Why so many pitbulls here?

[Thoreau424]

Maybe if the pitbulls were fed medical MJ, they might mellow out more and not be as dangerous?

[jgn2013]

The term "pit-bull" is tricky. I grew up in a rougher neighborhood and saw lots of pit terrier-ish dogs. My understanding is that the pure-bred versions are in the 40-60 lb range. Most of the ones I saw were claimed as "pits" but basically had Pit Bull heads with rotweiller-sized bodies; mutts with questionable lineage.

My sister has a lovely Pit. Personally, I wouldn't have one. There are so many dog breeds including many that are more intelligent, more active, much less active etc. To me, Pits are average in many ways except for their potential for ferocity. I think most Pit owners, even the most responsible people, love having an intimidating dog.

[BrianH]

I know stats and facts are pretty much frowned upon in threads like these where people have already made their mind up. Staffs, AmStaffs, Pitbulls etc fare way better than many breeds when tested by the ATTS. https://atts.org/breed-statistics/

Those types got tested the most and did excellent in all of their tests. As far as bites, a huge portion of animal shelters do not record the breed or list it as a pitbull type breed if it is muscular.

I dont find Staffs/Pits intimidating or dangerous looking, I feel sorry for people who have that misconception. Ive had either one or both for going on 17 years now and never had issues.

[DrDog]

Originally Posted by BrianH

I know stats and facts are pretty much frowned upon in threads like these where people have already made their mind up. Staffs, AmStaffs, Pitbulls etc fare way better than many breeds when tested by the ATTS. https://atts.org/breed-statistics/

Those types got tested the most and did excellent in all of their tests. As far as bites, a huge portion of animal shelters do not record the breed or list it as a pitbull type breed if it is muscular.

I dont find Staffs/Pits intimidating or dangerous looking, I feel sorry for people who have that misconception. Ive had either one or both for going on 17 years now and never had issues.

Im glad you've had good dogs, and I realize arguing about pit bulls is like arguing about abortion or the death penalty. So I will agree to disagree. It is not a misconception that pit bulls are dangerous. Take a look at this Wikipedia article. It's long, but it lists every dog attack death they could find for the past 100 or so years. Scroll all the way down to 2016 and then look at the involved dog breed for the past 10 years.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fata..._United_States

And again this is not about which dogs bite, they all can. The issue is what does the dog do when it bites.

[BrianH]

So its a Wiki article, from the studies that I did the breeds are not recorded all that well or at all in many instances. The fact is that most things people call Pitbulls are a cross of various dogs and not an American Pitbull Terrier that is purebred or an AmStaff. I fought BSL in my town about 11 or 12 years ago and thankfully beat it.

What I also found was levels of abuse to be higher with Pitbull type dogs. I agree, they are a fashion accessory to many thugs simply because they are muscular and can be intimidating looking to some poor souls. A pet dog generally doesnt just "snap" and attack and kill people. They tend to be abused, untrained, unsocialised or chained up outside. Any of a combo of what I said. I am not against having an aggressive dog for protection so long as you can keep it contained and under control, which many in that article for the few years I read talk about the dog escaping. I think its tragic that anyone dies at the hands of a dog, but the blame would have to fall on the owner 99% of the time.

[Faworki1947]

reasons to have a pitbull ( in my house)

1 short haired , shedding not a problem
2 the dog is easy to train
3 calm & friendly
4 fun and funny
5 not barky at every little noise ( raises her head and looks )
6 obedient and easy to live with
7 best cuddler
8 not to big or to small. smart enough to find a corner and lay down out of the way
===============

that said ..I am looking to move to Colorado Springs this fall. My girl is my best friend in life.. she is better mannered than most people ...