all chihuahuas are like that... they have a nasty temperament.

Pitbulls do have a nasty reputation thanks to some nasty people who used and abused this particular breed, but just like people, there are good and bad individuals of every race or breed. They recently raised the licensing and insurance requirements for pitbull owners in my area, which I find unfair and unnecessary. I have also known much more agressive ankle biters. I bet your buddy is a sweet heart. All that matters is that he is well trained.

Pitbulls were originally breed as fighting dogs. They have a locking jaw and a strong upper body for pulling and flailing. However, the reputation comes from those who breed the dogs specifically for that. Any dog that is malnurished and abused is going to have a nasty temperment.

I used to have a half lab/half pitbull mix, she was as sweet and loveable as they come. She also scared the crap out of most people. I woudn't be surprised is the lady was more concerned about her little dog getting munched than herself though.

Much love for Pitties!! Breed Specific Legislation is BuLL$h1t!!!!!

It is a shame that the entire breed (and their owners) have to pay the consequences for those that chose to mistreat their pitbulls and trained them to be so agressive. My boyfriend has always had pitbulls and actually had two of his shot because people (one of them was a cop) assumed that they were going to attack them when all they were doing was protecting their house and people they loved. These days it is very difficult to even get a pitbull due to all the regulations and extra fees associated with the breed. He misses his terribly. We now have a bull mastiff but it's just not the same for him. Course Maximus is just a big 'ole 80 pound baby though!!!

I love big dogs! I know a bull mastif who is the most lovable big girl. And Maximus is a great name! My golden retrieve Max's full name is Maximus Aurelius Debarkius

Agreed!

What a great name! My Max is Maximus Copper because he is a copper brindle color. And he thinks he is a lap dog just like Jazzy! Always trying to get up in my lap when I sit down!! Just a big BABY!

Because some shart heads go out of their way to make them vicious for pit fighting.

Also in Latino circles they think it is cool to own a vicious dog. the pit bull is a good dog of choice becasue it is sort of like an old Roman breed of war dog. Although not the ultimate fighting dog PBs have their share of mystique. Unfortunately they also have a reputation. What is unfortunate is to come across dogs which were the result of intentional inbreeding.

Personally I know it isn't the breed because I have seen my share of PBs and most of the time they are just attention hungry slobber bags. Like any animal they require training and some people are just not good owners. Others are just plain idiots.

Humans...

People who fear PBs are just ignorant. All dogs have the capacity to snap. Toy breeds are the worst about it.

Wow! They are forbidden breeds in most towns up here... I love them... If I were to choose I'd prolly choose a well trained Pit over a loaded 38cal.

There have been some horror stories, and most of the time, it's the way the dog is treated. Some people breed them to fight. It's all in the way you raise them.

I had a Pit/Rottweiler mix. The dog was huge, topped out at about 130 pounds. He was just a big dumb lovable mutt. I named him 'Hooch' after the french mastiff in the movie "turner and hooch" Reason being, he drooled all the time. Other than that, he was a sweetheart.

Interesting note here, for dog lovers. (concerning parvo) When Hooch was a puppy, he had parvo. Most dogs will not survive that. He couldn't hold his head up. So, i took him to the vet. The vet told me it was parvo, and there had been an outbreak of it. He offered to put the dog to sleep, or i could try medication. I opted to try that.

The medication? Red Gatorade and Kaopectate. A syringe full of each, every two hours, by mouth, (of course). Within three days, the dog was fine.

I am glad your dog made it.

So very true.

And speaking as a dog owner I would NEVER EVER let him off his leash if I know there is a possibility somebody could walk by. Just because I know he would never hurt a fly and that Golden Retrievers are known for there gentlness, I am still responsible for my dog. If I saw a strange dog running at me, damn straight I am going to get defensive. The owner may now he is friendly but I sure as hell don't. Like KLC said YOU are responsible for your dog. YOU are the one that had your dog off the leash, so you should not be upset because you were not taking the proper responsibility for your dog.

Bahahaha killer punk poodle!

Not your specifically, RO, but I'm using your paragraphs.

No they weren't and no they don't. They were bred as general farm dogs to control the livestock, and ratters. They would be put in babies cribs at night to protect the babies from rats. That is not a vicious dog. Later they were bred for pit fighting because humans have this thing for blood sports. Those pit dogs had children in the ring with them to manuver and break them up. If the dog bit the child it was killed. They do not have locking jaws. That is a myth, and a stupid one at that. I can rather easily break a two pits apart, but not 2 English Mastiffs. They all just have powerful jaws.

The problem with people in general is that no one actually picks up a book. Pit Bulls for Dummies is simple and easy to read and gives a good history. At the very least... much less any of the other books written about any of the wonderful pit type dogs.

The other issue is that there's really no such thing as a "pit bull" I mean really, it's like saying all black people are bad, because they're black. It's unfair to lump all together when its not true.

We won't even get into the "pit mixes" biting people. Considering there are more and more blood tests being done on dogs to find out what their true genetic factor is, there are less "pit" looking dogs who actually have any "pit bull", bulldog, APBT, Staffordshire Bull Terrier or any other "pits" that get lumped in together.

My rant for the night.

ha ha you should see my pitty.... the reason pit bulls are feared is because of their lock jaw and the fact that they were basically bred to fight. It's all in the owners tho...people often fear what they dont understand....check out my pit bull quake!!! Pics are in the profile.

"Please don't shoot me. I'm just misunderstood. Please beleive me, my intentions were good."

I think people are afraid because they are "fighters", that's what they were bred and built for. Unfortunately, that gives them a bad reputaion. IMO, they are no more danerous than any other dog. That's just me though. I grew up around dogs. I would worry more about getting bit by a dalmation or german sherpard than a pit.

I have a bulldog,like the Tom and Jerry bulldog and I wouldn't think of walking it without a leash.I know what thier jaws can do, and if you're letting an American Bull,American Stafordshire or an English Bull run around with their balls intact, you need to be horsewhipped. That dog could destroy anything it wants to. I had an American Stafordshire that wouldn't harm a human for anything, but get it around a male dog and it was over. That could be someones family member. The shame of it all.

I caught a puppy Thursday morning running around on the property. When I took it to the SPCA they told me he would be put down because he looks pit.

So, I'm scrambling to find him a home or rescue group because of his "looks". To me there could be pointer, or catahoula, or English Setter, or heeler or any other number of broad faced dog breeds that are actually fairly common in this area. Definitely a mix however.

It's unfair to kill a 3 and a half month old because he looks the way he does, especially with as quick as people are to label them. Even worse when he gives hugs, kisses, does his business almost on command, and in general is just a happy sweet roly-poly puppy.