Children and Pit Bulls ?

[luvbug02]

Hey there ladies i have a question i would like to get a pit bull i have heard about there bad temperment but my aunt has two and they love my kids I have a 4 year old dd and a 13month old ds and the dog that we have seen is still a puppy (not sure of her age but she is small) she is a female and i was just curious as to wheter its a good idea and if we do take her what should i look out for. Thank you very much   Amanda

[thendricks]

I say that is a very bad idea, just my opinion i'm not trying to be rude, a lady that I worked with daughter was attacked and malled alomst to death, she was 6 and the dog had been with the family since the childs birth, it was also female, they do not know why she turned on her...The poor girl had to have 500 stitches in her face and arm...

[orphanannie59]

Please consider another breed. Pit bulls are very unpredictable, and can turn on their owner for no reason.  They are very dangerous to have around small children as their mouths are made to lock when they bite......there are so many other kinds of dogs to choose from that are more children friendly and very smart.

[peekawho]

As a Doberman owner, I don't like the assumption that any particular breed is "bad" by nature.  But it is true that if not handled, trained, and cared for by someone very experienced, a pit bull might not be the best choice for being around small children.  
Many are very, very loving and sweet, but there is the occasional example of bad temperment (usually you know this b/c they are being given away or sold cheaply).  Puppies that do not come from a reputable breeder and good tempered parents should not be adopted into families with small children, in my opinion.

There are many thousands of mixed breed puppies killed every day in shelters, whose only crime was in being born.  There are even wonderful older dogs who are already housebroken and in need of loving, caring families.  

Take a look at your local shelter.  But before you do, be very sure you are ready for the responsibility, which is lifelong.  You must be financially able to provide medical care and vaccines, food, shelter, and a secure yard.  And you must have plenty of time to give discipline and love in equal measure.

[BusyMom92960206]

I have raised rottweilers and I have a pit now.  I have a house full of kids!  It is all in how you raise the animal.  There is no such thing as a BAD animal.  If you treat your animal with respect you will receive respect.  Now, I am not going to say when they get old they don't get a temper, but don't most old people....LOL.  But by then your kids will be older too.  So....I am going to get a pup before long to go with the one I have now who is a little over a year.  If you want the puppy and have time to invest, go for it!

[BusyMom92960206]

Also, just for the record, I had a chow chow too who the most loving animal you would ever meet.  I heard they are supposed to be bad too....NOT.  I have seem poodles with worse temperments then some pits and also chihuahuas (they are one of worst)!  Like I said it is all in how you raise your animal, if you see the parents and they are well mannered and good with people, that is just an added bonus!

[thendricks]

My only comment is why take a chance with a breed of dog with that kind of temperment history, if you don't have the time or money to check into the hidtory of the animal, and know for sure that they are telling the truth, a childs life is more important, while I see that you have been fortunate with your dealings others have not, if that was the case Pit bulls wouldn't have this reputation for know reason, I'm not arguing or saying you are wrong so please don't take offence but as a person who has the after effects of an attack of a helpless 6 year old girl by her own loving animal whom she grew up with, you have to look at it as what is best for the child and not take chances, that is all the mother kept saying after this happened, why did I ever get a dog that I knew had a "possability" of attacking, you can't even assure that with a good blood line or training that this dog or any for that matter won't be danger to your family, my point is why take the chance. God bless and good luck

[lovefamily]

If it was me I wouldn't risk having a pitbull.  Also, our Home Insurance company will not insure you if you have a pitbull.  That may be something you want to check into.  Everyone can say what they want about pits.  We all have heard terrible stories about some breeds than we have others and pitbulls are one of them.  I know someone that treated there pit with nothing but love and it turned on them one day and bit them causing stitches.  A chihuahua bite verses a pitbull bite is 2 different things entirely.  I stay stick with a breed that is known for loving children...How about a lab or a golden retriever, or maybe a beagle. I had a black lab when my kids were little and he watched over them and protected them.  They slept on him, leaned on him, pull his ears, and read him books, he took it all and he loved it.  He lived for 12 years and it was such a sad day when he died.  I know there is some mean labs out there too, but you usually don't see them in the news  for mauling someone.

