are all pitbulls aggressive?

any other dog that shows a tooth unexpectedly

 
And that is precisely why we have so many people on this forum who are worried that their 4 month old puppy is "aggressive", or their dog that does a submissive grin is "aggressive", or their dog that is barking and lunging only while on leash is "aggressive".  People don't understand the canine language, or canine behavior, as well as they should once they become dog owners.
Breed predisposition is real, but it is also somewhat modified by breeding, temperament, training, and management.  So, it is inappropriate to paint every dog in any breed with the same brush.  The same people who think all Pits are vicious probably think that all Golden Retrievers are good with kids.  Poppycock.

And that is precisely why we have so many people on this forum who are worried that their 4 month old puppy is "aggressive", or their dog that does a submissive grin is "aggressive", or their dog that is barking and lunging only while on leash is "aggressive". People don't understand the canine language, or canine behavior, as well as they should once they become dog owners.

 
So that's why everyone that sees my PH smile gets all freaked out...[8|]
 
I've had to explain the fact that PHs "show teeth" when they're happy, during wrestle play, and all sorts of other times.  It does look a bit intimidating when a 55lb dog is launching himself up in the air "smiling" at you.  Especially one who has canines that are quite large.

[sm=rotfl.gif]WOW!!! Someone should have told my soon to be 12 year old boy that he was supposed to "chew" someones face off...
 
Yes, you CAn research the breed back to what it was originally bred for, and if you had done that you would have seen it was for DOG FIGHTING not human aggression.
 
It's people like this that keeps me busy involved with public education and fighting Breed Specific legislation...Thank the good Lord above that PA isn't as closed minded as some people are.
 
These are GREAT dogs with fabulous personalitys and dedicated LOVE

Amstaffy,
 
I totally understand where you are coming from.  I've seen too many pitties/amstaffs that are misunderstood.  I, in fact, had some reservations about a 10month old that came to our park.  His owner is on top of him and Ghost (since he's almost completely white) is a pretty good dog.  He's not aggressive, though he can be a bit loud.  If anything he's submissive...he got attacked by a Viszla the other day and rather than fight back he rolled over onto his back.  I'm very impressed with his temperment.  So, even though I am guilty of some preconceptions about particular dogs, I have been proven wrong and have moved on.

Cudos to you!!! That is awsome!
 
My Markie has been attacked by so many dogs at shows it is insane! Living with several for so many years from different bloodlines and rescue situations it is easy to know the breed as a whole.
 
 Sure, there are dogs who have been bred and raised irresponsibly but as a whole the breed is to be trust worthy to humans and only animal aggressive although many good breeders are working away from that too.

Once in a GREAT while, you will come across someone who should read and not post.  God gave us two ears and one mouth.  He was trying to make a point.
 
I say this in response to a poster in this thread, who shall remain nameless, lest Jaime consider it a personal attack, and call me to task for it.  []

Biiiillllllllyyyyyyy
[sm=no%20no%20smiley.gif]
 
I will say, I did like the way you worded that []

I actually have work to be done right now, but I will be late to address this.
The original poster asked for opinions in an open forum & I provided mine. I didn't attach personal stories to it. I didn't attach anyones opinion that differed from my own. I didn't ridicule and quote anyone without "naming" names like was posted about me after my post.
 
I gave my opinion, I suggested the owner do research to come to her own conclusion about her dog and I was not rude in any way.
Ignorant? I don't have a pitbull that has lived 15 years that has never attacked anyone or shown agressive baheviours to make the "I KNOW FOR SURE" statement, and even if I did, I could never know for sure, so ignorant I will grant you out of the context it was used.
 
The ridicule??
Open my ears and shut my mouth you imply??  (Without "naming names" of course because that is so much MORE mature than just attacking me head on??)
Attack head on. Don't hide behind implies. If you don't agree, it's your right.
I don't agree with any of you either, but I didn't bash a single person or opinion.
 
I replied to the person asking the question and I think I gave her good avice. Research! That is closeminded?? Hope she doesn't think so since I gave my opinion to her, with her and her dog in mind and any pertinant information she gather to answer her own questions will make her feel comfortable with her decision(s).
 
So...I hope the original poster can find her answers.
As for those who choose this forum to ridcule, insult and attack??
I'll be looking for the "Report" link because people come here for support and to offer it. If they wanted to be treated as some of you have treated me here, they'd go back to grade school!
 
BTW- If anyone wants to hear my person story about a pitbull "chewing a face off", how it had to be shot to release the kids head, just post a thread & I will share it for the purpose of sharing information, as was requested.
 
Have to find that link now

BTW- If anyone wants to hear my person story about a pitbull "chewing a face off", how it had to be shot to release the kids head, just post a thread & I will share it for the purpose of sharing information, as was requested.

 
Sad but true occurrences like this do happen. However, it is not the dogs fault but the HUMAN that raised this animal to be this way.

Nobody likes to hear of or see Pitbulls or any dog for that matter mauling a child or human.
 
So, let's not lay blame on the offending breed but the ignorant, mendatious human/s that breed, train, and treat these animals inhumanely to make them mean. After all the dog is only doing what it is asked of it to do.

You wrote....

Dogs were bred with a purpose. Read about the purpose and uses of the pitbull as far back as you can go and you'll see why so many believe a pitbull can anver be a trusted sweet dog forever.
The purpose was for DOG FIGHTING, not human attacking! Please tell me which one of the "Little Rascals" kids were mauled by Pete who was an American Pit Bull Terrier. There were several dogs used before Pete who were also American Pit Bull Terriers. This breed of dog in the history of the breed was a well respected family dog who was also a war dog and saved many soliders lives in a regiment from Pennsylvania. Today there are many APBT's who are successful in Search and rescue and therapy work. Today you see people who are irresponsible owners and breeders ruining the breed as it was many years ago. Don't blame the breed as a whole.

