When we got our Amstaff we went with a breeder who had titled, champion parents that had also been temperament tested by the American Temperament Test Society and also had their Canine Good Citizen from the AKC. A dog without those certs may have been a very nice dog too, but that’s evidence of “this dog has a good temperament and disposition to pass on to progeny”. You couldn’t GIVE me offspring from two aggressive parents. I might be able to nurture that behavior out, or the pup could inherit it regardless of what I wanted to do about it.

Short reply: I agree with you.

A dog’s intended purpose may make it “special needs” (for example a herding type dog will go neurotic if someone is stupid enough to think it’s an “inside dog”) and unsuitable for certain types of owners, but I have a VERY difficult time believing that ANY breed of dog is inherently aggressive.

Prone to aggressive behavior based on the parents, yes. Dispositioned to aggressive behavior based on upbringing by the owner, absolutely. Aggressive simply because it’s a German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Akita, Chihuahua, Golden Retriever, American Staffordshire Terrier or Cocker Spaniel? Not so much.

I don’t care if it’s a golden retriever, ANY dog is dangerous in the hands of an irresponsible asshat.

The most common factors in dog attacks are the status of the dog (resident vs. family), the reproductive status of the dog (altered vs. unaltered) and the age of the victim. Children from 1 day to 12 years are most likely to get attacked while teenagers are almost never attacked.

Approzimately 2 dozen people will die annually from a dog bite related fatality.

250 children under the age of five will drown in a swimming pool in the same year.

The most unfortunate part (and I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before) is that people who are attacked/killed by dogs that are NOT Pit Bulls get minimized because the media only cares about Pit Bull attacks.

People need to stop being retarded about dogs. Dogs (of any breed) don’t just randomly snap and kill someone. Two pit bulls attacked and killed a six year old child. What you DON’T hear about in the news is that the two dogs had been abandoned in a basement for two weeks and ate rat poison (including the box) trying to survive after their owner died. Yeah…couldn’t see that one coming.

And all the fucktards getting the BSL set up are doing it based on media reports, which don’t necessarily represent reality. Letting the media have control of giving unbiased reporting is like asking the Senate to be fair when giving themselves raises. Ain’t gonna happen.

Go to the National Canine Research Council’s web site and read the Pit Bull Placebo by Karen Delise, partake of their final end of year dog bite related fatality reports and educate yourself on the media diarrhea infecting general society against Pit Bulls.

For your reading enjoyment:

http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/uploaded_files/tinymce/2009%20Final%20Report%20DBRF.pdf

Just out of my own curiosity, how many of these other fatalities did you hear about in the news? I’m willing to bet none.

Also for your education and enjoyment: http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dogbites/the-problems-with-dog-bite-studies/

I also highly recommend the Pit Bull placebo by Karen Delise, found here:

http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/uploaded_files/publications/230603563_Pit%20Bull%20Placebo.pdf

Unfortunately when reading this you may have to let go of the ideas planted in your head and actually be open minded that maybe, just MAYBE the media doesn’t evenly report attacks by breeds other than Pit Bulls.

I personally find Chihuahuas to be aggressive little bastards – one of them actually bit my Pit Bull. The Pit Bull did nothing but my Golden Retriever beat the shit out of the Chihuahua. Holy shit, where did the stereotypes go?! I think the fabric of the universe may have unwound a little bit that day…

As the popularity of ANY breed increases, unsuitable owners obtain that breed. When unsuitable owners for ANY breed increase, so do the number of attacks by that breed.

I REALLY hope that you don’t think because this loyal, devoted, intelligent and tenacious breed has been demonized by the media and ignorant people with false information that you believe Michael Vick shouldn’t be punished more severely for what he did.