Breed specific question?

Question

Breed specific question?

Answer 1

1)Pitbulls where and are bred to not be aggressive towards HUMANS, dogs is a different story. Dogs who where aggressive in towards humans where to be culled. Aggression is not a dogs temperment, it is a bahaviour triggered by certain events or objects. In the APBT it happens to be dogs.



2)It takes generations to breed out this type of behaviour, just as it would to un-do a border collies herding behaviour, or a beagles hunting ability. Its finely ingrained into the breed. Reputable breeders heavily socialize their dogs to be socialable and breed dogs who are tolerant around other dogs. This does not however guarantee that every pup in the litter will behave this way. What the owner does after they buy the pup has a profound impact on how that dog behaves. Bully breeds rarely start fights with other breeds, they do however always finnish them. Thats why you hear of atacks. Even if you breed out the aggressive streak, the dog is still a power house, its the owners responsibility to not let their bully play with strange dogs.



3) EVERY dog is dangerous, infact poodles statistically bite more than any other breed. It comes down to ownership. Again, pitbulls are not nor where they ever ment to be aggressive to humans. They are no more dangerous to us than other breeds. You would be hard pressed to force a bully to bite a human.



4) My dogs have been attacked by two schnauzers and a few labs, with intent to kill me and my dogs. And they could have done it just as sucessfully as a pit bull would. As a child my dad saw a miniature pinscer grab onto a shepherds juggular and hold onto it until it tore a whole so big in it the shepherd bled to death. Every dog is a danger in the wrong hands, butter knives, plastic razors and light switches are also dangerous, we dont regulate them.



These laws are always very vague, punishing breeds who dont even look like or share the history of the pit bull. If you look at the data on dog bites, its all over the map and very poorly collected. Often when you here of pit bull attacks its not even a pitbull, most people, including news reporters and police cant identify what a pitbull even looks like. What they can identify is the histaria, viewers, and news papers they will sell



Rather than punishing a breed its better to inform the public of responsible ownership of ALL dog breeds

Answer 2

1.) The aggressive dogs that are intentionally bred are bred by backyard fighters, not reputable breeders.



2.) They are not supposed to be severely aggressive.



3.) They are not supposed to be severely aggressive.



4.) I do believe there should be restrictions on WHO can own bully breeds, not WHERE they can be owned.



5.) They are not supposed to be severely aggressive. But, I think they should be restricted to certain parks where it is marked that bullies are allowed, to give owners of other dogs a chance to choose a park without bullies if they are worried about their own dogs' safety. It may not be totally fair, but there are a lot of bad owners in the world, and there have to be safety measures involved.



As a terrier, they will always have a prey-drive attitude to some extent, be it towards dogs, rabbits, cats, or whatever. But true, vicious, killer behavior is NOT what they are supposed to display.



From the breed standard for the American Pit Bull Terrier:



Disqualifications



Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Unilateral or bilateral deafness. Bobbed tail. Albinism. Merle.

Answer 3

i agree if a dog shows aggression and it can't be handled by anyone than the dog needs to be put down. if only one person can handle than the dog should never be in a public situation.

i have seen a lot of small dogs with aggression that i would have them put down before they hurt someone. a lot of people will say what can a chihuahua do to hurt someone. they can do a lot of damage to a kid.

i was watching a pom try to attack every dog in store tonight and the owner didn't try to correct or remove the dog. this is just as bad as a pit to me. i don't believe that the pits should show aggression or be put down. definately not bred to anyone.

you bring up a lot of good points, but most people have the pit as a pet. it's the few that still want to fight them that make it hard for all owners.

Answer 4

Dog aggression or severe dog aggression is not normal in ANY dog. Pits are not aggressive dogs unless trained to be, and thats the same for every other breed. Pits are actually one of the most tolerant and family friendly dogs.

Answer 5

1.) They are. However the majority of people "breeding" these dogs are nothing more than byb's themselves and probably have no idea about genetic testing.

