General Discussion

gcomeau

(5,764 posts)

134. To a degree.

Thu Mar 28, 2013, 11:56 AM

Mar 2013

However Pit Bulls are NOT in the more aggressive (as far as "more aggressive" even goes, which isn't actually all that far) group among dog breeds.

They are in fact *below* average for aggression towards people when factors of training and environment are properly controlled for.

http://www.greyhoundpets.org.au/publications/ResearchArticleWhichBreedsareMostAggressive.pdf

That black line is the mean across all breeds studied.

The "highly" aggressive breeds were daschunds... terriers... beagles... chihuahuas... but nobody give a crap because they're small and cute and generally not scary. I have a beagle, I love beagles, but yeah they've got a higher tendency to get bitey and you have to watch it IN THEIR TRAINING.

It's almost *all* down to training and owner conduct.

http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/news/if-youre-aggressive-your-dog-will-be-too-says-veterinary-study-university-pennsylvania

Pits are above average for aggression towards other dogs, but again "above average" isn't all that significant a value here and AGAIN, it all comes down to training. This "Pits are an inherently dangerous breed" stuff is 100% pure *myth*. Pit owners have a tendency to be dangerous dog owners, because they pick pits because they look big and scary and then they MAKE them aggressive.

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Highlight:

Pint-sized Chihuahua helps save girl during pit bull attack, w/pic of bad ass Chihuahua [View all] The Straight Story Mar 2013 OP

I expect Lassie herself couldn't have done better! nt raccoon Mar 2013 #1

That wasn't a pit bull attack. A Nanny Dog (tm) was gently disciplining the child, a la Mary Poppins alcibiades_mystery Mar 2013 #2

You're thinking about Katy Nana from Peter Pan SaveAmerica Mar 2013 #16

ROFL JCMach1 Mar 2013 #29

My little sister was attacked by dogs when she was 6 madokie Mar 2013 #3

I'm a dog lover, and your Dad did the right thing michigandem58 Mar 2013 #6

I love dogs too madokie Mar 2013 #8

I second that your dad did the right thing! hamsterjill Mar 2013 #54

you are so very right madokie Mar 2013 #71

It's often mistreatment, but not always michigandem58 Mar 2013 #120

Animals are as individual as humans. hamsterjill Mar 2013 #131

He was clearly a responsible gun owner malaise Apr 2013 #165

Flame suit on.. pipoman Mar 2013 #4

Oh for Petey's sake! alcibiades_mystery Mar 2013 #5

I'm with you. Pit bulls remind me of big cats. WAY too unpredictable to own valerief Mar 2013 #13

Yes maybe we should *think* about it. gcomeau Mar 2013 #18

thanks!!!! evilhime Mar 2013 #39

Careful hombre!!-u sayin some races of human were BRED for certain tasks like dog breeds? ErikJ Mar 2013 #102

Agreed. WinstonSmith4740 Mar 2013 #40

Some men (in my experience, rednecks) don't feel their ChisolmTrailDem Mar 2013 #83

This is the way I see this issue and the gun control issue.. pipoman Mar 2013 #94

No. Dogs aren't "tools". gcomeau Mar 2013 #95

So we shouldn't concentrate on the dog pipoman Mar 2013 #96

What the hell do you think gcomeau Mar 2013 #97

LOL pipoman Mar 2013 #98

Biggest pit bull myth going michigandem58 Mar 2013 #121

Ahem. gcomeau Mar 2013 #135

Pits are most likely to kill and maim michigandem58 Mar 2013 #137

Congratulations. Totally ignore the actual scientific study and stick to your guns! gcomeau Mar 2013 #140

Ah yes Floyd_Gondolli Apr 2013 #155

Pay attention. gcomeau Apr 2013 #156

Ah yes Floyd_Gondolli Apr 2013 #161

Oh look, another one of you. gcomeau Apr 2013 #163

This is inherently wrong. Certain breeds of dogs are in fact more violent. Gravitycollapse Mar 2013 #124

To a degree. gcomeau Mar 2013 #134

And THAT is the problem Marrah_G Mar 2013 #128

Indeed. -nt gcomeau Mar 2013 #133

Kind of like guns joeglow3 Mar 2013 #138

No, not kind of like guns. Not even a tiny bit. gcomeau Mar 2013 #139

My aunts' neighbor my disagree. Her 3 year old had his penis torn off by a pit bull joeglow3 Mar 2013 #141

Explain, exactly... gcomeau Mar 2013 #142

Easy, it is a bull shit argument joeglow3 Mar 2013 #143

Can and have explained. Lots. In this thread. gcomeau Mar 2013 #146

Didn't think it to be some great mystery joeglow3 Mar 2013 #147

Oh *I* know why it's there. gcomeau Mar 2013 #149

So, if EVERY pit bull in the world disappeared... joeglow3 Mar 2013 #150

That's right. gcomeau Mar 2013 #151

I really wish I could believe that joeglow3 Mar 2013 #152

Rigorous scientific studies say so. What's stopping you? gcomeau Mar 2013 #153

Kinda of odd since there is no 'pit bull' breed. sinkingfeeling Mar 2013 #19

True, original intent was: The Straight Story Mar 2013 #47

Yep, I'll give a medal to the little Chihuahua. I just can't understand sinkingfeeling Mar 2013 #48

