# 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:** 60
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1181 "2016-01-15T15:54:03Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > My only constructive idea QFT. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2016, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1182 "2016-01-15T16:39:27Z")
> [@andros](#): > > QFT. Oh look, a yappy bitch. How appropriate for a thread like this. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2016, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1183 "2016-01-15T17:18:15Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Oh look, a yappy bitch. How appropriate for a thread like this. Lighten up, Francis. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2016, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1184 "2016-01-15T17:44:13Z")
Yes, this morning I realized this is absolutely the wrong place to post although it did net me a helpful PM for which I’m grateful. I may or may not re-post in IMHO, but if anyone else has helpful advice PM works, too. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![busmol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@busmol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/busmol)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2016, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1185 "2016-01-15T17:52:01Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > hmmm > > do you know how they got the name pitbull? > > they were bred to fight bulls. bulls are large. and dangerous. the way a pitbull wins a fight with a bull is to clamp down on the neck… and not let go. > **[Bull-baiting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull-baiting)** > > Bull-baiting is a blood sport involving pitting a bull against dogs with the aim of attacking and subduing the bull by biting and holding onto its nose or neck, which often resulted in the death of the bull. > Crowds in London during the Royal Entry of James VI and I in March 1604 were entertained by bull-baiting. During the time of Queen Anne, bull-baiting was practiced in London at Hockley-in-the-Hole, twice a week – and was also reasonably common in provincial towns, for instance at Birmingh... “a successful attack resulting in the dog fastening his teeth strongly in the bull’s **snout** ” " During bull-baiting the dog would attempt to flatten itself to the ground, creeping as close to the bull as possible, then darting out and attempting to bite the bull in the **nose or head area**." ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2016, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1186 "2016-01-15T21:28:43Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Beagles are fucking assholes. Ask the Red Baron. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2016, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1187 "2016-01-16T02:18:50Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > 1- My observations are not based upon the media. They are based upon playing tug of war with my own pitt and comparing that to all the other dogs I’ve owned/known/played with in my life. So, your opinion on several breeds and all mixes that look like they have some bull breed in them is based on your one dog? Your one dog that apparently has not been taught an “out”? And we are supposed to believe that somehow, your “pitt” is the be all and end all of tugging? :rolleyes: > [@](#): > > 2- The claim that there is no essential difference between a rottweiler and a pitt bite may be correct. The claim would not be correct between pitt an beagle or pitt and dalmatian or pitt and golden retriever. Pitts and rotties have stronger, shorter, more muscular jaws. They have been bred for hunting and killing. Again with the sweeping statements. These days, there are two major markets that Rotts are bred for - the show ring and guard type work. Neither of those include hunting or killing. I can’t even think of a time in the history of the breed when they would have been used for hunting. As for “pitts”, again you are talking about several breeds and a pile of mixes. I imagine some of them were bred for hunting, but other than the ones bred by psychos, none are bred for killing. > [@](#): > > 3- Wen I see a random pitt or rottweiler on the street I have no way of knowing if it belongs to a “good” owner or a “bad” one. So? When I see any random dog on the street, I have no way of knowing what that dog is like. Same with any random middle aged WASP male, which happens to be the “breed” of human I have had the most trouble with in my lifetime, but I don’t go around ass-uming that he is going to bite me. ---
**Author:** ![crucible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1188 "2016-01-25T12:42:31Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > whats the solution? neuter all pit bull type dogs. hold all owners accountable for all dog bites as though they were the attacker themselves. “You own it, you own the result” ---
**Author:** ![crucible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1189 "2016-01-25T12:45:33Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > I really would appreciate thoughtful, constructive replies. I’m posting in this thread because I figure if I post in IMHO it will be a non-productive free-for-all on pit bulls. The majority I’ve met are sweet, loveable dogs and the one I’m posting about is as well, except for one thing: she’s attacked the two dogs she lives with. Once each. It’s a really difficult situation. > > This is a mom and daughter (19 years old) who are both friends of mine. Mom has two Bassett-type mixes that are both around five years old. One male, one female, both fixed. They’re really sweet, useless, non-threatening couch potatoes. I don’t they either one has a mean bone in its body. > > A year ago, the daughter got a pit bull puppy that’s turned into a lovely dog: she’s very affectionate, good with strangers, no bad habits (she’s housebroken, not food-aggressive, doesn’t jump on people, etc.), does the usual shake, lie down, fetch. A very pleasant dog. She was lovingly raised with no abuse. She’s been spayed. She and the daughter are bonded very tightly and the dog is everything to her. However, the pit bull has attacked the other dogs with no obvious provocation. Each of the other dogs was attacked inside the house and had multiple puncture wounds requiring vet visits costing several hundred dollars. There was also quite a lot of blood. She grew up with both of these dogs. > > For now, they’re keeping the dogs separated, but it’s a small house and it’s pretty awkward. I think the mom is now scared of the pit bull, but she’s trying to find a solution because the daughter is so attached to the dog. **The daughter has some mental issues that are well-controlled by medication, but the dog is a type of security for her.