2.) Pits in recent years have been selectively bred for their "fighting ability" A pit's job is to love humans and essentially hate other dogs. Which of course is now being stopped, or at least they're trying.

4.) There is

5)In Ontario they must be muzzled and on-leashes at all times in public. It is a stupid law.

Any dog can bite, it's not just "bully breeds"



Not ALL pits are "dangerous" it's those from "fighting lines" that have been bred solely because of their aggression by mostly males lacking size in their penises. These "dangerous" dogs are compensation for such bodily parts.



Good breeders know what they are doing when it comes to temperament.Dogs with a history of aggression will not be bred.

Answer 6

Wish Rachel would have answered this, she has wonderful insight on Pitties and rersponsible ownership.



1. Pit Bull type breeds (APBT, AmStaff, Staffie) that have severe aggression are not bred by responsible breeders, and the breeding of such dogs is not condoned by responsible breeders, responsible owners, and the educated public. Yes, pit bull type breeds that have severe aggression should NEVER be bred, should be spayed/neutered, and be placed within a pit bull savvy home with no other dogs. That is, if the severe aggression is dog aggression. If the severe aggression in question is human aggression, the Pit Bull type dog should be put down, or placed with a group (such as Best Friends) that have the time, money, and energy to invest into such a dog to rehabilitate it. Even then, the dog should be court-ordered to never leave that site. That is, if the severe aggression in question is, like I said, HUMAN aggression.



2.No, Pit Bull type dogs are not "supposed" to show any kind of severe agression. Aggression towards humans is against breed standards and is usually due to bad breeding, overbreeding, irresponsible ownership, no training, etc. etc. Severe dog aggression is not condoned either. SOME level of dog aggression is expected, but is not a breed standard, which is why pit bull savvy owners put so much time into training and socialization. Dog aggression was bred into these dogs for generations and generations, as well as a high prey drive (as with most any terrier). The breed standard which calls for dog aggression was for people way back when, when dog fighting was legal, and that's all these dogs were used for. Nowadays, they are family pets, or working dogs, so little to NO aggression should ever present itself with good breeding, strict continuous training, and a responsible owner. So no, the docile ones should NOT be removed from the gene pool, as they are the ones that are needed in the world today.



3. Again, they are not supposed to show severe aggression. With the right training and the right ownership, Pit Bull type breeds should never show any kind of aggression towards dogs or humans. However, Pitties that are chained up outside, with no human contact, no training, and just fed and used as lawn ornaments, those are the dangerous ones. But then again, you could say that about any breed. Take a chihuahua, chain him/her outside, fed it, but never train, talk to it, or socialize it, and see what kind of monster you end up with.



4. Again, severe aggression is not supposed to be present. There should be legislation regaurding pit bull type breeds, but not the kind you are talking about. There should NEVER be a ban on an entire breed in any or all parts of the country/world. There should however be a breeding restiction. Such as only responsible breeders should be allowed to breed, and only so many litters per dog, per every so many years, etc etc. There should also be a competency test and special registration process for Pittie owners, but I think this should go towards all breeds.



5. Ok, responsible owners don't take their dogs out without a leash, into a dog park, etc. if the dog is aggressive. The people who you are asking these questions, who actually have intelligent answers, probably don't own aggressive Pitties, because they are responsible. For example, I own three Pitties. One is around 5-8, one is about 2 and my youngest is 10 months. All are spayed/neutered, and all have been through several different training classes. My youngest is working towards his CGC, which will be taken sometime next Feb.-March. They all go out in public on leashes, but I do not muzzle my dogs. Why should my dogs have to suffer because of the acts of careless people? I feel safer with a Rottie walking towards me on the street, than I do when a Chi or Pom or Poodle is. I have had bad experiences with those breeds, but I do not take that out on ALL dogs of those certain breeds. I don't take my dogs to dog parks. Not that I don't trust my dogs, I don't trust OTHER people's dogs. I know that my dogs would not start a fight, but I do know that they would finish it. I also NEVER leave more that one out of their crates when we are not at home. It's not that I don't trust them, it's that if playing gets out of hand, and I'm not there to stop it I know what COULD happen, and I would rather not come home to a blood bath.



