Pit Bull Prejudice

I created this post because of 2 particular incidents that come to mind in the time my father lived in that neighborhood.
 
Once I was walking the Pit, along with the Shih Tzu and when I got about 6-7 houses down there was a little girl playing in the yard. Upon seeing the dogs she ran like crazy towards us, and I thought (Uh Oh Sasha (the shih tzu) is going to get some squeezing nd ear pulling done) Well the little girl ran up to the Pit, completely ignoring the small fluffy dog.
Her mother had a look on her face like she thought the dog was going to tear her to bits! She quickly came to get her daughter with a look that told me (get that dog outta here).
 
Well the second incident is the one that most affects me. I had taken Bruny (the pit) to a nearby childrens park which is always deserted. By this time she was getting old and fat. The day quickly heated up, and me being a young person did not think that on such a short walk I would need to bring her water. Well about half way home she laid down and refused to go anymore. I was extremely worried and went to a house to see if they could spare a bit of water from the hose to give Bruny. Well I had to go to 4 different houses because upon seeing the dog the people refused to give me any water and shut the door in my face. The last house I went to she gave me one of her dog bowls full of water but quickly went back inside and shut the door. Its sad because I mean regardless of the breed if I see a dog outside my home who is panting because of the heat that needs some attention I will give it whatever it needs so they will be ok 

I spend every day defending my girl.  The good thing is,she is an AWESOME breed ambassador.  She loves eveyrbody! Two weeks from tomorrow she will be part of our Summer Reading Program (I work at the library) and will be greeting HUNDREDS of kids. 

When I walk our shelter dogs, I have people avoid our Pitties.  What's really funny is that they are the nicest dogs we have (for the most part).  We have little dogs who want to take on the world. We have dogs who HATE cats. Our Pitties love cats and other dogs.  They are really wonderufl dogs.  It's a shame more people don't see just how sweet they can be.

I volunteer at my local shelter also.  The kill rate is 5% (face it no matter what the euphism it is killing), so basically any adoptable dog, including pitbulls are kept till they are found a home, but, there is always a but.........
 
The director of the volunteer program flat out discourages people with children from adopting any of the "sweet" pitbulls available.  Before anyone gets too upset she loves these dogs, and advocates for them more than anyone.  The reason as she explained to me to discourage people with small children from adopting is that in this area people would actually forbid their children from going to a person house that owned a pitbull.
 
So another strike against them, at least in my area, unfair but realistic.  I hope that changes one day.

I also volunteer at the local no-kill shelter.  We have 3 pit mixes that no one will take a second look at.  The one I work most with fits many people's description of their perfect dog.  Does she nip?  No.  Is she dog aggressive?  No.  Is she good with children?  Of course.  Does she like cats?  She loves them.  Does she like to play fetch?  Absolutely.  Does she walk nicely on a leash?  Perfectly.  Does she jump on you?  Never.  Does she know sit?  Yep.  I often run into people on their way to the kennels(our buildings are outside) while I'm walking her and once they tell me what they want, the next question is, "Do you mind if it's a Pit Bull?"  The answer is always yes.  I never understood refusing to adopt the dog of your dreams just because it has pronounced cheekbones and is constantly attacked by the media.   

ORIGINAL: fuzzdomestic

I also volunteer at the local no-kill shelter.  We have 3 pit mixes that no one will take a second look at.  The one I work most with fits many people's description of their perfect dog.  Does she nip?  No.  Is she dog aggressive?  No.  Is she good with children?  Of course.  Does she like cats?  She loves them.  Does she like to play fetch?  Absolutely.  Does she walk nicely on a leash?  Perfectly.  Does she jump on you?  Never.  Does she know sit?  Yep.  I often run into people on their way to the kennels(our buildings are outside) while I'm walking her and once they tell me what they want, the next question is, "Do you mind if it's a Pit Bull?"  The answer is always yes.  I never understood refusing to adopt the dog of your dreams just because it has pronounced cheekbones and is constantly attacked by the media.   

