Pitbulls vs Bull

[RhyssaFireheart]

I think I'm going to fire up the dv cam and shoot Cujo II: The Whitening... using my 1 year old westie...

ROWR!!!!!!

I'll see your ROWR!!!!!! and raise you this!



*sigh*  Digital cameras can be too damn slow sometimes.

Signe, your dog looks like a sweetie all the way.

Cujo - I hated that fucking movie.  It got to be so annoying when we'd take our Saint somewhere as kids and people would come up going "Oh look, it's CUJO!"  No it's not, if he were Cujo he'd be trying to tear your fucking head off, moron.  His name is Barney (and/or Max).  We used to get it with both the Saints we owned.

[Furiously]

This is the dog my sister and I rescued from a shelter.
 


Yes, she is apparently the tiniest pitbull in existence.  She's the smartest dog I've ever seen... and we used to own Alsatians which are very, very smart.  She's terribly  silly and immensely entertaining.  She would only bite you if you bit her first... and probably not even then.  Don't be fooled, however, pitbulls are often  bred to be aggressive.  Same with chows, and some other breeds, but any breed can be aggressive  It has a lot to do with the sort of training a dog has, but also you have to factor in what sorts of traits were concentrated on when breeding a dog.  It's not all that difficult to breed unwanted traits out, however.  (my mother used to breed German Shepherds/Alsatians)  Unneutered male dogs bite the most and children under 10 are the most bit.  If I were the parent of a small child, I would be very careful what sort of breed to get.

I have had dogs that I felt I loved as if they were a family member.  If that dog were to show aggressive tendencies towards humans and if I were not able to have that corrected through training, I would have that dog destroyed in spite of how much it hurt me.  Regardless of how much of a silly person I might appear to be, I do have my head screwed on properly when it comes to things like this.  So yes... if I had to worry that an animal I owned and loved dearly was capable of seriously harming an human I didn't know and could care less about as an individual, I would have the animal put to sleep before I would chance a tragic accident.

This thread makes me sad.

Me too - one of my good friends has a pitbull that is the biggest pussycat in the world. Extremely gentle and loving dog. (They have a 2 month old and a 2 year old and I've seen the 2 year old pull themselves up from the ground grabbing the dog's face).

Then again, we had a german shepard as a kid that was the same way, unless you were a stranger who was wearing a hat or black.  Then she would go into Cujo mode. (Note - there was no training for either of these.)

[CaptainNapkin]

I agree with you Signe, "this thread makes me sad" as well. I was reading through it and about ready for a hot-headed reply, but I'm happy that you posted what you did, in a nice calm way that I'd probably be incapable of myself.

All the anti-pitbull (or anti-any breed) crap is all because people just jump on the media hype and accept it as fact without seeing the real picture. So yeah.. the video games are murder simulators... kids shoot other kids, must be because kids are inherently evil and violent, I say we ban kids! See what a wonderful thought process. I'm not saying there are not evil dogs out there, but it has nothing to do with the breed.

I'm not just the spokesperson... I'm also a client...
Look how horribly mean mine is... cramming his 75lb ass into the small crate so his main squeeze can sleep in the bigger one...

Yes, he's an idiot... but he does crap like this that keeps me laughing... he's a big baby.

No, he's not propped up or set up in this pic either. (I admit, I threw this one in for comedic value only)

Anyway, don't believe what ya read... if I made no sense it's because this topic ticks me off... for every story or pic of a dog tragedy, there are countless others of happiness... those, of course, are not newsworthy.  
And yes, I've seen some of the bad ones. I've had friends with dogs that were trained for fighting. Those dogs need to be put to sleep, and the owners lined up and shot, on TV, primetime.

[kaid]

I will agree that a lot of a dogs behavior is how they are trained or not trained but pitbulls like it or not are a very agressive by nature breed. If trained well this can be trained out of them mostly but even the best trained ones still can be very dangerous.