Its not just BS that people fear these dogs. There is well documented facts/instances where these dugs chew the faces off of people. Its the breed if you ask me. I would never have one. It always a metter of WHEN, not IF they turn viscious, as they were bred to be.
Again, it isn't the breed but the irresponsible dog owners who do not care for the dogs prioperly, socialize and train their dogs, any breed of dog could be the same if treated the way these dogs have been.

Your pup is so absolutely adorable, but...I can't get past the but!
Sorry.
The "buts" are the issues you really have no knowledge of, you are basing your thoughts on media hysteria and not knowledge of the breed as a whole. Many other dogs bite and inflict scars, pain and yes even death but those are not as high profile as a "Pit Bull" bite and the news it sells. Google dog bite and you'll see there are other dogs with teeth who also bite.
But then again you probably feel the same way about Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds and maybe even Border Collies as they have been known to bite children and adults when attempting to herd them.

In Ontario, pitbulls are banned unless purebred with papers, muzzled all the time, and there is a registry you MUST be on to keep your dog. Breeding is prohibited unless registered with another purebred to prevent breed contaminiatio. The theory is, the pitbull is so viscious, the government wants to know where EVERY SINGLE dog IS, who owns it, what its history of violence is. THAT has to say something about the breed itself. They do not want this breed mixed with other dogs because it will alter the other dogs to become more viscious as a breed, over a long time. 
 I think you should read the Onterio restrictions again,
[linkhttp://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/pubs/dola-pubsfty/dola-pubsfty.asp#TOC_03]http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/pubs/dola-pubsfty/dola-pubsfty.asp#TOC_03[/link]
 there ARE exceptions which would prove that NOT ALL of the dogs exhibit the trait YOU believe they have...after all how can such a vicious, mean, man eating dog compete in activities such as dog shows and flyball????


I'm concerned for the outcome of all adorable pitbull pups because yes, they are adorable pups, but what will their life become if they are tru to their nature??
Their life will become that of a GREAT companion when properly raised, trained and socialize their "true nature" is of dog aggression but many responsible breeders are working away from that temperament and have successfully done so.
Sorry. I think yes, all pitbulls are agressive and no-one will stop them or be able to  ull them off when they are attacking.
Of course this is what you think, you haven't had an oportunity, I'm sure or desire to meet any responsible dogs/owners and see what they truely are like. That would mean that you might have to change your views and open your mind up to the fact that not everything you read is the truth as it's written, heaven forbid the media not tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
 
There are many bully owners here on this forum as well as other breed owners who also support the bully breeds. I'm sure we won't change your mind and you surely won't change ours, we've lived and learned the truth. I've owned the breed since 1990 when I aquired my first rescue dog. She was used in Pit fighting, she came into my home with my two small children and lived life like she had lived there forever. Teh ONLY issue I had with her was that she was animal aggressive, so much she attacked my ceramic duck in the front yard. I worked with this girl in Obedience and she worked out of that through dedication and love for us. We then proceeeded to add more APBT's and Am Staffs into our family. My children have shown through growing up in Junior showmanship with our dogs as well as conformation. Imagine that a vicious Pit Bull in a ring with 20 other kids and their different breeds of dogs and no one got bit or attacked..INCREDIBLE!!!!!!
 
I'll include some of my vicious dogs for you to admire..keep in mind these dogs will not bite another human or dog, in fact Markie, the dog shown with my son has been attacked by a french bulldog, Scotty and a boston and never flinched to defend himself

 

And just so you know it's not just MY dogs, here's a friends dog.
 
The owner could not keep this boy any longer because her baby is now here and taking up more time in her life so she has sent this dog who she owned for 6 years back to the breeder...this dog was an only dog but he was trained well and socialized.
Here is a picture of him and his Frenchie friend, I wonder why he just doesn't eat that little dog?????...he's looking for a new home....Interested???ROFL!
 

ORIGINAL: sym100000

BTW- If anyone wants to hear my person story about a pitbull "chewing a face off", how it had to be shot to release the kids head, just post a thread & I will share it for the purpose of sharing information, as was requested.

My cousin had his face chewed on by a black lab, had 35 stitches.  A buddy of mine had to have stitches in his leg to repair muscle ripped open by a collie.  I saw a Cocker Spanial rip off a kids backpack and try to take her down by her hair.  Personally I have only been bitten by one dog, a doxie.  Doesnt mean I think they are a bad breed.  My point is that a breed does not determine whether the dog will be agressive or not.  The way they are raised does.

 Jaime I love this picture... Aggressive licker going on here. lol... My boy has one of those too. In fact I have a sign on my door that says "Caution.... Dog's licker broken"

"Google dog bite " In fact you do not have to Google it at all, just go to your local health department and ask for the stats on dog bites. I KNOW you will be surprised that the number one dog bitter is NOT a Pitt, Amstaff, or mix but your general normal everyday dog.
 
And to add, my trainer was bitten by a Golden Lab and required 47 stitches in the belly.

I got my face trashed by a basset hound.  The breed makes no difference.  I got bit in the face 3 weeks ago by a 6 inch tall chihuahua.  It ran up the couch, up my chest, and bit my chin (the little guy was like lightening). 
 
BSL is crap...there is NO legit reason for it. 
 
I am starting a petition for OSL (owner specific legislation).  Who's with me?

I am Mic....