My Two Cents Worth!

[gator]

I have listened to many opinions on this site and I must say that I think that maybe we are being a little misleading. We are here to show the world that our wonderful breed of dog is not just simply a dog used for fighting and that it is not the type of animal John Q Public makes it out to be, that is why we are here. We want to educate people that visit our site and encourage them to educate others not try to discourage them because of the color of their dog, the way their dog is bred, etc. I know people all over the world that have bulldogs just because they like them, and choose that breed to bring into their family, and do not care how it was bred or what color it is. Don?t get me wrong, I personally prefer game bred dogs, but if another person does not, so be it, sometimes a game bred dog does not fit into a persons lifestyle so does that mean they should not still try to find a bulldog that does fit into their lifestyle? I have heard comments about staffs not being pit bulls. Lets get serious here a staff is a pit bull, they just are bred differently, their name was change from pit bull to American Staffordshire Terriers to appease the A.K.C. and then they just started breeding them for the show ring. I hope that this forum stays true to its purpose to help and educate every bulldog owner or potential owner that visits with us or otherwise we are pissing up a tree. If a person tries to bring a bad name to our site, I would be the first to say get him out of here but luckily that has not happened yet. Just the ramblings of an old dog man.

[Bubba]

I agree with you, but what I don't agree with is folks breeding for blue dogs and big thick bones and heads. Thats not what this breed was meant to be about. If you are into showing, in the conformation ring, good deal, a good conformation dog is a beautiful thing. Alot of folks get these dogs for the wrong reason, such as they want a GUARD dog, this is NOT the breed for that. Things like that will help ruin this breed by adding defects that are NOT NORMAL for this breed, such as hip dysplasia. This is a working breed and I feel as tho they need to be used as such. To each is own, and one man is gonna do one thing with his dogs and another will do their thing with theirs...

BB

[slimm]

Well said guys. I have one dog, a pup that will be 9 weeks in another few days. I have not had a dog in over 10 years. I too prefer game bred dogs, and chose to make this one a family/house dog to grow with my children who are 3&2. Most of the common people always thought I was crazywhen I said the only dog I would ever own again with children is an APBT. This pup is down from Mayday, and Frisco on the bottom. I chose this breed because of what children have the tendancy to do i.e. grab, poke, step-on, pull, kick, whatever. With the tolerance for pain and the propensity to cull out the man biter, I ask what could possibly be a better choice?

[gator]

There is no better choice what so ever.Well said guys. I have one dog, a pup that will be 9 weeks in another few days. I have not had a dog in over 10 years. I too prefer game bred dogs, and chose to make this one a family/house dog to grow with my children who are 3&2. Most of the common people always thought I was crazywhen I said the only dog I would ever own again with children is an APBT. This pup is down from Mayday, and Frisco on the bottom. I chose this breed because of what children have the tendancy to do i.e. grab, poke, step-on, pull, kick, whatever. With the tolerance for pain and the propensity to cull out the man biter, I ask what could possibly be a better choice?

[Bubba]

Well said guys. I have one dog, a pup that will be 9 weeks in another few days. I have not had a dog in over 10 years. I too prefer game bred dogs, and chose to make this one a family/house dog to grow with my children who are 3&2. Most of the common people always thought I was crazywhen I said the only dog I would ever own again with children is an APBT. This pup is down from Mayday, and Frisco on the bottom. I chose this breed because of what children have the tendancy to do i.e. grab, poke, step-on, pull, kick, whatever. With the tolerance for pain and the propensity to cull out the man biter, I ask what could possibly be a better choice?Very good choice...my son can be terror on these dogs, I catch him and he stops and they never do anything, his favorite dog is a CRAZY bitch that we were kinda worried about when he was a baby. She ended up sleeping with him alot and now they are best of friends...
BB

[no1special]

Very well said. My only "pet peeve" is the big "pit bulls" You know the one's...those that were crossed with some other big breed to get the size. And then they register them as purebreds when everyone knows they aren't.

