That is sooooo true. I didn't mention Rottis since the OP was upset about a Pit Bull. Check out this link...notice 1 and 2.

Top Ten (10) Most Dangerous Dog Breeds | Pets Do

When I was longer, my family had 5 rescues at one time which eventually stayed with us furever. Two were big animals both over 150lbs each. One was a german shephard and the other was a rescued wolf from SD.
The kids of the block use to come over and play with them with us. They were trained never to bite and were loving, respectful animals.

I think the major problem is not so much the big dogs, but the inhumane owners who do not teach or train these animals to be the loving caring creatures that they could be.
That being said:
as for me, I do not trust any animals nowadays, because I don't trust any humans. I always have an eye on my dog and everything around us when we walk. I walk with a knife; sorry for the dog that starts in with my dogs, because it will be the last little ones he goes after.
All I can say is talk to your neighbors and express your concerns, then if that does not work, keep your babies close and get some pepper spray and a knife. Best of luck!

Notice #1 and 2 on all of these links.


CDC's 10 Most Dangerous Dogs List [you'll never guess which one is the most dangerous!]

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/dogbreeds.pdf (look at page 837)

Dangerous Dog Breeds

Top Ten Most Dangerous Dogs

I never know what to think about Pit Bulls, really.... it's a tough thing.

I DO believe it's all in the way you raise them because my aunt has a Pit Bull who is the kindest, sweetest dog EVER and has never hurt a fly. He's 8 years old. However, I don't trust them. Perhaps that's a bit "racist" towards the breed lol but it's how I feel. Because if by chance they get pissed off, they can KILL you. And while most of the dogs I've seen that have been nippy have been the little dogs.... they can't do nearly as much damage.

If you happen to own a pit bull (or another breed of the like) you MUST be a major alpha leader, and I mean major, lol. They must know you're in charge.

I owned a German Shepherd as a kid growing up who was not trained properly and it was such an annoyance to have her. I loved her to death, she was MY girl, slept w/ me everynight but she was just not trained right. We could never trust her around guests or kids. You never knew what she was going to do. She did bite two people who tried to come into my room. And at the age of 3, she attacked a worker who came over to our house and he legally had to call Animal Control. She had to be put to sleep. :( Devasting! But, nobody in this household trained her properly. I blame oursleves.

ALL dogs have the potential to be dangerous!! Not just rotties, dobies, pits etc. I had a rottie for 17 years, he was the biggest baby. My friend has a pit , wouldnt hurt a flea. My mom has owned pom's and westie's that would of snapped a child's nose off in a heart beat. Granted a little dog probably wouldnt kill another dog or a child however they can cause serious damage. I had a chocolate lab that as a 7 month old puppy would get loose(despite all of my effort to keep in his pen and on a leash) and terrorize my neighbor, he would literally sit outside her door and growl and bark at her. He once chased her back into her house. He would go into attack mode anytime someone would enter my yard, but he was the most lovable dog around his family. I couldnt keep him. I was petrified that he would hurt someone. Arent lab's consider one of the best family dogs??? My toy poodle hates big dogs, she will growl, snarl, barks excessivly and on a few time she has lunged at one, being the instagator. She could of easily attack the bigger dog and the bigger dog retaliate and kill her, but it wouldnt of been that dogs fault. I dont bring her with me anymore if I know there are going to big dogs around or I carry her. When she is in my arms, she is less agressive. I usually just stay away big dogs period. I have seen many times where the little dog is "trying to attack" the bigger dog.
Im not saying that pits, rotties etc dont have the tendency to attack, that is was they were bred for many years ago, to be attack dogs. So of course its in their genes and IM not real sure something like that could be "out bred" when its been done for so long.
I agree with what some of the others have said, go and talk to your neighbor see what kind of people they are and what kind of personality the dog has. You said that you already have a fenced yard and they had the dog on a leash so precautions have been made. I wouldnt leave your dogs outside alone for any period of time just to be safe.

Wow, thanks for all the replies. Lord knows I can't answer all the questions but here's a few answers:

When my girls saw the dog and ran over to the fence it took all the guy had to hold the dog back. The pit was yanking at the leash and snarling at the girls. Now, don't get me wrong. I don't think that he was snarling just cause he's a "Pit". The girls were strangers and he was protecting his owner. I understand that.

The owner doesn't look like a bad person but who can really tell about a person anymore?

I do have to give him points for keeping his dog on a leash and also keeping in not only in a fenced in yard but in a kennel.