My friend had a pitbull and a german shepherd. They used to love eachother and play all the time. Until one day for no reason we could ever figure out the pitbull freaked out and litterally ripped the shepherd to pieces. The pitbull tore the sheperds throat out and pretty much eviscerated it. And this was from a good tempered well trained pitbull that I had never so much as heard growl at anything before and I cannot to this day figure out what caused it to flip and slaughter his playmate.


kaid

[CaptainNapkin]

I respectfully disagree, pitbulls are not aggressive by nature. One unfortunate incident does not represent and entire breed. Your experience could have happened with ANY dog. The thing is, if it's a pitbull that gets aggressive, it's ugly because of their power. They are just strong and capable animals.

Petey's heart is broken...

[Toast]

I hate pit bulls. It's crazy how many pit bull mixes there are in the animal shelter here in Austin.

I prefer my pets to be non-lethal. If my dog does go postal because something or someone freaks it out, it's nice to only have to worry about "did it break the skin?"

[Bunk]

The problem with pitbulls is the breeders that continue to breed them. I would not complain if we essentially bred the species in to muttdom, simply because we really don't have a need of a dog with that much power and destructive capabilities in today's world.

That being said, it's still unfair to direct the hate at the dogs themselves. Its sure as hell not thier fault.

[Kenrick]

I hate pit bulls. It's crazy how many pit bull mixes there are in the animal shelter here in Austin.

I prefer my pets to be non-lethal. If my dog does go postal because something or someone freaks it out, it's nice to only have to worry about "did it break the skin?"

I lolled... halfway through reading that first sentence, I was already saying to myself, "Self, I wonder where he's talking about.  Sounds like Austin."

[Miasma]

All the anti-pitbull (or anti-any breed) crap is all because people just jump on the media hype and accept it as fact without seeing the real picture.

I saw several real pictures at the beginning of the thread, they are of two pitbulls vicious and crazy enough to try and kill a bull.

Half of the pitbull stories I have heard involve terrible owners, the other half are like Kaid's story where one suddenly snaps for no reason.  It doesn't matter how cute and nice they seem to be right now because they can turn on you at any moment.  I'm sure all pitbull owners say things like "they are great with my kids", right up until the baby is mauled.

[Paelos]

There are dead dogs in a picture and amazingly this didn't end up in the den. Hey mods, that's pretty sick.

Next it'll be hey look at all the happy kittens drowning. Fuckers.

[Merusk]

There are dead dogs in a picture and amazingly this didn't end up in the den. Hey mods, that's pretty sick.

Next it'll be hey look at all the happy kittens drowning. Fuckers.

It's ok because they're evil dogs and the world would be better off without them.  Like the Irish.

All the anti-pitbull (or anti-any breed) crap is all because people just jump on the media hype and accept it as fact without seeing the real picture.

I saw several real pictures at the beginning of the thread, they are of two pitbulls vicious and crazy enough to try and kill a bull.

Hi. Welcome to the "bull" part of "Bull Terrier."  Bulldog History.

[RhyssaFireheart]

Hi. Welcome to the "bull" part of "Bull Terrier."  Bulldog History.

I think this might have been the link you were looking for, although the other is relevent for the history of the orgin breed for pit bulls.

And while it's sad that the dogs ended up dead, if the rumour someone else mentioned - that they were strays after Katrina - wouldn't you be getting a bit desperate for food if you were in their paws?

[stray]

I only made the post because Picture #3 was funny in a Loony Toons sort of way. It has nothing to do with hating pitbulls or wanting to shoot kittens.

[Merusk]

Hi. Welcome to the "bull" part of "Bull Terrier."  Bulldog History.

I think this might have been the link you were looking for, although the other is relevent for the history of the orgin breed for pit bulls.

Whoops.. clicked the english bulldog link then ripped the link without hitting the back button.  Anywho, yeah, Pitbull History is doing exactly that type of thing and Bulldogs (their ancestors) were bred for Bull Baiting.

[HaemishM]

It wasn't immediately clear to me in the pictures that the pitbulls were dead. No exposed viscera and such.

And really, the #3 pic was really fucking funny.