[MMK]

in my honest opinion anything but a gamebred dog is not a pitbull. and i dont include staff/pit crosses. and that is the reason i pushed for the staff forum to help keep people of different intrest from clashing. i know i clash with the amstaff owners as i believe they are trash. but that is my opinion and i am intitled to it. but even though shon says this site is for them all i still believe that it is misleading to include them in the site. but that is just another personal opinion. i believe game dogs are game dogs and curfurmation dogs are not gamedogs. they werent bred for gamness they were bred by old ladys with nothing better to do than to critique each others dogs apearence. BUT THESE ARE MY OPINIONS

gator u brought up some very good points some of which i dont agree with but good points none the less. i just feel there should be a further seperation within the breed. but as i said before i do not have anything to do with staffs and view them like an unwanted cousin. but as i said before i dont hate on people unless what i see is morally and ethically wrong and they should look for another breed.

take care and stay safe everyone
MMK

[J M A N]

I agree with you Gator. We all have to think "outside the box" when we read others opinions. Although we may not agree on a certain issue, it certainly does give each of us something to think about to test our own beliefs. I agree with everything you have said.

I also agree with BBK about 100+ lb dogs with thick head and bones. This is truely a disgrace to the breed, regardless of the color of the dog.

You all know......I love my Blue Dog.......I love the others as well, but he is special to me. Some think they ain't game but if PEDS-ONLINE ever opens back up check out his link in the photo section. I have other dogs that are JOCKO/YELLOW and a double bred bitch which I prefer to keep silent. I think I know a game dog when I see one. Others will disagree........ooooooooh well, you know what opinions are like! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_6_2.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001)

I have listened to many opinions on this site and I must say that I think that maybe we are being a little misleading. We are here to show the world that our wonderful breed of dog is not just simply a dog used for fighting and that it is not the type of animal John Q Public makes it out to be, that is why we are here. We want to educate people that visit our site and encourage them to educate others not try to discourage them because of the color of their dog, the way their dog is bred, etc. I know people all over the world that have bulldogs just because they like them, and choose that breed to bring into their family, and do not care how it was bred or what color it is. Don?t get me wrong, I personally prefer game bred dogs, but if another person does not, so be it, sometimes a game bred dog does not fit into a persons lifestyle so does that mean they should not still try to find a bulldog that does fit into their lifestyle? I have heard comments about staffs not being pit bulls. Lets get serious here a staff is a pit bull, they just are bred differently, their name was change from pit bull to American Staffordshire Terriers to appease the A.K.C. and then they just started breeding them for the show ring. I hope that this forum stays true to its purpose to help and educate every bulldog owner or potential owner that visits with us or otherwise we are pissing up a tree. If a person tries to bring a bad name to our site, I would be the first to say get him out of here but luckily that has not happened yet. Just the ramblings of an old dog man.

[CRG]

mmk i could not have said it better

[MMK]

mmk i could not have said it better
yep they may be close cousins but they are not the real thing.
MMK

[KURUPT]

A staff is not a pitbull....Not anymore it ain't...At one time they were the same dog, but the staff was bred for the show ring and lost the main trait of the AMERICN PITBULL TERRIER...GAMENESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is noway in hell the Staff is the same damn breed!!!! just my 2 cents........YIS

[3BK]

A staff is not a pitbull....Not anymore it ain't...At one time they were the same dog, but the staff was bred for the show ring and lost the main trait of the AMERICN PITBULL TERRIER...GAMENESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is noway in hell the Staff is the same damn breed!!!! just my 2 cents........YIS

FACT! A very short statement but down right straight to the point! No more explanations! No more excuses! Just plain fact!!!! Well done BNK! ;)


yours in the sport,
3 B K!!! keep it scratchin!!!

[Bubba]

I'ma have to go with BNK on this too...gameness is the trait that seperates this breed from every other breed out there...without the gameness, you're just another breed. Now I'm sure there are some "somewhat" game Staffs...but as a general rule...these Curformation show dogs (UKC) aren't game....

