posted on October 3, 2007 11:31:10 AM new
Yup, Tom, we had a man murder his son with a pit bull here in Minnesota.
The people who say it's not the breed are idiots.
Yes, there ARE bad owners who are capable of ruining the best dogs of any breed but pit bulls are a BAD breed...bred for KILLING, with incredible jaw strength, have been proven to be uncontrollable.
When there's about 800 recognized breeds of dogs and MANY mixed breeds available it's sheer idiocy to own pit bulls.
posted on October 3, 2007 11:45:47 AM new
Sorry, Logansdad, got to disagree with you on this one. You might surprise or frighten a golden retriever or other breed and receive a nip or even a bite, that's natural, ....pit bulls rip your throat out and kill you and your children. The fact is there is no NEED for these dogs.
posted on October 3, 2007 12:45:23 PM new
I think the gene pool for Pit Bulls (and Repuglicans, for that matter) has been so corrupted that they are a totally lost cause & should be severly RESTRICTED:
1) NEVER off a leash -- HEAVY FINE for any owner whose dog is caught off a leash...
2) EVEN WHEN LEASHED: the dog MUST be MUZZLED...
3) When strangers are in the house, the PIT MUST be confined...
4) HEAVY FINES for owners whose "pets" cause bodily harm...
5) REAL JAIL TIME (minimum of 1 year) for owners whose PITS murder anybody, or cause serious bodily injury to children under 18...
6) MASSIVE increases in homeowner's insurance rates for owners (3-4X normal) to help defray the EXPENSE of all the injuries caused by this trash
Maybe, just maybe, the INSANITY of having these monsters in our neighborhood will abate...
YES, all dogs DO bite...In fact, the "biting-est" dog is...THE POODLE! However, very FEW dogs...KILL!
Invariably, DEATHS (especially to children because they're so low to the ground) is caused by this "breed" -- and then ya have to listen to the constant refrain: "But, it was the most gentle dog in the world! Why my little darling Pit was known around the neighborhood as the K-9 Mother Teresa!" Yeah, but that's NO comfort to the parents of a DEAD CHILD!
STOP THIS INSANITY NOW, BEFORE IT'S YOUR CHILD, or CAT, or OTHER PET!
posted on October 3, 2007 01:52:02 PM new
Mingo, that is fine. We all have our own opinions. I have had some friends that have had pit bulls as pets and their dogs were pretty docile. I was surprised by this.
I have also seen other breeds that are just as vicious as some pit pulls.
Personally, I think how the dogs are raised plays into their personality. I give the dogs the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. If my dogs attacked someone else I would understand the need to put them down and being fined personally.
"In my experience, those who do not like you fall into two categories: the stupid, and the envious. - John Wilmot, the Second Earl of Rochester
posted on October 3, 2007 02:24:18 PM new" I have had some friends that have had pit bulls as pets and their dogs were pretty docile. I was surprised by this."
THAT is exactly my point!
EVERY TIME a PIT kills a CHILD, this is the MANTRA!
After about the 100th time one hears this oft-repeated observation, wouldn't common sense tell you that this indicates that PITS are 100% untrustworthy, and can turn murderous in an instant for NO REASON?
posted on October 3, 2007 06:19:52 PM new
The problem is that "common sense" becomes moronic babbling when it doesn't match the facts. All kinds of dogs bite and bump people off, Rottweilers, German Shephards, Huskies, Dobies among the more frequent. People are probably too embarrassed to report the crazed Yorky incidents. If you don't like pit bulls, don't buy one.
posted on October 3, 2007 08:51:28 PM new
It may be that these animals are more prone to attack because so many of them are owned by dick-heads. Who knows? The numbers, however, don't lie. Tom's right.
From dogbitelaw.com:
Studies indicate that pit bull-type dogs were involved in approximately a third of human DBRF (i.e., dog bite related fatalities) reported during the 12-year period from 1981 through1992, and Rottweilers were responsible for about half of human DBRF reported during the 4 years from 1993 through 1996....[T]he data indicate that Rottweilers and pit bull-type dogs accounted for 67% of human DBRF in the United States between 1997 and 1998. It is extremely unlikely that they accounted for anywhere near 60% of dogs in the United States during that same period and, thus, there appears to be a breed-specific problem with fatalities." (Sacks JJ, Sinclair L, Gilchrist J, Golab GC, Lockwood R. Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998. JAVMA 2000;217:836-840.)
