The Pit Bull Appreciation Thread

[cowgirl]

My pit bull (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3213/2843204258_cc72f87711_o.jpg) would make a terrible vice president. He is a lapdog (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/2452472194_9b32b36af6_o.jpg), and his primary interest is in following me around and (when possible) snuggling on the couch (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3257/2843250670_01888cfe20_o.jpg)*. He is not interested in food or toys; he is motivated solely by human affection and its withdrawal. If you're interested, he wants to be your best friend, and if you're not, he'll leave you alone. He bears no ill will towards any human or animal (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/2843204300_39e75ff394_o.jpg), except for cats and raccoons who take up residence on our property, and even then he forgives them once they leave. His bark is much worse than his bite: although he barks only rarely, he never ever bites. In response to aggression from other dogs, he hides behind my legs. He is never anxious, and he puts up with all manner of crap without flinching. His response to frustration or fear is to remove himself from the situation, and stay away from it. When I go away, he stays with four jack russell terriers, and puts up with all their bossy yapping with nary a complaint. When I was sick for a month, he stayed on the bed with me 22 hours a day and got up only for two quick walks around the block, and he never complained at all.

He is not unique. Other pit bull owners report the same sort of experience with their dogs. The Dog Whisperer (http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/features/factspitbulls.php) loves pit bulls. The Little Rascals (http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/09skdh80Uk5NJ/340x.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.daylife.com/photo/09skdh80Uk5NJ&h=460&w=340&sz=51&hl=en&start=1&um=1&usg=__68xXo7yLraqMqSHfmVRQscVJGQI=&tbnid=JFohXH9-01WoPM:&tbnh=128&tbnw=95&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthe%2Blittle%2Brascals%2Bdog%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DX) loved their pit bull. Malcolm Gladwell (http://www.gladwell.com/2006/2006_02_06_a_pitbull.html) is an articulate advocate on their behalf. Michael Vick's pit bulls (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22844052/?GT1=10755) were trained to fight, but with the right kind of attention they are now loving family pets (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/21/AR2008082102058.html). A pit bull called Bandog Dread (http://www.workingpitbull.com/New%20Site%202005/dread.htm) excelled in a huge diversity of activities. Because of the popularity of breed bans (http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/breederinfo11.htm) and the quantity of folks fighting them, there is a ton of information about them available online. There are too many pages debunking pit (http://www.pitbulllovers.com/american-pit-bull-terrier-myths.html) bull (http://www.goodpooch.com/MediaBriefs/GPpitbulls.htm) myths (http://www.realpitbull.com/myths.html) for me to list them here.

This is my favourite quote (from the Gladwell article) about pit bulls, which I find to be so completely true about my dog:

"There are a lot of pit bulls these days who are licensed therapy dogs," the writer Vicki Hearne points out. "Their stability and resoluteness make them excellent for work with people who might not like a more bouncy, flibbertigibbet sort of dog. When pit bulls set out to provide comfort, they are as resolute as they are when they fight, but what they are resolute about is being gentle. And, because they are fearless, they can be gentle with anybody."

Pit bulls are awesome, and if I had room in my life for another dog I'd get another pittie in a minute. I think MY pit bull would make a great VP, because he does whatever I tell him to, but I don't think he'd be very good for America.


* - Innocent bystander amateurishly photoshopped out. If you can do a better job than me, I'd be happy to send you the original.

[TroubleAgain]

Your boy looks like my neighbor's dog, Tank. Tank is also a loving heap o' lapdog. He loves to play tug of war with me, and he adores every kid in the neighborhood. He's such a love, nobody even thinks twice about him being an "evil pit bull." (I am scared he'll slobber me to death, though. :D)

[auRa]

Their stability and resoluteness make them excellent for work with people who might not like a more bouncy, flibbertigibbet sort of dog.

:D The pitbull I'm most closely acquainted with reacts to practically everything with "FRIEND FRIEND FRIEND OH MY GOD I LOVE YOU FRIEND LET ME JUMP INTO YOUR LAP AND STICK MY TONGUE INTO ONE OF YOUR EARS AND OUT OF THE OTHER FRIEND FRIEND". I understand they calm down with age, though. Stability and resoluteness probably come along after they've gotten over the puppy stage.