BB

[rocksteady]

Good dogs are where you find them. But just because a dog is blue or has certan lines further back doesn't make it any less of a dog than any other. Heck..theres just as many "gamebred" dogs that are curs and were bred only because of their papers.
thts not saying I'd run right out and breed to a blue dog but that wouldn't stop me from owning a game dog off a game blue parent.

Each his own in this world. MAybe thats why the APBT has such apeal. The wide variety they come in. If you want to blame anyone blame the regisrties for allowing the dual or triple registries to begin with. They're the ones who let people get away with it.

[Bubba]

Each his own in this world. MAybe thats why the APBT has such apeal. The wide variety they come in. If you want to blame anyone blame the regisrties for allowing the dual or triple registries to begin with. They're the ones who let people get away with it.Very well said..........
BB

[SBK]

I agree 100% about what you guys are saying about BIG bulldogs. I also raise American Bulldogs they ARE supposed to be large. Don't hold a candle to my apbt's though.

This is one of my females. She's 42 lbs in the pic and a little fat....... Conditioned she goes 35-38 . Linebred Redboy/Jocko/Jeep. Have another female she's same weight Ch. Johnny Jr/Turtle Buster/Boudreux.

[gator]

I never have got excited over those large bulldogs and have always questioned their breeding and always will. Nice lookin lil dog you got there.I agree 100% about what you guys are saying about BIG bulldogs. I also raise American Bulldogs they ARE supposed to be large. Don't hold a candle to my apbt's though.

This is one of my females. She's 42 lbs in the pic and a little fat....... Conditioned she goes 35-38 . Linebred Redboy/Jocko/Jeep. Have another female she's same weight Ch. Johnny Jr/Turtle Buster/Boudreux.

[J M A N]

I am completely against breeding MASSIVE pitbulls. If you look at Muglestons Pitbulls........they are nearly every one of them over 100 lbs. This is not the way the breed is supposed to be. This is more of a genetic abnormality that good breeding.

I also agree with BNK........staffs are not pitbulls........at one time I believe they were the same dog but years of breeding have definately defined the two dogs. Staffs usually are extremely well tempered and get along with other dogs well too. This is not in the pits nature.

Yall know how I feel about the blues..........just love the look and the color! I think most believe you can't have a damn good looking dog that is game. I disagree.

[SmokeLaiPitbull]

I am completely against breeding MASSIVE pitbulls. If you look at Muglestons Pitbulls........they are nearly every one of them over 100 lbs. This is not the way the breed is supposed to be. This is more of a genetic abnormality that good breeding.
Them m-f's cost up in the $2 000 -$3 000s too...

[veeman001]

I just want to say that I really appreciate this forum. My husband is a true dog man and I am just learning about the breed myself. When my husband said that he wanted to get back into the dogs (after being away for a few years) I was a little reluctant. I have never been around a pitbull and I was very concerned for my welfare as well as for my children's welfare. My husband assured me that there is nothing to worry about. I gave in and I got my first APBT. I fell in love with her immediately and so did my children. Since getting her we have acquired a few more. I just want everyone to know that this breed can be very dangerous but at the same time can be very lovable. Thanks again for having this forum around for us non dog people :)

Mrs. Veeman

[Titch_Pitbull]

I dont like the way everybody bashes Muglestones dogs yes i know this is a game dog fourm I seriously doubt any has ever seen a muglestone dog in real life I remeber one person in the fourm claimed he saw muglestones "Lobo"
he is around 120lbs or something and he said the dog was really fit ive seen these dogs in real life ive seen how energetic they are and how they have plety of staminia no this is not a joke in my opion they look very nice btw im just using muglestone as an example other kennels have decent dogs they are not the fat hippos you claim them to be but yes in there early breeding they where probably bred with the persa and Bulldog and then people bash the lines like Gotti and Razors Edge when I saw Notourious Juan Gotti he was the most athletic dog i had seen yes he could have lost around 10lbs but damn he was nice

In spite my love of these dogs [i dont have a name for them] I do equally like these game bred PITBULLS that are more athletic and more versitile but these are bred to keep the breed alive and bred to be able to work but the blue pits are bred for compaionship house hold pet although yes the prices are ridiculous but if you look around you can find them for 125USD the point is both sets of dogs are bred for diffrent things so why do we compare them.