The Clifton study of attacks from 1982 through 2006 produced similar results. According to Clifton study, pit bulls, Rottweilers, Presa Canarios and their mixes were responsible for 65% of the canine homicides that occurred during a period of 24 years in the USA. (Clifton, Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada, September 1982 to November 13, 2006; click here to read it.) Other breeds were also responsible for homicides, but to a much lesser extent.
posted on October 3, 2007 09:32:00 PM new
I'm with you, Tom. There's a reason scary-looking locals walk some of the beaches in Mexico with their pit bulls OFF LEASHES. Intimidation. I like the idea of increasing their homeowners insurance--but make it a BIG increase, and it may actually work as a deterrent.
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There is more to life than increasing its speed. --Mahatma Gandhi
posted on October 4, 2007 03:56:43 AM newEVERY TIME a PIT kills a CHILD, this is the MANTRA!
Exactly, but who helped trained the pet that way in the first part.
How many children have ever been mauled & murdered by Yorkies? By Boston Terriers? For that matter, by German Shepherds?
I'm sorry you are trying to compare small dogs to big dogs here. Security companies do not use poodles as security dogs for a reason. They use rots or German Sherperds mainly. Why do you think this is? A 250lb man can easily toss a 30 lb poodle where as he will have a more difficult time fending off a 100 lb 75 German Sheperd with larger teeth and has a meanier growl/bark.
If you train any large dog to be a "fighter" they can attack and kill.
"In my experience, those who do not like you fall into two categories: the stupid, and the envious. - John Wilmot, the Second Earl of Rochester
posted on October 4, 2007 07:19:49 AM newHow many children have ever been mauled & murdered by Yorkies? By Boston Terriers? For that matter, by German Shepherds?
How many dog fighting rings have you heard that involve poodles, Dachshunds or Chihuahuas? I haven't heard of any. When you hear of dog fighting stories it is usually larger breed dogs that are usually more ferocious looking to begin with and have a meaner temperament.
I am completely aware the pit pulls have a bad reputation and what they have done in the past. However in the story posted by the OP, we do not have all the history on these animals. We do not know how these people raised these animals. We don't know if these dogs were gotten by them as puppies or if they got them from a shelter.
I strongly beleive that if dogs are brought up in a loving environment and treated properly they do not attack people. However there are exceptions to everything just like with people.
Here is a list of dogs that normally do not have a history of attacking people but did
posted on October 4, 2007 09:10:03 AM new
Yes, I'm sure the full story has yet to be told, but in ANY case this "crisis in out time" news reports (and forum posts) are just nonsense.
10 times as many people die falling down stairs. What are we going to do about stairs?
I guess after the pc committee figures out what pets you are allowed, they could probably go on to grooming that will not offend anyone.
The nastiest thing I ever saw was a standard poodle.
posted on October 4, 2007 11:38:21 AM newThe CHILDREN murdered by pit bulls had absolutely NO choice in the matter.
Do you think the pit bull sat and thought about his actions before they decide to attack people? Sometimes this is a learned behavior and sometimes this is instinct. Unless you are actually there when a dog attacks someone you have no idea what actually provokes a dog to attack.
"In my experience, those who do not like you fall into two categories: the stupid, and the envious. - John Wilmot, the Second Earl of Rochester
posted on October 4, 2007 11:49:57 AM new
It tough being a liberal. You pass all these laws to "protect" everyone and somebody winds up getting stuck. You pass all these laws to make sure nobody gets offended and turn around and someone is sad.