[Pococurante]

From the Wikipedia link for pitbulls:

Statistics
Of the 199 dog-attack fatalities in the USA between 1979 and 1996, dogs identified as pit bulls were responsible for 60 attacks—just under a third. The next most-dangerous group was Rottweilers, responsible for 29 attacks (statistics from the CDC).

According to The Age, pit bull terriers have been responsible for four of the seven dog attacks in which Australians have died between 1991 and 2002. The Endangered Dog Breeds Association of Australia denies these figures, claiming that pit bull terriers have caused no known fatalities. Most Australian state governments have introduced new legislation specific to pit bulls.

While the numbers are relatively small it's inescapable that these perfect pets occasionally are the ultimate nightmare and of all dogs the most likely to snap.  I view having one around the house exactly the same as I view being a gun owner without a gunsafe.

This quote made me chuckle:

Although they are short, they have extremely high muscle density and are generally capable of executing a standing four foot vertical jump.

I saw this one time - damn dog literally levitated straight up four feet and landed on a ramp we were using to load out furniture.  We used to play "fetch the stick" by throwing a four-foot very heavy log and the dog would catch it in mid-air/mid-run without even ducking his head.

The owners had to put him down once he got older - his wife made him as she no longer felt the kids were safe.  I agree with her - damn things scared the hell out of me.  Sweet dog when he was younger though.

[Merusk]

From the Wikipedia link for pitbulls:

Statistics
Of the 199 dog-attack fatalities in the USA between 1979 and 1996, dogs identified as pit bulls were responsible for 60 attacks—just under a third. The next most-dangerous group was Rottweilers, responsible for 29 attacks (statistics from the CDC).

According to The Age, pit bull terriers have been responsible for four of the seven dog attacks in which Australians have died between 1991 and 2002. The Endangered Dog Breeds Association of Australia denies these figures, claiming that pit bull terriers have caused no known fatalities. Most Australian state governments have introduced new legislation specific to pit bulls.

While the numbers are relatively small it's inescapable that these perfect pets occasionally are the ultimate nightmare and of all dogs the most likely to snap.  I view having one around the house exactly the same as I view being a gun owner without a gunsafe.

I found similar numbers just googling around, but then found another study for the same time period that indicated that among non-fatal dog bites, Shepards and then Chows are the most likely to bite.  They didn't mention Rotts or Pitts in that study, though, so it makes you wonder what's up with it. (I was looking for info on Dalmations, which I'd heard are fairly neurotic and also prone to biting due to inbreeding.. no place mentioned them. Also interesting the much-feared Dobe was lower on bites and fatalities than the "friendly" Shephard or Malamute)

All it leads me to believe is that having any kind of powerful dog when you have young kids just isn't among the best of ideas.  Particularly if you had the dog first, since it'll try and establish dominance at some point.

[Margalis]

It wasn't immediately clear to me in the pictures that the pitbulls were dead. No exposed viscera and such.

In one of the pictures the dog lying on the ground in the foreground appears to have a large pool of blood around the head. Doesn't look like a shadow, too dark and you can see the shadow of the dog and the person off-frame going into the frame whereas the blood is coming towards the camera.

Last night I broke into my landlord's apartment with a screwdriver in about 15 seconds. (She asked me too, locked herself out) I think I have a career as some sort of super-sleuth. CSI, here I come!

[Signe]

Last night I broke into my landlord's apartment with a screwdriver in about 15 seconds. (She asked me too, locked herself out) I think I have a career as some sort of super-sleuth. CSI, here I come!

Or a crook.

I probably wouldn't have a Pitbull as a pet if I had small children.  Or a Rottweiller, Chow Chow, Mastiff, Akita or any number of other dogs.  If I owned one and had a baby, I would probably find it another home.  I think people just need to use common sense... if there is the slightest chance that an animal of mine could hurt a person because of an unpredictable nature, it would have to be put to sleep.  I wouldn't even try to find that sort of an animal a home. 