[devinben3]

good post....i agree, but i also don't like the big dogs bred for color....in every breed there are working dogs and there are show dogs...period, you hardly ever see a working show dog...take cocker spaniels for instance, there is NO possible way for a show cocker to be a good working water dog, too much coat! it goes that way in every breed....we just prefer a working apbt and we are lucky enough to have shows such as the adba and aadr that prefer the working look...in other breeds, most working dogs can't be shown, because they look nothing like the show dogs. sad, but that's just how it goes....

[Crash97]

I believe the trouble begins when people try to pass these dogs off as APBT. APBT were a purpose bred canine, if a line isn't capable of running with the bulldogs it shouldn't call itself as such.

A better classification for these oversize dogs would be Super Staffs, Bully Staffs or XXL Staffs. I say this because they're much more along that side of the family tree than they are APBT.

[lil_bit807]

I too am a big fan of this forum. Since becoming a member, I have learned a great deal. I have a very small yard that consists of 4 APBTs and 1 STAFFY. Some are game bred and some are not. I have to say there is a great deal of opinions that get passed back and forth and sometimes becomes confusing. I am not a critic of opinion as to each their own. I don't agree with all the negativity between one's preference in a dog versus another. I don't believe in cross breeds either. For someone like me who is a beginner so to speak, some discussions in the forum are very confusing. One person may see it one way and the other person in another way. How are we to know what is fact and what is a fabrication? I have begun to educate myself through reading material as well as this forum. I am still learning and will continue to ask the wonderful members of this forum for advice, as many of them have been a great help to me. I think if everyone kept in mind that "everyone is entitled to their opinion but we can all agree to disagree. Not all opinons are meant to be heard either. Just be respectful about it and we can all get along.

[SEAL]

Not all opinons are meant to be heard either. Just be respectful about it and we can all get along.

worth repeating

[DryCreek]

Everyone has their standards. When you move away from the original though, you are changing the breed. There is no new, improved, updated version. Making changes to the original standard makes a new breed. Crossing other bloods into it makes a new breed. They may have started with the same bloodlines many years ago but breeding for different standards has changed them to a totally different dog.JMO

[Iverson's Pits]

SO how about a game staff? Dont tell me you dont think they exist. I'll bring one to your house tomorrow!



A staff is not a pitbull....Not anymore it ain't...At one time they were the same dog, but the staff was bred for the show ring and lost the main trait of the AMERICN PITBULL TERRIER...GAMENESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is noway in hell the Staff is the same damn breed!!!! just my 2 cents........YIS

[Iverson's Pits]

As long as there are ZERO breed-outcrosses...they ARE still the same dog. They're attitude, abilities, instincts, looks, athleticism, temprament, and everything else can be different...but if not outcrossed to another BREED....they are still the same breed of dog. Not defending the biggies....just stating reality.



Everyone has their standards. When you move away from the original though, you are changing the breed. There is no new, improved, updated version. Making changes to the original standard makes a new breed. Crossing other bloods into it makes a new breed. They may have started with the same bloodlines many years ago but breeding for different standards has changed them to a totally different dog.JMO

[Wayne]

As long as there are ZERO breed-outcrosses...they ARE still the same dog. They're attitude, abilities, instincts, looks, athleticism, temprament, and everything else can be different...but if not outcrossed to another BREED....they are still the same breed of dog. Not defending the biggies....just stating reality.I`m sure if you are in Japan there are still plenty of game bred staffs but here in the states there are few and far between.

[Titch_Pitbull]

The best game bred staffs are irish ones and I belive that back in the day good irish staffs would have given hell to pitbulls

[Wayne]

The best game bred staffs are irish ones and I belive that back in the day good irish staffs would have given hell to pitbullsI agree. The Irish kept the dogs bred very tight game.My coment was refering to the person in Japan were there is still legal dog fighting going on.Of course you`ll have game bred staffs.