** (Bolding because this is quite important.) > > The daughter’s been talking about some kind of heavy-duty training for the dog that costs about a thousand dollars, but they don’t have the money. The option of re-homing the dog is on the table, but who would want a dog that does that when there are so many dogs without problems? **Plus the mom is worried about the daughter’s mental status going off the rails if she lost the dog.** > > Does anyone have any constructive ideas/insights? obvious. kill the pit bull. What is your excuse for having a dog that attacks other dogs? Next will be a kid. ---
**Author:** ![crucible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1190 "2016-01-25T12:49:14Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > There is no such thing - any dog of any breed or mix has the potential to bite, given enough reason. And yes, I say reason, because biting is a natural way for dogs to communicate. > > Anyone who wants a “non-threatening pooch” without doing the work to ensure whatever they get stays that way is better off with a stuffed toy. you ignore the real fact that pit bulls kill people far more often than any other breed. Owners should be accountable for everything their animals do. If your pit bull were to kill my grandchild, I would not expect anything less than you going to jail for murder. You would be safer there. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1191 "2016-01-25T17:17:10Z")
* * * > [@crucible](#): > > you ignore the real fact that pit bulls kill people far more often than any other breed. Owners should be accountable for everything their animals do. If your pit bull were to kill my grandchild, I would not expect anything less than you going to jail for murder. You would be safer there. Crucible you ignore all the facts the have been laid out here for you and continue to believe the garbage that PETA and HSUS and the media spoon feed you. You and your macho posturing are just showing how immune you are to actually learning something. ---
**Author:** ![crucible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1192 "2016-02-11T14:10:07Z")
The facts are very clear. People just haven’t fully accepted that there is a terrible human cost to having dogs living with us, especially those who sometimes kill us. Dog apologists are fond of saying that if a dog misbehaves, it is the owner’s or trainer’s fault. Yes, that is true, to a point, and when a dog misbehaves, the owner should bear the full responsibility as if he or she had committed the bad behavior themselves. And, even when a dog is fully domesticated, gentle, non-aggressive and well used to being around people and children, sometimes they just suddenly snap and revert to some primitive instinct. It happened to me when I was around 10. A neighbor farmer had a fine shepherd mix female dog that had the run of his farm, three kids, and never had even a nip from her. One day, my stepfather and I were standing about 8 feet across from the farmer and his son, talking some sort of neighborhood news or trying to work out the loan of some equipment…the son and I were quiet, listening to the adult’s talk, when, with no provocation or warning, the bitch leaped up, lunged at me and bit my upper thigh, just missing my genitals. Broke the skin, needed a few weeks to stop hurting. They kept her in a stall for a few days to watch for any signs of rabies, but she was fine, and, so far as we know, never attacked anyone ever again. So, you know, been there, done that. We owned a dozen hounds at the time, hunted fox and raccoon, rabbits, squirrels, etc. I’m not a crazy ban all guns liberal. None of those dogs we owned ever even nipped a human, and if they chased a chicken, they were smacked first time, then over the hill with the .22 the second. No one I knew, 60 years ago, as a kid, ever heard of ‘pit bulls’. Probably thought of them as a useless bulldog or something. We did have terriers and other sorts of breeds, but never had a dog who wasn’t already sick to death snap at them. The fact is, ‘pit bulls’ have mushroomed into a major problem for the pet-loving industry. They proliferate and fill the shelters. They are often poorly domesticated and every time one harms a human, the reputation of the ‘breed’ is diminished. The fact is, again, that we would be better off eliminating that strain of dog before it becomes impossible for anyone to legally own a pooch. That day will come if dogs keep attacking humans and livestock around the world. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1193 "2016-02-11T16:42:34Z")
^^^Nobody’s paying attention to me! _waa_ ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1194 "2016-02-11T16:47:36Z")
> [@crucible](#): > > by all means, expose yourself and your family to them and just be ready to accept the consequences when one of your lovable dogs injures or kills someone. That’s all I ask. > [@boytyperanma](#): > > If that’s all you ask. Done. Now can you shut up and go away. And stay gone. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1195 "2016-02-12T02:35:43Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > ^^^Nobody’s paying attention to me! _waa_ Seriously. Tho I am surprised it took him so long to demand attention again by posting something too stupid for a 8 year old to write. ---
