# 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:** 49
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/961 "2014-01-29T14:22:20Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Oh, and I heard someplace today… Really? ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/962 "2014-01-29T14:31:32Z")
> [@Monster104](#): > > What a tired old lie, Pits weren’t “bred for violence”, individual dogs are raised and trained for violence. They were bred to fight one another for sport back when such a thing was common. Do you disagree with this? Do you disagree that this can accurately be summarized as “violent”? From wikipedia: > [@](#): > > The Pit Bull Terrier was created by breeding Old English Terriers and Old English Bulldogs together to produce a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the bulldog.[8] These dogs were bred in England, and arrived in the United States where they became the direct ancestors of the American Pitbull Terrier. In the United Kingdom pit bulls were used in bloodsports such as bull baiting, bear baiting and cock fighting. These bloodsports were officially eliminated in 1835 as Britain began to introduce animal welfare laws. Since dogfights were cheaper to organise and far easier to conceal from the law than bull or bear baits, bloodsport proponents turned to pitting their dogs against each other instead. Dog fighting was used as both a bloodsport (often involving gambling) and a way to continue to test the quality of their stock. If I, and the wikipedia page along with me, am wrong about this: What is your theory? What were Pit Bulls bred for? ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/963 "2014-01-29T15:08:03Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > They were bred to fight one another for sport back when such a thing was common. Do you disagree with this? Do you disagree that this can accurately be summarized as “violent”? > > From wikipedia: > > If I, and the wikipedia page along with me, am wrong about this: What is your theory? What were Pit Bulls bred for? First of all, since Wikipedia is written by any old Joe non-expert, the veracity of its claims is impossible to know and therefore fails as a reliable cite. But more importantly, you can’t even read your own cite properly. It doesn’t say these dogs were bred to fight one another, it says they were _used_ as fighting dogs after using them as _bait dogs_ for bulls and bears was made illegal. So yes, you’re wrong about this, and my theory is that’s because you’re willfully being ignorant on the matter. ---
**Author:** ![Miltonyz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Miltonyz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miltonyz)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/964 "2014-01-29T17:14:20Z")
Lets say that we agree with the fact that pits were bred for violence, and that they bred to fight other dogs. How does that make them different from most other dogs? All of our terrier breeds have roots in killing other things. Our guardian breed dogs were bred to attack and subdue humans. What do you think a Labrador does when the bird he was sent to retrieve is still alive and in fighting shape? Our herding dogs were expected to fight to protect their flock. We have dogs that were developed to hunt wolves, bears, lions, and wild boars. To single out Pitbulls as especially dangerous because they were bred to kill 30 to 50 pound animals shows seems ignorant. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/965 "2014-01-29T18:40:31Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > They were bred to fight one another for sport back when such a thing was common. Do you disagree with this? Do you disagree that this can accurately be summarized as “violent”? > > From wikipedia: > > If I, and the wikipedia page along with me, am wrong about this: What is your theory? What were Pit Bulls bred for? For the past hundred years or so like most dogs they’ve been breed for pets. Exactly how many generations do you think it takes to change a breeds purpose? ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2014, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/966 "2014-01-31T07:27:48Z")
[Unadoptable Pit Bull Becomes Nanny Dog](http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2014/01/unadoptable-pit-bull-becomes-nanny-dog/) ---
**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:** [February 1, 2014, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/967 "2014-02-01T01:27:38Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > Really? Yep. You can look it up. > [@Debaser](#): > > If I, and the wikipedia page along with me, am wrong about this: What is your theory? What were Pit Bulls bred for? For the past 150 years/100 generations or so? Companion dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/968 "2014-02-02T23:00:25Z")
For the record, I just wanted to make note of something: > [@Stoid](#): > > You haven’t noticed Dragon Ash, RedFury, crucible? Pay closer attention, cougar58 was hardly alone in her ignorance. > . > [@](#): > > =RedFury;17012058]Or yours. Isn’t that possible? > [@Stoid](#): > > Of course it is. Can you point out the facts that I have demonstrated myself to be ignorant of, since I always want to have all the pertinent information about topics that interest me enough to debate them. I’d be obliged. > [@RedFury](#): > > Late for me. But sure I’ll do so ASAIC Which was the last we heard from RedFury. Just taking note. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/969 "2014-02-05T17:49:15Z")
[Here’s Why You Have It All Wrong About Pit Bulls](http://www.businessinsider.com/pit-bulls-breed-locking-jaw-myths-2014-2) ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/970 "2014-02-06T23:45:34Z")