[Titch_Pitbull]

*** Not to be discussed ***

[houstonapbt]

game bred PITBULLS that are more athletic and more versitile but these are bred to keep the breed alive and bred to be able to work but the blue pits are bred for compaionship house hold pet Why do you need to breed for "companionship" and "house hold pet" when this WORKING animal can be a great companion dog and a good house dog?

SO how about a game staff? Dont tell me you dont think they exist. I'll bring one to your house tomorrow!
A game STAFF is just that, a game STAFF.

As long as there are ZERO breed-outcrosses...they ARE still the same dog. They're attitude, abilities, instincts, looks, athleticism, temprament, and everything else can be different...but if not outcrossed to another BREED....they are still the same breed of dog. Not defending the biggies....just stating reality.The REAL point of creating a breed is to create dogs that reproduce their abilities to do well at their given task, isn't it? After generations of breeding for OTHER qualities, aren't you creating another breed?




For the original post...

Yes, this breed is versatile but this versatility came from the original APBT (game bred). I'm not against people owning (responsibly) the breed as a pet or whatever. When they start breeding outside of standard is where I see a problem. You ask, "[If] a game bred dog does not fit into a persons lifestyle so does that mean they should not still try to find a bulldog that does fit into their lifestyle?" YES! If a certain breed of dog doesn't fit into your lifestyle the obvious solution is to move on to another breed! Isn't that the case with every breed?! Why should it be different here?

[houstonapbt]

I believe the trouble begins when people try to pass these dogs off as APBT. APBT were a purpose bred canine, if a line isn't capable of running with the bulldogs it shouldn't call itself as such.

A better classification for these oversize dogs would be Super Staffs, Bully Staffs or XXL Staffs. I say this because they're much more along that side of the family tree than they are APBT.Great post.

[simms]

I have listened to many opinions on this site and I must say that I think that maybe we are being a little misleading. We are here to show the world that our wonderful breed of dog is not just simply a dog used for fighting and that it is not the type of animal John Q Public makes it out to be, that is why we are here. We want to educate people that visit our site and encourage them to educate others not try to discourage them because of the color of their dog, the way their dog is bred, etc. I know people all over the world that have bulldogs just because they like them, and choose that breed to bring into their family, and do not care how it was bred or what color it is. Don?t get me wrong, I personally prefer game bred dogs, but if another person does not, so be it, sometimes a game bred dog does not fit into a persons lifestyle so does that mean they should not still try to find a bulldog that does fit into their lifestyle? I have heard comments about staffs not being pit bulls. Lets get serious here a staff is a pit bull, they just are bred differently, their name was change from pit bull to American Staffordshire Terriers to appease the A.K.C. and then they just started breeding them for the show ring. I hope that this forum stays true to its purpose to help and educate every bulldog owner or potential owner that visits with us or otherwise we are pissing up a tree. If a person tries to bring a bad name to our site, I would be the first to say get him out of here but luckily that has not happened yet. Just the ramblings of an old dog man.

I'm on the opposite side of the fence, as I beleive that this breed is not for the general public.

Old man, what has the general public done for and against this breed ? IMO they have caused more harm than good. For those that do have this breeds name in common, there only interset is to ensure that they are allowed to keep their petbulls and breed for their "Idea" of what and how the standard should evolve too.

Keep in mind, if given opprotunity they would linch you and I and any one else ....and hang the dogs that are to standard out to dry.

I beleive in education, however I do not encourage the general public to maintain or obtain this breed.

With all do respect.

Regards.

BTW, I have not read any other response to this thread....

[Crash97]

SO how about a game staff? Dont tell me you dont think they exist. I'll bring one to your house tomorrow!Are you referring to a gamebred Staffordshire Bull Terrier? If so, I'll agree that some still exist.

[Iverson's Pits]

No, Im refering more towards a dog who's Sire/Dam was a proven bulldog, but the other parent was a dog who, lets say....6-7 generations back, started being bred for looks/conformation. You'd call that one a staff, and since not proven, no matter if the other parent was proven...ya'll would call that puppy a staff as well. So what if that pup went on to prove its self to be game? real game. What would you call that pup? Especially if that pup went on to take a contracted event? Would it still be a staff? Unbias opinions please.....



