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I spent 20 years as a veterinary tech,never had a problem with pit bulls and we treated several.I have had several bites from the small I give you no warning little dogs. Dogs like children learn to hate they arent born that way. Pets are trained by people and their level of intelligence and how they behave is terribly dependent on the owner having half a brain.In a study a few years ago I know that one of the top three breeds that people reported bites from were collies. Shame on Lassie. It is not the breed we should fear but the owners
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I think reported bites versus reported deaths is comparing apples and oranges. Most humans, elderly and all but the very young included, are generally able to defend themselves successfully from most dogs. Doesn't mean they don't get bit, need stitches and medical attention. Happens everywhere all the time.
Pit Bulls are the breed of choice for scum bag dog fighters because they can get more mayhem and violence for the least effort. The dogs have been bred for generations for a vice like grip and tenacity that won't quit. If one or more attack you you will likely wear out before they do.
I agree wholeheartedly that the owners turn them into dangerous weapons. It is a fact though that they have been bred to that purpose and no other. Some breeds are bred for speed, some for herding, some for hunting, some for show and some for simple companionship. Pit bulls are bred to fight. Why ignore that fact?
I accept that some will disagree with this. That's okay. Humans love to rationalize. Some of the defense of pit bulls sounds like it comes from the American Constitution. "All dogs are created equal". Not.
Assume the best and ask questions.
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quote:
Beachboy I can see you are very sentimental about your dog. I am also confident that there are pit bulls that are good pets. But pure bred dogs have been bred over centuries toward a purpose. And Pit Bulls (and others) were bred for fighting. Serious fighting.
Your argument that it's not the dog it's the owners has, of course, a lot of truth to it. It is the same argument however that gun owners use. It's not the gun that kills people it's the people.
In choosing a fighting breed for your family you are aware, or should be aware, that you are taking a greater risk and your family is taking a greater risk than if you had selected (for example) a Cocker Spaniel.
I can't say you are right or wrong. Your decision. I do hope it proves to be a good decision for you.
Rob, when looking for a dog I didn't set out looking for a 'Pit Bull'. I was actually hunting around for a 'Rhodesian Ridgeback'. But have you noticed the price of dogs these days? They are simply out of this world! Especially here on the Big Island were work isn't easy to come by. We probably have more "backyard breeders", than anywhere else in the states. Average price for most breeds is anywhere from $600.00 to $1,000. I picked up Lucy for $225.00 from a friend...that was a steal on the pooch market these days..
Rob, I'm sorry, but it's the owner not the breed. Sure, Pit Bull were originally brought into this world to fight...other large animals like "Bulls". Of course, once a dog starts a career in fighting there is not much one can do to change them. At that point there is no turning back. But as a puppy, you can teach them love instead of violence. I totally trust my dog in the face of my youngest boy, 15 months old! Lucy only licks and lightly naws on us(family)!
Rob, in the old days(20's & 30's and 40's) Pit Bulls were very popular. Teddy Rooservelt "road dog" was a Pit Bull!
An American hero
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwuNzoIP1KE
Unfortunately they have become misunderstood, and a lot of people refuse to take the time to get to know one. Instead they opt to walk on the other side of the road and belittle the owner?!?
Remember what I said Rob, it's the owners, not the breed! Do you remember the famous "Frisbee Dog" Ashley Whippet? She was great yeah? But check out 'Wallace'..
Wallace acting like Ashley?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNicN-o1V...mp;search=
good clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ClM6UZkn...mp;search=
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Beachboy, I'm confident you will raise your dog well. I said earlier that they can, of course, become good dogs.
I admit that I am a bit fired up on the subject of dogs and breeds. I am very disappointed at the time and attention people devote to their children. Far, far too many dogs get much less attention and appreciation. I could just as easily get fired up over a racing dog like a wolfhound, being kept in a small apartment in NYC.
I wish you luck with your choice.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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quote:
Beachboy, I'm confident you will raise your dog well. I said earlier that they can, of course, become good dogs.