Pitties are awesome. :)

[cowgirl]

:D The pitbull I'm most closely acquainted with reacts to practically everything with "FRIEND FRIEND FRIEND OH MY GOD I LOVE YOU FRIEND LET ME JUMP INTO YOUR LAP AND STICK MY TONGUE INTO ONE OF YOUR EARS AND OUT OF THE OTHER FRIEND FRIEND". Mine does that too, for the first two minutes, the first five times he meets you. After that, he's like one of those old strong, silent type guys we all know one or two of: no matter how happy he is to see you arrive, you get a nod of the head and maybe a raised eyebrow. When I got back after being away for two weeks, I got a gentle head butt and nary a wag of the tail (but he wouldn't let me out of his sight for a long time after that).

Unless you're running at him with open arms and a big smile going "FRIEND FRIEND FRIEND," then he'll be climbing all over you. But you asked for it.

[schnuckiputzi]

Mine is half pit, half Rottie, rescued from a kill shelter. If you are human, 99% of the time she loves you with much saliva and tail-beating. If you are a toddler, you are her best friend, and she will bathe you every minute until you are clean and shiny. There have been a couple of men who have come to our country home for various delivery purposes or service purposes that she hated on sight, and I trust her judgment. When I have chemo blues, her mission is to cuddle with me until I can cope. However, if you are a small, fluffy, yappy thing you are a chew toy. You will stop squeaking eventually.

[BluePitbull]

I am glad that Iam appreciated!! :p

[lindsaybluth]

http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v329/233/2/3404269/n3404269_39111006_5084.jpg

This is my brother and our new rescue Weezy. He's half Staffie and half boxer.

Weezy doesn't bark, can open a variety of doors (sliding, handle, knob, etc), always thanks you before eating, and wags his tail furiously when meeting any new person or animal.

He too will be trained as a therapy dog soon (he gets neutered tomorrow!).

I always find it amusing that when Weezy and I are on a brisk (but loose leash) walk that people with tiny lapdogs who yap yap yap at him, teeth bared, owners are afraid of Weez. Your dog is the aggressive one, mine just wants approval.

[whiterabbit]

I once met a pit who loved kittens. Show her a kitten and she'd be all over it sniffing and mothering it. And she was sweet as all heck with humans, too.

What handsome dogs you people have!

[Ferret Herder]

(I am scared he'll slobber me to death, though. :D)
A friend of mine has a pit bull who I've said is at more risk of drowning me with slobber than attacking me. He says that if a burglar could get enough guts to break into his house with the dog barking (who is really going "someone's here, someone's here, yay!"), the dog would reveal the locations of all of the valuables if the burglar would empty the treat container on the floor.

At one point, I was sitting on his couch watching TV, with the dog on the next cushion. He kept looking at his master, then scooting in a little closer, looking again to see if he was getting a disapproving glare, scooting closer, until he got close enough to give a big lick on my cheek.

[LurkerInNJ]

My pits passed away years ago but I loved them dearly.

Most maligned breed ever.

[lost in cyberspace]

Mine is pitbull/lab cross, another rescue dog. She was found in a dump (-40C) with 8 newborn pups, it took the rescue group 6 hours to capture her, and that was only cause they had her pups. Took the rescue lady 3 months before she could even touch her and that was only with a treat, and a full year before she had her first belly rub. I got her a year after the rescue group rescued her. I really had my doubts about her and wondered what the hell had I gotten myself into. I didn't think she was ever going to come around. Finally ... and I mean finally, she started to come around, 8 full months after I got her she went on her very first walk, before that she wouldn't leave the house except to pee and run right back in with her tail between her legs. I have now had her almost 3 years - she is the most wonderful and lovable dog I could ever hope to have, and acts pretty much like a normal dog. She is gentle beyond gentle and sweet beyond sweet and I could talk all night about how much we love each other.

I almost have to chuckle when we are walking and people avoid us.

