# Pit Bulls (continued) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 8, 2013, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714 "2013-10-08T19:18:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 27
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/521 "2014-01-02T00:10:33Z")
> [@Kable](#): > > So if my math is right, that study found banning Pit Bulls only reduced dog bite hospitalizations about 18%. So what breeds are they going to have to ban next to make people truly safe? How did you figure that out ? Sure your math is correct ? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/522 "2014-01-02T00:18:04Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > You might not think he’s a pitbull, but if he looks like one and so many people think he might be one, I’d say he’s a “pitbull type”. Which stretches the definition of “pitbull” to an almost insane, and completely useless, extent. Yes, if the dog bites someone the news would probably describe it as a “pitbull attack,” but the news likes to be alarmist like that–look at how the TV news prefers to give “feels like” temperatures, like wind chill and “heat index,” whatever the fuck that is, to the real goddamn temperature. It’s scarier that way, and scaring people builds ratings. Just like, and **Kable** , you’ll like this, how they say that someone was shot without necessarily saying if the person was killed or merely scratched. An unexplained “shot” sounds scary, _ **which is what they want.** _ They want to play you. They want you scared and cowering in your living room so you’re watching more commercials. So, once and for all, please define just what a “pitbull” is because otherwise you are using what **LilyoftheField** thinks you are using as a definition, an extremely general description that fits roughly half the dogs out there. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/523 "2014-01-02T00:32:36Z")
> [@LilyoftheField](#): > > and just so you know - here is a pic of my dog… > > [ImageShack - Best place for all of your image hosting and image sharing needs](http://imageshack.us/a/img39/7606/ohfw.jpg) Careful–the kitten is trying to eat it! Actually, it plays right into my theory that, if the two parents are breeds that are way far apart genetically, like my Lab/Corgi, you end up with a Generic Dog: about 35 lbs, black, tan, or brown with a white chest, collar, socks, and tip of its muzzle, and tipped ears. Dogs with the [Pariah Morph](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pariah_dog#.22Pariah_Morph.22). You know, Cave Man dogs. > [@](#): > > I’m going to guess that in most instances of a dog attack by a family pet, it caught the owners ‘completely unaware’ and that is not limited to pitbulls. Yes, it was a remarkably stupid thing to say. ---
**Author:** ![Kable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kable)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/524 "2014-01-02T00:33:36Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > How did you figure that out ? Sure your math is correct ? I took 2.84 and divided by 3.47 then subtracted that from 1… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/525 "2014-01-02T00:39:07Z")
> [@LilyoftheField](#): > > do you understand what I’m getting at here? He is short-coated, blunt muzzled and flashy. So you are saying that in effect that makes him a ‘pitbull type’? and if so, do you understand that any of a multiplicity of breeds and the mixes thereof can lead to what you are calling a ‘pitbull type’? That was my question - how do you define a ‘pitbull type’? and how do you differentiate that from so many other short coated, medium to large sized, blunt muzzled and possibly flashy colored dogs??? > > and just so you know - here is a pic of my dog… > > [ImageShack - Best place for all of your image hosting and image sharing needs](http://imageshack.us/a/img39/7606/ohfw.jpg) That’s no pitbull, although I would have preferred a standing shot for determination. The clues I look for are a broadness in the stance , larger head than body, and obvious musculature. That is the canine morphology that correlates with the frenzied sharklike behavior in a pit attack. “Flashy coloured”, please don’t make me laugh > [@](#): > > I’m going to guess that in most instances of a dog attack by a family pet, it caught the owners ‘completely unaware’ and that is not limited to pitbulls. Oh for sure ! The owners of the dogs that bit me weren’t expecting it. But then, my dog bites haven’t been documented either. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/526 "2014-01-02T00:40:44Z")
> [@Kable](#): > > I took 2.84 and divided by 3.47 then subtracted that from 1… Giberish ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/527 "2014-01-02T00:44:56Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Yes, it was a remarkably stupid thing to say. What ? You think dog owners are usually aware when their dogs attack ? You’ve been drinking again haven’t you. ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheField](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@LilyoftheField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheField)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/528 "2014-01-02T01:15:41Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > That’s no pitbull, although I would have preferred a standing shot for determination. > > The clues I look for are a broadness in the stance , larger head than body, and obvious musculature. That is the canine morphology that correlates with the frenzied sharklike behavior in a pit attack. “Flashy coloured”, please don’t make me laugh > . and yet…as you yourself said, "if so many people think he might be one, I’d say he’s a “pitbull type”. Well - if so many people think he might be one, you don’t think that would be the first thing to show up in media reports if there were an adverse event? Looking at a pic, you are willing to go out on a limb and say ‘that’s no pitbull’. How quick would you be in that judgement if you had seen him in the street savaging another dog or god forbid, a child?? would you think it has to be a pitbull, just because it’s being aggressive (as opposed to acting as a substitute mama for a kitten as in the pic?) So, you admit - its just a matter of perspective? (Incidentally, he does have a broad chested stance and is very lean and muscular even at the advanced age of seven, although I don’t think his head is abnormally large, lol) what, and you’re just going to laugh off that flashy coloring can influence people into believing that what they saw was a ‘pitbull type’? ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/529 "2014-01-02T01:16:24Z")
Lily, people call the dog in that photo a pitbull? Bizarre. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/530 "2014-01-02T01:33:17Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > You’ve been drinking again haven’t you. Moi? No, I stumbled on a post of mine when I _was_ drinking and it was nothing like that. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/531 "2014-01-02T01:56:09Z")
