American Pitbull Terriers ARE actually a pure breed. Even though many disagree that the Amstaff and the Pitbull are two seperate breeds, if you read enough about the history of both breeds you will see that the Amstaff actually came from the Pitbull.. The Amstaff descends from the fighting pits of England and America, he was created as a seperate breed from the Pit Bull back in 1972 by breeding many generations of non fighting stock, and to be a better adaptation to being a family companion.
Even here in Australia, they are still considered a pure bred dog, even though they are not recognised (due to law) by the ANKC.
So many are quick to jump and blame one breed or another for being aggressive, but have you actually owned one and trained it properly from a young pup? Socialised it properly with both people and other dogs/animals??
I have been showing dogs for almost 20 years. I started when I was very young with a German Shepherd. I was 9 when I started her in obedience at 12 weeks old. Over my years of training and showing the breed, I have trained with over 20 German shepherds of my own. To this day, I have come across pups that are people shy, dont want to have anything to do with people, dogs, kids... As a private dog trainer, they usually dont contact me for help until the pup gets too big for them to manage, big enough to knock over a toddler or pull things off the line, about 6-9 months. Its not up to ME to train the dog, its up to me to teach THEM how to train their dog. And I can always tell the ones who follow through with their training at home, over the ones who leave it in the backyard and bring it back to me next session expecting a magic fix. Dogs dont learn bad behaviors themselves. If you buy a puppy of ANY BREED and leave it in the backyard, feed it and water it, then wonder why it is barking, digging holes, pulling washing off the line and jumping on the kids, then you shouldnt own a dog. A dog is a PACK animal, they need leadership, guidance and constant companionship. So if you buy a puppy raise it with your family, teach it how you want it to behave from the time you bring it home, let it be with you and your family, give it adequate exercise, play time, you will have a life long family companion.
The dogs that get a bad name through media for attacks, are usually ones you see kept chained up in the backyard. They probably have had a negative life since the day they were obtained by their so called 'owner'.. It only takes one negative experience, and a dog NEVER forgets, even if he was belted as an 8wk old pup, you can heal his scars, but you cannot erase his long term memory. So the dog may well be in a good home, but may have been raised in a poor, unstable environment. Then it only takes one slightly negative experience as the dog gets older and wiser, and he will act quicker than you can think to save his own *** so to speak.
Many (NOT ALL) of the small children we see being attacked by dogs in the media are left with the animals, with minimal or no supervision. This is just plain stupidity. As well as GSD's I also own and show Pomeranians and Italian Greyhounds. My partner owns and shows Boxers and Beagles. My best friend has Norwegian Elkhounds. You have to KNOW your breed of choice inside and out. As much as I trust ALL of the mentioned breeds with children of all ages. I still would not leave a small child unattended with either of them. Main reason being, a small child/toddler would not understand a dogs body language, they would not know if they were hurting the dog (pulling ears, biting), child bites dogs ear, dog reacts, even if it doesnt snap or bite back, a large dog swinging its head around could easily injure or at least scare a child, child starts screaming and dog reacts even more so.
I do Pets As Therapy at Westmead childrens Hospital, and some local nursing homes, with all 3 of my breeds...
We have kennels part way up our property, and we have chickens who fly over their fence and roam the grass pens with the shepherds. Herding breed you see, bred to keep animals together, not kill them.
When i was running my own grooming business, my favorite client was a Pitty, and her owner also had a chihuahua and a toy poodle, who she played with and slept inside with.
Last week there was a Pit in the back of a ute parked next to my car, that lunged and snapped at me as I walked by, it startled me as I wasnt expecting it, and said *holy ******* the owner was in his car, and said mind ya own business lady, thats what pitts are bred for'......... Stupid twit.
Anyhow, its stupid owners NOT bad dogs.
coastalboy, its people like YOU who keep these poor dogs from having a chance at life.