Love pitbulls, you bet I do !!! What I absolutely hate are the people that abuse them

[Cisco]

There are a lot of pit bulls these days who are licensed therapy dogs," the writer Vicki Hearne points out. "Their stability and resoluteness make them excellent for work with people who might not like a more bouncy, flibbertigibbet sort of dog.
Of all the pits I've ever known - maybe 8 - two were fighters (:() and the other 6 would be very accurrately described as bouncy, flibbertigibbet sort of dogs.

[Critical1]

Your boy looks like my neighbor's dog, Tank. Tank is also a loving heap o' lapdog. He loves to play tug of war with me, and he adores every kid in the neighborhood. He's such a love, nobody even thinks twice about him being an "evil pit bull." (I am scared he'll slobber me to death, though. :D)

do you live in the Seattle area? cause this is an exact description of a friend of mine and her dog "Tank"

I also agree they are a great Breed, Tank will happily wrestle with you and he does bite but he is amazing at how gentile he is. he only bites when you are wrestling and messing around and never bites hard enough to break skin or even really hurt

great dog

[Cisco]

he is amazing at how gentile he is.
Oy!

[Critical1]

Oy!

haha!

ha

I think anyway

[Miltonyz]

You guys called me at of lurking. I'm in class right now but pictures and stories of the greatness of Trogdor will be coming soon.

[cowgirl]

... the other 6 would be very accurrately described as bouncy, flibbertigibbet sort of dogs.Mine was too, until I trained him not to be (by ignoring the bounciness and praising the calmness, it worked like magic). The author was talking about therapy dogs, who are (presumably) well-trained, so the implied comparison is between well-trained pit bulls and well-trained dogs of other breeds (some of whom will be bouncy and jumpy no matter how well trained they are).

[TroubleAgain]

do you live in the Seattle area? cause this is an exact description of a friend of mine and her dog "Tank"

I also agree they are a great Breed, Tank will happily wrestle with you and he does bite but he is amazing at how gentile he is. he only bites when you are wrestling and messing around and never bites hard enough to break skin or even really hurt

great dog

Nah, Florida. I'm guessing Tank's a popular name for tank-like dogs. :p (He really is a moose of a dog. Very solidly built.)

[Beware of Doug]

He is a lapdog (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/2452472194_9b32b36af6_o.jpg)Pardon my saying so, but any dog might be a lapdog with such an inviting lap. ;)

Back on topic: I've known about 3 pb's. All of them were lovely sweet doggies (but of course raised to be). I wouldn't turn my nose up at a dog because s/he had pb in hi/r.

[Miltonyz]

I got Trogdor when he was three months old. My buddy was living across the street from some white trash people. We had seen the puppy before and heard him yelp as someone was beating the tar out of him. My buddy went across the street and offered to buy the dog. They turned him down, but a couple of weeks later came and sold Trogdor for thirty bucks. God knows what they would have done with him otherwise. When I got trog he had a limp, and reacted to anybody approaching him by rolling on his back and showing his belly. Long story short he is now a happy well adjusted dog who loves people, probably too much. He has the same issue as cowgirls boy, he doesn't understand why a seventy pound dog can't be a lap dog.
Probably the best part of the deal is seeing peoples attitudes change towards pitbulls fro spending time with him. My mother was scared to death of pitbulls before Trogdor, now she probably loves the fellow more then I do. He has done wonders for the breed image in my immediate family.

And pictures

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h96/Miltonyz/be6dre2.jpg
Those are treats on his paws. He waits until permission is granted before eating them.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h96/Miltonyz/100_1505.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h96/Miltonyz/100_1492-1.jpg

The last one is him playing with my brothers pit/rott mix. After the good eperience with Trogdor my parents let him adopt her from a rescue.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h96/Miltonyz/2007_0415Sept160051.jpg

[snailboy]

My father had a pitbull when I was in middle/high school. He'd never hurt anyone, though someone still found it necessary to shoot him while he was venturing the neighborhood. (This was in the sticks. Most people's dogs were allowed free roam.) It's probably a good thing we never found out who it was.

