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I am amazed these aren't pitbull owners. They sound a lot like them.

That is just like saying you are amazed they weren't black or hispanic or asian. Watch what you say.

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That is just like saying you are amazed they weren't black or hispanic or asian. Watch what you say.

Oh please. You can't be serious. That's a pretty far stretch to make that comparison. If a topic ever needed to be closed this would be one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Ahhh Chris, with all due respect, your statement is not accurate. There is a distinct difference between an all too common mentality involved with getting a pitbull (i.e. an ego-boosting look how tough my dog is attitude....etc...) and racial stereo-typing. I am not saying that everyone who owns a pitbull has this type of mentality but it seems to be very often the case. The fact is that dogs, to a large extent, are what they were bred to be.....and since pitbulls were bred for a purpose - fighting dogs - what is the reasoning that goes into owning a pitbull?

Yes you most certainly can generalize dog-breed characteristics and behaviors -- much more so than with humans. I think what Jeff was getting at is a certain mind-set which has nothing to do with racism.

Hello Mike,

Implying that pit bull owners in general are ignorant and dumb is a disservice to the many responsible pit bull owners out there. There are stupid and ignorant dog owners every where with every breed just like there are stupid and ignorant people every where regardless of race.

Ok folks...back to the original concept of the post.
Let's not make me close it, ok?

Chris,

I said nothing about pitbull owners being "ignorant and dumb". What I said was/is that there seems to be a certain mind-set involved with a large percentage of people that own these dogs. They often refuse to admit that genetics play a larger part in dog behavior and, in my experience, they don't have sound reasoning for owning this breed of dog. This is just my own experience and of course my opinion.

Chris - you are the one that brought racism into this -- what I'm talking about has nothing to do with race. Do you own pitbulls? -- and if so, can you explain your reasons? It is one thing to adopt a dog (whatever breed) to give it a good home -- it is another think to actively search out a particular breed of dog for no other reason than to own a tough, intimidating dog to boost egos...

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since pitbulls were bred for a purpose - fighting dogs - what is the reasoning that goes into owning a pitbull?

Because pit bulls make excellent family dogs. They are (supposed to be) people-loving dogs. They do not make good guard dogs because of this. I know many pit bull owners that say that if someone ever broke into their house, the dogs would follow them around just wagging their tails wanting to be petted, or even show the burglars to the jewelry box. lol

It is the ill-bred, abused dogs that turn into people biters. Even way back when dog fighting was still legal, dogmen would immediately cull any dog that showed aggression towards a human. It simply was not tolerated. Dog-aggression is an instinctual thing, but aggression towards people isn't a trait that is associated with pit bulls that are not bred by the people that are breeding with money or ego in mind. My dog is a pit bull/chow, both of which are feared/hated breeds, but she absolutely loves everyone she meets, and people are surprised when I tell them what she's a mix of, after they've been on the ground loving on her for the past 5 minutes. It's wrong to stereotype, no matter if you're talking about dogs, people of different races, or whatever. Stop and think before you open your mouth.

"It is the ill-bred, abused dogs that turn into people biters."

Sorry, I object strongly to that blanket statement. My dog is well bred and certainly *not* abused. I both desire and expect him to bite people when the situation calls for it.
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Mike,

I was not saying anyone was racist. I was comparing how discrimination and generalization of a certain group of people (pit bull owners) can be the same as saying a certain race does this or that.

I'm sorry you misunderstood and thought that I thought you said pit bull owners were ignorant and dumb. I was referring to the implication of the general statement Jeff made.

Yes, I have a pit bull that was adopted and is an excellent pet and I had a dog I used to train and work in schutzhund, demo in schools, train for film work, and demo for business. He was one of the most stable dogs I knew and was an excellent family pet. I love their stability, intensity, athleticism, drive, socialness, etc. I have never nor will ever fight a dog. Because I am a dog trainer and have pit bulls, all kinds of responsible owners with pit bulls approach me all the time. I'm sorry you've experienced different. I'm not saying there are not ignorant owners out there, there are plenty in every single breed.

Chris,

Agreed. Forgive me if I am over-stating my case. It just seems to me that this particular breed of dog, more so than any other breed I know of, is bred and owned for the wrong reasons. I have an 18+-month-old pitbull with me because the owner was irresponsible and could not take care of the dog (I could site many other similar examples as well). We are actively searching for a good home for this dog and you would not believe some of the characters that wanted to take him (i.e. already had 2-3 pitbulls, had a small apartment, etc...). I really like this dog and we will wait until someone comes along who will be a responsible and caring owner before giving him up. I have nothing against this breed at all -- only those people who are not honest about their reasons for owning and/or breeding them.