In this particular case the owner was pretty careful laundry_queen Mar 2013 #61

Why would someone own a dog that was known to be vicious? pnwmom Mar 2013 #110

It wasn't known to be vicious laundry_queen Mar 2013 #111

The mother of the attacked girl said it was known to be vicious. Do you not believe her? pnwmom Mar 2013 #113

The grandparents, interviewed on tv, said the owners reassured them laundry_queen Mar 2013 #126

Isn't there a logical disconnect there? whopis01 Mar 2013 #123

There is no AKC pit bull breed and there is no AKC labradoodle breed. pnwmom Mar 2013 #109

DogsBite.org is full of lies & deliberate misinformation. baldguy Mar 2013 #90

A toddler in my neighborhood was recently attacked by a pit... bunnies Mar 2013 #7

Carry pepper spray or a product called Halt yankeepants Mar 2013 #9

Thanks for the advice. bunnies Mar 2013 #17

that's such a pity. their owner has no business having any animal magical thyme Mar 2013 #30

I blame elected officials for permitting ownership of these dogs that are bred to be vicious. nt valerief Mar 2013 #12

Pit bulls weren't bred to be vicious. They were bred to be strong. A Simple Game Mar 2013 #43

she reminds me of my own barbtries Mar 2013 #10

Put the pit bull owner in prison and every elected official in the city who permits valerief Mar 2013 #11

Bull! Haven't you read about the 'Victory' dogs? Animals respond to sinkingfeeling Mar 2013 #20

Right after we put idiot dog-blamers in prison Fawke Em Mar 2013 #35

Not until we put name-calling idiots on alert first. valerief Mar 2013 #84

Screw all the pitbull haters. I just adopted one from the shelter yesterday. Lucky Luciano Mar 2013 #14

+1000 sinkingfeeling Mar 2013 #22

I hope it works out well for you and that you'll never have reason to regret your decision. Arkansas Granny Mar 2013 #25

I wouldn't trust ANY large breed around small kids laundry_queen Mar 2013 #65

My family has had labs and golden retreivers and raised them with their smirkymonkey Apr 2013 #159

I was bitten by one as a child laundry_queen Apr 2013 #160

I am so sorry for your experience and in no way did I mean smirkymonkey Apr 2013 #164

I am so sorry for your experiece. smirkymonkey Apr 2013 #167

Will you be taking some training classes? Marrah_G Mar 2013 #129

I am well trained by my previous pit. Lucky Luciano Mar 2013 #132

Sounds like a good dog with a good owner :) Marrah_G Mar 2013 #136

My grandson's dog was killed by a pitbull LibGranny Mar 2013 #15

Nonsense. A properly raised and trained pit bull can be a wonderful pet. kestrel91316 Mar 2013 #60

No nonsense about it - my grandson's little pug was killed by the pitbull and LibGranny Mar 2013 #72

that's all good backwoodsbob Mar 2013 #74

The properly trained part is the problem Marrah_G Mar 2013 #130

You're right. They're too unpredictable to be safe. Like keeping a tiger as a pet. nt valerief Mar 2013 #69

Pit bull owners and gun nuts. 99Forever Mar 2013 #21

Which have nothing to do with the breed of the dog. sinkingfeeling Mar 2013 #23

The same mentality has everything to do with it. 99Forever Mar 2013 #27

That's people, not the dogs. sinkingfeeling Mar 2013 #46

A distinction without a difference. 99Forever Mar 2013 #52

As I said your quote about mentality has nothing to do with dog breeds. sinkingfeeling Mar 2013 #53

Exactly. Many people buy pit bulls to use as weapons. It's sick. nt SunSeeker Mar 2013 #106

The dogs too. ronnie624 Mar 2013 #55

philosophically speaking, nature vs. nurture argument taken full course concludes subject Mar 2013 #58

Tell it to the Victory dog owners. sinkingfeeling Mar 2013 #59

I probably would if they were nearby. ronnie624 Mar 2013 #64

Yes comparing cold steel to loving animals. Very fair. nt Lucky Luciano Mar 2013 #57

Sure, and the ripped and mangled flesh of children and... 99Forever Mar 2013 #62

What you are so terrified of is a very low probability event that is the result of a bad owner. Lucky Luciano Mar 2013 #67

