Sorraia
Well-Known Member
Alicemcmallis said:JUST because a pit bull is abused does NOT mean it is going to be "mentally messed up", especially not any more than any other breed.
I never said that. I said that any dog that's abused could turn out to be a good or bad dog.
[quote:hqkk3n8c]Making up such "statistics" is nothing more than a smoke screen
A smoke screen for what? My point was that an abused dog is more likely to have issues, which is a valid point. Obviously not all dogs who are abused will have issues. But any abused animal or person is more likely to have issues than one who is raised well with love and kindness.
And we're going to have to disagree about them being more abused than a lot of other breeds (obviously no breed is exempt from being abused). However, I think you may be specifically talking about American Staffordshire terriers? Iâm referring to the whole range of pit bulls, including the big huge ones that you mentioned that must have been mixed with mastiff, etc. I do believe that certain breeds or types of dog are more at risk and many individuals of these breeds require homes with the knowledge and wherewithal to care for them properly.
Some of the comments here indicate that these types of dogs need special training. Obviously they're not the only breed that requires this and any dog requires some training, but I would feel a hell of a lot more comfortable adopting out the average labradoodle to a first time dog owner than the average pit bull (or German Shepherd, or beagle for that matter although for different reasons). Maybe this is because many of my experiences are shelter based?
I'm not trying to spread anti-pit bull propaganda, just trying to portray a balanced viewpoint. It's great that everyone on here seems to have had mainly positive experiences with pit bulls and similar type dogs, but I've had pretty much half and half. Same as some other dog breeds too - half the German Shepherds and Shih Tzus I've met are also scary and aggressive. But we were asked to share our experiences with pit bulls, not other breeds.[/quote:hqkk3n8c]
I'm not talking specifically about American Staffordshire Terriers, I am talking about the general group of breeds collectively called "pit bulls". If I were talking specifically about AST's I would be calling them AST's.
Initially you did not say any dog can be aggressive if abused, you pointed out specifically pit bulls dogs. That is where I take exception. On top of that you state pit bulls are abused more than any other breed, that's also where I take exception. That does appear to me that you are trying to spread anti-pit bull propaganda. My big thing here is that ANY dog can be abused, ANY dog can become aggressive if abused.
No, pit bulls are not right for everyone, but really, what breed is? Some breeds ARE better for first time owners than others. I really don't agree that labrador or labrador crosses make good first time dogs, FAR TOO MANY I have met are poorly behaved and even aggressive because people keep them under exercised and poorly trained. However I know many people who will disagree... so be it.
I don't really see this thread as only pointing out the positives of the breed. If you read my first post, you'll see that i pointed out possible negatives: that they can be stubborn and hard to manage, they need training, that I don't feel they are a good first time dog, they can be aggressive to small animals, etc. I really don't see those as positives, and don't know anyone that would consider them positives. I also don't see how calling pit bulls more abused than any other dog is offering a balanced viewpoint. There are many other options besides adopting an abused dog. The OP could go to a rescue that has had their dogs in foster homes, know the dogs, their temperaments, etc. The OP could adopt a puppy, or get the dog from someone they know who can't keep their dog any more, etc etc.