I don't know who it was that said aggression is not only normal but accepted, but they are an idiot. Yes, some tiny degree of aggression should be expected, but that's what they make training for. The right dog in the hands of the wrong owner, can make a very ugly front page news story. I think the answer is education, all around. Get rid of BSL, get more legislation that works, such as breeding restrictions, licensing rules, training criteria etc. etc. and the number of "blood thirsty" pit bulls on the 6 o'clock news, will disappear.

Answer 7

1) Breeders that breed superior examples of the breed do extensive temperament testing on all dogs prior to breeding. As terriers go, there is a naturally high prey drive which can cause aggression if not monitored and molded from an early stage.



2) A docile nature is desired, but not so much that it mutes the natural prey drive.



3) They aren't SUPPOSED to have it "naturally". The dogs that DO show it 87% of the time have come from a line of APBTs that were bred unchecked, which has led to aggressive tendencies.



4) There SHOULD be a regulation on the dog, but not the dog in itself. Breeding of the dog should be kept in check, owners should have to be monitored, training should be required as well as yearly behavioral examinations for ALL known APBTs and APBT mixes. I'd love to see comprehensive tests and checks done on people who wish to own the breed. We shouldn't restrict the places they are allowed to live.



5) Again, you can't damn the whole breed because of bad breeding and poor ownership. ANY breed with high prey drives that are left unchecked can be animal aggressive. Any one dog can be dog aggressive if under socialized.



It would be exponentially unfair to put a black label on all APBT dogs and mixes of the breed because of poor ownership and terrible genetic makeups.



You put your dog at risk every time you walk out the door. At any one point and time when the dog comes into contact with any breed does it run the risk of being attacked.



(No offense), thats like saying we should ban cars because you run a 1/10 chance to be hit by one while on the sidewalk or crossing the street. The same rule applies to dogs.



Dog-Dog aggression is a trait bred in by owners that purposely fight their dogs, or are looking for an aggressive dog. The dogs are usually seized and rescued and rehomed, or the offspring (two out of every 12 puppies are kept by people who breed for aggression) end up in the hands of civilians. Those offspring are rarely spayed and neutered, mate, and create more and more aggressive dogs. That line gets intermixed into dogs in shelters that are APBT mixes, and then we have an epidemic of aggressive dogs sweeping the nation. All due to irresponsible and ignorant owners.

Answer 8

Here is my take. There shouldn't be a SEVERE aggression issue in pits. Dog aggression is understood, and expected. Terriers should have a strong prey drive, and pits who do not have this, don't meet the breed standards, in my opinion Yes, they should be removed from the gene pool.



I think the issue with bully breeds is that owners do not understand what their breed is about, and capable of. You don't take a dog aggressive dog to the dog park, just because that is where everyone else seems to take their dogs. You manage it, if you so choose that breed.



You muzzle the dog. It is *not* cruel to muzzle the dog - it IS cruel for you to put other dogs in danger just because you don't want to muzzle yours. Putting a muzzle on your dog doesn't indicate that the dog is a "bad dog", it indicates that you are a good owner and understand what your dog is capable of, and take measures to manage it.



Leash laws are there for a reason - for all dogs, whether they are aggressive or not. I pet-sit, in my own home, for a pit. He is a wonderful, playful, good natured dog. He looks just like a pit SHOULD look. He has shown ZERO dog aggression. Do I think of him as a well bred pit? Nope. He doesn't have that drive that pits were originally bred to have,



It comes down to owner responsibility. You have a human aggressive dog? Euthanize. You have a dog aggressive dog? Muzzle and leash in public - ALWAYS. Yes, temperament is genetic. But once that dog is your property, it is your responsibility to manage that temperament.



Sorry, I think I might of gotten a little off topic with this one!

