Liesje
Blue Crack Addict
Diemen said:Cute dog - definitely looks to have a little pit in her.
That's too bad about your experience with pits. In my experience they can be absolutely outstanding dogs when the owner is responsible and trains them well (Sunny is a pit/lab mix and still my favorite dog I've ever known). Most do have dog aggression issues, but the majority of them are actually very affectionate and gentle with people by nature. There's just too many idiots out there who buy them because they look tough and then either neglect them or train them to be tough that has ruined their reputation.
That being said though, I don't know if I'd want to deal with raising a pure pit.
Yeah, I have nothing against them and I know more people that have never had a problem than people who have, but personally I'm afraid of them, so I don't think I'd be a very good handler. It wouldn't be fair for the dog. Pit bull terriers and staffordshire terriers are basically the same dog, except pits have fighting in their bloodlines and staffies don't, they are conformation dogs, just another terrier. However, like you said, both standards allow for dog aggression and fighting to the death to protect the owner/handler. The second bit is what worries me. I haven't heard of a pit attacking the owner, but there've been WAY too many instances of a pit defending against a surprise "intruder" like the mailman or a little kid. I suppose if I changed my mind and ever wanted one, I'd rather import a staffy than take my chances with a pit from the animal shelter. But yeah, I grew up in a really bad neighborhood during a period of gang war, so fighting pits were everywhere. They were always kept on heavy chains in yards and it was pretty common that they were beaten. The police have had to gun down several of them who have escaped.
I do think they are amazing dogs, the way their body is designed (well, to kill), but I just don't ever need to have one Also, we're hopefully moving to Florida and depending on where it might not be an option. Pit and pit mixes are banned in Dade county and most apartment complexes have breed restrictions against them and other dogs known to be aggressive (akitas, chows, rotties, and GSDs).