By law, a dog is a possession... like a blender or a gun.      If something is in my possession and kills or even hurts a person, I'm responsible.  Sorry... I don't want that sort of responsibility.  It's not just because I could be tossed in jail, either.  I had a dog who bit my nephew in the face when he was only three.  The bite was't serious but it could have been.  I still have nightmares about it sometimes.  I want my animals to be just like me... all bark, no bite.

[kaid]

I can believe that a malamute would be higher on the fatality list than dobermans. My god if a malamute wanted to kick your ass you are smoked those things are freaking huge. Most malamutes I have seen are very even tempered but the males especially un neutered ones really need to be trained well or there can be dominance issues.

kaid

[Sky]

I dated a girl with one of those monstrosities once. I was very scared, glad we broke up far away from her house.

[Kenrick]

I got to meet a 190 lb. Irish Wolfhound at the austin celtic festival last weekend.  Was pretty spiffy.  Huge dog but oddly nonthreatening.   :-D

[Bunk]

This quote made me chuckle:

Although they are short, they have extremely high muscle density and are generally capable of executing a standing four foot vertical jump.

I saw this one time - damn dog literally levitated straight up four feet and landed on a ramp we were using to load out furniture.  We used to play "fetch the stick" by throwing a four-foot very heavy log and the dog would catch it in mid-air/mid-run without even ducking his head.

The owners had to put him down once he got older - his wife made him as she no longer felt the kids were safe.  I agree with her - damn things scared the hell out of me.  Sweet dog when he was younger though.

My sister's Rottie/Pit can clear a four foot fence like it isn't there.

[kaid]

Wolfhounds are pussycats those things are immense but due to that just don't seem to think of much as a threat to them. A game store owner around here used to have one. The thing when it was a puppy was over 100 pounds hehe YIKES. Nice dog though very quite but he like to snuggle with people and when you have a 180+ pound dog leaning on you it can be a bit much.


kaid

[Kenrick]

Exhibit 4,213,673(b):

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/11/27/D8E5326O0.html

[voodoolily]

Most of the dogs I've ever liked were either tiny (what I deem to be leash-trainable cats) or ginormous. I think Borzois are beautiful, but they're infamously non-child-friendly. If I ever own a dog, I want a whippet or a mini-doberman. They're like little fairy horses! 

[kaid]

Friend has a pair of minature itallian greyhounds. Like little fairy ninja horses that steal stuff they arnt supposed to faster than your eye can follow.

Kaid

[WayAbvPar]

Exhibit 4,213,673(b):

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/11/27/D8E5326O0.html

They should put the owner to sleep along with the dogs.

[Signe]

They should den the top part of this thread and just leave the bottom... the bottom part is beautiful.   

Someone should also give me back my den permissions before I start with the hobbit pr0n. 

[Nebu]

Don't laugh, but when I worked in the ER I saw a lot of bite injuries caused by Daschunds.  Apparently it's not uncommon for them to snap if you get in their face.  Too many trips down the badger hole I'm guessing.

[voodoolily]

When I was a kid my Nana had a chihuahua named Bambi who was infamously impatient with children. She warned my brother and me to not tease Bambi, but my brother was relentless and one time when he was sticking out his tongue all "nyah nyah" Bambi nipped him on the tongue. Drew blood and everything. Everyone laughed because my bro totally deserved it. He never fucked with that little dog again.

[WayAbvPar]

Don't laugh, but when I worked in the ER I saw a lot of bite injuries caused by Daschunds.  Apparently it's not uncommon for them to snap if you get in their face.  Too many trips down the badger hole I'm guessing.

Daschunds are mean little fuckers. There was one up the street from my house when I was a kid that used to terrify me...it would come charging out of its yard and bark like hell, trying to nip at me. One day, I had had enough. I picked up a handful of sand and gravel; when the little bastard got close enough in its charge, I threw it right in its face. It yelped, turned around, and ran like hell back to its yard. I am guessing the sand got into its beady little eyes.

Never left its yard in pursuit of me again, although it did continue to bark.

[Pococurante]

If I was all belly and phallus with no legs to speak of I'd be damn irritable too. ;)