Kilroy wrote:Labs can be extremely high strung and unpredictable... Them and Golden Retrievers have some of the statistically higher rates of attacks... This probably has a lot to do with their popularity, over-breeding and what not...
That said, I've been attacked by a pit bull and have seen them attack people and animals... This is not simply a bad reputation. If there is a such thing as an aggressive breed, Pit Bulls would have to fit into that category... Along with Rottweilers, etc...
They were specifically and selectively bred for aggression and strength. And many of them you see in these rescue shows etc were specifically chosen for those traits as puppies and then abandoned when not useful anymore... Many of those dogs are ticking time bombs... I've seen the results.
Frankly I find the 'misunderstood breed' narrative that seems to permeate the media about pit bulls to be dishonest and dangerous. I don't believe they should be outlawed and put to sleep like some of the nut jobs, but I think you need to go into ownership with your eyes wide open and be ready to make the tough call if they show any signs of aggression. Also... Obedience training should be mandatory for some breeds.
Spot on about some labs and golden retrievers.
As for pitbulls I respectively disagree. Majority of that unsuspected behavior completely relies on the owner. Too many people treat these guys like mini tigers when it completely relies on the owner to mature their temperament. I wouldn't doubt for one second Kilroy that the pitbull who attacked you could of been a rescue from a previous bad owner. Or simply just raised by a bad and irresponsible breeder.
The pitbull breed is the most bred dog in the world. An unfortunately over 75% of the owners or breeders of pitbulls in the world use this misunderstood dog for the wrong reasons.
Pitbulls being unpredictable and having lock jaws is completely a myth. Being unpredictable can be any dog if their not trained correctly. An no they do not have lock jaws while actually the Rottweiler has the strongest jaw/bite force.
I'm sorry man but they do have a bad reputation. Simply claiming that the entire breed of pitbulls is aggressive and unpredictable(ticking timebombs) is ignorant. My 85 pound, 8 month old pitbull Kobe is the complete opposite of that. Dude sleeps in bed with my son every single night. Never bit or attacked a single dog once. He'll do the occasional wrestle with no nipping and he loves to play tag and chase. He's also completed the puppy beginner, intermediate, and "no pull walk with the leash" classes. He's basically two classes away from being a California Certified Service Dog. Where yes he can come with me anywhere legally. I'm debating getting that done as the advance classes are pretty expensive and I'm super happy with his development thus far. An to make it even more amazing he's not even neutered yet!
It's all about the owner not the dog. It's not their faults they got the smarts, speed, tenacity of a terrier and the superior muscle structure and athleticism of a boxer basically labeled as a "Super Dog".
They scored #2 as far as having the most tolerant temperament.

An IMO I feel they're the very best at #1 if their trained and exercised correctly.
With all that said I'm not in denial and blind to the obvious. I know this could be the most dangerous dog if their brought up in a evil lifestyle. An if their brought up with a positive upbringing it's the complete opposite. They become the most loyal and obedient dogs of all time.
I can't stress enough about how it's all about the owner. An irresponsible doesn't necessarily mean there fighting them or beating them up, it could mean there not giving them excerise or training. And when that becomes the case any dog becomes a wild beast.