Thoughts on Pitbulls?

[ColeTrain]

Hey Rip, I know you're a huge dog lover, even going so far as to say that people who don't like dogs can, "get fucked". I'm curious how you feel about Pits? I personally have had very little experience with them, mainly just seeing videos of them either attacking people/animals or dressed up in a tutu being extremely sweet. I know a lot of people have strong opinions about them one way or the other, so I wanted to know how you felt about them?

[Mark Rippetoe]

The best dog I ever had was a female pit. She was the sweetest thing who ever lived. You can make any dog into an asshole by mistreating it. Chihuahuas seem to need the least help. I don't think you'll find anyone outside the media who thinks badly of pit bulldogs.

[mkm5]

The best dog I ever had was a female pit. She was the sweetest thing who ever lived. You can make any dog into an asshole by mistreating it. Chihuahuas seem to need the least help. I don't think you'll find anyone outside the media who thinks badly of pit bulldogs.

Yes, one of my daughters has a pit bulldog I've posted about before.

Really a very friendly dog, loves to go for walks out in the woods; for some reason she likes to crawl up next to me and hang out! Get that pit in the lake for a swim in the afternoon, they sleep good at night!

[smokeyjones]

I don't see how they're any different than other breeds that are prone to being anxious / timid.

German shepherds come to mind as being very similar. They need a good owner and plenty of socializing as a puppy.

[Mark Rippetoe]

German shepherds come to mind as being very similar. They need a good owner and plenty of socializing as a puppy.

They are not similar at all.

[mkm5]

They are not similar at all.

I'm no dog expert, but my experience has been that my 4th daughter's two German Shepherds require an extraordinary amount of activity and attention than my second daughter's Pit. Good loyal dogs though.

I'd trust either to help me out if there was a need.

[smokeyjones]

They are not similar at all.

Just what I've experienced. My sample size isn't the largest though.

The pitties I've known have had abit of a nervous energy round strangers. Looking for intent/ assurance almost.

Could just be the owners weren't the best people though.

[Subby]

Pitbulls are the 13/52 in Dog form.

You'll notice that the claim that Pitbulls are the most dangerous Dog breed is never answered directly. It's always "My Pitty wears a tutu" or in the above "it's how they're socialised and it's the owners fault" which begs the next question. Why do shitty owners always get Pitbulls then?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Why do shitty owners always get Pitbulls then?

They don't. Sometimes they get German Shepherds.

[mkm5]

They don't. Sometimes they get German Shepherds.

Or a Belgian Malinois. Don't see them too often but it's a full time job training them and keeping them active. Otherwise, nothing but trouble.

My nephew is a dog handler and has a Belgian, and he's really good at training and exercising the beast.

I've seen that dog run straight up a tree trunk 15 feet up, then dive back down like no big deal.

Not a dog for lazy people, that's for sure.