[BusyMom92960206]

That is right you don't see it in the news, but it doesn't mean it DOES NOT happen!  People just want to make a big deal over pits or rotts and what not.  It isn't fair.  And yes, I know we are talking about two different kinds of bites, I am not ignorant.  But it is like I said, I had a lab as a child too, yes they are wonderful.  My chow chow was wonderful also (but they get a bad rep).  However, my rott would not let anyone near my children that didn't belong.  He watched over them like they were his.  It broke our heart the day he left this earth.  My dog now is an American Pit Bull and he is the same way.  He watches over the kids.  You can lay on him, pull his hair, tail whatever he doesn't care.  He just lays there.  If I didn't trust him, he wouldn't be in this house!  I am not here to start an argument and everyone is intitled to their own opinions, so I would like for mine to be heard without ridicule.  I am not here to argue about this, it was just my opinion and thought she may be interested.  Just remember, because you don't hear about a particular animal constantly on the news doesn't mean bad things aren't happening.  

You treat your animal like your child, and that animal is there for you for LIFE.  Also, there is a thing called obedience training, when in doubt, train them as a puppy!  PetSmart offers classes all day!

Thank you all for listening and respecting my opinions, just as I do yours!

[2songbirds]

I, who have 2 young lil' ones, 6 months pg with my 3rd, and have 2 furbabies, have to put my 2 cents in.

My older dog who will be 9 soon is a keeshond/lab mix. She has some chow in her as well.

My younger dog who is 2 is a full bred springer spaniel.

All dogs are prone to attack if provocked. People have to understand their language in order to prevent them. My dogs both have 'their spots' which is a safe haven from the kids. If the kids go in the dogs' spot while the dogs are there, and they get hurt, that's my fault...NOT THE DOGS. On the otherhand, if the dogs are out in the open while the kids are playing, they know that they are fair game, and will be punished if they show ANY signs of aggression towards the kids. That means the kids take away the dogs toys and treats, and both dogs do nothing about it. They know better. If they were in their spots, then I wouldn't tolerate/let the kids get near them.

My keeshond has biten 2 people over the last few years. Both people admitted it was THEIR fault. There's only so much you can do to warn people that a cute fluffy dog needs to get to know you 1st.

Springer spaniels are supposed to be very good with kids, but are more prone than other breeds to get springer rage. It's a rage that happens so fast that the dog turns on the owner/family. ALL BREEDS ARE PRONE TO THIS.

I am not saying it's a good/bad thing to get a pitt bull when there's children. I personally would not. But, I do own an aggressive dog, and there's certain precautions that I as the dog owner need to take. I also grew up w/ an aggressive dog who bit someone (their fault). Maybe that's why I defend aggressive dogs so much.

[slc]

I would not have a pitbull around any of my children.  Ever.

[BusyMom92960206]

Well said!  I totally agree, I wish I could have expressed my feelings and said it the way you did.  I totally am not telling anyone to put themselves into a situation, but like you said, myself as the owner takes responsibility and the dog knows his limits.

I am glad you put your 2 cents worth in.  It was spoken very well.  I knew this discussion would get kind-of heated, that is why I "should have" stayed out of....:)  But I am glad that there are many different views and opinions, and it is not all negative, persay.

You have a good day.

[RockRose]

I've only known two pitbulls in my life,  and both were very sweet and tolerant,  much more so than other dogs.  They tolerated having their tails pulled,  screaming kids running at them,  whatever was dished out,  they took with great humor.  Most pits are like that.

But I would NEVER EVER own one.  The thing is,  they ARE a different breed of dog than others.  THey don't attack those who are provoking them,  they attack weak helpless people who are trying to get away.   Very small children,  old people and pregnant women.  

