Originally Posted by BobbiB (Post 4484645)

FYI...I'd bring a Pit into my house with Shelly, and feel waaaaay safer than bringing another small breed. A small breed is more likely to dominate, a Pit brought up with him would love and teach him...from EXPERIENCE, not hearsay...I know this.

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly (Post 4484647)

I can't say I don't admire your passion for this special breed because I do. They are wonderful dogs most of the time and only a few of them present problems to others but the problems are ghastly when they do occur. But keeping on denying the harm some of this breed can do to people and their beloved pets moreso than other breed types is not helping improve the breed - it just turns people off. Acknowledging the real problems the breed has and working to somehow stop some of the fighting dog breeders by promoting long jail sentences plus working to encourage owners of the dogs to work hard on training and controlling the dogs and repeatedly contacting our legislators to make laws that require harsher sentences for bad owners who allow their dangerous dogs to hurt innocent people/pets are the only thing that might begin to turn the bad rap they have around.

People like me didn't create this problem and calling us bullies doesn't help the bully-breed's cause, the breeders of pitfighters and very bad owners do. Go spend your wrath on them.

The same thing happened with the Doberman. Years back they were known as dangerous attack dogs but those that loved the breed recognized it was in trouble, began to work to change the temperament of the breed and now they have lost their bad reputation because they don't attack anywhere near as much as they used to do and generally make lovely pets.

And if you ask any policeman, EMT or Animal Control officer and as a lover of the bully-type of dog, I have, they say the dogs who they and their brother officers have to respond to the most emergency calls for from attacks, bites, maimings and killings more than other breed types are the bully breeds, specifically the pitbull - as cops, EMT's and AC officers are not very PC - they just tell you like it is.

The three times I checked with our AC as to what type dogs are most often turned into them or abandoned on our streets, they responded that pitbulls are. Not Yorkies or other small dogs with small-dog syndrome.

Pitbulls are the most cruelly treated breed out there and who treats them this way? Their irresponsible breeders, disgraceful pit-fighters of the breed and far too many of their "loving" owners. I adore the pitbull but I recognize it has a big problem that needs people to work together to fix.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 4484650)

I would hope with any breed it would depend on the temperament of the dog more then breed. I suggest with ANY larger breed dog though that when no one is around the small dog and large dog be separated because any large dog can hurt a small dog especially on accident.

Originally Posted by BobbiB (Post 4484649)

You using "pit mixes" as a reference, (sorry to say because I really do like you) is asinine. Mixed breeds?? Really?? Easily 75% are pit or lab mixes according to shelters. That s**t is laughable, at best, and you know it.

I challenge you to do a google search of "Pit Bull Attacks, mistaken identity" and get back to me. Most of the media bull that is shoved down the publics throat about pits is just that...bull.

Then, look up German Shepherds in the 80s, Rottweillers in the 90s....and tell me, honestly, that there isn't always a breed that society poos on. It's crap. Stereotypical, blame someone for human incompetence crap....

Be thankful that you love a small breed...society loves them, even when they are bites, mean little ****ers. I had to CHANGE. My love because of stereotypes, and that blows monkey nuts, and I have every right to be upset by ignorance.

Originally Posted by BobbiB (Post 4484652)

Have you really not yet recognized that I am quite knowledgeable about canines in general? Again, I like you,I really do, but sometimes I feel like you talk to me like I'm an idiot...lol.

I assure you, I'm not. Generally speaking, large dogs have more stable temperaments. Fact, not opinion. Small dogs are known for their attitudes, which isn't guaranteed, but pretty prevalent. Accidents are more likely with large dog/small dog relationships. Aggression is more likely with small dog / small dog. Feel free to look it up :)

Originally Posted by BobbiB (Post 4484651)

Can you truthfully deny that this is because of sheer numbers?

I'm asking because, yes...you hear more pit reports...but there are also much, much larger numbers that own pits. Logically...more own = more abuse.

