I want this tattoo!!

I would never call Dalmatians the most aggressive breed, I've met several and my parents used to own one. Like both Kahzie and vos have stated; it's how they're raised/if they're from a decent breeder. Our Dalmatian was blind and later became deaf; like many Dalmatians. I haven't read much into their neurological issues, but a good few breeds have those. Don't judge a breed too harshly if you've never had up close experiences with them (I'm just assuming you haven't of course).  For an example: I used to be terrified of APTs and Staffies, until I spent a year working at an RC around them. Even raised and socialized with some puppies. 

Now, as for APT; I love them. I worked at a RC where they mainly had Pitbulls and Staffies as well as mixes of them. I just fell in love with them. However, at the moment I'm not in a good position to own one. But, I can admire my friends' pitbulls/staffies which is good with me. 

I think it's real unfair the way some people treat pitties. I myself have never owned one, as my Dad says "no big dogs in the house" and we live somewhere in Canada where it's real cold in the winter, but ive played with some at the local SPCA and they where REALLY sweet! i'm more into the husky, malamute, Great Pyrnees, Newfoundland, and Irish Wolfhounds though. my current big dog is actually part Pyrnees, and who knows what all else, lol!

In my experience, any animal, domestic or otherwise, can be aggressive/dangerous under the "right" conditions. Horses included. To say that any breed of animal is more aggressive/dangerous than another isn't exactly an accurate statement. I've seen "bully breeds" be complete snuggle babies, and smaller "family breeds" attack children in their own home. Pigeon-holing a breed is like pigeon-holing a race of people. While stereotypes are there for a reason, most often, the stereotype is caused by the exception and not the rule. All animals and all humans deserve love and the equal opportunity to be the best that they can.

For an example::


This is Sweetie. She's my best friend's dog. As you can see, she is a Pit Bull. She does have some aggressive tendencies, but only when she's being pushed around by the other dogs or the ponies. She sticks up for herself. Otherwise, the only damage you have to worry about from her is that thin tail of hers. She likes to walk beside you, but her tail is so thin that when she wags is, it's like a whip against your leg. In the 4 years that I've known this dog, she's never killed anything, bitten anyone or caused any serious damage to property or the other animals she lives with. Though she may try to lick you to death.

Another, non-dog-related, example::

This sweet girl is Asuna. I rescued her from a shelter on March 7, 2015. She was exactly 1 year old. She was aggressive towards people, and stand-offish from other cats. She didn't growl or hiss, but if you tried to pick her up, she'd claw the devil out of you. Her aggression was coming from a place of fear. Her coat is unpopular in my area, and everything else were kittens 10wks or under with the exception of a seal point Norwegian Forest cat. I knew she wouldn't be adopted out, so I adopted her. I brought her home to a house with 2 other cats. I suspected what would happen and I was right. She stayed by herself, wandering away from the other cats when they approached. Slowly, with time, she started being around them more. On her own terms.

I worked very carefully and slowly every day. Just petting her. Not picking her up. It's been 3 years of work, but she now plays with the other cats, sits in my lap, loves to be petted, and likes to snuggle with the other cats at night. It was a lot like working with someone who has PTSD or anxiety. It all had to be on her own terms. She has to be able to walk away. She still isn't thrilled to be picked up and carried, but she won't take your face off, either. It's a process and she's only getting better and better.

Everyone deserves that chance. Animal and human alike. That may seem naive to you, and that's ok. It's just my two cents on it.

i don't think anyone in this thread has implied that giving all animals a chance is a naive thing to do. it's a wonderful thing, one that i personally very much agree with.

what is naive is ignoring the fact pit bulls have dog aggression literally written into their breed standard. it's actually very accurate to say that they're more likely to be dog aggressive than a breed that was bred to work closely with other dogs (for example, hound dogs that hunt in packs). While all animals are individuals, temperament and personality characteristics have been bred into dogs by humans over hundreds of years.

pit bulls were literally bred to be dog aggressive the same way that collies were bred to herd and labradors to retrieve. it is ingrained in their actual DNA. of course there are some exceptions, but part of truly loving bully breeds is acknowledging their history and handling them appropriately, which includes awareness of their tendency toward dog aggression.

I adopted my first do ever last month and I picked her out for her personality and then afterward someone told me she looked like she has some pit bull in her.  I asked others and a lot of people agreed. Meanwhile I was in the process of finding a new place and owning a pit mix made my life complicated.  I noticed a lot of breed restrictions and pit bull bans. It was so hard to find a place that didn't have breed restrictions (pit bull, rot, shepherds, akitas, chows). It was downright frustrating.  But eventually I found a place.  I really hope the breed bans are lifted. Every dog should be judged individually, not as a breed. 

Here's some pics





She dogs have dog reactivity (not aggression), she gets scared and barks at other dogs if they aren't behind a fence or inside a house. I'm taking her to see a trainer though and we are working on it.

Last edited on 2017-07-16 at 19:11:09 by ✎ Jezarae

She's sooo cute!!

Also, Spider Monkey:: Didn't mean to ignore your tattoo. I love it! I want some tats, myself. Unfortunately, where I want them can't be done. 
I want something like this on the inside wrist, just below the palm of my right hand::


And something like this in the same place on my left::

Guess I'll just have to figure out another place to put them. 

