For every function of a Pitbull there are other breeds that fill that function better, except perhaps for fighting.
I have to disagree with your last statement. The Dogo Argentino is a much more powerful, agile, and adapted fighter. This dog is found down south because of it's ability to hunt and kill big game such as wild boars.
But as far as the pitbull debate goes... I believe that it's the people that should have never owned them that gave them the reputation they currently have. Vick wasn't the start of it all unfortunately. DMX was also involved in dog fighting, and Coolio was the breeder of the dogs that he fought.
Growing up, I knew no one that had pitbulls. I grew up with a basset hound all my life.. but when I was 15, my dad ended up buying a pitbull puppy from someone, and that was my first pitbull exposure. He's a good dog, but I really had to stress the importance of getting him neutered, and 7 years later, they finally did. I can say that my parent shouldn't own a pitbull. The dog doesn't understand that they are in charge because they baby him. He's extremely dog aggressive, and he doesn't like strangers. Should he be put down? I don't think so, but if my parents didn't live in the remote country side, I would think differently.
I'm 21 years old now, and I proudly own 3 "pitbulls"- 1 Staffordshire terrier, 1 english mastiff/apbt, 1 apbt.
When I was 18, I met my now fiance, and our first dog was something we really wanted to think about. We looked into all different kinds of dogs, and after dismissing the dalmatian because of health issues, the pitbull was next on the list. We drove 2 hours to pick her up @ 8 weeks, and when she threw up on me in the car, I knew she was a keeper. lol.
After getting her, and starting my full time job, we decided that she needed someone there when we were not. So we bought our staffordshire. They are only a few months apart in age. Then, I found the mastiff mix on craigslist on my b-day.. I went to go check him out, and I quickly realized that he was a fight dog in training no longer wanted because he was too docile. So, I had 3 pups to house break at the same time. lol.
I decided that rescue was what I wanted to do for this breed. I at 1 point had 5 pits. In 1 year, I rescued and successfully rehomed 23 pitbulls. They were all fixed, and UTD on shots, as well as screened for animal/people/child aggression/fear. I offer free dog sitting as well. I then received a very sick puppy who battled an immune deficiency/skin issue and so my rescue was cut short to focus on a dog in medical need. I sadly had to have him euthanized yesterday after a 2 year fight.
I love pitbulls. I love mutts. I love dogs. Would I own a poodle? No. Would I talk bad about poodles? No.
I don't like to give any dog reputation that isn't true. Yes, pitbulls can be aggressive. They can hurt people. They can kill people. But any dog is capable of this. So, is it right to just stereotype pitbulls? No. Is my post, or a youtube video going to stop that? No.
So, when people have an opinion the only thing as pitbulls owners that we should be doing is educating them on the facts, and proving those stereotypes wrong. This doesn't mean jumping down people's throats just because they don't like dog you choose to keep.
) and I honestly have never seen more well behaved dogs in my entire life. You can ring the doorbell 2000 times and you will NEVER hear a peep out of them, they are introduced to new people all the time and you would think they had known them their whole lives. The first time I met them within the minute it took me to walk from the front door to the couch they had already decided I was their new best friend and I sat down and they both jumped up on the couch and just laid on top of me. They are just big ole' teddy bears.
