Pit Bulls

Are people afraid of the name or do they just not understand the dog?
I'm just curious what you all think.
I feel that the media has been overzealous and that banning of the "Pit Bull" is becoming a full on witch hunt.
These dogs are loyal and very intelligent. They have been used for many years to protect people and their property. They have been used as rescue dogs and as therapy dogs. If they are really that dangerous why would people use them for these. They have also been used in television. Remember Petey from the Little Rascals? A pit bull was honored in WWI for saving some American Soldiers.
I read a story about a Pit Bull that was used as a rescue dog. The trainer and the dog were taking their certification test. There were other dogs there that were used, a lab and a breed of hound dog I believe, well one of the tests had the dogs searching for an 11 year old boy. A barrier of barbed wire fenceing was put between the dogs and where the boy was hiding. Well when the first two dogs went  they got to the barrier and had to wait for their trainers to create an opening for them so that they could get through to the young boy. Well when it was the pit bulls turn it came to the same obsticle, it ran up and down the barrier trying to find an opening. Well instead of waiting for the trainer it just went right through the fencing straight to the boy. After the session was over and 17 stitches later the dog wanted to go back to work again right away.
Tell me is this a good dog or not?

My girlfriends pitbull is nice as hell...never bites or growles or anything. 

thats good to hear. sounds like she has trained the pup well. We need to hear more positive stuff like that.

Normally a pitbull is a direct reflection of its owner and training.

I agree, but I why is it some people do not see it that way?
When I take my Pit Phoenix to the dog park sometimes most of the people in the park clear out only a few stay.

Most folks understand that any pet's attitude is a direct reflection of their owner + how the dog is treated.  It's like a child and vice versa.  I saw one the other day at the vet.  It was obviously neglected as it didn't listen to his owner and the owner was getting very upset.  I suspect that behind closed doors, the poor little guy is abused.  In the end, a person may have nice intensions but they still end up allowing their short fuses to get the best of them, that = mean Pit.  As do a lot of animals, they react to our behaviors at that moment, whether good or bad, it doesn't matter because they can read our body language and vocal tones, both on purpose and accident.  That and it's overall training as was stated by TheStealth.

This is true. Its just too bad that they are banned by apartment complexs and mortgage ins company's. I just think the media ruined this dogs rep and it may not recover.

ive never been a big fan of pit bulls.. not because of the bad rep, i just dont like them that much. i do like big dogs tho.. like great danes and bull mastifs.. which in fact i have really wanted to get one since i saw my friends 250 lb mastif one drunk night

good/bad timing on the post bro.  i have had a pit for the last 2 1/2 years and just last night i found out that he got out of the yard w/o his collar on so he's now lost.    i'm litteraly at my g/f's work making copies of a lost dog flier to find him.   my take on it is the same as ppl, i don't judge anything/anybody just on a name or looks.  my dog wouldn't hurt a fly!

If you have myspace post it on there as well. I hope you find your pup. Don't know what I would do if I lost mine

go to gas stations and grocery stores around you and post as many bulletins there as you can

remember the internet is your friend and don't forget the shelters in your area. animal control is a good start as well.

quote:

ORIGINAL: silvercoupe97

Most folks understand that any pet's attitude is a direct reflection of their owner + how the dog is treated. 

The thing is though, around here anyway, most of the people that really desire to have a pit bull, are white trash types looking for a "hard" dog, and they train them that way.  You know what kind of people I'm talking about.

For what it's worth, very few of them have a true Pit Bull, (Bull Terrier, think Spuds McKenzie or the Little Rascals dog).  Most people have some version of the Staffordshire Terrier (English or American).

Chances are with those are mixed with the staffordshire terrier and another breed of dog. Which is what makes them a "pit bull'.
A true "pit bull" is a pure bred Staffordshire Terrier.

http://www.defend-a-bull.com/positivelypit.html

I've got a full blood Gatormouth Pitt  ( found him by the way, had to pay a $100 reward to get him back but it was worth it.    Family about 1 mile from my house found him and bought him a collar, leash, food, treats, and a toy and were ready to keep him until they saw one of my bulletins ) thank goodness they were a good enough family to call me.      but yea he's a awesome pup and i would recomend a pit to anybody.

Thats awesome man. Glad you found your pup. You got any pics of him?

got a good/funny pic of him on my myspace you can www.myspace.com/rcjr9186

umm does not come up

sorry.   www.myspace.com/ronjr9186