Pitbulls? Don't want to have an incorrect understanding of the breed

[black_cat]

They aren't naturally aggressive. You cant exactly breed temperament into a dog.

Uh-
I thought that was like at least half of developing a breed (breeding temperament)??

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

I have been DEEPLY enjoying learning about dogs and dog breeds, but I haven't been able to find anything consistent on pitbulls.
There is a lot of controversy on pitbulls, because of many stories of their aggressiveness. My understanding was that they were bred to be DOG aggressive, but not at all aggressive toward humans. This agrees with the claim that if you 'treat them right' they are loving and sweet dogs, because if human aggressiveness was bred out, the only reason for aggressiveness toward humans would be improper handling. Is this an accurate understanding? I wouldn't own one anyway (I'm not a huge fan of bully breeds, the only one I have a particular affinity for is boxers (nothing wrong with the breed, just don't like the look or temperament) but I want to make sure that I'm not misinformed and by extent can't spread misinformation.

@Overo Mare You have some knowledge on this, if I recall correctly?
Thank you!

I have a neighbor who has a pit bull named Cyrus. The dog is very sweet and he appears to actually be kinda dumb. Even though he has no chicken experience, I would actually not be worried about him ever going after any of my chickens. He's very mellow.
However. He doesn't have a good home. Between humans fighting, drugs, abuse, and more, he has been changing lately. I would be a bit nervous around him, but for the most part, I'm not really scared of him. I've even been holding a chicken by the road one day and he didn't come after my bird. I just wish that someone would take better care of him, even though I thought I did see someone taking the time with him, but I don't know if that person is temporary.
I also have another neighbor who has a pit bull boxer mix named Millie. She's a bit rough, but she's ok. She's not mean at all. She just plays rough.

 

[black_cat]

please adopt, don't shop.

I prefer to get dogs from breeders because I know that they'll have stable temperaments and be healthy examples of the breed that I"m looking at.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Understandable! So with APBTs, it's probably mostly genetics but still a mix?

I will try and make it clearer than mud....but it is actually muddy.

If a breeder selects parent dogs for aggression then the pups have a higher chance of being aggressive.

If a breeder selects parent dogs for non aggression those pups will have a higher chance of being non aggressive.

That's the part genetics plays. It sets the foundation.

It's up to the breeders to make that a good foundation and the people owning those pups to build a properly maintained house on it. The house being the adult dog.

If the foundation is not set right there will be all kinds of problems with the adult dogs. Issues with cancers, joints and yes that all important temperament.

 

[black_cat]

Yeah a rabbit . Hunting small game is like the main point of a dog.

I was of the impression that different dogs have different purposes ('points') :/

 

[black_cat]

Also, im curious why you are arguing against the pitbull when your profile picture is one

Deacon is a bully mix from a shelter :/

 

[21hens-incharge]

I prefer to get dogs from breeders because I know that they'll have stable temperaments and be healthy examples of the breed that I"m looking at.

Agreed....provided the breeder is actually doing what a good breeder should.

 

[black_cat]

My dogs vet said due to the popularity of labs, he hears more stories of people getting bit by labradors than pitbulls.

While pitbulls might be known for something, I have never heard anyone complain about labs so, I thought it was interesting.

That makes a lot of sense!
I also hear a lot about people getting bitten by small dogs, I'd assume that this is because many people don't train small dogs at all or socialize them properly because they're small

 

[chickentrains]

That makes a lot of sense!
I also hear a lot about people getting bitten by small dogs, I'd assume that this is because many people don't train small dogs at all or socialize them properly because they're small

Small dog syndrome. A small dog pulling on the leash isn't as big of a problem as a large dog. Therefore the large dog is going to be better trained. Besides leash training, ofc small dogs get away with a lot more. barking, lunging, biting even, because they don't do much damage.

 

[21hens-incharge]

That makes a lot of sense!
I also hear a lot about people getting bitten by small dogs, I'd assume that this is because many people don't train small dogs at all or socialize them properly because they're small

I have been bitten by 2 dogs in my long life. Both were Chihuahuas.