**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 12, 2016, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1196 "2016-02-12T02:44:26Z")
> [@crucible](#): > > The facts are very clear. I thought so, too, until I observed you ignoring the actual facts for post after post, month after month… it’s amazing, really. > [@](#): > > People just haven’t fully accepted that there is a terrible human cost to having dogs living with us, especially those who sometimes kill us. This is ridiculously hyperbolic. There is some cost, yes. Just as there is with just about everything, as has been pointed out to you repeatedly, at great length. You happen to be personally emotionally captivated by the (very minor, in the big picture) possible cost of having dogs. You seem unable to get past your gut reactions and allow them to completely control your perceptions and your grasp of facts. But that’s just you, it’s not a universal experience. > [@](#): > > Dog apologists are fond of saying that if a dog misbehaves, it is the owner’s or trainer’s fault. Yes, that is true, to a point, and when a dog misbehaves, the owner should bear the full responsibility as if he or she had committed the bad behavior themselves. Agreed. > [@](#): > > And, even when a dog is fully domesticated, gentle, non-aggressive and well used to being around people and children, sometimes they just suddenly snap and revert to some primitive instinct. It happened to me when I was around 10. A neighbor farmer had a fine shepherd mix female dog that had the run of his farm, three kids, and never had even a nip from her. One day, my stepfather and I were standing about 8 feet across from the farmer and his son, talking some sort of neighborhood news or trying to work out the loan of some equipment…the son and I were quiet, listening to the adult’s talk, when, with no provocation or warning, the bitch leaped up, lunged at me and bit my upper thigh, just missing my genitals. Broke the skin, needed a few weeks to stop hurting. They kept her in a stall for a few days to watch for any signs of rabies, but she was fine, and, so far as we know, never attacked anyone ever again. The fact that it seemed to you that the dog acted due to some inexplicable “snap” is just what it seemed to you, and that’s valid, as far as it goes. But the actual fact is that the dog acted for a reason, and, barring brain damage or illness having a strange effect on her brain, it is a near certainty that she was giving some kind of indicators about her state and the fact that she was considering biting, you and everyone else just didn’t see it. That is a HUGE HUGE HUGE mistake that you and other anti-dog people make: believing and asserting that because you failed to see and perceive any communication from the dog letting you know that you were in danger, it means that no such communication existed. And that is almost always false. But yeah, you’ve been told this dozens of times and continue to ignore it… I actually kind of feel for you, because clearly this issue preoccupies you and I believe that you are sincere and that must suck for you. I’m sorry you have to deal with this and I hope for you that you find a way to feel less anxious in the future. ---
**Author:** ![HeXen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@HeXen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeXen)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1197 "2016-02-12T02:53:40Z")
I have 2 pits. They are both extremely spoiled babies, great around kids and are literally afraid of my cat Jax. Jax rules the roost at least he struts around like he does. Now Zeus, he has literally cried and shed tears before, he’s a very sensitive dog. Hercules has never even barked his whole life and is the laziest dog I’ve ever had. Most vicious dog I’ve ever had was a Great Dane, we had to have him put down he was so mean. ---
**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 12, 2016, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1198 "2016-02-12T02:54:16Z")
And you are also missing out…having finally had my own little bully girl, (sadly now deceased… I am still in pretty deep mourning, actually, it’s only been a few months and she was only 2 ½ years old… a really brutal loss) I have fallen hard… I have had cockers, Golden Retrievers, my Rottweiler/Border Collie and Great Danes. And my pit just captured my heart in a way beyond any of the others…and I adored all of them. She is the only dog I have ever known in my life to be absolutely purely sweet. Every other dog I’ve known had the ability to be a little crabby or cranky, fearful, whatever. They were all sweet good dogs, but they all had moments when they could be shitty for one reason or another. Except her. No matter what happened, even when she was recovering from terrible seizures and was confused and exhausted, she was 100% sweet with every human and every animal she encountered, all the time, without fail. Utterly delicious and thoroughly lovable, the only thing that really mattered to her was being with me and her brother, playing and snuggling. She was wall-to-wall love. And I’ve been told by other pit owners that much of her behavior and personality that I found so winning are things that are very much features of pit bulls. (She was a true Staffordshire, but I include many of the “bullies”) Which is what I’ve observed in the past and what drew me to wanting one. And as far as I’m concerned, pit puppies are the pinnacle of adorable. Absolutely nothing cuter. ---
**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 12, 2016, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1199 "2016-02-12T02:56:06Z")
> [@HeXen](#): > > Most vicious dog I’ve ever had was a Great Dane, we had to have him put down he was so mean. That is very unusual… Danes are usually big ol’ goofballs. I love 'em, but their lives are just too short… ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1200 "2016-02-12T14:56:48Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > yeah > > but they have been used to fight each other for dozens and dozens of generations. > > i’m not really sure you are making your case here… > > they are dogs bred for fighting and killing You’re kind of a retard, aren’t you? Are you the product of generations of selective inbreeding, or is it just you? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714.md?page=59) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714.md?page=61)