Wait! Don't fix the outside! Fix the person themselves. Put everyone in a bubble, feed them intravenously and slip in some LSD! No problems, everybody's happy, all is bliss.
posted on October 4, 2007 06:10:13 PM newPit Bulls Temperament & Characteristics
Webster defines temperment as: the peculiar or distinguishing mental or physical character determined by the relative proportions of the humors according to medieval physiology: characteristic or habitual inclination or mode of emotional response : extremely high sensibility; especially: excessive sensitiveness or irritability. Disposition: prevailing tendency, mood, or inclination: temperamental makeup: the tendency of something to act in a certain manner under given circumstances: the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group.
The breeds of dogs commonly known as "pit bulls" include any Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of one or more of the above breeds, or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club for any of the above breeds; and the breeds of dogs commonly known as "pit bulls" are descended from dogs that were selectively bred for the purpose of competitive dog fighting; and the characteristics selectively bred into or otherwise commonly found in these dogs include:
*A strong fighting instinct, together with a low level of
inhibition from fighting which make pit bulls dangerous to
humans as well as to other animals;
*A strong chase instinct which, experts believe, causes pit bulls
to be a danger around running children;
*A tendency to attack humans and other animals who exhibit no
provocative behavior;
*A diminished tendency to bark, growl, or otherwise warn
potential victims of an intent to attack;
*A tendency not to cease attacking once engaged, which results
in more severe injuries than those inflicted by other breeds;
*The ability to withstand great pain, which makes it difficult
for a person or animal to fight off a pit bull attack;
*Powerful jaws capable of crushing bones and hanging on to
victims even while the pit bull withstands infliction of injury or
pain.
The true temperment of a pit bull seems to be precariously hidden. Pit bull lovers will not consider their precious animal to be anything other than the best dog breed, no matter how many people are mauled and killed. They are blinded and need to know the truth. They need to know the troublesome characteristics of the pit-bull, which is gameness, determination, and insensitivity to pain....their strong, powerful jaws, their fight to the death attitude and emotional disposition, their intollerance to stress, sensitivity and carelessness with kids, and anger toward other animals.
Our temperment relates to our heritage and genetic background the same way a dog's temperament relates to its breed history and genetic inheritance. It is common knowledge, that the Pit Bull breed was created by man for blood sport.
First and foremost, memorize the following: THE GOLDEN RULE OF PIT BULL OWNERSHIP - NEVER TRUST YOUR PIT BULL NOT TO FIGHT! This breed is descended from pit dogs one way or another, and, given the right circumstances, most Pit Bulls will fight and against any other breed, they will win (you really don't want to see that!). Scared yet? You should be.
Everything a pit bull owners dog does, effects everyone in society. Pit Bull owners have to be extra vigilant 24/7, period. They need to be receptive, have strong leadership, and be able to read canine body language to recognize signs of tension between housemates. They must be prepared to separate the dogs if tensions develop. They need to know when their dog becomes aggressive and they need to take control of their dog under all circumstances. Sound like a lot of work and hassle? It is. Tantamount to raising a child, they need consistancy in training, devoted loving care, a warm, comfortable bed, constant companionship, exercise, and good food. They demand consistant attention.
The pit bull is extreemly tempermental, and will become aggressive under stress and strain. Tantamount to a 2 - 5 year old child, they are highly emotional, often frustrated, torn between rant and rage, and in need of constant emotional guidance. If a pit bull owner is emotional or insecure, their pit bull WILL anger and not knowing how to release it, IT WILL EVENTUALLY ATTACK...and it will probably be on the the owner or on the owners child.
Surely a pit bull owner believes they are capable of controlling this powerful, tempermental animal, but most pit bulls are smarter than the average man, and the pit does the intimading and controlling. A pit bull is incapable of emotional stability, unless however, the owner is stable, and emotionally secure.
How many families today are relieved of stress, strain, and quarreling? 85% of families today are dis-functional. If there is not peace in your family and you fuss and fight, your pit bull will follow suit.
Pit Bulls are often dog and people aggressive to one extent or another (this often shows up at or near sexual maturity). Tantamount to a teen ager when going into puberty, their emotions run wild. We have seen what has happened in our schools today, when a teen loses control. The same goes for a pit bull. Their sexual drives take over and seeking release, they over-react and attack. It has been known in many homes, a teen to stand up to their parents, usually a boy against their dad, (I have also known one woman who actually wrestled with her 12 year old daughter.) It is noted that teen age years are the most difficult. Now, take a pit bull, that is their temperment forever, they cannot mature, swaying to and fro like a pendulum.
