I agree 100%. I had to call 2 vet offices to convince them to change the breed on her paperwork from "pitbull mix" to "brown lab mix" just to be able to move into an apartment, because I guess insurance companies in the area like to ban certain breeds from properties they insure. She's the sweetest dog you'll ever meet, though.
I will effort post pitbulls if people want. There’s a ton of veterinary literature that contradicts the stereotypes and adds context to bite statistics, etc.
As a veterinarian if I were to cast shade on a dog breed it would be brachycephalic - pugs or Bostons or bulldogs. Not because of their behavior, but because they’re essentially being waterboarded by their own anatomy every time they breathe and it’s cruel to breed them without taking steps to reduce the airway abnormalities that are incompatible with life.
I actually wrote a whole effort post specifically about this (linked below), and also 100% agree about pugs bostons and bulldogs.
Also I am not a veterinarian so I would appreciate any critique you have of what I wrote on the topic.
Yes please, I stiffen anytime I see a pitbullsized dog being walked next to our playground. Doesn't matter the breed since I can't tell them apart.
And anytime I tried to look into it I just found forum posts of angry owners vs concerned parents going at each other throats or chatgpt blogspam peddling basic misinformation.
I am not a vet but I wrote essentially a mini article with lots of sources on the subject a couple years ago and I linked it below.
Thanks comrade I put a fair bit of effort into it after we had a pitbull struggle session a couple years ago. I need to write more effort posts.
I adore pitties, they are some of the most sweet pups and I've never met one I didn't like. That said, I have a healthy respect for what they are capable of.
I always try to remain respectful of the power of animals. But when it comes to dogs, I've never heard of a Golden Retriever or a chocolate lab mauling someone. Startle response bites, sure.
I could just be another dolt who's been taken in by fear mongering towards pitties, I don't know the statistics. But I try to keep in mind the potential for what they could do, same for Dobermans, Germans, Akitas etc. Also, the aggressive little ankle biters, but I'll usually just pick them up and they don't know what to do.
The right will never let go of this. Maintaining the normalised idea of genetic behavioural traits in animals is a fundamental requirement for eugenics and racism. If they concede it's untrue they will also have to concede that the asiatic hordes are not predisposed to barbarian acts of pillaging and looting everywhere they go.
Do you think herding dogs are taught to herd? Genetics absolutely influence behavior lol
They can all herd, just some that are a better size and speed for it. If the sheep were guinea pig sized we'd be using miniature dogs for it and calling them "herding breeds".
Okay good luck training your herding pug. Maybe next you can raise a wolf pup as your family dog.
Okay but I'm arguing that herding dogs will do that instinctively, while those pugs were definitely taught. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/why-does-my-dog-herd-my-kids/
if it's just a reflection on the owners, then should pitbull owners (or any dangerous breed of dogs) be required to have their background checked before? Like firearms. I would be scared everyday if my neighbours had a breed of dog that was high on the list of dog attacks. Too many instances of people getting mauled to death or with left with horrible deformities because of bad owners.
it’s not hard to learn how defend against one
Good luck to elder people or children trying to defend themselves from a pitbull.
Or a German Shepherd, or a Rottweiler, or a Mastiff, or a Husky, or an Akita, you see where this goes?
Pits are more dangerous than other dog breeds, but not uniquely dangerous. People buy pits because they want a violent dangerous dog, and then train the dog to be just that. It becomes a vicious cycle.
Unironically it's a red flag to me when someone says they don't like pitbulls.
If I get hit by a car, I don't get mad at the car, I get mad at the asshole who made it into a murder machine.
I think we should rename them pitcows, that would soften their image alot
Different breeds of dogs do have differences in behavior, see hunting & working dogs, but that doesn't mean pit bulls are walking murder machines. The reputation surrounding pit bulls is 99.9% mainly racially motivated fearmongering.
