Or the opposite. I have had 2 rescues that have been amazing. The second has been a ton of work but it’s well worth it because he is one of the most loving and affectionate dogs I have ever met. I also believe that not just anyone should own a bully breed (or many other breeds of dogs for that matter).
In my neighborhood, it’s 2 Golden’s that are always running free and wreaking havoc on other dogs and people. Meanwhile we have the ‘dangerous one’ because he is a pit. Our dog is not permitted outside the house without supervision and a lead if we’re outside the fence (still supervised in the fenced in area). The one time he got out I yelled ‘heel’ and he came right back. Meanwhile, the goldens chase us (and most other residents) into our own yard while the own stands still from his garage just yelling at them but the goldens don’t care. They just bark and snarl and encroach in our (and others) yard.
I argue it’s the opposite of selfish. Giving time, money, and resources to care and save an animal that was abandoned doesn’t exactly seem selfish.
I’m all for rescuing as many dogs as we can as a society (regardless of breed), but serious thought and planning needs to be in place as there are a lot of incapable people out there.
It’s a statistics thing. Sure training has a lot to do with it, but these were dogs bred to be aggressive and thus are more likely to be aggressive, with equal training. On top of that, they were bred to be big and strong. So when they do attack, they can do a lot more damage.
It’s a dangerous combo. Yes I’ve known some super sweet ones. But there are so many other god breeds out there that score high on human compatibility and sociability with other dogs…the question is why even get higher risk dogs?
Statistically the breed is misidentified as well leading to many ‘pitbull’ attacks not being actual pitbulls. Again, I’m not saying they’re not dangerous or that just anyone should own one but they should be treated like any other dog of their ilk. Rotts, German Shepards, Cane Corsos, Dobermanns, all are capable of massive damage but there aren’t nearly as many of those in need of a good home and good guidance. The problem is there are SO MANY pitbulls. By adopting one, I’m helping save a life since they are killed in shelters so much earlier than other breeds. Just like I’m not having kids and if I change my mind one day, I’ll adopt. I can adopt a dog that is at-risk and turn around their life, why wouldn’t I?
Not yet but the neighbors German shepherd did bite our late dog’s noise and cause a laceration when they were first getting introduced. I don’t blame the dog. They had just rescued it and still needed socialization (our dog was just fine and it was a controlled environment).
I also have been bitten by a German shepherd that was a family’s dog. That one actually needed stitches. But again, it was a rescue and had a terrible temperament. They had the dog for a while but it was terribly trained and they shouldn’t have had the dog as they couldn’t control it.
Our neighbor’s dog is so sweet and just needed some work. I’m not sure what happened to the other dog but I didn’t want to press chargers or anything. It’s just a dog that needed cared for by someone capable.
Despite having bad experiences with German shepherds, I would never say it’s a problem with the breed. That’s just prejudice and ignorant.
