Are Pit Bulls more dangerous than other breeds?

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

I’ve never had one myself, but Imani, the pittie I mentioned, was compact yet muscley. Her owner had also been doing some training exercises for her to strengthen her chest. She was imposing and beautiful. But a goofball in the end.

Pits tend to be very goofy dogs.

That’s why I don't get the panic about pitbulls anymore. Seriously, get to interact with them. They’re like any other dog.

[The Wasatch]

Pitbulls are more dangerous because of their greater bite strength (only Rottweilers are recorded to have a greater average) combined with a years of breeding for fights. Not all pitbulls are psychopaths of the dog world, but when they do bite someone, it is a much greater threat than when a smaller dog, such as a shih tzu, bites someone on account of their greater bite strength. In addition, pitbulls are bred for aggression, and there is documentation of psychological differences among dog breeds that may make many pitbulls a bit more bellicose than the average canine.
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/01 ... rooted-dna

[Neutraligon]

Pitbulls are more dangerous because of their greater bite strength (only Rottweilers are recorded to have a greater average) combined with a years of breeding for fights. Not all pitbulls are psychopaths of the dog world, but when they do bite someone, it is a much greater threat than when a smaller dog, such as a shih tzu, bites someone on account of their greater bite strength. In addition, pitbulls are bred for aggression, and there is documentation of psychological differences among dog breeds that may make many pitbulls a bit more bellicose than the average canine.
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/01 ... rooted-dna

Odd that the study listed in that paper was not published in a peer reviewed journal. For that matter it specifically states that the conclusion you are drawing, that it is in the DNA (ie breed for it) cannot be supported by the study.

[Katganistan]

Pitbull isnt a breed. It's a genaric look that seems to comprise 20% of all dogs in the US. They also make up around 50% of all dogs in shelters.

Right. They comprise English Bulldogs, Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, Staffordshire terriers, other terriers, and mixes with other large breeds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgnZsw8U4t4

[Ard al Islam]

Pit bulls are basically known as like "gangster" type dogs, so this makes these types of people want to get them. Then they raise them terribly, and you know the rest. Can't say that this is what happens a majority of the time or the minority of the time; this is a theory.

[Katganistan]

There it is, black people brought up as an analogy in defense of pit bulls.

Human beings and all the injustices society commits against a certain subset of them != a breed of dog.

We could instead bring up young white males being involved in most of the heavily publicized mass shootings if you prefer.

Or that 80% of all serial killers are white males, average age: 28.
But the number of serial killers in the population is pretty small.

[Senkaku]

Pitbulls are more dangerous because of their greater bite strength (only Rottweilers are recorded to have a greater average) combined with a years of breeding for fights. Not all pitbulls are psychopaths of the dog world, but when they do bite someone, it is a much greater threat than when a smaller dog, such as a shih tzu, bites someone on account of their greater bite strength. In addition, pitbulls are bred for aggression, and there is documentation of psychological differences among dog breeds that may make many pitbulls a bit more bellicose than the average canine.
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/01 ... rooted-dna

well since we can't be too safe, how about we just kill every animal bigger than a shih tzu

after all, the children must be protected

[Bear Stearns]

We could instead bring up young white males being involved in most of the heavily publicized mass shootings if you prefer.

Or that 80% of all serial killers are white males, average age: 28.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_killer#Ethnicity_and_demographics_in_the_United_States

The racial demographics regarding serial killers are often subject to debate. In the United States, the majority of reported and investigated serial killers are white males, from a lower-to-middle-class background, usually in their late 20s to early 30s.[7][16] However, there are African American, Asian, and Hispanic (of any race) serial killers as well, and, according to the FBI, based on percentages of the U.S. population, whites are not more likely than other races to be serial

In the rest of the article, your 80% figure doesn't even come up. I even googled it and nothing came up.

[Subterrania]

My experiences with pitbulls have been overwhelmingly positive. They tend to be very loving and reverent towards people. Their ability to harm if they attack exceeds that of most other dogs due to the strength of their jaws, so you should "vet" a dog before bringing him into your family. I've had interactions with many pitbulls and have yet to be bitten or attacked. The one pitbull that was aggressive towards me was fairly quickly won over -- and once won over was won over permanently. I think they're great dogs, though they're not actually a specific breed. The classic pitbull breed is the American Staffordshire Terrier.

[Gormwood]

Pitbulls are more dangerous because of their greater bite strength (only Rottweilers are recorded to have a greater average) combined with a years of breeding for fights. Not all pitbulls are psychopaths of the dog world, but when they do bite someone, it is a much greater threat than when a smaller dog, such as a shih tzu, bites someone on account of their greater bite strength. In addition, pitbulls are bred for aggression, and there is documentation of psychological differences among dog breeds that may make many pitbulls a bit more bellicose than the average canine.
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/01 ... rooted-dna

well since we can't be too safe, how about we just kill every animal bigger than a shih tzu

after all, the children must be protected

IM, is that you?

