????