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unrelated note: As an owner and advocate for pitbulls, I think this analogy is inaccurate and perpetuates the stereotype that pitbulls are aggressive animals.

unrelated note: As an owner and advocate for pitbulls, I think this analogy is inaccurate and perpetuates the stereotype that pitbulls are aggressive animals. As a result of breeding, pitbulls are wonderful with people, despite their reputation. Even dog fighters would agree as a person generally stands in a dog fighting ring to break up the fight (and doesn't want to be attacked). It takes a great deal of "training" (aka abuse) to make a pitbull aggressive towards people. Pitbulls are not always the best with other dogs, but it is something that can be remedied with an assertive owner. tl;dr Pitbulls are loving, sweet dogs.

Retric 14y ago
Pitbulls are loving, sweet dogs. That's just another broken stereotype. Pitbulls run the full spectrum; just like other dogs breeds. Statistically, they are more likely to attack people than average but it's hard to separate their owners from the breed it's self. IMO, the real problem is as a large breed the potential for harm is greater than smaller dogs and far to many people mistreat them.
- douglasisshiny 14y ago
  That's a good point, although i believe it is natural for pitbulls to be well behaved (in our eyes), but your point is taken. As far as pitbull biting stats: 1. Pitbull is not a breed; it's an umbrella term for six different breeds. 2. There are _a lot_ of pitbulls in the U.S.
- cullenking 14y ago
  Actually, pit bulls are less or equally likely to attack than most other common dogs, including the golden retriever. Advocates against them roll over this fact by saying that the more powerful jaws make it worse when it does happen. Note, I have two pretty awesome "pit bulls" - an American Staffordshire Terrier and an American Pitbull Terrier.
  - Retric 14y ago
    A 9-year (1979–88) review of fatal dog attacks in the United States determined that, of the 101 attacks in which breed was recorded, pit bulls were implicated in 42 of those attacks (42%).[24] A 1991 study found that 94% of attacks on children by pit bulls were unprovoked, compared to 43% for other breeds.[25] A 5-year (1989–94) review of fatal dog attacks in the U.S. determined that pit bulls and pit bull mixed breeds were implicated in 24 (29%) of the 84 deaths in which breed was recorded.[26] A review of the medical literature found that pit bulls and pit bull cross-breeds were involved in 42–45% of dog attacks.[31] Fatalities were most often reported when children were attacked, with 70% of victims being under the age of 10.[31] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_bull#Attacks_on_humans http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_bull#Attacks_on_humans
    - douglasisshiny 14y ago
      In addition to the points I made below (pit bull isn't a breed, but an umbrella term for six different breeds, et al.), a few paragraphs under the portion you pasted on wikipedia: Several studies determined that pit bull owners, and owners of other "vicious" or "high risk" breeds (most commonly identified as Akita, Chow Chow, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, and Wolf-mix), are more likely to have criminal convictions and are more likely to display antisocial behaviors. A 2006 study compared owners of "high risk" dogs to owners of "low risk" dogs. "High risk" dogs included “vicious” dogs by breed (e.g., pit bulls) or “vicious” actions (e.g., any dog that had bitten, attacked, or killed a person or other animal). The study determined that "high risk" dog owners had nearly 10 times as many criminal convictions then did "low risk" dog owners.[39] A 2009 study[40] and a followup 2012 study generally supported these findings.[41]
      - Retric 14y ago
        I completely agree with what your saying. Unfortunately, I don't think there is a reasonable way to pre-screen dog owners as plenty of people in "high risk" groups are great pet owners and owning a dog can often have rather positive results. At the same time there are some truly horrible people out there. PS: I never really know what else to call pit bull it's not really a "group" and the definition is rather vague, but repeating pit bull all the time is rather repetitive. Any suggestions?
ironchef 14y ago
I didn't take it as "pitbulls are aggressive" but as pitbulls are tenacious. Pitbulls are one of the few breeds which exhibit the "bite-hold-shake" (like their ancestor the bulldog) and are thusly seen to be tenacious. Maybe just difference of inference.
- douglasisshiny 14y ago
  Many breeds actually have this behavior. It's common in play.
- moheeb 14y ago
  Nearly every dog does "bite-hold-shake".
scotch_drinker 14y ago
Totally off subject but I concur. As long as the owner is understanding of the breed and is confident in being the alpha dog, pits are great dogs. I have one as well as two cats and they all get along famously. Still, I want my real estate agent to have the common mythological qualities of a pit, given my choice.