Are you referring to a gamebred Staffordshire Bull Terrier? If so, I'll agree that some still exist.

[simms]

No, Im refering more towards a dog who's Sire/Dam was a proven bulldog, but the other parent was a dog who, lets say....6-7 generations back, started being bred for looks/conformation. You'd call that one a staff, and since not proven, no matter if the other parent was proven...ya'll would call that puppy a staff as well. So what if that pup went on to prove its self to be game? real game. What would you call that pup? Especially if that pup went on to take a contracted event? Would it still be a staff? Unbias opinions please.....

Ide call it the better dog that day....LOL

Regards.

[Saiyagin]

Not all opinons are meant to be heard either. Just be respectful about it and we can all get along.

worth repeating
All opinions have the right to be heard thats why we have freedom of speech even though we dont like or agree with each other we should be respectful to others even if we dont all get along.

[crunK]

I agree with you, but what I don't agree with is folks breeding for blue dogs and big thick bones and heads. Thats not what this breed was meant to be about. If you are into showing, in the conformation ring, good deal, a good conformation dog is a beautiful thing. Alot of folks get these dogs for the wrong reason, such as they want a GUARD dog, this is NOT the breed for that. Things like that will help ruin this breed by adding defects that are NOT NORMAL for this breed, such as hip dysplasia. This is a working breed and I feel as tho they need to be used as such. To each is own, and one man is gonna do one thing with his dogs and another will do their thing with theirs...

BB
People breeding Big headed thick boned dogs is not the issue among us. It's when they call them American Pitbulls.

[Moesmomma]

I'm on the opposite side of the fence, as I beleive that this breed is not for the general public.

Old man, what has the general public done for and against this breed ? IMO they have caused more harm than good


Simms, please don't take offense to this but could you explain why this is? I totally understand what these dogs were bred for. I know these dogs LOVE to fight. It's in their blood. But how does the 'general' public hurt these dogs? Our dogs are not the ones killing, mauling.... or making national news. The majority of the dogs that makes the news because of another attack, another mauling, etc., are the ones have been stuck in an abandoned house with no human contact, the ones that have been stuck in the back yard with a log chain all it's life, the ones that have numerous scars, etc (clearly been fought).

If my "petbull" somehow gets out of the house & wonders in the neighborhood, he would not hurt anyone because we have socialized him, trained him, etc.

Just wondering...
Moe's momma

[miakoda]

Simms, please don't take offense to this but could you explain why this is? I totally understand what these dogs were bred for. I know these dogs LOVE to fight. It's in their blood. But how does the 'general' public hurt these dogs? Our dogs are not the ones killing, mauling.... or making national news. The majority of the dogs that makes the news because of another attack, another mauling, etc., are the ones have been stuck in an abandoned house with no human contact, the ones that have been stuck in the back yard with a log chain all it's life, the ones that have numerous scars, etc (clearly been fought).

If my "petbull" somehow gets out of the house & wonders in the neighborhood, he would not hurt anyone because we have socialized him, trained him, etc.

Just wondering...
Moe's momma
Actually if you look at all the recent cases, the "pit bulls" that have attacked have been nothing more than "family pets" in the hands of irresponsible & uneducated people who shouldn't have owned dogs period. These majority of the cases involved dogs that have "never shown aggression before" & just "got loose" despite most of the owners knowing they've gotten loose before.

[DryCreek]

No, Im refering more towards a dog who's Sire/Dam was a proven bulldog, but the other parent was a dog who, lets say....6-7 generations back, started being bred for looks/conformation. You'd call that one a staff, and since not proven, no matter if the other parent was proven...ya'll would call that puppy a staff as well. So what if that pup went on to prove its self to be game? real game. What would you call that pup? Especially if that pup went on to take a contracted event? Would it still be a staff? Unbias opinions please.....
Its then a game Pit/Staff cross

[Miss Conduct]

But how does the 'general' public hurt these dogs? Our dogs are not the ones killing, mauling.... or making national news. The majority of the dogs that makes the news because of another attack, another mauling, etc., are the ones have been stuck in an abandoned house with no human contact, the ones that have been stuck in the back yard with a log chain all it's life, the ones that have numerous scars, etc (clearly been fought).