I admit that I am a bit fired up on the subject of dogs and breeds. I am very disappointed at the time and attention people devote to their children. Far, far too many dogs get much less attention and appreciation. I could just as easily get fired up over a racing dog like a wolfhound, being kept in a small apartment in NYC.
I wish you luck with your choice.
I understand where you are coming from Rob. I'd never get this breed if I knew she would be left on a leash 24/7,it would defeat the purpose of having a pet.
Back to the subject of it's the owner, not the breed. Check this clip out and you'll agree!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmdqvJqvbhM
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Some of the largest pitbulls I have ever seen are from Hawaii. If you just think it's a bunch of dope selling homeboys fighting dogs your wrong. All types of people fight dogs and watch dog fighting. It might not be the "cool" or "trendy" thing now to admit but man has fought dogs since the days of the caveman. I'm not rationalizing or justifying dog fighting, I'm just saying, you'd be surprised. We own a female "pit"..Luna...a good dog for the most part but I chuckle when I think of her fighting(skittles and M&M's scare her).
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Although dog fighting has been around, as Michael Vick has found out, it is not an acceptable practice today for those in the limelight.
Maybe some others will see what has happened to his life & decide the fights are not worth the loss of status & work he now faces.
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quote:
Although dog fighting has been around, as Michael Vick has found out, it is not an acceptable practice today for those in the limelight.
Maybe some others will see what has happened to his life & decide the fights are not worth the loss of status & work he now faces.
Carey, I think when push comes to shove. America will show M. Vick and others that dogs are more popular than American Football could ever be!
This is really a Black Eye for Pit Bull owner around this country. At least for the owners like myself who are going out of their way to show that Pit Bulls are in fact a wonderful pet. I hate to see them punished for wanting to please their masters!
The dogs(dead) on Vicks property that were recovered were either shot in the head, electrocuted, or were hung from trees. How barbaric is that?
Since Mr. Vick and his cousins feel so macho fighting dogs on his property. Perhaps a good punishment to him should be enforced, whattya think? I think the Gov. should force Mr. Vick into "Tea Bagging", the meanest recovered Pit Bull recovered in Georgia. See how macho he feels with his "nuts" draped over the nose of a 100 pound male Pit Bull!
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The difference between pit bulls and most other dogs is that Pit Bulls are capable of killing people; my Maltese isn't.
We had a neighbor with a Pit Bull who recently moved away. Yea!!! Everyone in the neighborhood was afraid of taking walks by the property as the dog got out occasionally. If you run across a strange pit bull you have no idea if it will kill you or not.
Also, I think people should be considered innocent until proved guilty.
Markie
Markie
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Pits are a favored dog for pig hunting, so says a Hawaiian friend of mine who hunts regularly with six or so pits and one or two hybrids. Each of his pits have different trained characteristics so as to work as a team. The better the team the less injuries to the dogs. Those pig can really rip the pits up too..
We had a wonderful border collie, pure bread from a sheep farmer. Due to allergies, we were forced to give him away. After several months we found a family with a 13 year old child, love at first site, and they/he is living happily ever after..
However, As he matured into adult life, unknown to us until we took him out for late night walks, if a certain type of stranger walked up to us, just to pet him, he could get almost uncontrollably aggressive.. There were just a few people, who, no matter what, perhaps their smell, that he would not let them touch him.. This was a very passive dog who loved children, loved when we had visitors at our house.. In his mind everybody who walked threw the door, meant: "It's play time!!" "Where's the Ball !" We doubted he could guard our house when away. All a robber needed was his ball. And "It's play time"" ha ha
The thing is, even the best of dogs, (there was not a person who had met him that thought he was anything less then a excellent dog, well trained, taken care of, and behaved) But there's times you just never know what conditions will make a dog aggressive. Perhaps he became over protective, don't know, except it was just a few people who wanted to pet him on the late night walks, while other he had no problems with..
At times yaw just never know what will trigger any animal..
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