A dog that was previously non-dog aggressive may "turn-on" and suddenly doesn't like other dogs of the same sex, or, for that matter, any dogs at all, even housemates they have been raised with. Pit Bulls should NEVER be left alone with other dogs and require proper supervision.
Pit Bulls may exhibit intense "prey drive", leading them to "stalk" small animals such as cats, rats, chickens, livestock, or other pets. Visualize this, "all the dogs and cats have been mauled and killed by the pit bull, and the streets are filled with people walking their bullie dogs and bullie dogs are running the streets without guardianship. How often would you want to go out of the house? How safe would you feel? Can you really trust another person's pit? Most people cannot be trusted themselves, how can one trust their dog.
Pit Bulls are precocious and incomparable escape artists, who will often seem to squirt right out of a supposedly secure yard or enclosure. They can jump over a 6 foot fence and dig under any foundation that isn't cement. It has been stated that they are the most difficult animal to contain. Sedalia Mo. pit bull law requires the dog to be kept in a kennel with a top and concrete floor, but this sounds like a cage in which I do not agree. I don't believe any animal should be caged or set out to die upon a leash. However, when you encage a pit bull, they seeth and rage inside waiting for the first opportunity to explode.
That pit bull running down the street without a collar, or the pit down the street, could very well be an angry bull, seeking to take his revenge out on you.
Pit bulls are intelligent, and love to be trained, in the exact way children want to be disciplined. The way all animals want to be trained, so they can get an "ATTA Boy, or GOOD Girl, and more attention". My kitties LOVE when someone says, "Good girl, or Good Boy". An un-trained pit bull reverts back to their blood fighting days and go on a rampage.
A Pit Bull that shows unprovoked human aggression (puppy play nips do NOT count) is showing BAD temperament and in most cases should be put to sleep. The breeding of dogs with bad temperaments is one of the largest problems the breed faces today and fuels the fire of bans and breed specific legislation.
Webster says Aggression means: marked by combative readiness . AGGRESSIVE implies a disposition to dominate often in disregard of others' rights or in determined and energetic pursuit of one's ends: dominating, domineering, imperious, overbearing...
And all pit bulls have been bred specifically to be aggressive.
Major Concerns:
1. Unstable temperaments. American Pit Bull Terriers are a dime a dozen today, and most of them are bred and offered for sale by people who need a feeling of "power" and "invincibility", and for their love of money. Obedience instructors and behavioral consultants see LOTS of Pit Bulls with flat-out dangerous temperaments. Because pit bulls have unstable temperamants, childlike, they can become dangerous at the blink of an eye.
2. Extreme animal aggression
Pit bulls are extreemly protective toward their owners and aggressive toward other animals. Many have strong instincts to chase and seize cats, small dogs and other fleeing creatures, including deer and livestock. Because of their initial "Pit bull" breeding, they are capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals and people.
To keep a Pit Bull in, and to keep other animals out, fences should be 8' high with wire sunk into the ground along the fence line to thwart digging. Gates should have the highest quality locks.
3. Providing enough socialization. American Pit Bull Terriers can be friendly, but they cannot be trusted. Remember, a pit bulls instincts are to attack when it feels threatened, and because of their obsessive, protective instincts, under debate or argument, a friend or relative could be their ideal bait.
I have heard that pit bulls need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviors of "good guys." But children do not quite know what normal behavior is, so a pit bull cannot know the difference. Every person a pit bull owner invites into their home are in potential danger. Pit bulls are typically suspicious of others, which leads to aggression toward people.
4. Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. American Pit Bull Terriers are powerful dogs who MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Pit Bulls are famous for chewing through drywall, ripping the stuffing out of sofas, and turning your yard into a moonscape of giant craters.
If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in weight-pulling, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or schutzhund (protection), or a similar canine activity, this breed is absolutely not recommended. And since people fear this dog and veer away, it is difficult to find a place where one can do this successfully, without putting someone's life in danger.