Because the general public doesnt understand (or just ignores it) where these came from, and what they were born (& love) to do. Uneducated take there dogs to dog parks, and somewhere down the road there "friendly pit bull" eats part of a poodle in a scuffle... no one knows what to do, so they beat the dog to get it off, pour water down its throat, you have a headline etc etc. Why? Because the owner was uneducated, and shouldnt have had the dog there.

Someone else buys a dog from a BYB that likes to breed for size/color/whatever. The buyer doesnt know any better, never socializes the dog w/anyone (or maybe even improperly trains it to be a guard dog), one day the dog gets out and bites someone. The owner swears up & down the dog is nice, & never done this before. Why did this happen? Because someone was uneducated and did the wrong things.

Now (regardless of the breed) even with the best intentions, sometimes these things happen, they are only dogs for crying out loud.

BUT, we are trying very hard to preserve the original bulldog. IF we breed, we only breed to better the breed itself. Not because we love the dog, it is pretty, has a "rare" color, or want it to be huge. People that want these kinds of dogs need to buy a breed that was bred for that. Like Rottweilers, Great Danes, Mastiffs, etc. I'm not saying those dogs were bred to be pretty, but i think alot of what people are trying to make the bulldog into, these breeds already have.
example- people want the bulldog to be large to look cool, be a guard dog, etc- look at mastiffs & Rotties, they were bred for this (not the cool part lol, thats your own ego problem).

Why do you think just w/in the last few years there has been an "explosion" of "Pit Bull" type bites? The GENERAL PUBLIC.
Back in the day there werent headlines like this, because the general public was not interested in this breed, as it was a matchdog.

It is uneducated people w/other intentions that are destroying our breed.

[Miss Conduct]

oh, and the majority of matchdogs (dogs that have been "fought") would not touch a hair on you, or your childs head (unless licking you). The only "threat" they may cause is to livestock/other dogs (though this is not always true)

[houstonapbt]

But how does the 'general' public hurt these dogs? Our dogs are not the ones killing, mauling.... or making national news. The majority of the dogs that makes the news because of another attack, another mauling, etc., are the ones that have been stuck in the back yard with a log chain all it's life, the ones that have numerous scars, etc (clearly been fought).
The GENERAL public isn't educated on the breed. They are ignorant to the reality of the breed. Sometimes socialization isn't enough. It is up to the responsible owner to care and secure his/her bulldog properly. Chains and scars have little to nothing to do with attacks. A REAL APBT should be kept on a proper, secure chain set-up. For its own protection and the protection of other animals. Read historical articles of true MATCHdogs you will soon come across plenty that speak of the many Ch and Gr Ch's that would come home to children and sleep with them on their bed. Dogs bred for matching were handled during matches, how much sense does it make to have a human aggressive dog that YOU will have to handle during a stressful time like a match? None at all. These ideas are fueled by the ignorant rants of the media and reporters trying to make a name for themselves and/or money. Look into the history of these dogs. They were NEVER portrayed as monsters or "big" dogs or killers until the media got a hold of a story.

[Moesmomma]

I know these dogs LOVE to fight. It's in their blood.
I am totally against BYB, certain colors, and especially LARGE pits. I am totally against these breeders to try to make pits bigger than they normally were. I've seen SO many advertisements "100 lb pits." My APBT is a 70lb pit. I know somewhere down his line, he was bred with another larger dog to get his size, but I still LOVE him with all my heart. I totally agree that only certain people can handle this breed. I know it's history because when we got our APBT, I read & researched all that I could on this breed. I didn't want to be one of the ignorant owners who took their pit to the dog park. All that you said, Miss Conduct, I totally agree and have already read all what you just said.


would come home to children and sleep with them on their bed.
Wouldn't that make them a 'family pet?' Something that I've heard others disagree too. I guess what I'm asking is.... just because I don't fight my APBT, does that mean I shouldn't own an APBT?


