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Would you own a pit bull if you also had children?

Pit bulls have been known to turn on their owners as well as attack strangers. Would you feel comfortable raising your children alongside one?
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fineline
fineline
Marked as Best! October 17, 2009 04:27 AM
If you cannot be or don’t know how to be a RESPONSIBLE OWNER of a Pit Bull then DO NOT get a Pit Bull.

As with all breeds, the Pit Bull has positive and negative traits in their temperament.

First and foremost, 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.

Dog owners can't change their dog's genetics, but they do have immense control over a dog's environment and experiences via training and socialization. All responsible dog owners must train and socialize their dog to ensure a well-adjusted, friendly, safe canine companion.

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. You need to know when your dog may become aggressive and you need to have control of your dog under any circumstances. Sound like a lot of work and hassle? It is.

So, what's the payoff? The payoff is: A well-raised pit bull of proper temperament is the most loyal and loving dog in the world, bar none. This is a dog that truly LOVES people, especially children. Pits are notorious clowns, and will always make you laugh, even in spite of yourself. They are intelligent, and will often "invent" games to keep themselves amused. They seem to subsist on love and attention, and will do almost anything for a little special "loves n hugs" time. They tolerate the rough play of children, loving every minute of it, and, although poor "guard dogs" for property, they will willingly give their lives to save the people they love.
Source(s):
Positive Pitbull Awareness Society
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unwirklich
unwirklich
October 17, 2009 02:57 AM
Yes.

Pit bulls and Rottweilers a like have received a bad rap for no reason. They can have neurological issues caused by bad breeding. (The brain continues to grow while the skull does not) They also are dangerous if raised incorrectly, as any breed is.

However I wouldn't own an animal at all without knowing it's genetic line well, and raising it myself hence the dog would be just as safe for me as my children.
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peachbot
peachbot
October 17, 2009 03:45 AM
My boyfriend's family has a full litter of Pitbulls. I have never, in the entire time I lived there, between many adult Pitbulls, seen a Pit attack a stranger or turn on any of us. There is a five year old and a ten year old in the house, and there has never been an issue. The only time there was, and I hardly think it's an issue, was when the puppies were teething, and nipped the 10 year old's finger. She raised bloody hell, you would have thought the puppy gummed her throat out.

Pits and Rotts have an awful reputation because they are such strong animals, and can be cruelly trained to become powerful mauling machines.

So yes, I would raise my children among these dogs. When I was two years old, I was given a Rott puppy. I still have all my limbs and I'm not breathing out of a trach tube.
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coldrengir...
coldrengir...
October 17, 2009 04:05 AM
I agree with everyone else Pits and Rotts do have horrible reputations. It is in how they are raised and trained. With any dog if you have a younger child who is well we say an eye poker or grabs them by the tail constantly you always have the chance of them getting bit but that goes for any breed of dog. I have 3 friends with rotts and two with pits with little kids in their homes, and the dogs will actually guard the kids in the doorway of the bedrooms, check up on them, and there has never been a problem. The news always exploits stories of this pit bit this kids face off, this rott did this or that but any dog can be raised to be mean, can be trained to hurt people. I have seen Rotts be the biggest babies and so sweet and that goes for Pits too, so don't let the media influence your decison. If you are worried check out the parents of the puppy, watch them and the puppies interact with each other. You can usually tell the difference between an aggressive puppy or a sweet laid back one. I have never owned either one of these dogs and I have two pembroke welsh corgis "little dogs" and I can say I was afraid of Rotts and Pits at one time until I got to know both the breeds up close and personal. They are loveable dogs
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answer_mat...
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jkepler
jkepler
October 17, 2009 05:45 AM
No. No matter how careful I was in choosing lineage and being careful with upbringing, I just don't think it's a necessary risk. I can get a poodle with bad lineage and a mediocre upbringing and the kids would still be fine. I also simply wouldn't enjoy a pitbull anyway. If small and cute isn't what you're interested in, why not get something really unique like a great dane?
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riamaqtpie
riamaqtpie
October 17, 2009 07:06 AM
Actually I have a pit bull and I also have a baby. She turns 12 months in about two weeks. I am totally confortable with her around our dog. My baby has put her fingers in the dogs mouth and she has never been bit. Our pit bull is very well trained and has been around alot of people. I still never leave my baby alone with the dog but it does not matter what kind of dog it is no one should ever leave there kids around dogs without supervision. I think it depends on the dog. The fact that it's a pit bull does not matter to me. I think any dog has the potential to attack someone. So in my opinion it should not matter the breed.
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omicron
omicron
October 17, 2009 07:58 AM
Depends on how young the kids are.

