Are pitbulls born or trained killers?

[Niccivan]

I love animals - especially dogs. I also have a very soft spot in my heart for pitbulls. Why? I believe that pitbulls, due to their strong physique, are trained and bred to be fighters. It breaks my heart. Some people believe that ALL pitbulls are mean just because it's their "nature" to be that way. I whole-heartedly disagree with this. They way a dog behaves is solely based on how they are raised. ANY dog, in my opinion, can be raised to be aggressive and mean. Pitbulls just happen to be very strong, so they can cause more damage to a person or another animal.

I have a pitbull and she couldn't be sweeter. She loves people and doesn't have a mean bone in her body. This is Daisy.... She's a reverse brindle red nose pure bred. I love her.







I know that not everyone feels this way about pitbulls. It is a very controversial subject. They can look very mean.... I am not doubting that at all. To me, they are absolutely beautiful.







Some people.... train them to fight. It's truly heartbreaking.







These dogs are trained to be fighters. So many people have lost their lives from a pitbull. I think any dog can be trained to be a fighter. It's sad when people don't take responsibility for their actions.

What do you guys think?

[billynomates]

Yours looks lovely, yes a lot are trained to be aggressive but a lot are peaceful- BUT even the peaceful ones can turn aggressive for no reason. How ofen after a baby has been mauled to death do you hear 'He'd never anything done anything like that before?

[WinJStar]

I can't even get into the extensive research I have done on this subject (only part of which you know). Regardless of what a loving and caring home a pet owner provides, there are some animals that sadly it is in their breeding.

I won't be coming back to this thread.

Btw, I used to be 100% opposite point of view and believed it was in how you raised an animal. Naturally raising an animal is a contributor, but their are traits you can not get away from.

[Niccivan]

Yours looks lovely, yes a lot are trained to be aggressive but a lot are peaceful- BUT even the peaceful ones can turn aggressive for no reason. How ofen after a baby has been mauled to death do you hear 'He'd never anything done anything like that before?

Actually, there is always a reason. Whether or not you see it directly, it's there. If you don't raise a pitbull with a firm hand, or any dog for that matter, they will be aggressive. ANY dog can be aggressive, but because of how a pitbull is built, they tend to do more damage than another breed of dog. A baby can be mauled from just about any dog. They are fragile. Hell, my min pin could get a hold of a baby and the poor child wouldn't stand a chance.

[Niccivan]

I can't even get into the extensive research I have done on this subject (only part of which you know). Regardless of what a loving and caring home a pet owner provides, there are some animals that sadly it is in their breeding.

I won't be coming back to this thread.

Btw, I used to be 100% opposite point of view and believed it was in how you raised an animal. Naturally raising an animal is a contributor, but their are traits you can not get away from.

I've also done a ton of research on this. I had to before I would consider adopting one. This comes back to the age old question: Genetic or Environment - which one plays a bigger role? While physical characteristics are obviously passed down, personality traits aren't. You learn those. And you learn them from who and what is around you. Dogs are no different. If they are raised in a good home, with loving families, and a good training program, they are one of the most loyal and loving breeds out there.

[Niccivan]

Here is a very informative article that explains it way better than I do. I highlights how people incorrectly blame the breed, when in reality any breed can cause trouble. I'll give the link, and then copy the article for those too lazy to click on the link

Breed and Aggression

I deal with a lot of red zone cases, and I often hear people incorrectly blaming the breed. Any breed can cause trouble. The difference between an aggressive Chihuahua and an aggressive pit bull is that the bigger breeds can cause proportionately bigger damage.


It is important to recognize the power of a strong breed, like the pit bull, the Cane Corso, and the Mastiff. These dogs are very powerful and, if they are unbalanced, they can cause serious injury. Remember, these dogs don’t dream of being in the news when they grow up. Dogs don't premeditate bad acts like people do. Bad things happen when powerful breeds (or mixes of powerful breeds) live with humans who like the breed but don’t understand and fulfill the animal in the dog. Many people consider the look or popularity of a breed before thinking about whether the dog works for their lifestyle. This is a recipe for disaster.