Now my stepbrother has one. He's been having a hard time finding a place to live because of it. My place will allow any pets except pit bulls and dobermans. I think it's stupid. These dogs are physically built a little better for fighting so a few assholes train them for such, but when raised by decent human beings, they're just like any other dog. I guess you can chalk it up to people are stupid. I'd love a pit bull but until I own a place, I think I'll stick with my tarantulas.

[Sailboat]

Here's an old picture of Simone at six months (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/237/446390848_ece11e8809_b.jpg) -- she just turned two...need new pictures! She's an American Pit Bull Terrier, and a total sweetheart, who thinks everyone she sees is going to be her friend, unless they're on an Evil Skateboard, or worst of all, vacuuming. Rescued from starving on the street when she walked up to our nephew, all wide-eyed and bony.

This is Sadie by the river (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2045/2127329636_57557492d6_b.jpg). Note the way she spreads her toes out to grip the rock. She was rescued from death row in a North Carolina kill shelter, nursing nine new puppies (also scheduled for the needle) and with various health issues of her own. We then fostered her for medical care once the puppies were rehomed. She had full-blown heartworm, hookworm, and fleas; her left hip had been smashed and never healed right, resulting in the ball joint being just a mass of bone chips that hurt her with every step, and her right hop has three shotgun pellets or BBs in it, according to the X-Rays. She too was desperately underweight, and she was fearful of sudden movements and feet when she came to live with us.

Sadie is an interesting mix -- we surmise American Staffordshire Terrier (one of the "pit bull breeds") mixed with...Bassett and/or Beagle? Maybe Corgi?

They adore us, and the feeling is mutual.

Sailboat

This link required by Flickr's terms of Service: link (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinfeatherphotos/446390848/)

[Jennyrosity]

Aww! Your dogs are all gorgeous!

This is my girl, Poppy. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/jennyrosity/DSCN0566.jpg) She's a Staffordshire Bull Terrier I got from a rescue. I was looking for my first dog - something small, I was thinking, and fluffy, maybe a toy spaniel. I came home with her - well, who could resist those big brown eyes?

When I moved to London I couldn't bring her with me, so she stayed in Devon with my mum, and has become her best friend. Like other bull-breeds mentioned here, she's the sweetest-natured, most loving dog you can imagine. While she does do the "launching herself at you in an orgy of affection" thing, she can also be very gentle. When out on walks with the toddler of one of my mum's friends, she sticks by her side instead racing on ahead as she normally would, and gently herds her on if she fell behind. And when a friend of mine who's terrified of dogs was visiting recently, she kept a respectful distance, didn't jump or bark, but just spent the whole weekend quietly but determinedly making friends with her. By Saturday evening, she was sat at her side, with her head on her knee, and my friend stroking her with an amazed but delighted look on her face.

I can't imagine ever owning another kind of dog now. They're just the best.

[Dinsdale]

I'm surprised at the first pic you included. That muzzle makes him look far scarier than much else I could imagine. My first thought was of Hannibal Lector.

Tho I am personally on the dopey golden end of the canine spectrum, yesterday at the dog park I was playfully knocking around a 100+# Amerivcan bull. Fine dogs indeed. Far superior to the vast majority of yapdogs. Just when I've seen so many people cower in response to my grinning goldens, I personally wouldn't have a pit-variety.

[cowgirl]

I'm surprised at the first pic you included. That muzzle makes him look far scarier than much else I could imagine. My first thought was of Hannibal Lector.He has to wear it because of the breed-specific legislation; if I walk him without it, they could take him away and put him down. So, like it or not (and neither of us do), that's what he looks like whenever he's off my property. The fact that he looks like Hannibal Lector is what's so particularly evil about the muzzle law - people are way more scared of him when he's got it on, even tho a dog with a muzzle is the safest dog around.

Beautiful doggies, everyone! Thanks for the pictures! I can't resist one more: a herd of (muzzled) pit bulls, with some of their fans (http://www.pitbullproject.ca/coop/walk.jpg).

