only backgroundI'm a wife, mother and grandmother. I'm opinionated. I contradict myself frequently. Most of all, I love my kids. I believe in them. I fight for them. They're weird and wonderful. If you want to know more, here's a bunch of other stuff from my old site.
Girl And Pibble
- by Marisa
- January 13, 2008
I know I’ve dropped the ball on my intention to post at least one picture each week of Kendyll and Belle. It’s just been a busy couple of weeks and pictures were either of Christmas or other people. Never fear, we’ve got a girl and pibble pic today!
I engaged in a little debate this past week regarding pit bulls and was surprised at how many people have pit bulls and also how many people are so anxious to believe the hype surrounding this breed. When someone states that a pit bull’s jaws exert 3 or 4 times the pressure of the average dog, my mouth drops open. Not only have scientific studies dispelled this myth, but the study also showed that both German Shepherds and Rottweiler have more powerful bite pressure than a pit bull.
I could go on, as you all know, but I won’t. Not now. I know my dog. I know that when my neighbor, Tammie, stopped by here on Saturday to trim Belle’s nails, Belle cried like a baby. She never snapped or growled or acted at all aggressive. She whined. And yelped. She learned that from Kendyll.
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I’m a professional dog trainer. The breed of dog doesn’t much matter. What matters is putting in the time to socialize and train your dog to be a good companion. Everyone wants to blame the dog when it’s the people.
I’ve never owned one myself, but do agree that there is no more potential to do harm to humans than with any other breed.
Often it’s the dogs who are owned by people who don’t take the time to research the breed they have or who don’t take the time to do simple socialization of the animal as a puppy who end up with dogs that bite people. They are too often an impulse item. It’s sad because it’s always the animal that suffers the most in that type relationship.
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That is such cute a pic!! They are two of a kind cuties.
I blame idiots like Mike Vick for people hating pitbulls. Such pretty dogs, and I’ve never actually met a mean one. I’ve never met a mean rottweiller either… I have however met a really mean yorkshire terrier. Then again if you put that damn pink bow on my head, I’d be mean too.
I don’t know about the actual force of their bite, but a pit bull is capable of locking its jaws more firmly than many other breeds of dog.
I think the pit bulls that a have given their breed a bad reputation were typically cuddled, loved, and treated as a part of the family when they were adorable little puppies, then put on a chain and ignored once they got a little older. They attack the children because they are crazy from neglect. They see the kids getting all the love that used to be for them and snap.
They’re not pets, they’re family!
regardless of breed, there are no “bad” dogs… just HORRIBLE owners.
Actually, there is no such thing as a “locking jaw.” That’s another myth. Documented information from reliable sources can be found at Understand A Bull.
And your assessment of dogs who are chained is correct for all dogs, not just Pit Bulls. Dogs are pack animals which is why they do so well as part of a family. They are never meant to be loners. Keeping a dog – any dog – chained up outside without interaction with the family is cruel and, IMO, causes extreme emotional damage to the dog.
You got that right!
Thank you for commenting, Sandy. I’m always happy to hear from those who work with dogs.
You are so right. The people screw up and the dog suffers. Not fair at all.
My husband hates St. Bernards, the so-called “lovable giants” because he knew a mean one when he was a kid. I don’t think that one wore a pink bow, though. Maybe it was the lime green bow tie.
I think selecting a breed of dog is an intensely personal decision and not one that other folks should stick their nose into. If you are comfortable with and love your dog, you shouldn’t have to defend that choice. After all, they are all created by the Divine!
Maybe “locking” was a bad choice of words. However, it clearly states in your link that they have been “bred not to let go.” The only difference between the two is entirely irrelevant in any case except the scientific. If, god forbid, you are bitten by any breed,(not just a pit bull) of dog who has been “bred not to let go,” you will not be arguing the point of whether or not said jaws are mechanically locked.
I see the idea of banning a breed of dog as a canine form of racism. We are not banning a race of people, simply because they are statistically more likely to commit a violent crime. That would be incredibly unfair. A statistic is not an individual.
Yes, then if referencing “breeding” as relevant point, it’s important to note that the American Pit Bull Terrier was bred to be extremely human passive so that both dogs’ owners/handlers as well as an unknown (to the dog) referee could be in the “pit” while the dogs were fighting and not risk harm. Pit Bulls who showed any signs of human aggression were put down and never permitted to breed.
Since Pit Bulls were bred to not bite humans in the first place, the “not to let go” is in reference to other dogs. As well, the likelihood of a Pit biting is less than other breeds. The trouble with tracking dog bites is that more than half are never reported, especially if the dog bites a family member.
With the help of my (then) 16 year old son, I did separate two pit bulls who were fighting. Both are alive and happy today. One, that we’d rescued, had a food aggression which was the source of the fight. (She’s been placed in a family with no other animals.) Pit Bulls are powerful but much of the legend is hype.
Aaaw:) I love that picture of the very sweet dog and the child sleeping. Thank you for standing up for dogs!
Thank you for commenting!