And they don't relent until the victim is dead,  or they are physically prevented from continuing the attack,  unlike most other breeds who will bite once and then relent.

Pit bull attacks are very rare - almost all pits go their entire lives without biting anyone.  

But it's like a game of what's behind the curtain.  You can't tell which ones will attack because often there is NO WARNING - they attack a child they've always gotten along with,  and now the child is dead.

One final point - if you get a pit bull,  there will be kids who aren't allowed to come to your house because their parents won't take that risk.

Best wishes with your decision.

[peekawho]

Last point is very well taken.  Since we also own a "dangerous" breed, I make sure that the dogs are crated when we have people over.  Though our boys are sweet...you never know.  You just never know.
And being sorry afterwards is not enough.  They are a breed with a propensity to be protective.  
I would never have small children over, either.  

And if I owned a pit, had small kids over to play with my kids and the dog attacked someone? Even playfully nipped? Write the check.  You'll be sued in an instant.  

[lynne1276]

i have 2 dogs that I adopted from the local shelter.  One is a mix of god knows what (very sweet)   The other is lab/pit.  I adopted her before I got married and became an instant mom and she has never once tried to hurt him.  I have even caught him trying to ride her like a horse and she just stood there.  I don't know if its because she is mixed breed or what but she is great.  My brother has a full pit and he is the sweetest dog ever.   I'm not telling you either way what to do.  I'm just telling you my experiences.   I can't even honestly say i would take a chance with another one for the chance that maybe I just got lucky with her.  good luck!

[Dad2Maria]

Animals have instincts that are always there even that friendlys animals when provoqued, can turn wild. I WILL NEVER HAVE DOGS SPECIALY THTA BREED.Good luck.

[lovefamily]

Why did you attack me??  I was stating my opinion just like you.  That was what the post was for....she wanted our opinions.  I did not understand why you attacked me then I read your post and you had chihuahuas in it.  I did not choose that breed because you had it in your post, I chose it because my sister has one and my son got bit by a chihuahua leaving a scratch on him.  No broken skin.  So, please allow me to give my opinion too, just like we all are on here.  I've got no beef with you.

I know folks are very sensitive when they have a dog that has a bad reputation because of it's breed, but their dog is sweet.  Like I said, there are mean labs out there too.

[2songbirds]

Actually, maybe I'm one of the few parents who feel this way, but I do trust my kids' life with both of my dogs. I leave them alone all the time when the dogs go with the kids in their room to play. I'm not going to constantly watch the "warning signs" from my dogs if they've had enough. They know they can just get up and walk away to their spots. I believe it's all how you 1) raise them 2)understand them 3)respect them. Dogs and their owners need to have a certain understanding, and know each others body language.

My keeshond/lab/chow mix was very badly abused by my ex, with whom I got the dog with. I've mentioned my story many times here, but her being abused has no affect on how she treats my kids. My kids constantly ride both dogs like a pony, pull their ears, teeth, fur, etc, stick their fingers in the dogs' eyes and mouth.

Because of how close I am with my 1 (aggressive) dog, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my keeshond would die for me or my kids in a heartbeat. She has defended me before against another dog, and my ex.

I'm bringing up my 1 dog as an example because chows/keeshonds (very similar breeds) also have a very bad rep.

[luvbug02]

Hey ther ladies Thank you so much for answering my question we have reconsidered not because they are prone to fight but because we do not know alot about the breed and i think if she is going to be the best dog that she can be then she will be better off in a bigger house with a bigger yard and we will just stick to the little dogs. Again i really want to thank you she is so cute and irrisistable right now but you all made me remember that she will grow up!