5. The strong temperament. Pit Bulls are not Golden Retrievers. The best Pit Bulls are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. They can be manipulative, and many are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
To teach your Pit Bull to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. This American Pit Bull Terrier Training Page discusses the program you need.
6. Low Intollerance
Tolerance has to be learned, and it takes many, many years of practicing self-control. And as you can clearly see in this world today, few can maintain a peaceful and compromising attitude. Yes, just like you, pit bulls frustrate easily, but since they are exceptionally sensitive, they act out their physiological intolerance on other living matter. If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, do not get a Pit Bull. Their intollerance to children and old people is too uncontrollable.
7. The Pit Bulls Bite Grip. Reports of pit bull type dogs refusing to release a bite grip is more likely a function of the breed's gameness - a willingness to engage in a task (such as combat and aggression) despite pain and discomfort.
A variant of the 'locking jaw' story is told by Tom Skeldon, Lucas County (Ohio), dog warden, who said that an impounded pit bull that had been used in fighting started "going wild," biting at the walls of the kennel. He shot the dog with a tranquilizer, and then left it for five minutes to let it pass out. When he came back the dog had indeed passed out, but not before it had leaped up and clamped its jaws on a cable used to open the door of the kennel. "Everything else was relaxed, the dog was out cold, but its jaws wouldn't let go of that cable, and he was hanging in midair," said Skeldon. "Not even a Jaguar will do that."
8. Legal liabilities. Pit Bulls are already targeted for "banning" in certain areas. Homeowners' insurance policies may be refused or revoked if you are discovered to own a Pit Bull Terrier. Your friends and neighbors may be very uncomfortable around this breed. In this day and age, the legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a fighting heritage should be seriously considered. People are quicker to sue if such a dog does anything even remotely questionable.
Most Pit Bulls are "too much dog" for the average household. Very few people really have the knowledge or skills necessary to manage this breed, or to provide the type of activities that keep him satisfied. And since accidents happen, and since they will happen to you too, owning a pit bull is like waiting for an accident to happen. I have found that is what I have been doing...Waiting! When will another attack happen? Today, most likely tomorrow, for sure the day after. When? Shortly you will pick up the paper or turn on the news and you will know of another mauling or killing done by the pit bull. Will you be the one defending these animals and blaming everything and everybody else, or will you stand up to what's right and admit to what you knew before you purchased your pit bull puppy...you knew the dangers of owning this animal. You heard about the mauling and killings and you heard loud and clear, but you refused to listen. Are you listening now?
Tip:
You cannot love and breed an animal simontaniously because they contradict one another. You cannot love and use something at the same time and come out successfully. I could no more make a brothel out of my home with my babies (animals), than I could with my children. And there are no promises that the new borns would get into the right hands. In fact, the odds would be against it. And anyone knowing the truth, that the pit has done This Kind Of Damage Throughout The Country and continues, should be sentenced as the murderers themselves. I see they are cracking down on this in many cities and states, and now Countries.
Few people know how to take care of animals properly. In some cities is seems they would just as soon eat them as deal with them. Some put their dogs on chains in the yard and leave them there, some behind a fence with no human contact at all. They become deepely depressed, lose their ability to learn, and die a horrible death. People do that with all animals, not just the pit bull. And No, it's not the pits fault. It's people. It's the breeders who bred this animal in the renaissance days for fighting purposes. It's the fault of today's breeders who breed knowing the inbred viciousness of these animals, the insecurities, the split personality, the seemingly mystics of these temperamental dogs.
