A good article about Pit Bulls
This past summer when the wife and I visited Toronto (a very dog friendly city), we noticed several people walking pit bulls and quite a few people walking American Bulldogs. The breeds are popular there. The Toronto Star has a piece on pit bulls at shelters and the public fear and ignorance of the breed that is worth reading. Some key quotes:
But Pearl is a pit bull and sympathy doesn’t come easy when you’re the most hated breed of all.
Indeed and most papers are biased against them.
The pits arrive daily as strays that will never be claimed by their former owners. Most aren’t aggressive, just ill-mannered and hyperactive. But their reputation precedes them, leaving the humane society with the costly challenge of trying to find good homes for the dogs many view as four-legged killers.
Ill-mannered and hyperactive describes most puppies. Pits and other bully types do tend to take longer to mature. They stay in that puppy stage often up to the age of three.
At times, says White, there are so many pit bulls (a term that describes a number of different types of pit-like dogs) for adoption, the society has had to go to shelters outside the city to trade for different breeds of dogs. Pit bull abandonment is an urban problem, so smaller country shelters often don’t mind exchanging a dog for a pit or two.
A paper distinguishing between different types of pits is a rarity.
When they do grow up, pit bulls can be a lot to handle if they’re not properly trained, says White. She believes most of the dogs here today are “haphazard mistakes,” the products of irresponsible backyard breeders who know nothing about genetics.
“For whatever reason, they attract a very irresponsible owner,” she says. “There’s a certain segment of society that will always want a big tough dog.”
It’s good to see a paper lay the blame on owners and breeders.
And the key problems the breed faces:
“The public perception of these dogs is already destroyed and it’s only going to get worse,” Rickerby says from her Cobourg home. “There’s so much hatred around these dogs. People aren’t rational about them.”
As a member of a pit bull rescue group, Rickerby says she’s seen how often these dogs are abandoned and she’s frustrated by what irresponsible owners have done to the pit bull.
“They’re destroying the breed,” she says, referring particularly to the American Pit Bull Terrier. The dog has increasingly become associated with criminals and the lower class, she adds.
Like White, Rickerby acknowledges pit bulls have killed. She says pit bulls are not as likely to bite humans as other dogs, but “if they do they’re going to inflict more damage.”
Thanks to Nicole Macintyre for actually doing an article on Pit Bulls that tells the other side to the story of this fantastic breed.
As a sidenote, the Crocodile Hunter’s dog is a Pit Bull, as was Petey from the Little Rascals.
December 23rd, 2003 at 1:06 am
The Toronto Star is an extremely good newspaper. I’m glad that I can still read it online.
January 25th, 2004 at 10:13 am
I completely sypathize with these dogs. I am sorry that this is how the have to live. Mine is completely good natured, has been trained unseccessfully at a very good dog school (which I take NO responsibility for), is showered with affection and yet still I can’t do it anymore. I am pleading with someone to give her a nice home. She barks constantly. We have tried everything! She chews up everything and if she isn’t doing that she is barking ar peeing all over my furniture! I am looking for a self-rightous pit-bull advocate to give it a try. There is a reason people can’t stand living with them. Mine is taking years off my life. I rescued her thinking that I could make her a good dog. My turn is up does anyone else want a try?
January 25th, 2004 at 10:29 am
Sounds to me like you need to crate train her.
And people like living with them. Most owners who have a well socialized bully think their the greatest dogs ever.
As for a rescue, do a web search for the “pit bull rescue center” they have resources for adoption.
February 13th, 2004 at 9:18 am
Pitbulls have a bad name i adopted mine trained her well shes lovable and doesnt chew but my mom just bc shes a pit bull went and put her down a few hours ago saying she s taking her for a walk.
They do have a bad name and should be respected just as much as other dogs all dogs have thierd problems and raising a fine pitbull doesn’t mean giving her all she wants you have to includ lots of disipline and if you do that you will find yourself with the best dog you could ask for they are very loyal
February 13th, 2004 at 9:23 am
Sorry to hear that.
March 10th, 2004 at 2:44 am
Thats sad pitbulls are the best dogs you could get sure they might be challing to train but do u give up on your kids if they are “to hard to raise” no of course not dogs are not stupid they have feelings too. My pitbulls would probly give there lives trying to protect me. If they anit good enough for you then dont even bother getting one cause they desuvre just as much respect as any other dog or human and thats the truth.
March 23rd, 2004 at 11:19 pm
i own an american pit bull terrier and have owned manya other breeds and he is by far the smartest, most loyal, and most friendly dog i have ever met. i would recomend the breed to anyone who is willing to put in a little bit of work in return for a great companion!
by the way, i love them so much my second is on the way
March 24th, 2004 at 8:55 am
They require lots of socialization but make wonderful pets.
April 2nd, 2004 at 10:15 am
I am around pitbulls all day every day. I am not kidding when i say every one of my friends own at least one pitbull. Screw everyone who doesnt like them cause they dont know what they are talking about. You just have to know how to treat them. pitbulls arnt the smartest dog so they have alot of emotion.If anyone says diffrent take it up with me.
April 28th, 2004 at 2:54 pm
I have a question actually. What different types of pitbulls are out there. If someone could please email me back with that I would really like that.
Thanks,
Abigail L. French
C.C. Indiana
April 28th, 2004 at 2:54 pm
I have a question actually. What different types of pitbulls are out there. If someone could please email me back with that I would really like that.
Thanks,
Abigail L. French
C.C. Indiana
May 23rd, 2004 at 4:26 am
There are two typs game bred and show.I like game bred because thay are good with kids.
December 30th, 2003 at 1:25 am
Volunteer Tailgate Party XVIII
2003 was a good year for the Rocky Top Brigade. While other run-of-the-mill blogging federations fell by the wayside, the RTB grew bigger and better. That brings us to 2004, which is but hours away (as many as 47…
December 30th, 2003 at 1:25 am
Volunteer Tailgate Party XVIII
2003 was a good year for the Rocky Top Brigade. While other run-of-the-mill blogging federations fell by the wayside, the RTB grew bigger and better. That brings us to 2004, which is but hours away (as many as 47…