To control a powerful breed, you need to become the dog’s pack leader and establish rules, boundaries, and limitations. You need to fulfill the dog as Nature intended him to be fulfilled. If you are considering adopting a powerful breed, make sure you are willing and able to take on the responsibility.

Another very informative sight is here Pet Pitbull - Breed Info

While I believe that any breed can be aggressive, this site highlights pitbulls and their tendency to be aggressive and that only responsible parties should consider raising.

A WORD ABOUT BREED HISTORY

Much of a dog's temperament relates to it's breed history and genetic inheritance. I won't go too deep into the history of the Pit Bull as there are many good books and websites that cover the origin and history of the breed. It is common knowledge however, that the Pit Bull breed was developed for blood sports: Bull baiting, bear baiting, and later, dogfighting. What is not common knowledge is that in the days of organized dogfighting, the handlers of the combatants were habitually IN THE PIT with the dogs for the duration of the fight. They were required to pick up and separate the dogs several times while the dogs were in full fight frenzy. Before the fight, the handlers were required to wash each other's dogs, and after the fight, the badly injured dogs were often treated at ringside by strangers. Any dog that attacked or bit a handler (even if it was the other dog's handler) or anyone else at any time was culled, often on the spot, and would never have been bred.

This bit of history will help explain much of the apparently (to novices) contradictory traits common in this breed

SO, WHAT IS THE PROPER PIT BULL TEMPERAMENT?

As with all breeds, the Pit Bull has positive and negative traits in their temperament. Their breed history has led to a dog unlike any other in the history of purebred dogs. What can you expect from an APBT? First and foremost, memorize the following: THE GOLDEN RULE OF PIT BULL OWNERSHIP- NEVER TRUST YOUR PIT BULL NOT TO FIGHT!!!!! This breed is descended from pit dogs one way or another, and, given the right circumstances, most Pit Bulls will fight and against any other breed, they will win (you really don't want to see that!). Scared yet? You should be. Remember, as the owner of a Pit Bull everything you or your dog do will affect all members of the breed and their families. Pit Bull owners have to be extra vigilant 24/7, period. You need to be receptive, have strong leadership, and be able to read canine body language to recognize signs of tension between housemates. You need to be prepared to separate the dogs if tensions develop. You need to know when your dog may become aggressive and you need to have control of your dog under any circumstances.


Sound like a lot of work and hassle? It is. So, what's the payoff? The payoff is: A well-raised pit bull of proper temperament is the most loyal and loving dog in the world, bar none. This is a dog that truly LOVES people, especially children. Pits are notorious clowns, and will Always make you laugh, even in spite of yourself. They are intelligent, and will often "invent" games to keep themselves amused. They seem to subsist on love and attention, and will do almost anything for a little special "loves n hugs" time. They tolerate the rough play of children, loving every minute of it, and, although poor "guard dogs" for property, they will willingly give their lives to save the people they love. Thousands of responsible owners have dedicated themselves to this breed for it's positive traits and willingly deal with the negatives.

[billynomates]

And they look upon you as their leader! I'm a passive person, I don't fight, a lot of my friends are fighters and cos we're goodfriends protective towards me. One night went in pub with a pal who'd never been in there before and we started fooling about. A mate came over from the bar, he's about 6'6" and hard as nails he glared at him while he said softly 'Need any help Geoff just say?' I introduced them and he smiled and said 'to him 'Sorry mate I got wrong impression' got his drink and joined us. A dog can't ask questions if he/she thinks their leader is about to be attacked they retaliate first. Natural instincts for a dog. Also dogs get very jealous if their owner shows affection for someone other than them

[Niccivan]

That applies to every breed.... not just pitbulls.

[billynomates]

yes, but as you say pitbulls can kill easier, just hope you don't come on here crying one day saying 'she'd never shown any aggression before- she was so lovable'

[billybob]

Nic, we have had so many incidents in Memphis where they were lovable, and seen to have just turned on their masters or children. I certainly do not know the answer to your question, only know what I see on TV.