I appreciate and understand people's concern about whether to own a Pit Bull. Much of the concern generated about Pitts comes from the media. For those of you who have personally had a bad experience, I am so sorry.
My immediate reaction is to wish that I could have a talk with the owner of those dogs.
Remember "The Little Rascals" Petey, the dog on the little rascals was a pit bull and if you look at family pictures that were taken in that era, even right here in St. Louis you will see a family dog in many pictures. Many of them were pitbulls.
Below I have provided two very informative links.
My fondness for them started in 2003 when I rescued a three year old female who was left with my then niece-in-law.
The dog was pregnant and too far along to do anything about. She came to full
term and had 11 puppies.
When they were old enough, because I bartered often with our vet, I had
all of them and the mother fixed. (HER name is Cocoa, by the way)
I placed ads and sold 6 over a course of 3 months or so. I only charged enough to cover thier vet bills and to ensure they were going to good homes. During that time I can't tell you how many calls we recieved from people who wanted to buy one to breed and you could also tell in some of the calls that there was interest in the caller getting one to fight it. I developed an application process that illiminated most of those people.
By then, I had become so fond of the pups themselves and the overall attitude of this breed that I decided, since I didn't have kids of my own, I could afford dog food. I kept the rest of them.
I lived in a newer subdivision in Arnold, Missouri in a 1200 square foot home with a walk-out basement and a fenced yard.
From the time I decided to take that path, I set out to completely socialize them. One
of the neighbors daughters came up and took them for walks. Other of the neighbors kids and even the neighbors would come up and see them.
One of the ladies had a bad experience with a dog when she was young and she was afraid of dogs all of her life. She also used to come up and visit. One day she finally asked me what kind of dogs they were. I told her. She was totally amazed and said that she would have NEVER guessed that they were pitts. Then she told me of her experience when she was younger.
I am thankful that the good Lord blessed me with the ability to deal with animals. The Bible says that we were given dominion over the animals. I have found no place where He has rescinded that.
Coincidentally, if we don't TAKE dominion over our animal (similar to raising a child) then we don't get the luxury of enjoying that dominion.
If we just let the animals BE animals or let our children run wild, I believe we ultimately sow what we reap.
I said that I have 4 dogs, They are all pure bred pit bulls. I did not get the fortune of getting any of thier papers.
Cocoa, the mother and Missy and Zappe, two of her pups, and Buddy who I got from freecycle http://freecycle.org/ I got "Buddy" from a lady who bred pit bulls. He was one of her stud dogs. She said that with the number of Pitts in the shelters, she couldn't get decent money anymore from pitts.
I haven't been able to afford to get him fixed. That is somewhat OK because I have had the opportunity to experience and observe whether getting one fixed as opposed to not has any effect on thier behavior.
I think Buddy (I almost renamed him "Bumpy" because he listens, but before complying, he "bumps" me as if to say, "I HEAR you and I'll DO it, but I don't neccessarily AGREE"!) would still be the agitator and catalyst he continues to be even if he WERE fixed!
Here are two links that should help you understand the Pit Bull breed a little better:
Pit Bulls Kick Butt on The American Temperament Test Society's Tests
http://www.pitbulllovers.com/pit-bulls-and-human-aggression.html
and
Ten Facts About Pit Bulls Every One Should Know
http://www.pitbulllovers.com/pit-bulls-ten-things-you-should-know.html
God Bless,
Keith