 
Wow thats a great way to put it, I'm sure you could make a lot of people feel stupid by telling them their dream dog is a pit bull! Oh the irony!
I read the other day....
150,000 planes take off in one day but you only hear about the singel one that crashed. Millions of pit bulls live out there day happy as can be but you only hear about the one that attacked

ORIGINAL: fuzzdomestic

I also volunteer at the local no-kill shelter.  We have 3 pit mixes that no one will take a second look at.  The one I work most with fits many people's description of their perfect dog.  Does she nip?  No.  Is she dog aggressive?  No.  Is she good with children?  Of course.  Does she like cats?  She loves them.  Does she like to play fetch?  Absolutely.  Does she walk nicely on a leash?  Perfectly.  Does she jump on you?  Never.  Does she know sit?  Yep.  I often run into people on their way to the kennels(our buildings are outside) while I'm walking her and once they tell me what they want, the next question is, "Do you mind if it's a Pit Bull?"  The answer is always yes.  I never understood refusing to adopt the dog of your dreams just because it has pronounced cheekbones and is constantly attacked by the media.   

 
 
On the flip side of that I got a lot of "questioning looks" from workers in shelters around here when I went in and asked to see their "pit mix" puppies.  You could see them sizing me up trying to decide why I wanted to see pits.  After telling them all of the research I had done on the breed and my personal situation, i.e. small town, kids, fenced yard, experience with large dogs, they were much more receptive.  []

My dog has absolutely no pittie in her as far as I know, BUT , she is brindle. People ALWAYS see her coloration and ask "Oh, does she have pit bull in her?"

I always get nervous looks from people when we walk by....it's like for god sake's people, has the media hyped you all up enough so that if a dog only has a common pittie COLORATION you get your panties in a bunch??

The two pits that live next to me, are, amazingly (Ginny is dog aggressive) two of the only dogs she will actually PLAY with!! Yes, that's right! They are so nice that she actually feels comfortable enough to play! They are very submissive and will roll over at the drop of a hat. Her aggression doesn't spike any "natural pit bull aggression" in them. They just take that and say Ok, we'll show her we are nice! Roll over!

The other dog she doesn't mind is a huge mastiff/rottie mix next door. Just goes to show that even "scary bully breeds" can be so nice that even an aggressive dog will be cool around them.

we get the same reactions to amelia because she is brindle striped. people think she "looks mean". not sure why some people think brindle striping makes dogs look mean? i saw a brindle greyhound at petsmart the other day. beautiful dog! the last thing i thought was that he looked mean. if anything he looked like a couch potato![]

i took amelia to petsmart a few weeks ago. it was early on a sunday morning. she is very timid and i knew there wouldnt be as many people there then. amelia was behaving perfectly, and not acting timid or afraid like she usually does. (i was so proud of her!) anyways, when we were leaving, this woman (who had been letting her 2 kids run amok since we got there) saw us coming up the main isle and grabbed her kids. she gave us this dirty look as we went by to boot. she didnt act nearly as concerned when the cocker spaniel came in and was barking and growling like crazy. (now that was a dog i would be afraid of). i just shot her a "go to hell" look and continued on my merry way.

As pit bull owners, we face it all the time.
 
I recently had my assistant principal (Im a teacher) say, "You own a pit bull?!?!? Aren't you afraid it is going to hurt someone?"  My response was... "Not at all."
 
When we walk our dog, people look terrified.  They cross the street, etc.  People pull their children close to them, when all Tyson really wants to do is lick them!
 
It breaks my heart, because people have no idea what a lover he is. 
 
You always have to be an advocate for the breed, and ensure that you raise an ambassador!

DH and I just went shopping with my mother in law and there was this guy with two pit bull puppies, absolutely gorgeous! There was one that was the exact replica of the dog in alieliza's avatar pic only puppy version and then there was a cute white and black pup.
 
I actually MADE mymother in law reverse soI could talk to the guy and pet the pups. And let me tell you they attacked me as soon as I kneeled down. Attacked me with puppy breath and puppy kisses!!!!

A little baby Tyson?? I would have loved to catch a glimpse of Tyson as a wee pup!  We adopted him at 5 months, so its a no go for that!  But pit pups are incredibly cute, and they grow up into such noble looking dogs!  I LOVE them!!!

i never heard anyone say they thought the cute guy above was a danger to anyone. he worked with a cast of kids for many years. if you have ever seen "the little rascals" you know what i mean.[]

i guess most people just didnt realize that he was a viscious pit bull that could turn aggressive at any moment and maul spanky and the gang. (read with sarcasm)

I face it every day, but it really doesn't phase me anymore. People cross the steet, mothers take their kids hands and walk away quickly. It just makes me shake my head...this breed is one of the most amazing out there...people are SO uneducated!!

At the beach today there was Sally, a chow-chow, a rottie, and a shepard/husky mix, and what do ya know, not one dog fight or mauling--amazing [8|]