No, it's not the pit bulls fault. It's not Blackies fault either, or the shitzu Molly, or the little girl that was mauled to death and layed into the casket, or the hundreds more that have already been and are going to be disfigured and killed within this year. God did not create this disaster, man did. And as man created it, man must take the responsiblity and put it to an end. Pit bulls will be literally RUNNING the streets where we live, if the breeders and irresponsible owners are not banned, fined, and jailed to the Greatest extent.
posted on October 4, 2007 08:31:33 PM new
That somebody could claim this is a political issue is small mindedly absurd. Like I said, the numbers don't lie. Pits and Rotts account for way more than half of all the fatal attacks. End of story. I don't think these dogs should be banned, I think their moronic owners should be fined and jailed and have their personal and financial futures ruined forever when their pets turn bad and hurt somebody. We had a neighbor move here from the city a few years ago who had pit bulls and a Rottwieler that he thought could run loose because he was living in the country. He lived 3 miles away and these creatures ranged out farther than that at night.They immediately began harrassing livestock. They tore up and killed a neighbors pen full of calves and disappeared before it could be proved what dogs had done it. It was finally proved when my Anatolian Shepherd livestock guardian dogs took one of them quite literally apart. Exit, one very unfortunate Rottweiler. My dogs didn't leave many pieces, but I found the dog's collar and tags and contacted the sheriff's animal control unit, who took away the other dogs, which were ultimately destroyed. The owner confronted me and I told him quite simply that deadly force against anything or anyone taking agressive action against a fenced in hooved animal is perfectly legal in this county and if any of his other dogs came near my property again, they better hope they wind up on the receiving end of my shotgun because my dogs will not be near as merciful. It's the owners' fault sure enough, but it's amazing how many of these dogs run true to breed type.
Our Anatolians are not pets. They live with the sheep. They aren't herd dogs. They make their own decisions about what constitutes a threat to "their" herd, which includes not only our sheep, but the horses, cattle, poultry and even the people and barn cats on our property. You could no more command an Anatolian Shepherd than you could fly to the moon. Their herd protective instincts are thousands of years old. Dogs that have been bred as protectors or (in the case of Pits) as fighters have instinctive tendencies that can easily be brought out and are not always predictable. The owners of these animals should be held financially and criminally accountable for the actions of their "pets". I don't think it's the Pit Bulls and Rottweilers that need to go, it's the needle-dicks who pump up their tiny little manhoods with agressive dogs who should disappear.
posted on October 5, 2007 05:23:35 AM new
I hadn't seen that pdf before.Tom, thanks! Our Anatolians are the Akbash variety, longhaired in winter and in spring they shed to shorthair. We used to lose far more babies to coyotes before they came here 10+ years ago. Now I wouldn't sleep at night if they weren't around. Even the lion down in the canyon respects them. Their most endearing trait is the way they help during lambing season. Licking new babies clean and even curling up with weak ones at night to keep them warm.
""""Do you think the pit bull sat and thought about his actions before they decide to attack people?""""
No, that's the POINT, they CAN'T think, but I DO expect ADULT HUMANS to THINK about about THEIR actions concerning buying these dogs.
"""" Sometimes this is a learned behavior and sometimes this is instinct. Unless you are actually there when a dog attacks someone you have no idea what actually provokes a dog to attack."""
No, even the dog doesn't, it's a creature of reflex which is why buying dogs with gentler reflexes is an intelligent thing to do.
And it makes no difference to me why...if it harms or kills a person, especially a child, then it shouldn't be around and the owner should be in jail.
posted on October 6, 2007 07:07:23 PM new
Tom's post about the properties bred into pit bulls is correct. Any breed can "snap" regardless of training. My mother's docile cocker spaniel once got a crazy look and snapped at my face. I was younger then and faster, managed to dodge his bite. Years later, her fat old lab got spooked by my 5 year old and unprovoked, bit his face requiring stitches. Neither of the dogs were capable of crushing a bone, were impervious to pain, or had any of the traits of a pit bull bite. I, a Libertarian, would prefer that the private sector amend the situation. Have insurance companies lay premiums on specific breeds. The AKC should remove Pit Bulls as a recognized breed. They do far more harm to the canine population than good. BTW, apologies to Ralphie, but Boston Terriers were once bred as fighters, later their adorable traits were noted and they were bred to that aim. Perhaps pit bull breeders should shape up and try breeding gentler dogs.
Rowdy Ralphie recounts his past, but asserts that today: "I'm a lover, NOT a FIGHTER!"
"The Boston Terrier can trace its history back to 1865, in Boston, Massachusetts. At this time pit fighting between dogs was still a popular form of entertainment. There were a number of breeds of dogs that had their start in the fighting pit, and the Boston Terrier is no exception. The Boston Terrier of 1865 is not the dog we know today.