[thendricks]

Good luck and wise choice

[mandymoo1983]

jesus christ give the dam dogs a break if there not for you then leave it at that personally they are great dogs i have one and trust my childs life with the dog if its raised from a pup around kids it will be fine.
but if you have to ask yourself this question i think its better off to get another breed of dog goodluck

[ally76]

Neighbors of my parents had a pitbull since it was a pup and the dog was great.  They ended up having a 2nd baby and dog was fine then when the baby was about 18 months old the baby was poking and bugging the dog.....like little toddlers obviously will do and the dog tore apart the babys face.  The little boy needed major plastic surgery and they put the dog down.  I think any dog can turn if provoked but kids will be kids.  Good luck on your decision.

[72007]

You need to chill , no need to be so rude, everyone has an opinion...THE DOGS CAN BE DANGEROS did you miss that, the lady is thinking of getting a dog that has attacked, magled and killed children, that is the point being made here, the dog is just that a "animal" and any animal can be unpredictable..You are not very smart saying you trust your childs life with a ANIMAL who can and has been known to turn on people and children, that is the most obserd thing i have ever heard to come from a parents mouth

[slc]

You are not being very smart when you make a statement like "I would trust my child's life to my dog"!!  I don't care what kind of dog you have!!  I have a labradoodle and he is very sweet and not aggressive at all.  BUT, I am NOT foolish enough to trust my chilrens' lives with him!  I am fully aware that he is still an animal and animals are unpredictable, even if they have never shown any aggressiveness before.  You have to always be careful when you have dogs around kids.  My 5yo was attacked 2 weeks ago by our friends' dog.  This was a very small (mixed breed) dog and it didn't just nip.  It went into full force attack mode just because my son bent down to pet it!!  It attacked my son's shoulder and my husband and my friend's husband had to get in there and break it up.  The dog wasn't stopping.  My son had 3 bite marks on his shoulder that went through his shirt.  It scared him to death and ME!!  Now, he was ok (did break the skin) but if it had been a bigger breed or if this little dog would have gotten his face or eye then it would have been alot worse.  This dog had never acted out before and we were in the room and saw it all.  They sent the dog to live with the grandparents because they don't have any   children around.  Once our baby comes, I will NEVER leave it alone with our sweet labradoodle...because a dog is an ANIMAL!!!

[mandymoo1983]

get over it ladies YES i have my own bloody opinion i wasent getting on anybodys case i guess some of you missed my point well its this if you are so worried about having a dog around your children dont get one any dog can be viciouse. well just last week i know somebody whos baby was mauled by a chihuaha scuse the spelling so yeah who knows take some chill pills ladies.
this site used to be great once but now nobody is intitled to there own bloody opinion without getting jumped on.

[Wooly25]

I studied Animal Science in college also have vet experience and took a animal behavior class. Any dog can turn at any sec.  But Pits, bulldogs, and other fighting dogs, do get in a mode for a fight, and once they are locked in the mode it's hard to break that's why they are used for dog fights.  Same goes for Beagles, hound dogs, and other hunting breeds if you don't have a fenced in yard and they catch a scent they will wonder away.  It's just born into them.  Herd dogs tend to nip ankles and are very much into puting the kids in a group.  Also sporting dogs are high strung.  So when your picking a dog make sure that you read up on them.  Even if you pick a mixed breed try to have someone help you tell what is in the dog that way you can see what each breed will bring to the table.  Most mixed dogs will cancel out some of the characteristics of the breed.  But just do your research even on mixed breeds.  The Puggle is small and is from  a Pug and Beagle which are both good breeds and I believe that most of the tracking of a beagle is canceled out by the pug.  Also I have heard they are pretty laid back. But still make sure you do some checking visit the parents and see how they act if they are aggressive or nervous Don't buy one from that person.  Maybe find someone that has one and go play with it and see what you think. Good luck and happy dog hunting.

[amyschlink]

I think it is all on the way you raise them. I was scared to death almost when I got a pitbull/bulldog puppy. I got him kinda by accident (opened my mouth when I shouldn't have...lol). But immediately I KNEW he would be a great dog. He is the sweetest dog. I mean YES he does bark at strangers (most dogs do) but he has never EVER bitten anyone or even try to bit anyone...Children included. In fact my dog (Piston) LOVES children. He cuddles with them and plays GENTLY with them. He just knows.