> [@LilyoftheField](#): > > (Incidentally, he does have a broad chested stance and is very lean and muscular even at the advanced age of seven, although I don’t think his head is abnormally large, lol) **Lily** , could you please give us another photo showing your doggie in a show stance ? ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheField](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@LilyoftheField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheField)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/532 "2014-01-02T01:59:51Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Lily, people call the dog in that photo a pitbull? Bizarre. Nzinga, my old pal - I know, right? and yet that little brown dog is flashy - and short haired - and blunt muzzled - and lean and muscular! and he barks at other dogs! he’s a ‘pitbull type’! he is clearly a loose cannon! ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheField](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@LilyoftheField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheField)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/533 "2014-01-02T02:15:02Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > **Lily** , could you please give us another photo showing your doggie in a show stance ? haha - that’s really funny! since, like most pet owners, I have a mutt! he’s what we call a ‘heinz’ dog, lol! a show stance? a show stance? you have got to be fucking kidding me! what possible reason could I have for training my dog to stand in a ‘show stance’? and what possible reason could I have for photographing my ‘mutt’ in a show stance? No, I don’t have that, lol. which is really beside the point anyway. the fact is, there are a lot of people who think that he looks like a pitbull. or maybe a boxer. which is just another ‘pit type dog’ by your broad definition. my whole point is that your average everyday person is not going to be able to differentiate between a pitbull and what you are calling a ‘pitbull type’. even if you are able to define what you mean by that, doesn’t mean that others will be able to be as discriminating… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/534 "2014-01-02T02:25:38Z")
I sense you have something to hide . Just a picture of you dog standing from the front and side. That’s not too hard. No harder than that adorable picture of your dog from behind lying down with a kitten. ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheField](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@LilyoftheField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheField)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/535 "2014-01-02T02:40:48Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > I sense you have something to hide . Just a picture of you dog standing from the front and side. > > That’s not too hard. No harder than that adorable picture of your dog from behind lying down with a kitten. dude, you are clearly insane, lol! so, since I don’t have a show type pic of my mutt, that means I have something to hide??? what exactly is it I’m supposed to be hiding, that he looks like a ‘pitbull type’ or that he doesn’t??? I don’t get it - what am I missing here? and as far as being harder - c’mon, get real! a pic of your dog acting like a kitty mama substitute is cute as fuck and is going to make anyone grab a cam - on the other hand a pic of your dog just standing around, trying to look non pitbullish - not so cute! not so grab your camish, if you know what i mean lol ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/536 "2014-01-02T03:05:02Z")
That dog looks nothing like anything I have ever heard anyone call a pitbull. That’s all I know. I don’t need him in a blue ribbon posture to see that. I think the people telling you that are insane. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/537 "2014-01-02T03:16:05Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > I sense you have something to hide . Just a picture of you dog standing from the front and side. > > That’s not too hard. No harder than that adorable picture of your dog from behind lying down with a kitten. Dude, you have gone over the edge. Remember that I don’t have a pitbull-type breed. I don’t even like most of them all that much because they are like petting a velvet-covered rock. I have only taken any side in this because people like you and **Kambucta** , people I don’t normally have anything against, are being so nutsy-cuckoo about them. Try sounding a little less psychotic and maybe people will listen to you. ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheField](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@LilyoftheField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheField)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/538 "2014-01-02T03:24:46Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > That dog looks nothing like anything I have ever heard anyone call a pitbull. That’s all I know. I don’t need him in a blue ribbon posture to see that. I think the people telling you that are insane. see, that’s just it - the people who are asking me if the dog in the pic is a pitbull are not insane. they are just ordinary people in ordinary everyday life who don’t really know but are basing their opinions on this and that that they’ve seen online or this and that that they’ve seen on tv… so…seriously Nzinga - do you really believe that people would not call this dog a pitbull just because to you, it clearly is not? the fact that you’re not wrong, doesn’t rule out the possibility of you being overruled by the opinions of others. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/539 "2014-01-02T03:53:38Z")
Well…how _many_ people are calling it pit. I’m trying not to call bullshit, but, It borders on absurd. Like if I were walking around with a Persian cat and people kept calling it a siamese. I would be like WTF. I am wondering if you aren’t overstating it a bit. Maybe one lost soul thought that was a pit? I think the pro pitters are trying to make a point that maybe most of the dog attacks being blamed on pits aren’t really pits, since people can’t tell a pit when they see one. I get that. But I think we all have to be honest and agree that most people aren’t gonna ID that dog as a pit. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/540 "2014-01-02T04:06:17Z")
Had a German Shepherd/Rough Collie that a neighbor was convinced was a full-blooded wolf, though he looked considerably less like a wolf than **Lily** ’s dog looks like a pitbull. I was four at the time and had the realization that some people are just stupid. That has served me well in the subsequent decades. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714.md?page=26) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714.md?page=28)