Answer 9

Newfoundlands * Hip/Elbow Dysplasia: genetic developmental disease of the joints. That is why it is imperative that breeders send off radiographs to OFA and/or PennHip before breeding. * Heart Disease - Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis: a congenital heart problem is a defect in the heart valve that will ultimately be fatal to the affected dog. It is crucial that the breeder has both the sire and damn checked by a AVCIM BOARD CERTIFIED CARDIOLOGIST before breeding! And it is also crucial to have the puppies checked before they go off to their new homes! * Cystinuria: long story short... it is when the kidneys have trouble reabsorbing amino acids. Out of all the breeds affected by Cystinuria... Newfs are the most severe (approx. 30% of all Newfs are carriers! Yikes!). Again, breeders should be testing for cystinuria BEFORE the breeding takes place. * Eye Diseases/Disorders (Breeders should have the sire and dam examined by a BOARD CERTIFIED OPTHAMOLOGIST for CERF!) - Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): not treatable and may cause blindness by 4 to 5 years of age as PRA can actually disintegrate the retina. Neither of these diseases is detectable in a young puppy. Adults may not display eye problems, but may carry the disease and produce puppies that will develop more severe problems - Entropion: the turning in of the eyelid, allowing the eyelashes to rub on the cornea and can cause complications - Ectropion: an outward turning of the lower eyelid, which is condition that is mainly inherited due to the genetic make up of the more massive type Newfoundland heads *Thyriod Imblances: Hypothyroidism runs in the breed. Breeders should run a T4 panel on BOTH the sire and dam prior to breeding! Testing for hypothyroidism is available and results can be recorded with OFA's Thyroid Registry!! * Von Willebrands Disease: an inherited deficiency of the clotting factors in the blood and it could be fatal. VWD can be detected with a simple blood test, and dogs not afflicted with VWD will be issued certification stating that they are clear of the disease :) Saints have pretty much the same health concerns... however... you also need to be careful about epilepsy in the lines. Unfortunately! There are not any "tests" to check for epilepsy, but it is quite apparent when your huge dog is thrasing around in seizures. An epileptic dog should NEVER be bred! OH and Wobblers is an issue with the breed. Again, a dog that suffers from Wobblers should never be bred!

Answer 10

I'll do what I can to shed some light.



Staunch defenders of pit bulls are so overburdened by the terrible reputation of their dogs that many refuse to acknowledge the negative aspects of the breed. This does the breed a HUGE disservice, and aids in misinforming potential owners.



1) Terrier breeds are anything but docile...any JRT owner will confirm. Severe aggression towards humans is absolutely not normal. Prey drive and animal aggression are issues that can and do arise within the breed. Acceptable? No. Somewhat commonplace? Yes. Managable? Most of the time.



2) Pits have the potential to be animal aggressive. That doesn't mean that they are supposed to be, or that it is desirable that they are. The levels of animal aggression and prey drive in this breed varies so greatly (even in littermates). Obviously, the less animal aggressive, the better, but animal aggression is not considered a fault.



3) Because not all pits are animal aggressive or prey driven, we cannot fault the entire breed. I've owned, met and worked with pits that were severely animal aggressive, and those that weren't animal aggressive in the least, and those that were somewhere in the middle. The key is that animal aggression and prey drive are managable behaviors.



4) Because there are other breeds that also have this potential. Huskies, Malamutes,a nd other primitive breeds can he HIGHLY prey driven. Akitas are known to be somewhat animal aggressive. It's not pit bull specific.



5) Your dogs SHOULD NOT at any point be put at risk.



Animal aggression has been bred into pit bulls for centuries. That's not somthing easily bred out (though there is no concrete genetic proof that a pit bull is any more prone to animal aggression than other breeds). Unfortunately, dog fighting is still a major component, and bad breeding runs rampant. Underinformed owners don't help either.



Regardless of breed, if you have an animal aggressive dog, you need to take proper proactive measures to curb these tendencies. Early socialization, proper discipline, and strict obedience training are the easiest ways to manage the behavior. I recommend peope study canine body language as well, which helps to stop problems before they start. Muzzles, prong, e-collar......all tools that can help.

