About a year ago we lost our beloved Duke, a brindle Boxer who was like a child to us. At first we thought it would be too painful to adopt and lose another child, but within two weeks we had rescued another canine child, a four-year-old American Staffordshire Bull Terrier, aka red-nose pit bull. We never expected to find another dog as wonderful as Duke, but now, a year later, Harley is the light of our lives. Having been a dog lover and owner/parent all my life, I have experienced many breeds and can testify that Harley is as gentle and affectionate, if not moreso, than the others, including golden retrievers. There are more than enough pit bull haters out there, so I would like to dedicate this thread to others like me who have had positive experience with this, in my humble opinion, unjustly maligned breed.
I have a retired racing greyhound and a mutt who looks like the product of a liaison between a Jack Russell and a Corgi. Never had a Staffie but know people who did, met one called Daisy who could take you down with her wagging tail. It's the owners that need to be sorted out, not the dog.
I volunteer at a local shelter, and the second-in-command owns a pitbull that looks absolutely fearsome! He is short, VERY stocky, stout, and very strong with a head that is bigger than mine and he is the sweetest, most gentle, most affectionate pooch you could ever want to meet.
What a cuddly scene you present - a 'canine child' made from solid muscle with jaws like a vice that can tear out chunks of flesh bone and sinew from its owner's children. That sounds like a jolly good idea? FFS! I hope you don't have children. 'an unjustly maligned breed' - give me ****ing strength! You doggy people really are something else!!
Having a boxer, it's hard for me to imagine having another breed. They are the goofiest and most lovable dog out there. I don't know much about pit bulls, but I do think most of their bad reputation is because of bad breeding/upbringing. The problem is figuring out which pit bull is from a good line of dogs. There are too many people raising pits for aggression, IMHO.
It all depends on How they are treated and how they are raised. They should never be trusted in any situation where they aren't under the immediate supervision of their owner.