[ivan astikov]

Beautiful doggies, everyone! Thanks for the pictures! I can't resist one more: a herd of (muzzled) pit bulls, with some of their fans (http://www.pitbullproject.ca/coop/walk.jpg).

I like the guy with the alsatian, introducing his mutt to them. :) Great pic.

[Dinsdale]

Yeah - I figured as much. And realized you were presenting yourself as a responsible pet owner. I was just expressing my personal thoughts that, as there are so many neat dogs out there that are not legally required to be muzzled, my personal choice would be to own a breed other than a pit.

Of course, I'm the type of irresponsible dog owner who has been known to walk his dogs off-leash, so I wouldn't care to deal with a muzzle.

I really REALLY like all non-aggressive dogs. I go out of my way to be around quite many dogs quite frequently, and off the top of my head I cannot recall a single instance where I was harmed or even threatened by a pit/staff/bull terrier/rott/mastiff/etc. Hell, I can immediately recall 2 damned yappy little dustmop shits that have drawn blood from me. I'm more comfortable around most pits than I am around many cats, as dogs impress me as telegraphing their moods far more obviously.

It struck me as odd, how strongly that photo impressed me - a big dog lover. If I had seen a pit in any mood other than teeth-bared, hackles up, my reaction would have been "Aww, sweet doggie!" But a smiling playing pit in a muzzle makes me instinctively think "Vicious dog!"

Similar issue - was talking with a woman at the dog park the other day about dobes. She commented on how if owners didn't do their ears and tails, people wouldn't even realize they were dobes. But with the ears done, they look mean. Same with boxers - and pits. Yes, I realize that the majority of resue-pits were done at an early age...

Just saying with all the baggage pits carry (rightly or wrongly), I have a hard time imagining myself owning one.

[cowgirl]

I like the guy with the alsatian, introducing his mutt to them. :) Great pic.
:D Can you spot the little hound? He loves walking with the big boys.

Just saying with all the baggage pits carry (rightly or wrongly), I have a hard time imagining myself owning oneI felt the same way, honestly. Then I looked after a friend's pittie (she looked just like my current dog, but half the size and with docked ears) and fell completely in love with her.

Then I heard stories from my friends with greyhounds and jack russell terriers, about people responding with fear and prejudice against their dogs and calling them pit bulls. Not kidding. Jack Russell Terriers. I figured - if ignorant people are going to fear my dog regardless of the breed, why should I try to accommodate them?

My dog was well loved and perfectly socialized when I got him. He was only in the pound to begin with because of the pit bull law (his previous owner hadn't neutered him, which is illegal, so he got taken away), not because of any behaviour problems. It seems much less likely that such a nice dog of any other breed would end up in the shelter.

But what it comes down to is that I don't really like most people much myself, so I'm not bothered by having a dog that only certain people like. I'm not really a dog-park sort of person anyway, and with a pit bull, I have an excuse to stay away.

[Dinsdale]

Not kidding. Jack Russell Terriers.

<shiver> I've known many a JR, and can easily say I would prefer ANY pit I've ever met! :cool:

[cowgirl]

<shiver> I've known many a JR, and can easily say I would prefer ANY pit I've ever met! :cool:
I'm with you. My dogsitter and her partner have four of them, and I'm quite certain that her partner likes my dog far better than those Jacks. (My dog loves it there, but you should see how fast he bolts for the door when we come to pick him up ...)

I know a guy with four pit bulls, and although that seems rather excessive to me, I'd still rather live there than in the House of Jacks.

[Sundrop]

My first post...


I love pit bulls. A friend in high school had a couple and they were, as others have said, the sweetest, gentlest dogs. The only danger is being drowned in slobber because they are affectionate. Most, if properly socialized, even make great dogs if you have kids. My friends older brother had a four year old daughter, and their pits tolerated having their tails and ears pulled where other dogs would likely snap.

I'd very much like to have one myself, preferably a rescue, but with my current schedule it would be unfair to the pittie. Thanks to everyone for sharing their pictures.

[Sailboat]

My first post...