Answer 11

I think Kip's Mom said it best, and anything I add would really just be repeating what she, and many others have said, LOL....



I will say, I used to frequent a Pit Bull forum on AOL, several years ago. I didn't participate much, I just listened, and learned...as there were a LOT of long-time breeders & owners, with knowledge of the breed going back many generations into their own family. Some of the contributors to that board were direct descendants of the people who founded the breed.



No one condoned "dog fighting" in our modern society....but no one tried to gloss over and "pretty up" what the true history and original purpose of the breed was. However unpleasant, those were the days that made the breed what it is today. To deny that heritage, is to deny the essence of the breed itself. Debates and discussions arose frequently- centered basically around the kinds of questions you're asking here. So you're definitely asking valid, thoughtful questions. :)



To put it as simply as I can, from what I gathered from reading the discussions amongst Pit Bull enthusiasts....the breed is split into 2 "camps". Those who believe the breed should retain the exact same qualities the dogs of yesteryear had- high prey drive and "gameness" (which can only be accurately evaluated in the fighting ring.) These folks found themselves in a mental quandary, because there was no legal way to prove "gameness" any longer, and therefore the practice of breeding dogs who were not "game-tested" was basically irresponsible dog breeding- akin to breeding working GSD's without putting them through working trials. To them, the breed was essentially "extinct"....since it could no longer exist in the exact way it had for the past 200-some years, it had no cause to exist any longer. These were usually the folks who would insist that a real Pit Bull WOULD BE dog-aggressive, and any who weren't were just "scatterbred curs". (Failing to point out, of course, that the majority of Pit Bulls in existence today are no longer the closely linebred descendents of the great fighters of yesteryear).



And then the other half of the camp were the more "modern" fanciers- those who hadn't been involved with the breed for 5 generations. Folks who developed a love for the breed beginning in the 20th century and who felt that "game testing" was antiquated and unnecessary- that the breed was viable and useful for modern purposes and could adapt with the changing times. These were the folks who pursued weight pulls, Schutzhund, hog hunting- other ways to demonstrate a dog's drive, tenacity and athleticism. These are also often the folks who recognize the *potential* for dog-aggression in this breed but feel it is a trait to be DISCOURAGED as much as possible.



My personal opinion, while I respect the knowledge of the old-time dogmen of yesterday....the latter opinion is more logical. The breed needs to change with the times, responsible breeders should select for traits that are useful for an athletic working Terrier, instead of focusing on useless and dangerous dog aggression. There are many breeds whose "original purpose" no longer exists. Nobody needs a spotted dog to warn people of an approaching fire-carriage anymore....yet, Dalmatians still exist and a properly bred one is a versatile companion dog.



The situation is compounded and complicated by the fact that Pit Bulls have the "bad rap" and the legions of tiny-weenie thugs who think this dog needs to be a snarly musclebound beast. If this breed was ONLY owned by responsible breeders & owners....you wouldn't HAVE "severely dog-aggressive" animals- or ANY Pit Bull for that matter, running off-leash and playing at dog parks.



There are many breeds for whom some level of dog-aggression is considered "typical"....male Dobermans and male Bullmastiffs are two that come to mind. IMO, simply being "dog aggressive" does not make a dog automatically "dangerous". Throw "human aggressive" into that mix, and we've got a different story. But a lot of dogs are dog-aggressive.....fortunately, most owners are smart enough to keep such dogs on leash. Like I said, the Pit Bull is a special case, due to the contingent of dumb*** owners who are drawn to the breed for the "bad rap".



If we required muzzles & handgun-type legislation for Pit Bulls, we'd have to legislate a LOT of "dog-aggressive" breeds, and individual dogs. However, I DO think perhaps there ought to be some kind of screening process you've got to go through, before you are allowed to own ANY sort of large protection or "power breed." ANY big, strong dog can be dangerous in the wrong hands....so perhaps there ought to be some sort of prerequisite to owning one? I definitely think you raised some good points to think about!



