Just found this and thought it would be a great thing to post...

I haven't put it in the debate section which is already going, I just wanted to explore the breed group a little.

Make sure you read the breed facts - it explains there why pit bulls weren't bred for human aggression - and is quite fascinating to read. Then there's a game to play where you can 'find the APBT'

http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Findthebull/findpitbull_v3.html

edit - EEEK just had another look and thought I better post again...

The site says something about staffs and amstaffs being pit bulls. They're not - they're of 'pit bull type' which means they look like the 'pit bull type'.

Which is why staffies are having such a hard time at the moment with people thinking they are pit bulls or pit bull crosses...

if you want to know what a pit bull is, look for:

sloping forehead, agressive nature, shortish legs, drooling and glazed look.....

if the owner has these traits chances are their dog is a pit bull

I was under the impression that what defined the banned 'breed' was the almost completely absent pain reception - well that was what was mooted in 1991, but we like to have short memories when it suits the gutter press circulation figures :roll:

Thanks for that Strix - I actually didn't know that... I was under the impression it was due to an APBT being able to lock it's jaws, which differentiates it from it's cousins such as the amstaff and staffy because they are strong, but can't actually 'lock' their jaws.

But perhaps, the almost absent pain reception is why an APBT can lock it's jaw...

thanks though - I wasn't entirely sure of their reasoning behind it.

I'm just dredging this up from memory of the time - I'm sure there is FAR more supposed information available online to define them retrospectively :mad:

Thanks for that Strix - I actually didn't know that... I was under the impression it was due to an APBT being able to lock it's jaws, which differentiates it from it's cousins such as the amstaff and staffy because they are strong, but can't actually 'lock' their jaws.

But perhaps, the almost absent pain reception is why an APBT can lock it's jaw...

thanks though - I wasn't entirely sure of their reasoning behind it.
i am sure staffies can lock jaws, i may be wrong but jack is staffi cross and he can lock his jaw! its very unfair in a tug or war with him and sandy and ends up with sandy half dead on the floor gasping for breath as he has usually just spent about hour trying to get the rope off jack!

EDIT TO ADD: just found this...
A Pit Bull does not lock its jaw as do other dogs, but it lower jaw scissors back and forth to rend flesh from the bone.

I lot of feirce opposition in countries where laws have been introduced to destroy pitbulls. I feel for the vast majority over in places like Australia who have owned them as loving pets who now suffer because of the irrisponsible few . We humans made the pitbull what he is!

Read it and weep:

T'was the night before Christmas
And the shelter is dark,
The whole place is silent,
Not even a bark.


The dogs are all locked in their pens for the night, The staff has gone home and turned out the light.


As I lay my head down on the cold concrete floor, I fondly recall my home from before.


The family I loved, who loved me right back, We'd share everything -- from secret to snack.


Things couldn't be better this time last year, But that has all changed and now I am here.


I won't see the tree, the lights, or the snow, I'm scared and alone, my spirits are low.


The others like me weren't put up for adoption, A new family and home, for us isn't an option.


We've been locked up in cells as if we were crooks, We don't deserve homes because of our looks.


Not Diesel, or Bingo, or the young one named Percy, deserve to be loved nor shown any mercy.


While families celebrate holiday cheer,
I know in my heart that my end is near.


The vet will arrive, the lights will go on,
By the time you awake, we all will be gone.


A stranger will come and take me away,
I'll never wake to see a new day.


As I close my eyes I'll shed you a tear,
The fondest of memories I'll always keep near.


The only thing I've ever asked of Santa Claus, Is to stop all these unfair and ridiculous laws.


You said without me, your life was not full, So why does it matter that I'm a "pit bull"?


In my dreams Santa shouts when he's finished his deed,


"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL,


REGARDLESS OF BREED!"

I lot of feirce opposition in countries where laws have been introduced to destroy pitbulls. I feel for the vast majority over in places like Australia who have owned them as loving pets who now suffer because of the irrisponsible few . We humans made the pitbull what he is!

Read it and weep:

T'was the night before Christmas
And the shelter is dark,
The whole place is silent,
Not even a bark.


The dogs are all locked in their pens for the night, The staff has gone home and turned out the light.


As I lay my head down on the cold concrete floor, I fondly recall my home from before.


The family I loved, who loved me right back, We'd share everything -- from secret to snack.


Things couldn't be better this time last year, But that has all changed and now I am here.


I won't see the tree, the lights, or the snow, I'm scared and alone, my spirits are low.


The others like me weren't put up for adoption, A new family and home, for us isn't an option.


We've been locked up in cells as if we were crooks, We don't deserve homes because of our looks.


Not Diesel, or Bingo, or the young one named Percy, deserve to be loved nor shown any mercy.


