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The issue isn’t with the genetics. It’s with those who train and own the dogs. Never do these articles ever explain who owned the dogs or how they were treated. If people treated any breed of dog like the idiots who buy and train pitbulls to be mean and vicious, you would see the same problem with that breed. Unfortunately, scum of the earth are attracted to pitbulls and thus treat them like crap and they end up like this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Pit_Bull_Terrier

If people treated any breed of dog like the idiots who buy and train pitbulls to be mean and vicious, you would see the same problem with that breed. Unfortunately, scum of the earth are attracted to pitbulls and thus treat them like crap and they end up like this.<<<<<<<<<<<<

I haven’t seen any stories about maurading Beagles or Yorkies killing kids, for example. But unfortunately there have been far too many about pit bulls, and of course the owner does set the tone.

But there must be something inherently in the dog’s makeup for this to happen far too often. I dealt with the “scum of the earth” for many years, face to face, often in their homes, and met up with many of their dogs. I can truthfully say that the other breeds didn’t give me grief like the Pit Bulls, and and they kept a vast variety of dog breeds.

The issue isn’t with the genetics. It’s with those who train and own the dogs. Never do these articles ever explain who owned the dogs or how they were treated. If people treated any breed of dog like the idiots who buy and train pitbulls to be mean and vicious, you would see the same problem with that breed. Unfortunately, scum of the earth are attracted to pitbulls and thus treat them like crap and they end up like this.

I knew it would not be long before someone would talk about the issue being with the owners. YOU ARE FN wrong. The Pit Bull has been breed for aggression. They can snap at any time. Even when they are well cared for they can snap. I remember a case in St. Louis about 10 years ago where a Pit severely mauled a small child. They family had adopted the Pit as a puppy and raised it lovingly. The dog was well trained and never abused. On night the child got up to go to the bathroom. In the dark the dog was sleeping in the hallway. The child accidentally stepped on the dog's tail. The dog nearly killed the child before the parents could get up and rescue the child who now has scars for life. You are flat out wrong about Pit Bulls. You are either ignorant or a complete fool.

The issue isn’t with the genetics. It’s with those who train and own the dogs. Never do these articles ever explain who owned the dogs or how they were treated. If people treated any breed of dog like the idiots who buy and train pitbulls to be mean and vicious, you would see the same problem with that breed. Unfortunately, scum of the earth are attracted to pitbulls and thus treat them like crap and they end up like this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Pit_Bull_Terrier

Ummm it most certainly has everything to do with genetics and I’ve seen dozens of articles explaining the dogs were often raised in normal family atmospheres from day one!

But I do agree it’s never ever the dogs fault, but when they were bred from day one, as with many if not all terriers, the train left the station on that very day! It just so happens pit bulls are bigger, and have lethal jaws and teeth.

Then explain the family I know personally who owned a Pit Bull Terrier... It was a cherished family pet and was spoiled rotten. No-one ever suspected that it would one day turn and nearly rip a child’s head off and have to be hit repeatedly with a bat to save the child’s life.

Dog came from a “reputable” breeder and was treated very well and was a well-behaved dog... until.

So don’t give me the “those who train and own the dogs” story line, it doesn’t fly. While some nasty folks do train these dogs to be violent, far too many of these attacks are from “family pets”.

And has been posted already - while a German Shepherd might bite, or even a Lab or Poodle - they generally tend to be “a bite” and that is it. Pits (and Chows as well) often go on a full-blown attack, not just a bite.

It IS genetic. Why do beagles like to chase rabbits or deer, even if never trained to do so? Genetics - they were bread to do just that. Why do Labs and Golden Retrievers play “fetch” even without any training at all? Genetics.

I also know people who have owned Pit Bull Terriers who NEVER have an aggressive experience with their dogs... BUT - the pre-disposition is there. They were the product of intense and attentive training, obedience, and very careful supervision at all times.

I know that arguing over Pit-Bull terriers is a never-ending debate, but I'd like to add my "own" stories here. I have some relatives who had a pit bull. My kids would play with him when they were young--no problems. They lived on 5 acres in the country outside of San Antonio--great place to have a big dog. I was surprised at a subsequent visit when I learned they had to get rid of the dog. He decided he wanted to chase someone riding a bike one day, and he started to bite at him. Parting with the dog was a "legal" and smart move.

A few years later, one of their daughters who has her own daughter at this time moves into a house of her own. They become good friends with the next-door neighbors, who happen to have a pit-bull. But they also have two daughters, who are just one and three years older than her 3-yr-old, Katie. She lets Katie play there frequently. One day, a week after Katie turned 4, the dog must have been having a bad day. There were four little girls playing at the house, running in and out. No one's sure why it happened, but at one point, Katie happened to be the first to run out the back door. The rest soon followed, only to find Katie being attacked by the dog. The owners were devastated. They had the dog put down, and the father even spent much time crying about the incident. Katie spent a week in the hospital. One bite was close to her jugular. She even had bites on her butt, and still has a scar next to her eye.

Seriously--what IS it with this breed?