Replies

I respect your experience and thank you for your efforts to rescue these beautiful dogs.

My pitbull ownership predated my love for the breed; we adopted what we thought was a lab mix from the pound, as a companion for our four children. As he lost weight, I realized that he was actually a pitbull mix, and I would have gotten rid of him if I had not found a sort of pitbull advocacy group that helped me through his behavioral issues.
One thing they always insisted upon was respecing the pit’s potential to attack. They never tried to convince us that a pitbull in his ‘purest’ state was a malleable pushover that could be treated like any other dog.
Because of their honesty I feel confident that I can keep this dog and my children safe and happy. I know what he needs, and I know what can happen if he doesn’t get it.

I think the biggest problem for the pit bull is people who want the image of power but not the responsibility, and I’m not talking about dog fighters. I’m talking about nice little families with nice little kids who buy into the line that a pitbull is no different from any other dog, without considering what the dog was bred to do. If people took the breed’s purpose more seriously, I think we’d see less of these maulings.

I understand your point. We take that into consideration with our pit and our Bullmastiff. It is easy to take for granted that these happy, loving animals can attack. And I have to admit that when people shy away from my Bullmastiff, it makes me happy. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I like that people are afraid of the big oaf. It makes me feel safe. But we always remember that there is the potential for attack. But again, my grandma's Chihuahuas attacked me constantly. My pit and bully have not yet.

Those are the situations that concern me as well. Pits can be very cute, and even without the hip-hop garbage, I suppose some people find a little cache in owning one.

But these nice little families with the nice little children, treating a pit as a lovable little fuzzball is a big mistake.