Despite reputation, trained pit bulls can be wonderful pets, experts say (?)

San Fran Chron ^ | June 4 05 | San Fran Chronicle

[churchillbuff]

Pit bull terriers may be one of the most controversial breeds around, but they are also one of the most misunderstood by the public, dog experts said Friday in the wake of the fatal mauling of a 12-year-old boy in San Francisco.

If bred and trained properly, pit bulls can be wonderful pets, experts said. If there is a lack of stability, though, they have the proclivity and ability to inflict serious damage.

[cynwoody]

Gen. George S. Patton and staff

That's Willy on all fours.

[Lx]

Pit Bulls are awesome dogs. Everyone I've known have been great pets.

Unfortunately, losers such as drug dealers see them as a status symbol and treat them like crap so they're violent.

Any dog treated like that would turn out bad.

Rotts are in the same boat. Anyone that's ever dealt with them knows them as sweet loyal pets.

[thoughtomator]

But unlike guns, when a pit bull kills an innocent person, the owner isn't charged with murder.

[nvcdl]

Pit bulls were bred to be fight other pit bulls - it is true they can be dog aggresive (as many dogs are). In theory they are less likely to be people aggresive becuase a dog that would bite a handler during a fight would be put down (and thus its genes not passed on).

Pit Bulls should be keep on a leash and not allowed to roam. Any dogs can revert to feral status if it is allowed to roam in a pack.

Pit Bulls are intellegent dogs who love to please their masters - they are not naturally people aggresive but if they are encouarged to be aggresive to people by a drug dealer or stupid owner they will do their best to please.

[meisterbrewer]

Outstanding analysis. Well said.

[Lx]

Ridiculous arguments? Spare me, not too many people abuse Shepards or Kurt Russell Terriers so they turn into killing machines.

Instead of replacing 'pit bulls' with Asps, how about replacing them with a 9mm?

Does that make sense? You shouldn't leave a loaded gun or a loaded pit around small children. I'd be willing to bet money the dog that killed that kid was more than just a pet.

[ApplegateRanch]

Check of corollary to hypothesis: one can isolate the gene for aggressiveness in animals through selective breeding and create a new lineage of the animal that is less prone to violence than non-selected control group.

Testing: creating of the breed Shetland Sheepdog by selectively breeding dogs that show less aggressive tendencies over dogs that show less aggressive tendencies. Ruthless culling of both individuals and lineages that exhibit aggressive behavior.

Observation: over 100 years of recorded history of new breed of Shetland Sheepdogs displaying non-aggressive tendencies towards other breeds of dogs and other animals, including humans. Documented evidence of Shetland Sheepdogs defending and rescuing children and small animals, at greatly higher rates than other breeds.

Conclusion I: pit bulls are more aggressive than other dogs and pose an increased danger to human beings.

Conclusion II: Shetland Sheepdogs are less aggressive than other dogs and pose a decreased danger to human beings and other animals.

Conclusion III: There is a cluster of characteristics that manifest as aggressiveness that may be enhanced or diminished by selective breeding, resulting in an intrinsic breed characteristic.

[John Robertson]

Thank you (from a Vizsla owner).

[endthematrix]

Leave me and whatever breed of canine I choose to own alone. It's none of anyones business.

Statistically, dog mauling is very small compared to the total population. If one thinks they are justified in curtailing my liberty, isn't it logical to curtail those who harm others/themselves by other means in the same manner?

[HairOfTheDog]

[insert prior comments about pit bulls here]

Ping!

Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

[Petronski]

"Could" is a very fluid piece of propaganda.


Let's have statistics on how many.

[nvcdl]

Media stories about "pitbull" attacks are statisically high - "pit bulls" have been around the US for a long time but the media coverage of attacks seems to be fairly recent - last 25 years or so. About same time the dogs became people with drug dealers.

I've known heard of dozens of cases of dogs suddenly attacking kids and killing/maiming them. Most seems to be rottweilers - a relative of mine had pet poodles severly injure a child. An elderly lady I know was injured by her very small dog. A common thread amongst dogs injuries/deaths seems to be age of victim - usally very young or old.

[John Robertson]

"Kurt Russell Terriers."

A new breed, first shown on FreeRepublic!

A fine-looking dog, with long wavy hair, loves to be in front of the cameras....

Watch for the Brad Pitt Bull....

[nvcdl]

Goldie Hawn retrievers :-)

[John Robertson]

Thank you for proving beyond a scientific doubt that pit bulls are born-in-the-bone killers.

What IS it about these guys who think that pits would be different if guys like THEM raised them? What, you're so good with animals you can talk them out of their genetic destiny.

The Pit Whisperer....

starring Kurt Russell!

[endthematrix]

"You shouldn't leave a loaded gun or a loaded pit around small children."

No, many are saying that you can't OWN a gun. Worse, they say a particular type of ammunition or firearm brand is more lethal than another, and worthy of banning. We know the fight against "Saturday Night Specials" or .50 calibers.

[diamond6]

I just watched the movie "Return to Me". Has anyone out there seen it, and, is Bob's dog a pitbull?

I was just wondering.

[Petronski]

You only argue your position that pit bulls are really nice dogs...right after the latest incident of a pit bull killing a really nice person.

That is a rhetorical coup de grace.

Bravo!

[varyouga]

genetically, pits are some of the most aggressive dogs around.

Most breeds were historically selected for a calm temperament and nurturing character. Pits were bred only to fight and selected for completely opposite traits. They can be trained but dogs still rely on instinct.

The breed has probably calmed down recently due to less interest in fighting but hundreds of years of selection has done damage.

[John Robertson]

As it turns out, statistically, pit bulls go after Libertarians more than even liberal democrats. They find it a challenge, because it's so hard to find their balls.