Last edited on 2017-07-16 at 19:55:12 by Mouse

Personally I would rather deal with a pitty than a german shepherd. After working in small animal private practice for 8 years - I had more run ins with shepherds and shepherd mixes trying to eat me than I ever did with pitbulls. The pits and pit mixes were usually fine. The rare ones that were sketchy were typically not explosively so, they'd growl and let you know - you'd slap a muzzle on and get on your way. I had an experience once with a german shepherd where I was literally asked to leave the room because he was essentially hunting me. As far as bites - I've been bitten by two dogs.. they were little (west highland white and a toy poodle). The fear of Pit Bulls isn't unfounded because of the poor training/handling of horrible people - but they're definitely not the monsters people make them out to be. It's unlikely that I'll ever get another dog (I'm a cat guy) but if I did it'd be a pit or pit mix. 


As far as tattoos go. Holy hell they're addicting. I got one a year ago.. and then a second one about 3 months or so ago and now I want another one. I think eventually I'll get one on my shoulder - I just don't have a design or the money. 

Why do the images not work? :| 

tattoo one.

tattoo two.

Yes, they -were- for their gameness, and I'm sure some bloodlines still are. I've seen owners taking pride in knowing that their APBT's pedigree traces back to some well known "killer" gamedogs from the past, and I can't figure out why anyone would be proud of that.

However, as with many modern breed trustworthy quality breeders strive to breed more rounded family pets instead and I hope that none of them would breed a dog that shows severe dog aggression.

I own a molosser type breed and in the not so distant past they were all-round butcher dogs, cattle drovers, bull baiters, guard dogs, big game hunters, war dogs and gamedogs. They were direct descendants of the Roman molossus, and those guys were wardogs & arena dogs. In short, not a breed to be messed with or turn your back to. 
Now the breed is known for it's mellow temperament and for being an excellent family dog.
If you raise them right, they are amazing and loyal guard dogs. I would trust my girl with my life.

Breeds constantly evolve to meet our needs. We can only hope that good breeding and responsible ownership can help to improve the APBT's bad reputation.

I think a large part of the problem lies with owners who underestimate this breed's drive and energy level. If an intelligent an high energy breed like the APBT / Staffie / Staffie bull doesn't have it needs met it is no wonder that many of them end up as frustrated and difficult to manage.
People need to do their research before they decide on what breed they want to own.

Unfortunately, I'm from an area that is pretty big in pit-bull fighting, cock fighting, etc. which is why in a neighboring town, you are completely banned from owning one. It's gotten out of control. Obviously not the pitties fault they were brought up in that situation, but because of the strong encouragement and market for pit bull fighting here, A LOT of people fear them in my area- understandably.

With that being said, I grew up around Rottweilers as my family raised them so I totally understand the misconception that comes along with owning a breed that doesn't have the best reputation in the eyes of the public. All of our Rotties were FANTASTIC. My mom has pictures of me as a 2 year old sitting on the back of one of them having the time of my life. But one of the Rotties, Dax, whom my parents got as a 6 week old, ended up being so aggressive that they ultimately had to put him down as he was a danger to everyone. You just couldn't get near him. The struggle to even capture him in his kennel to put him to sleep was an act I wish on no one.

So take a dog like Dax who was brought up in the most kind, loving, and social environment and he ended up being horrendous and a hazard to everyone including himself.  A lot of people think that if you breed a dog properly, train it properly, etc. that they aren't at any risk of being a 'bad dog' but that's just simply not true. Any dog has the ability of being a danger to society- I have a friend whose daughter was killed by a Golden Retriever.

Unfortunately, I just don't see bully breeds ever being truly accepted in today's society.

Little fun fact, 99% of the time dogs labeled as a "pit bull" in shelters are not actually APBTs. It is incredibly hard for someone of the general public to obtain an APBT. Most dogs labeled as an APBT/pit bull are just BBMs (bull breed mixes). Staffy, American Bully, English Bulldog, etc. But as already stated APBTs are a dog aggressive breed because they were bred for dog on dog fighting after bull baiting became illegal. However, they are not at all human aggressive. When they were bred for fighting, "man biters" as they were called, were often times culled because they had to be able to pull their dog out without the dog redirecting at the person and biting them. 
Most APBTs from good breeders, bred from good lines (ie Jeep, Bolio, Mayday, Ei, etc) are still dog aggressive. Unfortunately a lot of quality (by quality I mean comes from a breeder focused on bettering the breed, keeping dogs to breed standard, etc) breeders use their dogs as game dogs (fighting dogs) still. But it is just DNA for APBTs to be dog aggressive. They have the DA gene. 

But it is a cute tattoo. If you do get it though, be sure to spell pit bull correctly as it is two words, not one ;) lol 

Oh wow okay thanks for the replies guys!! I forgot about this post!

I love pitties they are my favorite breed and to me are so beautiful. I always watch the pit bulls and parolees and think they embody the spirit of the dog. I am so jealous I can't have one though because we already have 3 dogs :( I do strongly advocate pit bulls and am a huge animal rights activist primarily for pit bulls involved in dog fighting. I just can't accept that some people could be so vile and rude. These pitties used to be the "golden retriever" of today, they were the mother dogs. So I say go or it get the tattoo. I always say punish the deed not the breed because of the high levels of discrimination. Glad to find a group of people who agree. I made a couple amateur videos I will have the links below. I will warn they are graphic but please watch and message me feed back thanks! 
1st: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rKxkU0RmQI
2nd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUBriD02xsI


Last edited on 2017-07-17 at 11:30:38 by Midnight