The history that has been passed down is that Robert C. Hooper, of Boston, Massachusetts, purchased a dog that was part English Bulldog, and part English Terrier (the English Terrier being an all white dog). This dog's name was Judge. He was rather tall in stature, was colored a dark brindle with a white stripe on his face. He possessed a square and blocky head, with a nearly even mouth. Judge weighed approximately 32 pounds. A cross breeding was arranged with a Bulldog-type female by the name of Gyp, who was owned by Edward Burnett, of Southboro, Massachusetts. Gyp was rather short statured, possessed a short, blocky head, and weighed around 20 pounds. What was interesting was that some of the offspring from this mating weighed in excess of 60 pounds. These were not wimpy dogs.
As time passed, these dogs were referred to as stableman's or the barber's dog. The reason being that the employees of the very wealthy (most centered around Breed's Hill of Boston), would get together to gossip, drink, and pass the time at the local tavern. Some of these employees had access to their employer's purebred dogs. These employees would borrow their employer's dogs and breed them to other dogs, and arrange for the puppies to "find new homes". The offspring would end up in the fighting pits, either as young pups to demonstrate their "courage", or as older dogs, to actually fight other dogs, rats, bulls, etc. What is interesting is that these breedings were not foolish, nor frivolous. These people were actually looking for certain qualities in the dogs that they were breeding. They did not know the science of genetics, but they did know that certain strengths could be passed from one generation to another. The dogs that were used in the fighting pits were also used as family dogs. Their devotion to their masters was notable even by the people who found pit fighting repugnant.
By 1891, the Boston Terrier was an established breed of dog. By this we mean that the Boston Terrier was reproducing true to its form. Offspring were consistently looking like their sire and dam. Forty breeders decided to form the American Bullterrier Club in Boston, and applied to the American Kennel Club for membership status. There were many objections raised due to the Boston Terrier not looking anything like a Bullterrier. Finally, a noted writer and authority, James Watson, suggested that since this new breed did not resemble the Bullterrier, that the dog should have its own identity. He felt that this dog having been bred in and around Boston, it should be named the Boston Terrier. So the club changed its name to the Boston Terrier Club and in 1893 it was admitted to membership in the A.K.C.
If we advance the years to the early 1900's, we still can find Boston Terriers being shown in the Conformation Ring weighing around 30 pounds. However, in the 1920's breeders started to pay more attention to the markings on the body, and the body proportions. Pit fighting, for the most part, was illegal in most states, and its popularity was dwindling. So the breeders started looking at the dog as a companion. Remember that these dogs already had a reputation for having a notable devotion to their masters and family. By the 1950's the Boston Terrier was very much like the dog we know today. For show purposes, there are three weight classes that pertain to the Boston - they are light (under 15 lbs.), middle (under 20 lbs.), and heavy-weight (under 25 lbs.).
The Boston Terrier Club has as a guideline for its member breeders - "We are the heirs of the past, and the Trustees of the future." If only all breeders felt that way about their charges."
posted on October 6, 2007 07:55:59 PM new
The problem with a pit bull that attacks is usually in the breeding of the dog,the training of the dog or somebody has given the dog something to make it vicious like gun powder or a drug. We have had pit bulls and they were basically a lap dog and were great with kids.
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posted on October 6, 2007 07:59:55 PM new
Such an interesting topic here. The things we learn on Vendio!
I might have mentioned this before: My husband's father was the minister of a large church. The family had a cocker spaniel named Patty, who hated anyone who didn't resemble a family member. So Patty hated older women, men in uniform, etc. Every large church has lots of (sometimes large!) church ladies, and these ladies were frequent visitors in the home.
Patty would invariably leap up to bite them in the butt. Very embarrassing to the family. Never drew blood, but scared the bejeezus out of the old ladies. Patty was a legend in that church.
Of all the dogs that famiy owned (probably 4 altogether), the cocker spaniel was the meanest.
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There is more to life than increasing its speed. --Mahatma Gandhi
"childrens do learn"
