Do you own a dog? What Breed?

[Bighuey]

I used to have a pit bull, he was a big baby.

[suzy1124]

Pit Bulls need a better P.R. agent...( " perception " is everything )...personally, it would nevuh be my kinda dog, but hey! is that because they've gotten a bum rap?? ....if so, my apologies to all Pit Bulls

[Bighuey]

There just like any other dog, if you treat them bad, they will be bad. If you treat them good, they will be good.

[suzy1124]

Sooo what's all the bad hype about?.................

There just like any other dog, if you treat them bad, they will be bad. If you treat them good, they will be good.

the above can be said for ANY dog, right?

[Physicsman13]

I have a black lab named Cinder. She is the runt so she is only about 50 pounds even though she is nearly 6.

Andrew

[Bighuey]

Sooo what's all the bad hype about?.................

There just like any other dog, if you treat them bad, they will be bad. If you treat them good, they will be good.

the above can be said for ANY dog, right?

Its probably because they were bred for fighting they got a bad rep. The one we had was a baby. He thought he was a lap dog. But if someone came around he didnt know, he could tear ass. Which to me, makes for the ideal dog. Good with your family, but a holy terror to strangers.

[suzy1124]

Sooo what's all the bad hype about?.................

There just like any other dog, if you treat them bad, they will be bad. If you treat them good, they will be good.

the above can be said for ANY dog, right?

Its probably because they were bred for fighting they got a bad rep. The one we had was a baby. He thought he was a lap dog. But if someone came around he didnt know, he could tear ass. Which to me, makes for the ideal dog. Good with your family, but a holy terror to strangers.

sorta like the PERFECT husband...

[Bighuey]

Or the perfect wife.

[suzy1124]

yup!

[Loveabull]

Ya sure got that right

I just got this terrific book called "I'm a Good Dog", basically a celebration of bully breeds...cover dog looks just like my dear Callie. They've been demonized by the press and breed ban laws. When there's a fatal dog attack in the states the headline will go up as "Pit Bull" before they have any idea what breed was actually involved.

Breed ban laws are ridiculous. You know I read a survey of vets that said the breed with the worst tendency to bite...dachshunds. Historically fighting dogs had to be completely human friendly...maybe not with strangers but certainly with their handlers. A dog had to be willing to have someone bathe it before a match and doctor it's wounds in the heat of battle. A dog that was human aggressive wasn't going to live very long. The typical cared-for bully is velcroed to it's favorite humans.

[suzy1124]

I'm still left w/the question of WHY? is this breed so maligned?

[Loveabull]

I suppose besides the horrendous press...it can be partially about appearance and don't judge a dog by it's cover?

I mean I find German Shepherds to be more intimidating looking than bulldogs. But a good friend had a GSD for many years who was a stable, intelligent, cuddle bug and would eat trespassers at a moments notice. My aunt had an English bull who was big enough for his own love seat...the only way old Topper would hurt you is if he bumped you with his head as he rolled over.

My Sophie is perhaps a pit/boxer/shepherd mix, not imposing just big. Callie is classic American bull. Huge head and shoulders, droopy lips, small eyes. The lips don't help things. When we walk outside he enjoys sniffing every molecule. Then he drools, then the grass and twigs get stuck in the drool and he shakes his head, this covers his snoot in goop and dead grass. So when someone walks past us they don't see a happy boy enjoying nature. Guess they imagine a box-headed grass monster?

But it's sad, when people are brave enough to walk up to him he's just as waggy as any other dog. Imagine it must hurt his feelings sometimes...people looking at you in disgust, or squealing and running just because you're not a poodle.

[suzy1124]

paw doggie!...stop, ya gunna make me cry... ....( talk about a " guilt trip! )

you make a wonderful case/presentation, sure you're not a lawyer?

[Loveabull]

Funny...as a kid lawyer or cop were my two dream jobs...thank you!

-- 12 Jul 2013, 21:39 --

Interesting that by chance the newest issue of Time magazine has an article about changing the image of pits. Even I think some of the featured canines look a tad rugged, but the first picture looks like both my babies Nice to see some good press there...they aren't for everyone of course, but hopefully more people will be interested in at least researching them as a potential soul mate. They like any terrier need lots of daily exercise and a flexible knowing owner...they are strong, you have to be stronger...with the right human they can be one of the cuddliest breeds out there.

[suzy1124]

Funny...as a kid lawyer or cop were my two dream jobs...thank you!

-- 12 Jul 2013, 21:39 --

Interesting that by chance the newest issue of Time magazine has an article about changing the image of pits. Even I think some of the featured canines look a tad rugged, but the first picture looks like both my babies Nice to see some good press there...they aren't for everyone of course, but hopefully more people will be interested in at least researching them as a potential soul mate. They like any terrier need lots of daily exercise and a flexible knowing owner...they are strong, you have to be stronger...with the right human they can be one of the cuddliest breeds out there.

i'll hafta check it out.....