Happypants,

I think it's time we left this subject alone. I see no point in beating our respective heads against the wall. I stand by my research and you stand behind yours. I do fear for the children, but at least I'm glad they know how to behave around the dogs.

Your link doesn't work. I did take a look at that site, the read full story pdf has no citations. I can make up any story I like as well. Note to those that don't know any better, not everything you see on the internet has merit.

The cdc has actually been in charge of keeping track of dog bites for a long time now. However I would put an average untrained pit bull up against any other untrained dog breed. I am a dog trainer and I know how dogs behave. Of all the times where a dog has lashed out at me not a single time has the dog been an aggressive breed.

Of all the people I know who train dogs, I have many friends who do including one who runs a pit bull rescue, not a single one has ever been bitten by a pit bull. If you ask them the breeds that bite them the most you will get three different answers and I bet you wouldn't guess the breeds that bite them. Believe it or not the three would be labs, goldens then chihuahuas.

You can quote all the studies you want but if you look at the research that they have its all from whats reported in the media. I would take a pit bull over any other breed. I own 4 pit bulls, all cgc(canine good citizen), and 3 other breeds(lab, australian cattle dog, border collie). I would put any of them up against any other dog in a temperament test, not the three other breeds even though they are incredilbly wel behaved and trained. Now I know you'll say well they have extensive training so of course they'll be fine. I have 3 young children and 6 nieces/nephews under the age of 5 and they all act perfectly fine.

How were bait dogs bred to be aggressive? explain to me how this is so. Pit bulls were bred to be bait dogs, not fighting dogs. The few that were bred to be fighting dogs don't make a majority, so most arguments are null and void. Do your research.

Its not the breed its the owner. I will stand by that statement regardless of breed.

Actually, the one I cited in my earlier post....which you obviously didn't read. Here it is again, for your convenience, http://www.dogsbite.org/bite-study-deaths-maimings.html . The results of that study was....simply stated; "In the 3-year period of 2006 to 2008, pit bull type dogs killed 52 Americans and accounted for 59% of all fatal attacks. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers accounted for 73% of these deaths."

In response to your comment that "Selective breeding doesn't necessarily result in a dog that will be more aggressive." I don't believe we were talking about dogs that were raised in bad conditions. I believe we were talking about Nature vs Nurture. The problem with your analysis is that when a dog whose breed was developed selectively for aggressive traits) is raised in an ideal puppy raising situation, that dog will still be more likely to lash out when stressed than a dog that is the product of a different type of selective breeding. Yes, the dog raised properly would be trained better, but ask any reputable trainer.....when a dog is stressed (overtired, overstimulated, etc.) the nature of that dog will override the nurture.

In spite of this information, if you think it's just fine to allow a toddler around a Pit Bull, you should have your head examined, not to mention your parenting skills. By the way, in case you're thinking that I'm just picking on the poor Pit Bulls, I would say the same about any breed that has been bred for aggression.

I'm unsure why you would believe that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) would have anything to do with dog bites, unless, of course there is rabies or some other communicable disease involved. We're not talking about diseases here, we are talking about dog breeds that have a tendency to be aggressive.

What studies? the one that says pit bulls pass the temperament test at a better rate than most other dogs?

Listen the cdc hasn't kept bite statistics based on breed since 1998 because...wait for it...its not scientific. What you don't realize is that every dog breed bites and every dog breed can result in a serious bite. The problem is that the stories that get reported are the serious ones, and lets face it most of them are misreported.

Selective breeding doesn't necessarily result in a dog that will be more aggressive. If any dog was raised in conditions that a lot of those "aggressive" dogs have been raised than they would be aggressive too. Its simple nature vs. nurture, look it up, neither can be completely blamed for how a dog is.

Happypants, I think you also need to take into consideration the generations of selective breeding that goes into every dog breed. Breeders select dogs with the desired instincts and temperments and breed accordingly, i.e., scent hounds (Bassets, Blood Hounds, etc.) are bred to promote the desired instincts and body types; such as long floppy ears to help bring scents to the sensitive noses and the instinctual desire to follow a scent to its source. Therefore, no matter how hard and thoroughly you train a Chihuahua, you will not get the same results as you would with a Blood Hound.

My fear with the Pit Bulls is the selective breeding that went into developing them, not necessarily the training. Yes, most dogs will respond to training, however even the best dog will revert to basic instincts when stressed beyond their tolerance. Pit Bulls were selectively bred for aggression and the low stress tolerance needed for their purpose. Therefore, aggression is an instinct that will surface when the dog is stressed.

I hate to think of any breed as not suitable to be around young children, but I don't see how you can argue with responsibly done studies that overwhelmingly show that Pit Bulls, along with some other breeds, have exhibited a much higher tendency to attack with serious results.

Whew, sorry for being so long-winded.

Denise

wrong, a pit bull will not attack you if you don't train it. Not training your dog has nothing to do with it attacking you.

pit bulls are very sweet dogs but train them really early bc they will be aggressive and will atack u if u dont! you should get a puppy because the can turn out to the best of pets but beware.. TRAIN THEM EARLY!!!

It all depends on how you raise it. Dog breeds aren't aggressive or mean, its individual dogs. There are no breeds that never bite. having said that any breed can be a great pet. Its all about the temperament of the individual dog.

Hi, I understand your concern. I also understand the protests from Pit Bull owners who have wonderful dogs. However, statistically, the most serious attacks by dogs are overwhelmingly done by Pit Bulls. Here's a link to a study that was done from 1982-2007 http://www.dogsbite.org/bite-study-deaths-maimings.htm . Of course any dog can attack, especially if provoked. Just my opinion, but I wouldn't be willing to take a chance with Pit Bulls around precious grandchildren.

American Pitbull Terriers unfortunately have gotten a bad reputation because some people who own them have trained them to be very aggressive and dangerous. If you can visit with the parents of the puppy and see what temperment they have that will give you a clue as to your pup. Also I would suggest the pup stay with the mama a couple more weeks in order to learn proper puppy etiquette that only a mama dog can teach. In the meantime get a book by the "Dog Whisperer" about training a dog from puppy to adult. He has a special spot in his heart for pitbulls and can explain how to train your dog to be a sweet, calm, and reliable family member who's good with kids and other dogs.