Pit bull puppy ???
 

My DD and SIL have just adopted a six week old pit bull puppy. My heart did flips when she told us that. I'm afraid my brain did a quick flash back of the stories of pit bull attacks. Those of you who have pit bulls .... would you please give me some input in their aggressiveness or lack of?

Right now I am hearing all the cute puppy stories....but still am anxious. They have no children and this is their new 'baby'.

Thank you for your input.

The "bully" breeds are called that because of the most aggressive of their breed. That said, Pits do seem to be in the news for suddenly turning and eating infants. Some think that it is the in-breeding and the goal to make this a dog fighting breed that makes it not only unpredictable, but also deadly. That said, I think any breed, from the ankle biter to the Pit, needs to have a strong leader...or they will fill that space. I know plenty of Pits who are family dogs that wouldn't ever think of doing anything other than protecting their humans and some who have no direction and I also know of LOTS of ankle biters who reign in terror but are "just sooooo cute." I wonder at the Pits who "uncharacteristically" suddenly attack and what their "pack" is like because a dog with a leader defers to that leader unless it is "sick." I hope they take their big dog seriously and learn what they need to do for their big dog to ensure he is a member of their family. Any dog can be a terror but when we choose to have these dogs as a part of our family, it is also our responsibility and obligation to foster the living conditions they need with us.

Pits are wonderful dogs

The are strong powerful animals and when there is a problem it's dangerous so we hear about it. When I was a kid German Shepherd were the big scary dogs. They got a bad rap because they were inbred and trained to protect by people who had no idea what they were doing. Then rottweiler were the big bad dog more inbreeding and stupid owners. I would hope that they are looking for a family pet not a guard dog if that's the case and the train their new adorable puppy to be part of the family and what his place in the family is. As we. Should all dogs, he will be a wonderful pet

I have been around many pits and if I had another dog I would have a pit in a heartbeat. .

CurliQ, Tartan and Billi.............thanks for your replies. My daughter was able to meet the owner as well as the mom and dad of their puppy at the shelter. The parents of the puppy were pit bulls and very friendly even when folks came around their little family of pups.....which indicates to me that the mom and dad have been raised in a loving home.

Daisy, the new family member, is being trained very well and with lots of love. She will be in obedience school when she is old enough. The other pet of my daughter and SIL passed away last December of old age - he was 17 yo. He had been trained by them and was so loved.

All that said to thank you for your replies and assure you that what you have suggested is already being done. There will no be small infants in their home (maybe another pup at some point) and they are loving and enjoying Daisy. I hope I get to meet her while she is still in the puppy stage. Although I have heard that pit bulls are like active loving puppies all the time. Thanks again :)

I would never own a Pit Bull or allow my children to play in a home that had a Pit bull. I'm sure it's true that not all pit bulls are bad, but whenever something bad happens, it usually involves a pit bull. (Bad dog accidents, that is).

That said, I am personally afraid of most aggressive type dogs like Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Rotweillers, Dobermans, etc. My brother was attacked by a large mixed bred aggressive dog when we were kids and my dad severely injured when he tried to free my brother. So I'm a Shih Tzu fan!

When my oldest son was about 8 months old. His Grampa got a pit bull, that dog grew up with my son. I never had to worry about anyone coming up in the yard if that dog was out there with my son.

Pit Bull is used as a catch all phrase when it comes to a mixed breed dog. Any dog can snap and attack even the most gentle loving one. Even cats lately have been flipping out on their humans.

The dog isn't bad, it's bad training.

I have a pit bull/chow mix and she's a big sweetheart, loves everyone, except the vet. LOL I still say that the problem with "aggressive" dogs, isn't the dog, it's the owners and how it's raised. I've owned Chows, pits, etc., and have never had anything but compliments on them.

It all comes down to how they are raised. I showed some property couple months back. Pitbulls were in their kennels and only woofed to let you know of their presence. They sat in their kennels and just happily wagged their tails. They woofed when we left. The house also did not smell of pet.
Yet in the news yesterday a young man was attacked by 5 and luckily a passing motorist yelled for him to get into his car. He got 14 stitches and scratches. The owner was tracked down, dogs confiscated and will be quarantined. The owner's backyard showed evidence of fighting rings. One dog was put down at the pound because he became so aggressive with the employees and actually bit and bent one of the doors of the kennels. All boils down to how they are raised. Any pet for that manner!

due to bladder infection in my kitties i have spent nearly every day sitting in vet office waiting for shots or exams since last september. the reservation where the vet office is has to be the pitbull capital of the world. i have, over the months of sitting there visiting w pit owners & breeders, recieved quite an education. we moved here few years ago. news full of vicious pit attacks. most horrifying was a 4 yo child that was nearly dismembered by a pack of strays the childs grmother had been feeding.

that was my only experience w pits --news stories like the child (who lived, has had numerous surgeries, permanent nerve damage & news stories vicious idiot humans like michael vic)

this is what i have learned. pit bulls are members of huge dog species -Terrier Breeds. look them up ..this post will be too long if i name even half the breeds that are terriers. pitbulls come in sizes from miniatures to giants called XL. really! i have met 4 mo old puppies that exceeded 100#'s. acting like puppies. adorable. this breed is intelligent, & like ANY breed of dog w/o proper socialization & training can become a vicious animal. my kennel/groomer had an employee who had her lower lip bitten off (small flap of skin left only) by a little bitty chiuahua. any breed of dog can be dangerous.

learn about pits ..they are beautiful, loyal, loving and one of the best breeds to own ...as a family pet. i don't have one, but i would if opportunity arose.

i have a German Wirehaired Terrier - another breed known for agressiveness ..my love baby, all he wants to do is sit in my lap.