Thinking about getting a pitbull

[nick1985]

Are you latino?

 

[datalink7]

These can be great dogs with the proper training and owner. Good with family and very loyal. Super friendly with people in general.

The problem is that there are so many bad owners that get them so they can look "badass". Bad owner = bad dog. And with pitbulls, they can do a lot of damage. No one cares if your Pug is nasty because it can't really do anything. With a Pitbull if you don't know how to properly train and socialize it can lead to bad things.

So I would say Pitbulls are great dogs if you know how to train and socialize dogs. If you don't, don't get one. They are NOT a starter dog (same thing with German Shepherds, Rottweilers, etc.).

 

[zerocool84]

I had one. Was a great dog. Any dog problems, not matter what dog, are the owners fault and lack of proper training. Just need to check your local laws as some cities ban them.

 

[wheresmybacon]

Make sure to leave them alone around babies or toddlers, or small dogs or cats or other dogs, or people who aren’t you.

 

[Pantlegz]

Make sure to leave them alone around babies or toddlers, or small dogs or cats or other dogs, or people who aren’t you.

You're an idiot, there is no reason to not do any of that. Unless you trained the dog to be aggressive then it's your own dumbass fault...

 

[TheNinja]

Whatever. You can stick up for pitbulls all you want and claim they are nicest dogs ever. I have a 2 year old kid and I would not want my 2 year old playing with your pit bull. If I had a pet dog, I would not want it playing with your pit bull, simple as that. I don't know the last time the family golden retreiver tore up a kid.
I know that a lot of pit bulls have horrible owners, but the fact still remains that pit bulls can cause massive damage if they want to. I feel the same about rottweilers and Chows too.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Whatever. You can stick up for pitbulls all you want and claim they are nicest dogs ever. I have a 2 year old kid and I would not want my 2 year old playing with your pit bull. If I had a pet dog, I would not want it playing with your pit bull, simple as that. I don't know the last time the family golden retreiver tore up a kid.
I know that a lot of pit bulls have horrible owners, but the fact still remains that pit bulls can cause massive damage if they want to. I feel the same about rottweilers and Chows too.

It's ok, people fear stuff they don't understand. Nobody is going to force you to own a pitbull so there's nothing to worry about.

 

[nick1985]

It's ok, people fear stuff they don't understand. Nobody is going to force you to own a pitbull so there's nothing to worry about.

Reminds me of the 2nd amendment debates

 

[wheresmybacon]

You're an idiot, there is no reason to not do any of that. Unless you trained the dog to be aggressive then it's your own dumbass fault...

Dogs don't have to be TRAINED to be aggressive, dipshit; they're dogs and its their nature.

Idiot indeed...

 

[superccs]

I have a cat that somehow delivers baby opossums to me every night. Can a pitbull do that?

I keep tell him, "No thanks, I already ate" and then fling em out the front door.

 

[BlackTigers]

Whatever. You can stick up for pitbulls all you want and claim they are nicest dogs ever. I have a 2 year old kid and I would not want my 2 year old playing with your pit bull. If I had a pet dog, I would not want it playing with your pit bull, simple as that. I don't know the last time the family golden retreiver tore up a kid.
I know that a lot of pit bulls have horrible owners, but the fact still remains that pit bulls can cause massive damage if they want to. I feel the same about rottweilers and Chows too.

Please don't bring your rabid baby around me either.

 

[DougK62]

Very lovable dogs. They are trained easily and great with kids. Both of my brothers own pitbulls and they DO have small children in the house. Very smart dogs. Just put in the time to train them properly and exercise them, and I'm convinced that you won't find a better pet.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Reminds me of the 2nd amendment debates

Yeah I'm not a fan of firearms so I have to tell that to myself all the time when I'm involved in "gun talk".

 

[Sumguy]

Wow, this thread exploded, wasn't expecting that. Had to go away and ended up at a dog park with some friends. Strangely enough some dude had a blue pitbull there. Didn't really "play" with the other dogs, but it minded its own business. He said he got it at 1.5 years old and the previous owners mistreated it. For those wondering, the other dog owners weren't wary of him, but the owner did keep a close eye on it.

To answer most peoples questions of why I want the dog:

1) I'm from Miami , where its illegal to own them (obviously moved). When I was a kid I would visit my cousins who lived outside the city limits and they had a bull mix. I really liked that dog, but alas they moved away and my parents stopped talking to them.

2) I like the way pitbulls look (not the way they make YOU look) and I've heard they're a good, loyal breed that takes well to training (I'm aware you need to put work into this).

3) Yes, I've had dogs before, but they belonged to my parents. They were all pretty big mutts. My dad is fond of big dogs.

4) I AM NOT LOOKING AT IT AS A MEANS OF PROTECTION. Only a 'tard would do that, especially considering the bad reputation these dogs have.

5) As with anyone looking for pets, I want a pet. This wont be a split second decision, I'm forcing myself to wait a few months to see if this idea is feasible and if I really want the dog or if its just the idea of having a dog.

 

[gaidensensei]

Are people thinking of the American bully instead of the real pitbull breed?

 

[Capt Caveman]

OP - you may want to check with local rescues to see if they'd allow you to foster one. It would be a great way to find out if you're ready to adopt a dog without the permanent commitment.

 

[UsandThem]

LAKE ELSINORE -- Jennifer Ruckel never saw it coming, she said on a recent afternoon. One minute she was sitting on her bed talking to her sister Robin, laughing and watching her 18-month-old son Taylor dance on the rug at their feet -- the next, their 30 seconds of terror began.

With no provocation or warning, the family's 5-year-old pit bull, Molly, suddenly lunged across the room and grabbed Taylor's head in its jaws and began shaking the boy like a rag doll.

"The dog just snapped; it changed from a protective, loving dog to a beast within a second," Jennifer said of the March 31 attack.

http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/article_32555ff7-4ac9-5a3c-99b3-9e526f2654f8.html

Isn't the the same story every owner or family states when it happens? For example, I have a Border Collie, and by nature he has a herding instinct. Does it mean I beat him or haven't trained him? No. He is trained, but you can see it in his stance and face when a bunch of kids are running around that he wants to herd them. It is what his breed has been programed to do.

Don't make a mistake with a pit bull. They are banned in many areas, your home owners policy will at least be more expensive, or they won't cover him at all.

 

[Modelworks]

Bulldogs are much better family pets if you want to stay within the same general breed.



Also if you get a big dog breed, please don't live in an apartment. That is very hard on the owner and the dog. To spend all day in an area where it cannot run about in the hopes the owner will come home and take it for a walk or out where it can run and play is cruel to the dog.

 

[JM Aggie08]

Are you mexican by chance?

 

[Jodell88]

Golden Retriever mauls 3 year old

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/12275--3-year-old-child-mauled-by-dog

 

[datalink7]

If you like the look you can always get an American Staffordshire Terrier as well. They look pretty similar but they have been breeding them for 50 years to be gentle.

 

[murphy55d]

If you like the look you can always get an American Staffordshire Terrier as well. They look pretty similar but they have been breeding them for 50 years to be gentle.

Our dog is an American Staffordshire. She is the absolute biggest baby you will ever see in your life. We got her from a rescue...she is great around kids, listens well, super friendly. She isn't aggressive towards other dogs, just wants to sniff. My wife is pregnant and I have no worries whatsoever with the dog and the coming baby. Hell, the dog was scared of our cats when we brought them home as kittens. 55 pound lapdog.