[Jebslund]

Pitbulls are more dangerous because of their greater bite strength (only Rottweilers are recorded to have a greater average) combined with a years of breeding for fights. Not all pitbulls are psychopaths of the dog world, but when they do bite someone, it is a much greater threat than when a smaller dog, such as a shih tzu, bites someone on account of their greater bite strength. In addition, pitbulls are bred for aggression, and there is documentation of psychological differences among dog breeds that may make many pitbulls a bit more bellicose than the average canine.
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/01 ... rooted-dna

well since we can't be too safe, how about we just kill every animal bigger than a shih tzu

after all, the children must be protected

This. People here are acting like the fact that they're more powerful means that they're almost all loose cannons with only a few nice ones, and that no amount of training will ever make them safe. Most of the people panicking about pit bulls and calling for them to be exterminated, banned, or treated like wild predators have no fucking clue what they're on about and probably have never actually encountered a well-trained dog in their lives.

[Neanderthaland]

Well they're not tigers. If you get a Pit Bull, it's unlikely to seriously injure anyone, ever. Because it's a dog. And dogs don't generally do that.

But that's not what OP asked. OP asked if they're more dangerous than other breeds. And, well... yeah.

They're definitely more dangerous than a Italian greyhound or a chihuahua. Two breeds with chronic aggression problems. But that are too small to pose much of a threat to people.

They're also more dangerous than a Saint Bernard. Which, despite being an enormous dog from a Stephen King horror novel, is a super-chill breed.

[American Pere Housh]

Pit bulls aren't any more dangerous than any other breed of dog. My brother owns 2 pits and they are the nicest dogs you'll ever meet.

[Risottia]

What do you guys think?

A pitbull's bite can easily inflict major injuries to humans - just like the bite of other large dogs. A chihuahua's bite isn't as dangerous. So, yeah, large dogs, pitbulls included, are potentially more dangerous. Still, raising and the owner's attitude plays a major role in the aggressivity of dogs.
The better option would be restricting ownership of large dogs to people who follow, periodically, a course about dog safety and dog training, and pass an exam about those subjects.

[South Ccanda]

Pit bulls aren't any more dangerous than any other breed of dog. My brother owns 2 pits and they are the nicest dogs you'll ever meet.

I wouldn't say they "Aren't any more dangerous than other breeds." The most I have ever needed from a Chihuahua was a bandaid when my brother needed facial reconstruction surgery after he was attacked by a pitbull. I'm not saying they can't be very loving and sweet dogs who never turn on anyone, its just a sad reality that their bites are far more dangerous than other dogs.

[Dumb Ideologies]

They're powerful biters with a propensity towards aggression unless carefully trained. They are also a favourite pick for the sort of people who aren't prepared to put that effort in or even encourage that aggression.

They should be regulated and people should have to apply for a license to legally have them, involving attendance of a course on responsible ownership. The asocial elements will largely not bother to attend such things, and if they get their hands on the dogs anyway they should be seized if reported.

[Unstoppable Empire of Doom]

They're powerful biters with a propensity towards aggression unless carefully trained.

I hardly trained mine at all and unless you look suspiciously like a tennis ball or get off on kicking dogs I'd bet $1000 he will never bite you.

If anything its shoddy statistical analysis perpetuating the stereotypical view of a pudgy face muscular dog with a steel chain around its neck attacking anyone who gets in the junkyard.

In reality nearly all of them are like this -

[Heloin]

In reality nearly all of them are like this -

(Image)

My heart just melted.

[Red Roja]

In my experience, most pit bulls are very nice dogs. How they turn out depends on the owners. If you abuse one and raise it for dog fights, then of course it is going to be dangerous and aggressive. But that goes for most other dog breeds, too.

[Neutraligon]

In reality nearly all of them are like this -

(Image)

My heart just melted.

Well, there is one danger to pitbulls, having to go to the hospital because they have because I swear their wagging tail hits like a brick.

[Unstoppable Empire of Doom]

My heart just melted.

Well, there is one danger to pitbulls, having to go to the hospital because they have because I swear their wagging tail hits like a brick.

Mine wags his butt because the tail alone cant represent how excited he is.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Well, there is one danger to pitbulls, having to go to the hospital because they have because I swear their wagging tail hits like a brick.

Mine wags his butt because the tail alone cant represent how excited he is.

Now that must be too cute.

Reminds me of an IG account I follow. The pittie’s name is Brutus and whenever his mom gets him a new chew toy or bone, it does a happy dance. It’s just too adorable to watch.

[Cantelo]

My heart just melted.

Well, there is one danger to pitbulls, having to go to the hospital because they have because I swear their wagging tail hits like a brick.

As much as I dislike the breed, we have close family friends who own a (supposedly) pit mix. I’ve known him since he was a puppy, and they tell me I’m one of his favorite people.

I don’t know how he hasn’t broken his tail yet or given me a bruise with it, that thing is a club

Picture of Parker (the dog): https://m.imgur.com/a/VBVau4B

[Elwher]

My heart just melted.

Well, there is one danger to pitbulls, having to go to the hospital because they have because I swear their wagging tail hits like a brick.

I have also feared drowning from all the pittie kisses I get when i see my neighbor's, especially if I haven't seen her for a week or so.

[The Republique of Gazmania]

Unfortunately Pittbulls have gotten a bad rap due to the fact that half of the people that want them and raise them are Drugdealers, hoodrats, and trailer park trash.

By nature pit bulls are playfull, but the wrong owner can make them antisocial... this is true with most dogs but with pitbulls this is amplified by the dogs breeding.
Me personally i think certain breeds like Presa Canarios are more dangerous.