They were NEVER portrayed as monsters or "big" dogs or killers until the media got a hold of a story.
I remember 15+ years ago, the media had ahold of the Doberman. It all boils down to the people who, like you said, breed the APBT with another larger dog.

Moes Momma

[Moesmomma]

Oops... hit "submit" when didn't mean too....


Anywho....
I remember 15+ years ago, the media had ahold of the Doberman. It all boils down to the people who, like you said, breed the APBT with another larger dog and have intentions on using this breed for other purposes than what it was breed for.......

Thanks for all your info.
Moe's momma

[14rock]

The problem people have with "family pet" is when the dog isnt getting the excersise a working breed needs. Im sure all of us have had a house dog at one time or another, I do right now. But we treat them the same as the dogs on the yard,and understand what they can do if allowed to, and what we need to do to properly contain them. The problem isnt house dogs or "family pets" its dogs that are expected to fulfill just that role and are neglected physically and/or mentally by depriving them of their daily strenous excersises.

[SouthernDixie]

That's the truth 14Rock!

[ladybanker462]

this is why a regular exercise program is important.its not the breed that is the problem its some of the people that wont take the time to educate themselves before passing judgement

[houstonapbt]

There is nothing wrong with having this breed as a pet if you are experienced with the breed and understand it. If you have the know-how to tend to their needs then it's up to you. The REAL problem is when pet bull owners think their PET QUALITY animals are breed worthy and proceed in breeding them!

The problem people have with "family pet" is when the dog isnt getting the excersise a working breed needs. Im sure all of us have had a house dog at one time or another, I do right now. But we treat them the same as the dogs on the yard,and understand what they can do if allowed to, and what we need to do to properly contain them. The problem isnt house dogs or "family pets" its dogs that are expected to fulfill just that role and are neglected physically and/or mentally by depriving them of their daily strenous excersises.Exactly.


Moesmomma, there is nothing wrong with them being family pets because they do so well with children and people in general! The difference is, those dogs were WORKED! They were capable of completing their task and still come home and sleep with children.

[Suki]

I think this sentence has much truth to it,

"It is uneducated people w/other intentions that are destroying our breed."

That basically sums up the demise of this breed, imo.
Education is KEY, in EVERY aspect of owning this breed. Folks who buy this breed to be a pet companion/couch potato, are usually the first ones to bring it to a shelter=, "Oh, the dog's just too wild". "I don't know how to handle him".
IF they had researched the fact that this breed is a HIGH energy breed, perhaps they would have realized prior to obtaining it that it NEEDS to be worked.
ANY breed has its own set of circumstances, "quirks", if you will, and requirements. As a potential buyer, it's up to YOU to investigate FULLY if you're up to the task. Period!
And to the people that are sticking true to the breeds "roots", I commend you. Yeah, the opinions here are "strong", but many times, they're justified. It DOES get exhausting repeating oneself over and over. Sometimes, opinions and advice fall on deaf ears...
But for ALL of us, as long as we can be civil minded, open to opinions and questions, and remain level headed, while trying to educate people about this breed, in the long run, we will all be better off, for perhaps the demise that this breed seems to be taking, will take a turn for the better, and we will ALL benefit from that.Owners, media and public alike.
Sometimes, it's not what you say, but HOW you say it, and this, being only letters printed from a key board can be the subject that's open to personal interpretation, based on what kind of mood people happen to be in that day. You could have the best of intentions with your answer, but if a person's feeling defensive at the time he/she is reading, your well meaning reply just goes out the window...
As an owner, I enjoy educating people about pit bulls. And I've found most are VERY open minded and willing to listen. And the BEST defense in terms of this breed, game, or pet alike, is a well minded pit, who's a true ambassador for this breed, because of his love for his human companion, and his willingness to demonstrate it....