Questions for bully & APBTA 'type' owners

[AdrianneIsabel]

It's not the level of desire to fight as much as the power, a scrap between other breeds for 5-15 seconds(depending on your skills as a handler) can be broken up sans damage where as APBT and mixes there of more often than not are just so good that a damage free argument is the rarity.

This is from my experience with pit bull rescue over the years.

My male Malinois is very low on dog tolerance and my female Malinois is moderate. I would take them being DA over my pit bulls DA, I'll be honest Backup got owned both times he stupidly took on Arnold. He's not a fair fight but still it's a very different style, Arnold goes for a grab and grinds. Backup is a bounce and snapper.

When we have other breed scuffles at my work I see them broken up hastily with minimal damage, I've yet to see a pit bull fight that started (actual contact) and stopped with such little damage as a scrapped cheek.

I truly love my pit bulls, without fail. I just think its only fair to be honest about their behaviors or else I may be setting them up for failure.

I should add, Shamoo likes to push buttons but she will avoid a fight and she is a pit bull. That said when engaged in a fight she sure can get in some nasty strong bites very quickly, often faster than she can think straight. I have an ugly scar from her redirecting accidentally (which ime is less common in pit bulls) on my leg and Denis has a nasty one on his arm from the previously mentioned recent fight (not so comically its on his sleeve arm which has made Bitework lots of fun for him lately).

[Aleron]

FWIW There are plenty of GSDs who can not be broken up without damage.

[kady05]

I've been extremely lucky with my dogs. I have never had even so much as a scuffle here *knockonwood*. But, I'm also not naive and know that it could happen at any point in time!

Like SevenSins, I've found males tend to be more.. forgiving. That's why I went with a male dog to show, and will probably continue to do so if I get another show dog.

[AdrianneIsabel]

Originally Posted by Aleron

FWIW There are plenty of GSDs who can not be broken up without damage.

I had two rat terriers who literally went for death, I had to return one actually to the breeder, but I don't think that is the common behavior in all RTs and honestly both did well with other dogs it was just each other that made them see red. Strange how dogs work sometimes.

[release the hounds]

I've had a very wide range of temperaments concerning other dogs in the GSD's i've had. One put her canines thru the front leg of another and broke the leg and had scars of her own, to those that can have a dog trying to hump them while they do obedience and will never acknowledge their existence.

[Aleron]

Originally Posted by AdrianneIsabel

I had two rat terriers who literally went for death, I had to return one actually to the breeder, but I don't think that is the common behavior in all RTs and honestly both did well with other dogs it was just each other that made them see red. Strange how dogs work sometimes.

It's not nessarily uncommon for GSDs to be SSA and plenty who are will get into injury inducing fights with each other, every bit as serious as APBTs fighting. Actually the fights I've broken up involving APBTs didn't involve injury luckily enough.

[AdrianneIsabel]

I would prefer it elsewise but the truth is though with most APBT it's uncommon for it to be SSA but rather an all out, I love to wrassle, bring it on any sex/size/breed, kind of behavior if they are exhibiting or it's an "I won't start it but I'll surely end it," which can be the most dangerous for all of the "but my pit bull would never start a fight" DP goers.

Of course IMO a breed that has been carefully molded for its ability to fight and fight well should be seen as such for everyone's safety.

After years in this breed it's not a competition with other breeds, it's a self awareness within the breed. It does no one any favors to presume elsewise.

[Tahla9999]

Originally Posted by AdrianneIsabel

I would prefer it elsewise but the truth is though with most APBT it's uncommon for it to be SSA but rather an all out, I love to wrassle, bring it on any sex/size/breed, kind of behavior if they are exhibiting or it's an "I won't start it but I'll surely end it," which can be the most dangerous for all of the "but my pit bull would never start a fight" DP goers.

Of course IMO a breed that has been carefully molded for its ability to fight and fight well should be seen as such for everyone's safety.

After years in this breed it's not a competition with other breeds, it's a self awareness within the breed. It does no one any favors to presume elsewise.

Got to agree with this. My dog has yet to show any dog aggression and any fight he has been in was always on defensive and not trying to fight back. At the same time, you never know. You can't be too careful. And I have to agree with other breed's fight. I've seen a lot of dog fights. My dog has been attack twice by off lease dogs. One was a shepherd mix who mange to give my dog one puncture wound. Another was a Saint Bernard( fricken scary) and I thought there was going to be some damage but it turn out he was untouch.

APBT fight is a whole another story. I don't know if any of you heard, but one of the Vick dogs at Best Friends escape out of his kennel and broke into a pet pit bull kennel while no one was around. The dog attack that dog so badly that the dog was beheaded. Yes, the head was found seperate from his body. The Vick dog wasn't finish though. He broke into another Vick dog kennel and fought that dog too. The dog was more of a match and they found both dogs very wounded, but the dog who kennel was broken into had more damage than the dog who broke through two kennels. It that determination which sets these dogs apart.

[sillysally]

Originally Posted by JacksonsMom

This is a bit OT, but rather than making a new thread...

I used to think it was wrong to somewhat stereotype Pit Bulls in terms of DA. I had seen it when I first joined a few dog forums, and simply did not believe it, or want to.

Is it sad now that at the dog park, I pretty much automatically leave when a pittie comes in? Now, usually I bring Jackson on the little side anyways, but if there's only two or three other bigger dogs there that I scope out first, I do have him on the big side (I meet up with a friends boston terrier/beagle mix who is too rough for small dogs). She thinks I'm being "breedist" - I know she doesn't understand. But I gave her some info, and some links to a few pittie rescues who do NOT allow pits in dog parks, etc, and she does understand where I'm coming from.

I never wanted to be "that person" but I would never forgive myself if I did not go against instinct and something happened to my dog. I know ANY breed can potentially snap, especially at a dog park, but I consider myself a good reader of dog body language, and I know that personally my dog stays away from any potential trouble. But sometimes I feel like a giant douche, but ever since reading stuff online, I simply don't trust them around my dog. I have no issue with them with just me.

But, like, my aunt has a now 10 year old pittie who has spent lots of time with small dogs and other dogs in his life, no issues. But now I do have a fear.

Do you think this fear is justified when it comes to protecting my dog? or am I just reading too much on the internet? lol.

When I take Jack to the dog park I am more wary of certain breeds of dogs than others. We have never have a positive experience with a GSD at the park. We have had some positive bully breed experiences, BUT I am very mindful of the individuals that come in.

[Barbara!]

Originally Posted by JacksonsMom

Is it sad now that at the dog park, I pretty much automatically leave when a pittie comes in? Now, usually I bring Jackson on the little side anyways, but if there's only two or three other bigger dogs there that I scope out first, I do have him on the big side (I meet up with a friends boston terrier/beagle mix who is too rough for small dogs). She thinks I'm being "breedist" - I know she doesn't understand. But I gave her some info, and some links to a few pittie rescues who do NOT allow pits in dog parks, etc, and she does understand where I'm coming from.

I would be slightly insulted if someone left just because I walked up with Chevelle...that's just the truth. There are many dogs that are prone to things that would make the dog park less than ideal if they displayed those characteristics...but I don't think that means you should go running from every one of those dogs. I DO understand your reasoning behind it, though. It just would personally make me a little sad, lol.