However, I just don't trust them. I wouldn't trust a rotti or a dobbie or any other big dog either. I don't want anyone to think I'm singling the breed out but that's just what type of dog that lives next door. And you pretty much hear all kinds of bad stories about pits attacking their owners, other dogs and so on. There's really not that many horror stories about Labs, or Great Danes out there. At least I haven't heard any.

I have also checked the city's laws and codes for "aggressive" breeds and there isn't one. Just my luck!

Well, again thank you to every one that responded. I knew this was a touchy subject to talk about. But everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion.

We've lived in our home for 20 + years. Last year the home next door sold and was turned into apartments. Two days ago we looked out the side window to see one of the dowstairs neighbors with a pit. In general pits don't scare me but we have an inhome childcare and a small dog. 3 when my sister visits and he was pacing our fence line while millie was out back.

I'm calling the property manager tomorrow and ask if he's insured for pets, cause I'm thinking he's not and probably doesn't know it's there. And I have no problem pulling a john Wayne on him. The owners fault, my fault, nobodys fault, that dog comes over my 6 ft fence and hurts a child or my baby and it's dead and he'll be responsable.

I understand where you're coming from.

I also think any large dog has the potential to be dangerous and I'm always cautious when I'm walking Piper. I don't care when the owner of a large dog says " He won't hurt her." I always keep a good distance away. Years ago I had a mini poodle and my neighbor was walking by with her Alaskan Malmute without a leash. I immediately called my poodle as my neighbor is saying "He won't hurt her". He scooped her up so fast. Luckily he did drop her when my neighbor yelled to drop it. But the damage was already done. My poor baby suffered shock, puncture wounds and a collasped lung.

Here are two websites that may be helpful:

Oklahoma Dog Bite Laws : Garrett Law Office, P.C.

Oklahoma and Oklahoma City Dog Bite Laws - Atkins and Markoff

A little CHow from next door came on full attack mode at our old Lab just minding his own business in our own yard! Our Lab just looked at her like "what the heck!" I agree there can be aggressive dogs in any breed. But don't judge the dog until you talk with the owner. He may be just as upset about living next to little dogs that like to jump and bark at the fence. ;)

I own pit bulls and they can be very loving and well trained companions when raised correctly.. they can be gentle as ever and not hurt a fly... Do some research and GET TO KNOW THE OWNERS AND THE DOG BEFORE JUDGING.

And he has the dog in a Kennel? he is obviously trying all he can to be responsible.. DID IT EVER OCCUR TO YOU HE LOVES HIS DOG TOO?

I would just be extra careful with my girls.. Gucci is within close proximity of Pit Bulls they live at my home.. but he isn't around them he is strictly in the house... why? because even rough play can injur a fragile yorkie.. I definately wouldn't have a problem taking extra care and keeping him away from the neighbors dogs.. after all I keep him away from my own.

I am sorry but I have pits and I get very defensive when people start "Judging" .. my dogs love kids, other dogs, cats and birds.. as well as people. I have been raised with them my entire life and bred them. The only reason Gucci doesn't hang with them is because he's so small. You don't hear news stories about labs and great danes because the media doesn't get a kick out of broadcasting those.. But to be honest one of the most dangerous breeds is a GREAT DANE :rolleyes: as well as a Dalmation, A Husky and the list goes on...

Hope it works out for you.. but I would really consider how he feels about his dog before "Snitching him out" just to be honest. I mean there are people out there with 10 yorkies and they would be deeply hurt if their dogs were taken away because someone didn't like them. What makes a pit bull owner any different? An Irresponsible one I can understand but a law abiding one.. well to me that's different.

Just tonight while walking the kiddles they discovered a black lab......guess who barked first yah the kiddles. I am a strong believer in any dog will bite or attack if provoked. How do we really know what provokes a dog. You just have to be careful and watch your babies all the time. Make friends with the guy and get an idea how he is raising his dog. Good luck.

I know this is kinda sneaky, but it's the price we pay for our babies. Most House insurances will drop the owner for having a "potentially aggressive" dog. If someone moved into my neighborhood with a "potentially aggressive" dog...I would find out who their house insurance was through and ummmm....send an anonymous letter with pictures:rolleyes:

Keep your little Yorkie's well supervised when their out in the yard . I would not create any hassles with your neighbor .One day you may need his help in a big way. Agressive dogs are everwhere. We, as owners need to protect our beloved pets from harm. This is our own responsibility. I agree that NOT all Pits are dangerous. However, I would never tempt one with a little yorkie's either.