So why are we, as people, okay with this stereotype against the BREED? It's NOT the breed...it's the statistically lower number of s**theads that own them. Put THEM in jail, and stop using the breed as an "example". It hurts the breed, not the scumbags who mistreat the breed.

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly (Post 4484564)

My son had to try to part two pitties who had locked jaws on one another(meaning neither would give up his hold despite two men over them yelling, pulling/hitting them, trying to get their feet from under them) and continued to sustain their holds, wouldn't let go no matter what and only by lifting up on the collar and cutting off the airway of the one he was straddling did that dog finally let go of the other dog who another man was trying to control and finally did, using the same method my son used. These two, burly, strong, pitbull-savvy men in that dog rehab facility couldn't separate them without extraordinary means and Danny said it took over three long minutes from the time he got there to the fight, which had been going on for about 30 seconds before they could secure the dogs they were working with and get to the fighting dogs and then the other guy joined in for them to finally part them. They both had to go right to the vet for treatment.

What difference to the victim is it whether the dog's jaw would lock itself by some mechanism that doesn't exist or he won't let go by sheer force of will and determination - the latter of which seems worse to me? The truth is, once you are in the jaws of a highly aroused, vicious bully-type dog, it can take an enormous effort to get him to let go of his prey.

The fact exists that there are far too many pitbulls who can behave viciously when their prey-drive is aroused right along with so many others that are truly wonderful babies who are as gentle as kittens.

Originally Posted by gemy (Post 4484571)

Jeanie I know in protection training, that I observed, the trainers teach the dogs to hold onto that sleeve that they wear. There are studies somewhere that measured the biting power or crushing power of different breeds, and pitbulls were right up there, along with many *mastiff* type breeds.

Magic could easily crush a human tibia bone, and maybe even a femur bone - but god be willing - I will never actually know that for sure.

Originally Posted by chachi (Post 4484585)

Here is my take on pits and other large prey driven dogs. I know there can be trained well behaved pitts because of the show pit bulls and paroles on animal planet. Those arent the kind of pits I encounter out on walks and in neighborhoods. The ones I encounter bark angrily and try there best to get to us to attack us on walks. They are not trained and they want to hurt me and my little dogs that are just minding their own business. For this reason I will never trust a pitt with my dogs or I would never trust them around my child. I may have a prejudice but it is based off of experience and not ignorance.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 4484611)

I think there are some dogs probably in all breeds that can't be rehabilitated and I feel so very bad for them because it's not there faults it's humans faults :(

Originally Posted by gemy (Post 4484613)

We have wandered a bit from the original intent of this thread, which was actually to encourage all to train their Yorkies. And yes I have read studies, not Yorkie specific but always in the top 3 reasons for owner surrender, is behaviour problems.... That encompasses, not housebroken, growling, snarling snapping, biting, non stop barking etc.

And for the most part it is the owners fault, afterall they need to train their dogs, big or small. There is a very very small percentage of dogs,maybe 1 or 2% that somehow were born with their minds wired differently. I know my gal Zoey was one such dog.

Originally Posted by BobbiB (Post 4484644)

No...people who aren't breed advocates don't see offense. Those that are DO. And nothing I can say will change others' views....but when multiple people use pits as an "example", that is exactly what they are doing. Giving others to go on. If you don't have one, if you don't go to the events, if you've never been FORCED to give an innocent pit up, then, no, you WON'T see the negative. If you've EVER lived it, you get it.

Have YOU ever had to give up a dog because of popular OPINION? Because I have, and it sucks. And when people use them as an example, it hits a nerve when you've been forced to put down an innocent family member, not because of guilt, but because of perception. These posts, using pits as "comparison" put a breed I love and advocate at risk, even if some don't think so.

Originally Posted by R-Teddy (Post 4485025)

I respect your feelings and dont blame you. but the only thing I have to say is that is not the dogs fault, but the owners.