what do you think about pittbulls?

I don't like pitbulls and wouldn't own one. I may get my head bitten off for saying this but I haven't heard any good stories about pitbulls. All have been about how agressive they are and how they go after kids. My brother-in-law has one and I won't go to their house partly because of the dog. I am deathly afraid of them and I am a dog lover and owner.

I've worked with dogs for over 13 years, and never once did I have a problem with a Pit Bull- and when I meet them they're not usually in the best of mood either. I see them when they come in for boarding, which can be a very stressful situation for a dog. Some are absolutly terrified their first time, but have I been bitten? No. With all honesty, I will tell you that I am more intimidated by a Toy Poodle than a Pit Bull...those Poodles are quick! lol

I believe it all depends on the upbringing of the dog and it also depends on an owner that understands dogs. It is true that you can take a normally gentle dog and abuse it and turn it into a very dangerous dog. People must understand that there are some breeds that are more energetic and more agressive by nature, but that doesn't mean they are more dangerous or bad dogs. I have four dogs, three of which are rescues, and my newest and largest dog is, I think, a mix of German Shepherd and Rottweiler, two aggressive breeds. She had been abused and neglected and not fed properly. One night when I first took her in, she attacked my smallest dog when she was trying to drink from the water dispenser, probably just being protective of her water and food. Fortunately, she didn't hurt my smallest dog. But, after a short period of time, she learned that the other dogs would not be a threat to her and that in my house she would have plenty of food and water and plenty of love and now she and my smallest dog are like best buddies, they are virtually inseparable. My point is that any dog, if raised properly, and given plenty of love and the necessities, can be a friend for life.

I have a 6 year old pitbull named jada who is the sweatest mst loveable dog. she has never barked at any one inthe fmaily. she is great around kids. she is the biggest baby. my mother makes her baccon and eggs for breakfast on the weekends. she has to be covered up with a blanket in her bed at night. and we have to leave the tv on for her when we are not home. And im April i got a red nosed pitbull named Cora who is now almost 8 months old and she is also the biggest sweatheart. its how you treat them. and i thik people shouldnt be so quick to judge the breed. i get alot of stares and questions about my pitbulls. but some people are just ignorant towards them.

I've had a pit of my own and rescued a couple and fostered them. I must say they were probably my most loving dogs. They knew exactly how you were feeling and would try to cheer you up if you were sad by being little goofballs on the floor. If all else failed, they would put their heads on your lap and look up at you with an expression that seemed to say, "don't worry. whatever is going on with you, I'm here, and I don't plan on leaving." Very, very sweet dogs. That being said, three out of four of my pits were very dog aggressive. I think the breed has a tendency, but the pits I rescued were brought up that way, which is why they were so bad. I had one pit that I rescued at a 6 months so I was able to socialize her out of it. She ended up playing with 3 month old puppies without a problem.

Pitbulls are my second favorite dogs. German Shepherds are first. I also love Rottweilers. Pits can be safe to have. I had a female I rescued from an abusive situation. She was a lap dog. However, they are sometimes overly protective. You have to train them just like you would any big dog. They have to be socialized with other dogs and people so they won't distrust or attack just anyone. The dogs that are agressive are not socialized and are usually protecting something. We may not be able to figure out what they're protecting, but that's usually the problem. If there are 2 or more running together, they're usually protecting each other. This isn't them being vicious. We just don't understand their priorities. The owners must take responsibility for any attacks on others because it is usually the owners' fault in the long run.