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From: larry@anasazi.UUCP (Larry Rodis)
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Re: Re: Pit Bull Terriers
Message-ID: <226@anasazi.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 26-Jun-85 13:17:22 EDT
Article-I.D.: anasazi.226
Posted: Wed Jun 26 13:17:22 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 30-Jun-85 02:42:29 EDT
References: <2847@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: Anasazi, Phoenix Az.
Lines: 51

> Having listened to the discussion on pit bull terriers for the past few 
> days, I finally had to write and add my comments.
> 
> I worked for a veterinarian for ten years, and in regard to the vices 
> and virtues of different breeds, I think that anyone who has been around
> dogs long enough can relate stories about "lovable" dogs attacking 
> owners, neighbors, children, and other dogs (for no apparent reason).
> 

> You asked why pit bulls are not used by police as "attack dogs".  That 
> is because dobes and shepards have been bred for police use...they give
> a good scare but seldom attack unless told to do so, they can also be 
> called back.   Pit bulls were originally bred to fight to the death, and 
> in this case, once they attack I should think it would be very difficult 
> to stop the attack with simple commands.

> Linda

First things first Pit Bulls are known as either Stratfordshire Bull Terriers
or American Stratfordshire Bull Terriers and they were not originally bred for
fighting but for the now illegal sport of Bull Baiting.  After demonstrating
their prowress at this they started to be used in dog fights.

My girlfriend (a vet tech.) and I are owners of a pit bull and she has never
attacked another dog or any animal unless the other animal has provoked
her and then I was able to call her off.  My feelings on pit bulls are they
are great dogs but not for everybody.  They really need to be trained by/with
someone who is an expert handler and during training must be delt with very
firmly.   I know personally of people who have had their pit bulls guard dog
trained and they have worked out very well. However, with pitbulls you
should definitly not have them guard dog trained until they are at least 1 1/2
years old as when thety start to mature they get more protective.  Now to
leave you with a true story about pit bulls:

   An owner of a large warehouse had a bitbull guard dog trained and would
leave him at the warehouse to guard the place. A police officer received 
a call about a possible breakin at a warehouse next to the one the pitbull
was guarding but mistakingly went into the wrong building. Well the pitbull
found the cop and forced him up against the wall and kept him there until
the owner showed up.(He had also had an alarm system)  Well besides forcing
the cop against the wall every time the cop tried to pull his gun out the
dog would push his muzzle into the cops gut until the cop would take his hand
away from the gun.


-- 
Larry Rodis

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