I just had an encounter with a pit bull. I was at a store, and this woman and her two children (both probably under 5), were afraid of this dog, so I put myself between them and the mutt, and let the mutt lick my fingers. It was a pit bull, 1 and a half years old, according to the owner. I’m counting my fingers, now, and I still have all ten. He paid for the $5 I came up short, so I didn’t have to unring one of my purchases. It would seem that anti-pit prejudice is common enough that feeding fingers to them will get you at least $5 props, and it won’t even cost you a finger. The anti-pit posters in _this_ thread, on the other hand, indicate I should be about two hands short. Gee. I wonder what happened, there… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/971 "2014-02-06T23:57:31Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > [Here’s Why You Have It All Wrong About Pit Bulls](http://www.businessinsider.com/pit-bulls-breed-locking-jaw-myths-2014-2) Oh, but that’s the pro-pit bull propaganda machine at work, just like in the case of [this firefighter](http://www.wfsb.com/story/24634296/torrington-firefighter-demoted-after-pit-bull-facebook-posts). (I’m not sure which smiley is appropriate, but I’m being sarcastic, in case there is confusion.) (Seriously, what a fuckwit that guy is. He hasn’t seen a friendly one…really? My introduction to pit bulls was at the city pound. Here’s a leash, go walk a pit bull you’ve never met before that was abandoned or surrendered or (later after taking a class) seized from an inmate awaiting trial. Not a single incident.) ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2014, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/972 "2014-02-07T00:11:18Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > [Here’s Why You Have It All Wrong About Pit Bulls](http://www.businessinsider.com/pit-bulls-breed-locking-jaw-myths-2014-2) Where’s the story? Seriously, I clicked the link and it came up with your title and an intro to the story, but nothing more. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2014, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/973 "2014-02-07T00:14:03Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Where’s the story? Seriously, I clicked the link and it came up with your title and an intro to the story, but nothing more. > > 😕 Are you using any kind of blocking? It’s a video. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2014, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/974 "2014-02-07T00:22:10Z")
> [@](#): > > First of all, since Wikipedia is written by any old Joe non-expert, the veracity of its claims is impossible to know and therefore fails as a reliable cite. The usual ridiculous canard against Wikipedia. Wikipedia is cited. Follow the links to the pages they cite. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2014, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/975 "2014-02-07T01:14:24Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Are you using any kind of blocking? It’s a video. No blocking. Weird :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2014, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/976 "2014-02-07T01:21:10Z")
The problem is not the “predisposition” of a pit bull to attack. It’s what happens after they attack. I have found the idea that a pit bull never lets go once they bite to be 100% true. My pit bull loves to play tug of war. She really really really won’t let go. I have a toy on a rope and the only way to ever get her to let it go is to drop the rope and wait until she gets bored and drops the toy. I’ve never seen her let go of the toy once, for a second, when playing tug of war. And this is while she is having “fun”. I shudder to think what would happen if she were ever truly mad or scared. She is a VERY sweet dog and I never feel unsafe around her, in fact, I’ll put my hand in her mouth and let her tug on my fingers. This is when she’s relaxed. She’s not mean at all. But if she were ever to get rough I’d be scared. Not for me but a stranger. Strangers don’t react well to Pitt bulls and it’s a bit difficult to walk her without being concerned. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2014, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/977 "2014-02-07T02:27:27Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > The problem is not the “predisposition” of a pit bull to attack. It’s what happens after they attack. I have found the idea that a pit bull never lets go once they bite to be 100% true. My pit bull loves to play tug of war. She really really really won’t let go. I have a toy on a rope and the only way to ever get her to let it go is to drop the rope and wait until she gets bored and drops the toy. I’ve never seen her let go of the toy once, for a second, when playing tug of war. I am as anti-pitbull as they come, but have to say that this issue comes up with **all** breeds. My last pup (a labrador/smithfield cattle dog cross) was a menace with a rope, and wouldn’t let go EVER! If I let the rope go, she’d carry it around all bloody day\* nudging me to play again. \*Well, she would’ve if I didn’t hide it after an hour or so. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2014, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/978 "2014-02-07T02:49:53Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > No blocking. > > Weird :dubious: Maybe some plug-in is missing or something. Do you have Flash disabled or are using an OS that does not support Flash? (Although, I just checked, and it plays fine on my iPhone, so it shouldn’t be that.) Other than that, I got nothing. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2014, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/979 "2014-02-07T02:55:55Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > I am as anti-pitbull as they come, but have to say that this issue comes up with **all** breeds. My last pup (a labrador/smithfield cattle dog cross) was a menace with a rope, and wouldn’t let go EVER! If I let the rope go, she’d carry it around all bloody day\* nudging me to play again. I will agree that terriers tend to be a little more tenacious than other breeds, but there is a lot of variability within breeds. My pit bull does not seem to be particularly high on the “hold on for dear life” scale when playing tug. A release command will have him ease up and let go of whatever he is biting during play. Mind you, I’ve never tried to see what happens if he’s attached to a human being, but my experimentation only goes so far. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2014, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/980 "2014-02-07T03:25:09Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > I am as anti-pitbull as they come, but have to say that this issue comes up with **all** breeds. My last pup (a labrador/smithfield cattle dog cross) was a menace with a rope, and wouldn’t let go EVER! If I let the rope go, she’d carry it around all bloody day\* nudging me to play again. > > \*Well, she would’ve if I didn’t hide it after an hour or so. 😃 > [@pulykamell](#): > > I will agree that terriers tend to be a little more tenacious than other breeds, but there is a lot of variability within breeds. My pit bull does not seem to be particularly high on the “hold on for dear life” scale when playing tug. A release command will have him ease up and let go of whatever he is biting during play. Mind you, I’ve never tried to see what happens if he’s attached to a human being, but my experimentation only goes so far. i’ll definitely give your comments some thought [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714.md?page=48) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714.md?page=50)