I know he will do great with the my baby that is on the way. Not that I would leave ANY dog alone with a child or anything like that (I trust them but come on...Common sense) but I do/will trust my child's life with my dog. He will protect it just like he would me.

But if you are at all skeptical about a pitbull, you might want to reconsider another dog. Maybe wait until the kid is a little older also. Here is a website that has a list of dogs and everthing...

http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dogs/dogs-good-with-kids.aspx

And there are some ideas you can do to get your dog(s) ready for a new baby. I bought a baby doll and go around "pretending" it is a baby. I "feed" it, change it, and even put it in the swing. Also every so often I play sounds of a baby crying just so they kinda get used to the idea of a "baby".

Also when you do bring the baby home, bring in a blanket first (before the baby) so they can get a smell of the bundle of joy...It will make it easier on both you and the dog(s.

[girlybuff]

These dogs (all pure breeds) are bred very close together, genetically speaking and you never really know their entire famil history.  No breeder will admit to you if the mother or father or sisters or brothers has attacked anyone . Just like when cousins marry and there are genetic defects so are there with dogs.  Some dogs are bred for their sweet and playful personalities an others are bred for other reasons.  As with all genetics there are inherited defects.
IMO I find pitts to be an agressive breed.  Some attack unprovoked while others don't.  Although I hve known man nice pitts, if they do attack, it's hard to get them to release from it.  
I jst think that if there is the slightest history of a dog breed attacking without an provocation and attacking to KILL like some pitts have been documented to do no matter how they were raised, you might want to consider a mutt that needs to be saved from a shelter.
Whatever ou choose, remember that NO ANIMAL should be left unattended with a small child.
Good luck.

[hu73]

Any breed of dog has the ability to attack.  I agree with many of you ladies, it depends on how a dog is raised.  I have two dogs, both mutts rescued from the shelter, and they are both wonderful with my kids.  My parents have a pit mix, rescued from the shelter at 10 weeks, also wonderful with the kids.  If you were to get a full grow dog from the shelter, any breed, you have to consider their history.  Animals that have been raised by mean or neglectful owners tend to be more likely to have less tolerance for the type of attention a child might send their way.  Much like people who have dreadful upbringings, dogs can hold on to the past.  I don't think it is right to point fingers at a specific breed without looking at all of the facts surrounding dog aggression.

[anotherfinemess]

If you research the history of the american pit bull terrier, you will find that these dogs were originally bred to be exceedingly people-friendly.  In the days when dog fighting was legal, the dogmen would get actually get into the pit with the 2 fighting dogs, the same way a referree would be in the ring with 2 fighters.  If a dog ever showed any kind of aggression toward humans, the dog would be "culled"-- put down so that that genetic trait was quelled and would not carry on in the breed.  These dogs are naturally one of the most people friendly and family oriented breeds in the world.. With that being said, a tragic thing has happened to this breed when they became popular with the "hip-hop" generation and ignorant macho types.   People now breed these monsters  that weigh over 100 lbs and have 25-inch heads.   And they breed them to be mean and people aggressive.  This dog, which is a true american legend,  that served our country in war- time, that was Helen Kellers companion, and a part of our families for generation, has undergone a tragic transformation these days.  So you have to be careful.  You have to research the breed.  Find a reputable kennel that does shows and conformation or weight pulling.  I have one of these dogs.  My nieces, ranging in age from 4-14, crawl all over her, pull her ears, step on her tail, and she is the most reliable, sweet, funny, smart, good-natured dog I've ever had. (Much more kid friendly and kid-proof than any of the poodles and labs I've owned.  

[laura1977]

many pit bulls are nice, but end up snapping at their owners for no reason.  Not taking my chances.
Oh, by the way this is almost a year old post.