I'm rambling, and hardly as concise as half the folks here, but hopefully I got a couple points across the way I wanted :)

Answer 12

Pit bulls were designed to be fighters in certain circumstances. During the nineteenth century, when bull- and bear-baiting were banned by Parliament, dog fighting became popular. While it was very organized, it was still an underground sport, of course, due to its cruelty. The dogs were not supposed to be aggressive monsters. When the referee (who was a stranger to the dogs) interfered, he was supposed to be able to do so without any danger. The pit bulls had to be able to be separated and handled harmlessly by humans, and many of them lived with their human families without incident. They were working dogs, in a sense, but instead of herding sheep or pulling carts, they battled other dogs. Think of a police dog, who is supposed to attack only certain humans under certain circumstances. Any dog who bit any person was culled; if one of the pit bulls were out-of-hand dog aggressive, they wouldn't have been able to calm down quickly enough when grabbed by the referee. They would have redirected their aggression toward the human and consequently removed.



Over the years, dog fighting has become more of an underground organization than ever. Obviously, most people have realized that it's bloodthirsty and cruel. As such, most pit bull breeders do not breed for any sort of bloodsport, you know? Their dogs never enter the ring. They're intended to be family pets, not fighters, so only the sweet and social dogs produced offspring. Now, those are the vast majority of pit bulls. Standards for most people have changed.



While dogfighting's decreased, any and all morality has been dropped. Now, it's sheer entertainment for sick individuals who want to see two dogs tear each other up. There are no standards. The people who breed pit bulls for this purpose are intending to create monsters, they don't think pit bulls should be docile.



So it kind of depends on who you ask about "breed standards." To most people, the standard is your average good dog. To a select few, the standard is a killer. And each group is working to preserve their own idea of the standard, whether it conforms to the registries' or not.



Most of the pit bulls in the world are going to be the good ones, without severe dog aggression. In these lines, the tendency toward aggression is pretty much the same as in most dogs. Mastiffs, rottweilers, bulldogs, German shepherds and tons of other dogs need just as much socialization as a pit bull because, although faintly now, they've got the instinct to protect, guard, defend, attack, what have you, too. Severe aggression is not normal or accepted in pretty much any breed. But while it's not acceptable, if you have a pit bull or other "fighter," you should expect some degree of aggression IF you don't socialize and train your dog!

You know all those pit bull attacks? I'd bet a lot of those dogs are from the lines that are being bred to fight these days. They're almost like a different breed than most pit bulls. Add that to poor socialization and you've got a dangerous mix.



Since almost all pit bulls are good dogs and are bred responsibly according to OUR standards, many think it'd be unfair to ban them. Think of a stereotypical "bad neighborhood." Think of how many kids from that neighborhood pull through all right, they're successful, they're good. But their image is shattered by the few exceptions the neighborhood's produced, the gangsters, the murderers, the robbers. Should you assume all the kids from that neighborhood are terrible people because of one or two exceptions?



I think a fee or something to own a pit bull does make sense. It does seem unfair to make everyone pay, but what's more important is trying to prevent the sort of owners who DO want to create monsters from owning pit bulls. A fee would discourage someone who wasn't serious about owning a pit. A problem with that, though, is that such scummy people would be the ones to smuggle pits illegally, anyway, to add to their dog fighting crime record.

Also, I don't think ANY dog should be wandering around unleashed because any dog has the potential to be aggressive. I do think that should certainly be regulated.



So no, severe dog aggression is not acceptable. In a way, it is "normal" because normally, without socialization and training, a great deal of dogs do become dog aggressive, but that does not make it acceptable. Yes, aggressive dogs should be regulated and NEVER bred. But the people who DO breed and own bloodthirsty dogs don't care.



I'm sorry if my answer is rambly and full of mumbo-jumbo, I can hardly organize my thoughts sometimes, nevermind into numbered answers.

Answer 13

Okay, here's my take on it. Should pits have dog-aggression? Yes. Should pits have the drive to fight other dogs? Yes. Should pits be a danger to any dog they encounter? No.



