There is no such thing as an all-dangerous/all-aggressive breed/type of dog. There is good and bad in everyone, and there are good and bad in every group, including not just human groups, but also other species/subspecies and particular breeds/types. It’s unfair to generalise all dogs of any particular breed or type as aggressive or dangerous.
Yes, it is true (and unfortunate) that pit bulls were originally bred to fight, but, since then, they have been bred for other purposes, for hunting, as “status dogs” (unfortunately) and just as companion dogs. Also, apparently, (this is according to the ASPCA website) any fighting dog that showed aggression to a human would be killed. This may not have always been the case, but it probably was the case for at least some fighting dogs.
The average, companion pit bull, Staffie, Rottweiler, Doberman walking down the road is not necessarily any more of a threat than any other dog.
Also, just because a dog is of a so-called “nice” breed doesn’t necessarily mean that they aren’t dangerous. Most dogs do have the physical potential to be dangerous, and attacks and aggression in Labradors and retrievers are not unheard of.
The media and society have unfairly stigmatised pit bulls, Staffies, Rottweilers, Dobermans and bully breed type dogs.
Yes, a dog’s genetics does play a role in determining his/her behaviour, but there are other factors as well, such as the dog’s upbringing, training and socialisation (or lack thereof), experiences and just that individual dog’s personality/temperament.
Please, don’t judge a book by its cover. Next time you see a Doberman/pit bull/Staffie/Rottweiler/bully breed/any other controversial dog breed/type, don’t automatically assume that that dog is dangerous or aggressive.
There is no such thing as an aggressive breed.
Pit bulls and other such controversial dogs can be just as loving, friendly, kind, playful and goofy as any other dog. Many pitties get along just fine with kids, other dogs and even other animals. Some pitties have even saved the lives of people and other animals.
Pit bulls have worked as search-and-rescue dogs, therapy dogs, assistance dogs, (probably) emotional support dogs and actors in movies and TV, even starring alongside children!
Even dogs who have been horrifically abused can sometimes be rehabilitated with love and care and become loving, friendly dogs. Dogs with behavioural issues because of their past sometimes just need more love, patience, compassion, kindness, understanding as well as knowledgeable, loving people with big hearts and enough knowledge on how to solve behavioural problems in dogs and how to help them overcome their issues.
Many pit bulls, Staffies, Rottweilers, Dobermans, bully breeds and other controversial dogs would much rather lick you and be friendly than maul or bite you!
Of course, it is important to always ask kindly before stroking any strange dog (much less hugging any strange dog), but don’t just assume that a dog is dangerous or aggressive just because of their breed/type.
Also, breed bans don’t work. Breed bans just unfairly target all dogs of a particular breed/s/type/s/appearance. Breed bans result in innocent dogs being taken away, locked up, distressed and pining for their people and (maybe) their homes, seized and killed. Breed bans result in people being devastated and heartbroken after having their beloved dogs taken away and killed for no good reason. What could potentially be a much more effective approach would be to implement laws requiring that all schoolchildren be educated about how to behave around dogs, how to treat dogs, how to approach dogs and how to respect dogs (and all animals, and people!) and how to treat them kindly, and why it is always important to do so. Another strategy that could potentially greatly reduce the number of dog attacks on people would be to legally require all new dog carers to take their dogs (whether puppies or adult dogs) to socialisation classes and humane, positive reinforcement training classes, and to also train and socialise their dogs themselves, outside of the classes.
Please, don’t be prejudiced or discriminate against any sentient being/s based on their appearance, breed, type, species, subspecies, genetics, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, disability, neurological condition, sex, sexuality, religion, faith, culture, lifestyle, beliefs, the colour of their skin, their eye colour, hair colour or any other difference. We are all sentient beings, and we all matter!
Yes, it is true (and unfortunate) that pit bulls were originally bred to fight, but, since then, they have been bred for other purposes, for hunting, as “status dogs” (unfortunately) and just as companion dogs. Also, apparently, (this is according to the ASPCA website) any fighting dog that showed aggression to a human would be killed. This may not have always been the case, but it probably was the case for at least some fighting dogs.
The average, companion pit bull, Staffie, Rottweiler, Doberman walking down the road is not necessarily any more of a threat than any other dog.
Also, just because a dog is of a so-called “nice” breed doesn’t necessarily mean that they aren’t dangerous. Most dogs do have the physical potential to be dangerous, and attacks and aggression in Labradors and retrievers are not unheard of.
The media and society have unfairly stigmatised pit bulls, Staffies, Rottweilers, Dobermans and bully breed type dogs.
Yes, a dog’s genetics does play a role in determining his/her behaviour, but there are other factors as well, such as the dog’s upbringing, training and socialisation (or lack thereof), experiences and just that individual dog’s personality/temperament.
Please, don’t judge a book by its cover. Next time you see a Doberman/pit bull/Staffie/Rottweiler/bully breed/any other controversial dog breed/type, don’t automatically assume that that dog is dangerous or aggressive.
There is no such thing as an aggressive breed.
Pit bulls and other such controversial dogs can be just as loving, friendly, kind, playful and goofy as any other dog. Many pitties get along just fine with kids, other dogs and even other animals. Some pitties have even saved the lives of people and other animals.
Pit bulls have worked as search-and-rescue dogs, therapy dogs, assistance dogs, (probably) emotional support dogs and actors in movies and TV, even starring alongside children!
Even dogs who have been horrifically abused can sometimes be rehabilitated with love and care and become loving, friendly dogs. Dogs with behavioural issues because of their past sometimes just need more love, patience, compassion, kindness, understanding as well as knowledgeable, loving people with big hearts and enough knowledge on how to solve behavioural problems in dogs and how to help them overcome their issues.
Many pit bulls, Staffies, Rottweilers, Dobermans, bully breeds and other controversial dogs would much rather lick you and be friendly than maul or bite you!
Of course, it is important to always ask kindly before stroking any strange dog (much less hugging any strange dog), but don’t just assume that a dog is dangerous or aggressive just because of their breed/type.
Also, breed bans don’t work. Breed bans just unfairly target all dogs of a particular breed/s/type/s/appearance. Breed bans result in innocent dogs being taken away, locked up, distressed and pining for their people and (maybe) their homes, seized and killed. Breed bans result in people being devastated and heartbroken after having their beloved dogs taken away and killed for no good reason. What could potentially be a much more effective approach would be to implement laws requiring that all schoolchildren be educated about how to behave around dogs, how to treat dogs, how to approach dogs and how to respect dogs (and all animals, and people!) and how to treat them kindly, and why it is always important to do so. Another strategy that could potentially greatly reduce the number of dog attacks on people would be to legally require all new dog carers to take their dogs (whether puppies or adult dogs) to socialisation classes and humane, positive reinforcement training classes, and to also train and socialise their dogs themselves, outside of the classes.
Please, don’t be prejudiced or discriminate against any sentient being/s based on their appearance, breed, type, species, subspecies, genetics, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, disability, neurological condition, sex, sexuality, religion, faith, culture, lifestyle, beliefs, the colour of their skin, their eye colour, hair colour or any other difference. We are all sentient beings, and we all matter!
