Pitbulls Used to Be Considered the Perfect "Nanny Dogs" for Children --

[Sierra89]

241. I had the best Amstaffs

two in particular were the soundest dogs. Loving, smart, and excellent with children, although I know better than to ever leave any child alone with a dog.. they kept constant watch over my niece and nephew who lived with me, and were never bothered when the kids would climb all over them. The actual "Nanny" dog was originally the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, from which today's American Staffordshire and "Pitbull" Terriers were bred. The instinct to tend to children is clearly present in these breeds. My female Amstaff once nibbled at my uncle to get him to pull his hands out of his pockets when he came to see the kids. She was watching over them and did not like his hands out of her view. She even used to go nuts sniffing and licking my nephew's ears, to the point we often had to stop her. He is partially deaf and we knew it was her attempt at "healing" him.

It's too bad that lack of knowledge, training, and poor breeding on the part of owners has put bully breeds in such a bad light. I look down at the two sleeping here at my feet and I cannot imagine life without them. It's up to responsible owners to train, care for and socialize our bullies properly. My yard has an 8ft block wall, locked and they have a doggie door to go in and out as they please. They are sterilized so there is no desire to roam, and they have plenty of toys, food and water available to keep problems from occurring. I have no desire to perpetuate the terrible reputation of bullies, but to change it for the better. I owe it to my buddies.