While families celebrate holiday cheer,
I know in my heart that my end is near.


The vet will arrive, the lights will go on,
By the time you awake, we all will be gone.


A stranger will come and take me away,
I'll never wake to see a new day.


As I close my eyes I'll shed you a tear,
The fondest of memories I'll always keep near.


The only thing I've ever asked of Santa Claus, Is to stop all these unfair and ridiculous laws.


You said without me, your life was not full, So why does it matter that I'm a "pit bull"?


In my dreams Santa shouts when he's finished his deed,


"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL,


REGARDLESS OF BREED!"

I'm going to have to stop reading these pet group poems, I'm going to be an emotional wreck by the time you've all finished.

aww black velvet that's so lovely... like scoop though, I'll be an emotional wreck...

I agree with you whole heartedly they were bred for strength not aggression and it's only stupid, irresponsible people who have made the situation what it is.

These dogs are being used for fighting throughout the country - thats why they are being bred with this type of temprament - the fighting goes hand in hand with the drugs.
Sick people - will always do sick things. The police and the councils have got to realise that by allowing these dogs to be bred - they are condoning this cruel evil spectator and gambling sport.

I hate all this headline stuff - owners of these bull type dogs (and i have 4 of them), are so upset as they know that with responsible ownership these dogs are brilliant. So - lets teach people how to control the dogs they have - and get all the bull things neutered - then restrict their breeding with both the kennel club and checking advert papers and sites - to enforce this breeding is reduced.

By the very nature of the bull breed - they clamp on and don't let go - but i have seen a mans face that was ripped to pieces with a yorky and it looked like he had been thrown through a car window. Rules can't be put in place for everything.

the link kind of blows the myth that they are 'devil dogs' eh? Particularly the part about them being used in nursing homes?

....if only would could put the evil scum who use such beautiful dogs for their own twisted means,to sleep instead? :mad:

well said both rainrescue and gnomi. I agree with everything said. It is entirely how they are bred and brought up.
Unfortunately it's the idiots with things to compensate for that get big dogs and don't train them or care for them responsibly...

dont put the tissues away yet:cry: :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2Qlw3pzWv4&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHfOksXbpGU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxLOymrMHHU&mode=related&search=

dont put the tissues away yet:cry: :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2Qlw3pzWv4&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHfOksXbpGU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxLOymrMHHU&mode=related&search=


You're right Blackvelvet-this whole issue is soooo sad. The dogs in these clips are truely beautiful,and,i think,are representative of all bull type breeds-loyal and protective and so good with their best friends-people.
*sigh*

A quick question that arose in my mind after watching the clips - why do so many of those dogs have cropped ears? Surely if they care for the animal's welfare they would not even consider doing this? Or are there reasons other than cosmetic (limiting ear infection perhaps) that induce the owners to engage in this unecessary surgery that merely reinforces the breed stereotype?

ear cropping is an entirely different thing. It's illegal as far as I know, in the UK but not in America.

It was originally done to fighting/guarding breeds to prevent damage to the ears during an attack and make them better at their job.
It's much harder for an intruder to grab a cropped ear to hold the dog out of the way, than to grab a full ear.

Unfortunately people often don't realise the amount of after care that goes into cropped ears, rolling the ear and dressing it for weeks and weeks on end and you do end up with a lot that get infected and end up very damaged due to not getting the proper aftercare.

Thanks for that Strix - I actually didn't know that... I was under the impression it was due to an APBT being able to lock it's jaws, which differentiates it from it's cousins such as the amstaff and staffy because they are strong, but can't actually 'lock' their jaws.

But perhaps, the almost absent pain reception is why an APBT can lock it's jaw...

thanks though - I wasn't entirely sure of their reasoning behind it.

no dog can lock its jaws not even a pittbull, this is a big myth that wont let go. they just have very powerful jaws, determination & stamina which enable to the dog stay holding on to something. there is no actuall locking mechinism in the jaw. the pittbull jaw is no different from anyother dog be it staff, rottie, yorkie, westie etc

i think in defence of some of the owners whos dogs are in those clips, the practice of ear cropping in america is carried out by the breeder, much like tail docking in this country, done when the pup is little. i dont agree with it either.

It is unfortunate that there is this fashion, particualrly if it holds sway amongst otherwise responsible breeders.
Docking is also a difficult issue - I can understand the need with dogs working in brush and thorny undergrowth but that is declining nowadays and otherwise there is no need. How can people deny dogs such self-expression?
I have known a few undocked springers and JRT's and they have fantastic tails - I have even known an undocked rottweiler which was beautiful! It just goes to show how we take it for granted as it took me a fair while to work out why this dog appeared so comical and unusual...