How do you feel about pit bulls?
By Amber
@AmbiePam (117297)
United States
April 12, 2026 11:11am CST
You might wonder why on earth I’m asking this. I guess in a way you could also include breeds that have “iffy” reputations besides a pit bull. Specifically though, pit bulls are the breed most brought up when it comes to talking about “aggressive” breeds. I’m of the opinion that if a dog is aggressive, it has more to do with how it was raised more than the breed it is. I’ve been around 4 pit bulls in my life, two currently owned by my best friend. None were anything but big ‘ol sweet babies. Still, dog friendly people don’t even all agree on pit bulls. And to be fair, they often include bully breeds and Rottweilers as well.
My apartment complex doesn’t even allow residents to own pit bulls. Seriously, you cannot live here if you have one. What is your opinion on the oft misunderstood pit bull?
16 people like this
17 responses
@DaddyEvil (171819)
• United States
10h
I don't care how "nice" the dog has been brought up, it can still get angry and tear a person up. I don't think they should be legal for anyone to own or have loose around the public. People can't seem to control themselves when they own one of the fighting breed of dogs.
5 people like this
@DaddyEvil (171819)
• United States
10h
@AmbiePam Yes, it makes sense to me, too.
One of my older brothers made his Chihuahua into a little monster. Then he insisted on bringing it to dad's when he came even though both dad and mom told him to leave the little beast home. But you just had to swat him when he started attacking. All he could do was nip you a little bit. It was annoying but not dangerous. My brother would just laugh. 
4 people like this
@AmbiePam (117297)
• United States
10h
@DaddyEvil Good grief!
Did you happen to see the story of a mail carrier refusing to deliver mail to one specific street due to a loose, “vicious” chihuahua? All those people have to go to the actual post office to pick up their mail. That would annoy me to no end. I’d find the owner of that dog, and make a big deal about it.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (171819)
• United States
10h
@AmbiePam I'm glad they're gone. The new neighbors built a new fence around their front yard and only let their dogs out if they're out with them.
3 people like this
@AmbiePam (117297)
• United States
10h
That’s so true. I love pit bulls, but I am not getting a bully dog breed. I don’t trust that I am capable of being the kind of owner those dogs need. Scads of pit bulls are great, but one bad pit bull can erase all that with their destruction. It’s sad, but I understand the ban.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (132705)
• Marion, Ohio
5h
I love them. The doberman's are another considered dangerous breed. Both breeds are so loyal to their families that they will kill or die to protect them. But also extremely loving animals.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (132705)
• Marion, Ohio
3h
@AmbiePam But I never thought for a minute that they wouldn't kill if they felt they needed to to protect us. I have had pits and bullies too. Patch border collie is the one I trust the least and it's not her fault. She got teased by some kids and now don't like kids. That can happen with any breed of dog.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (120102)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
4h
My belief is that it is how the breed of the dog is brought up. For example my former dog who was a mixed breed German Shepherd and Black Labrador who was male was abused by his previous male owner. The dog liked me after he got to know me better.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (120102)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
Just now
@AmbiePam Thunder I was a good dog.
1 person likes this
@LooeyVille (62)
• United States
10h
I haven't researched it, but Judge Judy used to say that the jaws of pit bulls lock down on something in a very specific violent/deadly way different than other dogs. Like I said, I haven't researched that.
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (205874)
• United States
9h
Like you said it is how they are raised, but sometimes even a loving owner can have a problem. One horrible story from here wAs a young woman who had two. She was a loving owner, but worked a lot so they didn't get enough socialization..they killed her and worse..too graphic to say.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (75935)
• Philippines
2h
I totally agree with you. It's how they were brought up. Yes the temperament of dog breed varies and there are those that are aggressive but when they're brought up with lots of love and tenderness, they aren't violent.
Pit bulls are the most misunderstood breed and I guess it's because they were used as fighting dogs. My brother told me that it wasn't even pit bulls that are really aggressive but he Rottweilers. I had a Rottweiler before and he was the sweetest.
2 people like this
@crossbones27 (52597)
• Mojave, California
5h
Did you know in the 40 50's Pitbulls were literally called America's dog they were so loved and respected.
My guess like anything that catches wind, I want one, people think or they want everything to be easy. It did not mean they were a easy breed, but they are actually easier than some breeds because they sleep a lot. The difference with them is they put up a fight if you treat them bad as they should. It also goes against, but I thought it would be easy. If you treat them well, best loyal buddies you will ever have so your assessment is correct in my opinion.
2 people like this
@xstitcher (38571)
• Petaluma, California
6h
The pitbull that lives upstairs from me (I haven't run into another in the complex) is a total sweetheart. I think they're personalities are due to how they're raised.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (39847)
• Toccoa, Georgia
6h
No offense to those who like pit bulls, but I do not like them. They are very dangerous, even those who are trained to be docile.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (96297)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
4h
I never knew anyone with a pit bull and never been attracted to them,
2 people like this
@sallypup (68672)
• Centralia, Washington
8h
It is harder to get house insurance if you have a pit bull. I am afraid of pit bulls. Or any dog that has a jaw that looks like it could harm if the dog had a bad day. My Rufus is on the no no list, too. I would not want him mixing it up with toddlers. He would chase and who knows what with erratic, noisy behavior.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (117297)
• United States
8h
It helps when the owner of a “scary” dog breed understands the apprehension others feel around their dog. I guess you understand that well, especially with your concern about pit bulls. I admit as much as I love pit bulls, I don’t really relax completely even when their owner announces them as “friendly”.
1 person likes this
@2ndchances24 (12006)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
1h
" it has more to do with how it was raised more than the breed it is"
I TOTALLY AGREE, I've had several pit bulls & it all starts at the 1
that handles the breed, & starts when they are just puppies.
2 people like this
@rebelann (116734)
• El Paso, Texas
10h
Pit bulls were once known as the Nanny dogs due to their lovable nature but they were also used by some farmers to help distract bulls when they were being castrated by biting and holding on to their noses, a pit bull does have a very powerful grip when needed.
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1 person likes this
@JudyEv (377255)
• Rockingham, Australia
28m
I agree that it's mostly to do with how the owners deal with them BUT, if they're not brought up well, then they're highly dangerous. I guess it's debatable whether they're more dangerous than other breeds but they're certainly strong. A girl was attacked by one in our suburbs not long ago. I steer clear unless I've been introduced and then I still keep to myself around them.
1 person likes this