Hogwash. 99Forever Mar 2013 #70

Guns don't love. Dogs do. Lucky Luciano Mar 2013 #73

Non sequitur. 99Forever Mar 2013 #75

+1000 n/t Adsos Letter Mar 2013 #76

All loving dogs have the right to life. nt Lucky Luciano Mar 2013 #79

Nonsense. 99Forever Mar 2013 #80

No you are just cruel. nt Lucky Luciano Mar 2013 #81

Another non sequitur. 99Forever Mar 2013 #82

You disgust me beyond words. Lucky Luciano Mar 2013 #85

That's the best you've got? 99Forever Mar 2013 #87

Your ad hominem attack below was hidden so I can't respond to it. Doremus Mar 2013 #92

Ridiculous argument. Doremus Mar 2013 #88

Post removed Post removed Mar 2013 #89

There is no dog more fierce ... dawg Mar 2013 #24

Small but fierce. I've always thought a pack of attack trained Chihuahuas would be terrifying. firenewt Mar 2013 #34

They are like little piranhas, lol. When I pass one on the sidewalk I move my fingers out of reach kestrel91316 Mar 2013 #63

My neighbors' Chihuahua is like that get the red out Mar 2013 #77

You are so right. I have a 4-year-old female Chihuahua. RebelOne Mar 2013 #91

But they ARE so small. So they can't do the damage an aggressive pit bull could do.n/t pnwmom Mar 2013 #114

indeed. those sharp teeth can do some harm too, nt NoGOPZone Mar 2013 #145

They sure can. RebelOne Apr 2013 #157

a quick google news search shows these "lovable" and gentle dogs have been busy attacking people quinnox Mar 2013 #26

why are pit bull owners so prone to chomping on people's faces? Blue Palasky Mar 2013 #28

Irresponsible people get the red out Mar 2013 #31

Jesus God! Demeter Mar 2013 #32

I have a bad-ass Chihuahua who thinks he's REALLY Fawke Em Mar 2013 #33

I think dog bravery is inversely proportional to their size :) (nt) The Straight Story Mar 2013 #36

Aw, I love Chis. redqueen Mar 2013 #37

chihauhaus are really gutsy. leftyladyfrommo Mar 2013 #38

What a "Honey" of a little dog. Harriety Mar 2013 #41

Yeah yeah yeah-Pit bulls are wonderful! Fredfon Mar 2013 #42

I wonder if the pit had been neutered. Probably not. /nt Ash_F Mar 2013 #44

It's like that almost warrior1 Mar 2013 #45

Pit bull bigotry. bluedigger Mar 2013 #49

Wait, where is the bigotry? The Straight Story Mar 2013 #50

It wasn't directed against you personally. bluedigger Mar 2013 #51

If you misappropriate words and metaphors, they become meaningless. Gravitycollapse Mar 2013 #125

One of my favorites is "non sequitur"... bluedigger Mar 2013 #127

I would never own a pitbull... Whiskeytide Mar 2013 #56

The first pit I met was on the backside of a racetrack in '81 down in FL toby jo Mar 2013 #66

Pits bite to kill and maim michigandem58 Mar 2013 #122

The most frightening thing about Pits is their owners... Demo_Chris Mar 2013 #68

That looks like Sam, my Peagle. Peke/Beagle mix. The faces are almost identicle appleannie1 Mar 2013 #78

I'm guessing that pint size Chihuahua weighs at least 9 lbs. LiberalFighter Mar 2013 #86

My dog story HeiressofBickworth Mar 2013 #93

Look at that little girl's face: sad, scared, scarred Hekate Mar 2013 #99

An awful lot of posts in a couple of threads keep on repeating defacto7 Mar 2013 #100

Yeah yeah and an AR-15 is a harmless little rifle as the gunnuts say ErikJ Mar 2013 #103

I have no idea what you are saying.... defacto7 Mar 2013 #107

Lets give the whole group a name then. ErikJ Mar 2013 #108

Still not sure where you are coming from. defacto7 Mar 2013 #116

I agree. I doubt if Dog Fight breeders are worried about AKC standards HAHAHA ErikJ Mar 2013 #117

as a small dog owner DonCoquixote Mar 2013 #101

14 month old not so lucky. ErikJ Mar 2013 #104

Irresponsible breeding Midnight Writer Mar 2013 #105

Bingo! ErikJ Mar 2013 #112

Here's another story about heroic little Honey. pnwmom Mar 2013 #115

Honey is going to be that little girl's best friend the rest of her life Hekate Mar 2013 #118

We had chihuahuas when I was little. 3 of em. I know that face and what... Poll_Blind Mar 2013 #119

I know first hand what those dogs can do whatchamacallit Mar 2013 #144

Actually, a small dog can do quite a bit of damage to a larger dog. Jamastiene Mar 2013 #148

little dogs have the biggest hearts datasuspect Apr 2013 #162

I worked for a veterinarian for years and saw the damage pit bulls could do Redford Apr 2013 #154

Every dog has its day. The Second Stone Apr 2013 #158

Priceless. n/t Jack Sprat Apr 2013 #166