I love pit bulls. A friend in high school had a couple and they were, as others have said, the sweetest, gentlest dogs. The only danger is being drowned in slobber because they are affectionate.

You've left out the danger of getting banged into by an enthusiastic pit doing zoomies, and the all-too-real danger of a fat lip or black eye from some bullet-headed-lover bouncing up as you bend down to say hi. I've seen lengthy lists of injuries inflicted on unsuspecting pit bull fans who tried to kiss a way-too-excited bully.

But it's not aggression. :)

Most, if properly socialized, even make great dogs if you have kids. My friends older brother had a four year old daughter, and their pits tolerated having their tails and ears pulled where other dogs would likely snap.

Used to be called "nanny dogs" for their great reputation with children.

Thank you for recognizing that work schedules matter to an active dog. My wife and I are only able to care for our duo by working as a team and handing off duties frequently; no idea how I'd manage as a single. For example, she works close enough to home that she can do a mid-day walk on her lunch hour.

Sailboat

[Sailboat]

It struck me as odd, how strongly that photo impressed me - a big dog lover. If I had seen a pit in any mood other than teeth-bared, hackles up, my reaction would have been "Aww, sweet doggie!" But a smiling playing pit in a muzzle makes me instinctively think "Vicious dog!"

A conspiracy theorist might say that's one of the principal reasons behind muzzle laws -- it's the yellow badge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_badge) of this hated minority.

Similar issue - was talking with a woman at the dog park the other day about dobes. She commented on how if owners didn't do their ears and tails, people wouldn't even realize they were dobes. But with the ears done, they look mean. Same with boxers - and pits. Yes, I realize that the majority of resue-pits were done at an early age...

I personally think ear cropping started because it mimics the position of the ears when a dog is extremely focused on something -- ears up, gathering information. It makes the dog look (to us) more intent. This makes watchdogs like Dobies look alert and harder to fool (possibly deterring bad guys?) and fighting dogs like pit bulls look more aggressive.

Sailboat

[ivan astikov]

Similar issue - was talking with a woman at the dog park the other day about dobes. She commented on how if owners didn't do their ears and tails, people wouldn't even realize they were dobes. But with the ears done, they look mean.


True. It's like, how mean would a Rotty look with a big, wagging tail? I see lots of Rotties with tails now, and they still look great. But hey, pitbulls are wonderful too.:) It's definitely the owner, and not the dog that is at fault, 99 times out of 100.

[Sundrop]

You've left out the danger of getting banged into by an enthusiastic pit doing zoomies, and the all-too-real danger of a fat lip or black eye from some bullet-headed-lover bouncing up as you bend down to say hi. I've seen lengthy lists of injuries inflicted on unsuspecting pit bull fans who tried to kiss a way-too-excited bully.

But it's not aggression. :)

Heh. But well worth the risk.



Used to be called "nanny dogs" for their great reputation with children.

Thank you for recognizing that work schedules matter to an active dog. My wife and I are only able to care for our duo by working as a team and handing off duties frequently; no idea how I'd manage as a single. For example, she works close enough to home that she can do a mid-day walk on her lunch hour.

Sailboat

Yeah. My wife and I work 30 minutes from home (in opposite directions) and are currently in grad school. Once Grad school is done and a new job aquired it might become feasible to have a middle-of-the-day walkie. 'Til then we'll just have to wait.

[Jennyrosity]

<shiver> I've known many a JR, and can easily say I would prefer ANY pit I've ever met! :cool:

Funny story - a few years ago I was walking Poppy, my Staff, when this tiny little unleashed JR puppy came rushing up and started snapping and snarling at her. Poppy tried to ignore it for quite a while and kept walking, but it was still following her, snapping away. Finally, she lost patience, and pinned it, with one paw on it's wee belly - her paw being nearly the same size as the whole dog. Poppy just stood there, looking down at it, with a "when you've learned to behave yourself I'll let you back up" expression on her face", and the daft thing was still snapping and squirming away, as if it was going "Just you wait! As soon as I get up again I'm going KILL you!"

I have a sneaking fondness for JRTs, they're such spunky little dogs.