Retric 14y ago

Pitbulls are loving, sweet dogs. That's just another broken stereotype. Pitbulls run the full spectrum; just like other dogs breeds. Statistically, they are more likely to attack people than average but it's hard to separate their owners from the breed it's self. IMO, the real problem is as a large breed the potential for harm is greater than smaller dogs and far to many people mistreat them.

douglasisshiny 14y ago
That's a good point, although i believe it is natural for pitbulls to be well behaved (in our eyes), but your point is taken. As far as pitbull biting stats: 1. Pitbull is not a breed; it's an umbrella term for six different breeds. 2. There are _a lot_ of pitbulls in the U.S.
cullenking 14y ago
Actually, pit bulls are less or equally likely to attack than most other common dogs, including the golden retriever. Advocates against them roll over this fact by saying that the more powerful jaws make it worse when it does happen. Note, I have two pretty awesome "pit bulls" - an American Staffordshire Terrier and an American Pitbull Terrier.
- Retric 14y ago
  A 9-year (1979–88) review of fatal dog attacks in the United States determined that, of the 101 attacks in which breed was recorded, pit bulls were implicated in 42 of those attacks (42%).[24] A 1991 study found that 94% of attacks on children by pit bulls were unprovoked, compared to 43% for other breeds.[25] A 5-year (1989–94) review of fatal dog attacks in the U.S. determined that pit bulls and pit bull mixed breeds were implicated in 24 (29%) of the 84 deaths in which breed was recorded.[26] A review of the medical literature found that pit bulls and pit bull cross-breeds were involved in 42–45% of dog attacks.[31] Fatalities were most often reported when children were attacked, with 70% of victims being under the age of 10.[31] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_bull#Attacks_on_humans http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_bull#Attacks_on_humans
  - douglasisshiny 14y ago
    In addition to the points I made below (pit bull isn't a breed, but an umbrella term for six different breeds, et al.), a few paragraphs under the portion you pasted on wikipedia: Several studies determined that pit bull owners, and owners of other "vicious" or "high risk" breeds (most commonly identified as Akita, Chow Chow, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, and Wolf-mix), are more likely to have criminal convictions and are more likely to display antisocial behaviors. A 2006 study compared owners of "high risk" dogs to owners of "low risk" dogs. "High risk" dogs included “vicious” dogs by breed (e.g., pit bulls) or “vicious” actions (e.g., any dog that had bitten, attacked, or killed a person or other animal). The study determined that "high risk" dog owners had nearly 10 times as many criminal convictions then did "low risk" dog owners.[39] A 2009 study[40] and a followup 2012 study generally supported these findings.[41]
    - Retric 14y ago
      I completely agree with what your saying. Unfortunately, I don't think there is a reasonable way to pre-screen dog owners as plenty of people in "high risk" groups are great pet owners and owning a dog can often have rather positive results. At the same time there are some truly horrible people out there. PS: I never really know what else to call pit bull it's not really a "group" and the definition is rather vague, but repeating pit bull all the time is rather repetitive. Any suggestions?

ironchef 14y ago

I didn't take it as "pitbulls are aggressive" but as pitbulls are tenacious. Pitbulls are one of the few breeds which exhibit the "bite-hold-shake" (like their ancestor the bulldog) and are thusly seen to be tenacious. Maybe just difference of inference.

douglasisshiny 14y ago
Many breeds actually have this behavior. It's common in play.
moheeb 14y ago
Nearly every dog does "bite-hold-shake".

scotch_drinker 14y ago

Totally off subject but I concur. As long as the owner is understanding of the breed and is confident in being the alpha dog, pits are great dogs. I have one as well as two cats and they all get along famously. Still, I want my real estate agent to have the common mythological qualities of a pit, given my choice.