Think of it this way:



Terriers have high prey drive. If my dog killed a squirrel, I would have no issue with it at all - in fact, I would be proud. BUT - if I was outside with my dog, and couldn't control it if I didn't want it to kill the squirrel - that's a problem.



The problem with pits and related breeds is two-fold - bad breeding and bad training. Even a pit that has NO human aggression, if that dog cannot be controlled by it's owner, if it cannot be prevented from going after any other dog it wanted to - then it is either a problem with the temperament of the dog, or the control the owner has over the dog.



Going back to prey drive - any terrier will have a varying amount of prey drive. When that prey drive is too much, so high that the owner can't control the dog, then there is either a problem with the dog or the owner.



For any dog with any normal amount of any drive - the owner needs to be able to control that dog - no excuses.



Add: Tiny - dog aggression in pits is related to prey drive, NOT dominance!

Answer 14

Not a Pit Bull expert here, however my understanding is the following.



First of all, there is a difference between dog aggression and human aggression. Pits should be willing to fight other dogs, but should NEVER be aggressive to humans. Such a dog should be culled.



A Pit (in fact most terrriers) should be game, in that he is willing to fight and will not back down. However, I don't think it's required for the dog to be INSANE. He should be controllable and responsive to human command.



I don't think there's anything wrong with a Pit that enjoys the company of other dogs. However, when challenged I would expect him to finish the fight.



JMO, I'm sure some of the more knowledgable Pit people will chime in.



EDIT: I'd say that *dog aggression* is normal for Pits, however *severe* dog aggression where the dog is uncontrollable is a result of fighters ( and idiot pet owners with tiny penises) breeding for a more aggressive dog, which is not necessarily correct.



For example, protectiveness is "normal" in certain breeds like the German Shepherd. However, some people that are working them in sports like Schutzhund are breeding dogs with EXTREME drive and consider this desireable, however it makes for dogs that are completely unsuitable as pets or even as police dogs that must work in public, and I don't think that these obsessed dogs really fit the creator's vision of a noble, stable, intelligent and courageous animal. (However I stand to be corrected, since I'm not a GSD expert either).



In many sports, the dogs that do really well in competitions are not necessarily what you would want to work with in the real world, but rather extreme examples of workers.

Answer 15

They aren't supposed to show severe dog aggression. In the past, as a whole, they were bred specifically for fighting. As a whole, that is no longer the case and dog aggression is not a trait that is selected for.

Answer 16

pit agression is the same as any other dogs. the dominant dog will try to fight with other dominant dogs near its territory. now outside of its territory it shouldn't. they will fight to defend their owners regardless of where they are if they think the owner is in danger. what some describe as aggressive behavior is simply rough housing, the same as with even small breeds, the difference is pits are bigger. my pit rough houses, and he has a stop word which is kisses. i say kisses and he automatically lets go and tries to kiss me. he lives with 3 other dogs, plays well with the pit next door even in the same yard regardless of them both being males. primarily because my dog is the dominant dog and the other is a submissive dog. they like any other dog will fight even their owners when on a leash to get to a female in heat. labs do this too. of my 4 dogs the only 1 i am scared that might actually bite someone is my lab. upbringing has a LOT to do with this animals character. they need to be the center of attention and act out when they are not. some consider chewing off a leg of a table as aggressive behavior. it is not. it is behavior from boredom, they just have bigger mouths than some other breeds. most all pits i have met, and i have met more than a few hundred, will not hurt another dog unless approached in an agressive nature. most will not attack unless they feel threatened. dogs can sense emotion, so even if you aren't saying hateful things, if you are feeling hateful and thinking about how you would like to kill the pit then they pick up on it and will attack because they feel threatened by negative energy you are sending out. all dogs will do this.

pits blend in well with other dogs.

here is my proof

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tiny_lil_hottie/

if pits really can't get along with other dogs then what explains this photo?

Answer 17

Research, research.... A dog can be the sweatiest or the meaniest.... its all about how the dog is raised.