I think having a little tyke pulling on ears and screeching high frequency squeals would aggravate any dog.
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caitw
caitw
October 17, 2009 12:24 PM
Yes. I would.

I believe, as those have stated, that it is all in the way a dog is raised. With that said, I feel as though all dog breeds can be dangerous.

Both of my sisters have pitbulls. My oldest sister adopted an abused pitbull and she is one of the friendliest dogs I have ever met! My other sister raised a pitbull since it was 8 weeks old and he is also a great dog and very gentle to my very young nephew and niece (my nephew can play a little rough with dogs sometimes).
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jillbeth
jillbeth
October 17, 2009 12:32 PM
Yes, I would. Pit bulls have an undeserved bad rep because of their association with dog fighting. It's true that they tend to be easily provoked, but a capable and responsible owner who knows how to handle dogs can train the aggressive tendencies out of them. This is just one breed among many who need their owners to act as pack leader and raise them with a firm but loving attitude. I know a well-raised pit bull and she is one of the most gentle and friendliest dogs I know.
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victoria_r...
victoria_r...
October 17, 2009 07:45 PM
Yes. I know people who have had 4 pit bulls in a row (each reached old age) and they were all charming and very people-friendly. As far as humans are concerned, the agressions are taught, not innate. A pit bull with another animal? That's another story. You would need to make sure, for instance, that you never let your kid take the dog for a walk if the neighbors have dogs it would react to, if aggression were displayed.

But they are truly wonderful, happy dogs and highly intelligent. I would definitely start with a puppy. Adoptions are iffy - you don't know what an adult dog has been subjected to. Good luck!
Source(s):
http://www.gotpetsonline.com/
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psionandy
psionandy
October 17, 2009 09:22 PM
No... and its not necessarily because they are 'demon dogs' that the media chooses to hate.

Having a dog is a responsibility. It takes time, energy and love to keep them. And with a young child those resources are going to need to be diverted to the child. Many dogs will get jealous at this point and as a parent that means I'm going to have to worry about conflicts between the child and the dog.

In addition, there is a fair amount of muscle and determination in a pitt bull... Whilst an angry Chihuahua could injure my child, I would have more time to wade in and separate the pair. With a Pitt Bull type dog I wouldn't have that chance at all...

I like dogs, I have friends and family who keep them, but with a young child in the home I don't think its safe for the child or fair to the dog.

When the children are at an older age a dog becomes a good idea. But even then Id be careful about the type of dog it is.
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sylviemac
sylviemac
October 17, 2009 10:04 PM
I lived for many years in an area of the south where Pit Bulls were very common family pets, and I've had one of my own. I would definitely have one as a pet even if I had children (mine were grown when I had my dog). But there are two conditions that would be important for me. The dog would have to come from a respected breeder who bred for gentleness rathe than fighting ability. And I would only have a female. In my experience with both dogs and cats, females are safer around children because of their protective instinct, and because they're less likely to want to fight.
Source(s):
Personal experience
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xds
xds
October 17, 2009 10:54 PM
I might. Now I might not necessarily keep him or her in the same room with YOUNG children however.

Pits have definitely been given a bad rap. However you wouldn't put a lion or a tiger near a young child either, but then again Steve Irwin had crocodiles and tigers around his young daughter almost all of the time.

Growing up in the states I can't help but remember when a jaguar escaped from a zoo nearby my house making its way threw my neighborhood and into our enclosed back yard one day.

I was only very young at the time, however It must have scared my mother senseless.
I came within 50 feet of this black cat. And to tell you the truth I bet the beast was more afraid of me , my family and our 9 foot in ground swimming pool (That was drained at the time) , than we where of it.

Getting back to your question, i'm definitely going to have to side with logic however.

Its much better to be safe than sorry. Especially with our most valuable assets . ( Our children )

You gotta think sensible.

Keep your kids away from large dogs and wild animals. Think of the torture those poor beasts could go threw.

Kind Regards,
@XDS
Source(s):
Childhood.
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happycabba...
happycabba...
October 19, 2009 01:31 AM
yes! not quite in the same league, i know, but still thought of as being highly aggressive dogs, as a small toddler my parents had a large doberman. sweetest thing ever. and my babysitter growing up raised dobermans also. it truly is about how the dog itself is raised.
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roxy101
roxy101
October 21, 2009 03:46 PM
yes i would becuse all the bad ones are the one some one picked on or treated rong and those are the ones that atacck and i own one and i have a lil sis and a older bro and me 6 10 14 and this wonderful; dogie has done nothing to us
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