From: rtorres@convex.com (Randy Torres)
Subject: Re: pitbulls
Organization: CONVEX Computer Corporation, Richardson, Tx., USA
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 14:14:02 GMT
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by a user at CONVEX Computer
              Corp. The opinions expressed are those of the user and
              not necessarily those of CONVEX.

hope@thyme.jpl.nasa.gov (Sharon Hope) writes:

>In article <1992Oct4.020146.28734@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU> mw6c@curry.edschool.Virginia.EDU (May  Wang) writes:
>>I need information about pitbulls, their origin, their
>>behavior, or anything else that a future owner needs to know.
>>I'm interested in this type of dog and boxers.  Also, does
>>anyone know of a breeder for these dogs.  I can't buy and own
>>one now, but I will in the  very near future.  Thanks
>>
>>May Wang
>>Univeristy of Virginia

>To: mw6c@curry.edschool.Virginia.EDU
>Subject: Re: pitbulls
>Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
>In-Reply-To: <1992Oct4.020146.28734@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU>
>Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
>Cc: 
>Bcc: 

>There are several books out on the Pit Bull, as well as books on associated 
>breeds such as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, etc.  As keeping a Pit Bull 
>past the age of 18 months or so is a tremendous responsibility, it would
>be an excellent idea to do some thorough reading on the breed, attend some
>UKC Dog shows & talk with MANY owners who have adult, mature Pit Bulls (The
>emphasis is on adult, as they don't reach their full temperment/agressiveness
>until they are @ 18 mo or so, and many former owners who swear how nice they 
>are, find they have been stolen from them before this age by people who fight 
>them).

I agree, do your research and READ the books.  Pit Bulls are not people
aggressive.  I don't know where the 18 months come in, but a Pit Bull can
be animal aggressive at any age.  I have an 18 week old puppy that will
not tolerate other females.  However, each one of my dogs play with the
neighborhood kids.  I have photos to prove that.  My dogs do come from
performance lines, dogs like Wood's Snooty, Indian Bolio, and the famous
Eli dogs.  Each one of my dogs is vary capable.  I can never take a dog
off the leash.  I can never leave my dog unattended.  When in the yard I
use a 1/4 inch chain with swivels and bull ring around a 2 inch collar to
keep them from getting into trouble.  A dog kennel will not hold a Pit Bull
wanting to explore.  35 to 45 pound Pit Bulls can pull 4000+ pounds that
is why we use chains to keep the dogs.  Also the chains are held in the
ground by a 6 foot deep axle.  Look at the Stratton Books he gives good
descriptions on how to set this up.  I have never had a vet turn my dog
away for care.  Everybody loves my dogs, but other animals beware.
What I am trying to say is do not get a Pit Bull unless you want to
be very responsible.  Take it from me, raising a Pit Bull is harder than
raising a child, but I (myself) would have it no other way.  Call the
ADBA (American Dog Breeders Association) and ask the to give you the 
pamphlets on Pit Bulls.  Call me at home and I will give you the low down
Visit good breeders like Wildside Kennels.  In fact call them at 
704-754-8760.  They will tell you the truth.  I will not sell a dog to
a person that will not take the responsibility.  And by no means do not
use a Pit Bull as an attack dog.  They have no fear and if taught to 
attack humans they will attack harder than anything else and i guarantee 
you will find yourself with a lawsuit, in jail, or hopefully shot.

>AFTER you do all the research, I would suggest going to a university law 
>library and looking up case law on the liability that owners of pit bulls 
>face (Look into the various cases & see WHY there have been so many 
>judgements against Pit Bull owners, compare the number of cases against 
>pit bull owners with cases against owners of the other @200 breeds plus 
>mongrels owned in the US.  Then check into the size of the judgements against
>these owners, both in money and time served.)  See if you can find out the 
>answers to the questions: Which breed most often bites people?  Which breed
>most often seriously wounds or kills people?  Which breed is most often the 
>subject of a lawsuit/prosecution?  What relative percentage of the dog 
>population do these breeds represent?

All this law stuff is junk.  If you want something just get it.  All you have
to do is accept the responsiblity for the next 15 years of your life.
I would also recommend that people living in the city avoid getting a 
Pit Bull, but if you do, call it a Boxer Lab cross or something of that nature.

>Then, go to the pound & talk to 5 or 6 people who work there and ask for
>their opinion on dealing with Pit Bulls.  Ask the circumstances under which
>they took these dogs into custody & find out if the pattern of pound
>involvement with this breed is different from the other @200 breeds plus 
>mongrels owned in the US. 

Talk to humane society people and they will lie their heart out.  The humane
society is a corrupt organization.  

>Call several vets, find out what involvement their office has had with 
>pit bulls, either in treating the dogs themselves (do they put a larg number
>to sleep for other than health reasons?), or in treating other animals 
>which have been exposed to pit bulls.  Is there a higher incidence of 
>negative behavior from this breed than would be expected by the relative 
>numbers they represent?  If so, to what does the vet attribute this?  Has 
>the vet any positive experience with pit bulls?  Is there a personality
>type which makes a better owner for this type of dog?

Every Vet I have spoken to Loves Pit Bulls.  A list will follow:
Parker Animal Clinic (Wylie, TX)
Animal Hospital of University Drive (Sunrise, Fl) 305-741-3114
Animal Clinic of Richardson
etc.

>Finally, read some books on genetics, social behavior of the dog, agression, 
>etc. (Se FAQ for titles, include Pfaffenberger's New Knowledge of Dog 
>Behavior) to be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CANNOT 
>"TRAIN AWAY" traits which have been genetically selected for through many
>generations of highly selective breeding.

This is true, do not by a Pit Bull and try to train it to not want to fight
other animals.  That will never never never happen.  Any chance given, a 
Pit Bull will fight and that is a fact.  However, they will never be 
people mean.

>Good luck,
>Sharon Hope     (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels & a Newfoundland)
>hope@thyme.jpl.nasa.gov   "all opinions my own"

Sharon,
   This was a very nice article.  Sometimes research alone can make someone
change their mind and do or buy the right thing.  I agree if you really want
something there is never enough research one can do.


Randy

P.S.
I am not down on the law thing, everyone breaks the law
a little anyways.  How many times do people drive while
drinking.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs