Do you think pit bulls would be as popular as they currently are if the breed was not controversial?

I think a lot of it had to do with the bad rap they have gotten, at least here where I live. In this town as a white man I am in the minority. More then 50% of the population is Hispanic and most of them are Mexican. I would say the most popular dog here is the Chihuahua.

But because of the gang activity the are many Pit Bulls as it macho. That is how I got mine, my grandson brought her home. I was caught up in all the hype of the killer dog and was worried. She was so sweet. I decided to go to the net to learn what I could. Turns out the pit bull was the most popular family dog for about the first half of the 20th century. Petey of Our Gang fame was an American Pit Bull Terrier. Sargent Stubby, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was credited with saving many lives in the trenches during WWI. One of our presidents had pits in the White House.

The pits fall came in the 80's when dog attacks started to be reported all over the media. My belief is most of the attacks were some other bully breed that people called pit bulls. People that would not a pit from a Boxer if it came up and licked their nose.

My pit loves everyone especially kids. That is why they have been called "The Nanny Dog".

Sorry for being so long winded but I want defend pits for their bad rap and give my opinion.

Most people who are attracted to pit bulls have low self esteem issues and crave attention.

People who have little education and low IQ's choose these blood sport dogs for pets because they like to be talked about, and intimidate their neighbors.

Like any bad neighbor who disrespects their community by speeding through neighborhood streets, playing loud music till all hours of the night, letting junk and litter pile up on their property, littering and throwing cigarette butts on the street, Pit bull owners are the pigs of society.

They are selfish, ignorant, and put themselves and their killer breed ahead of all others.

Pit bulls would not be as popular if they were not created and selectively bred to attack and kill.

Pit bulls would not be as popular if they did not kill a person in the USA every 13 days.

Pit bulls would not be as popular if they did not kill over 50,000 other animals every year.

Some people have been fooled by the pit lobby lies that pit bulls are "nanny dogs" and great with kids.

The truth that pit bulls kill a child every month in the USA does not deter these dim wits from keeping pits around their children.

The truth is every ASSS Hole wants a dog that was created for the purpose of attacking and killing.

These assholes will spread lies and ignore disfigured and dead children. It's what pit bull owners do.

Pit bulls aren't very popular. I'm not sure why you think that but just go into any shelter, 80-90% of the dogs are pit bulls or put bull mixes.

I don't know. When my girls got their pit bulls over 35 years ago, I don't think they were controversial. Back then I think it was still dobermans. We had them because they were great pets. I didn't even KNOW they were controversial. I don't think they were until years later. when did that even start?

EDIT, when I was a little girl, growing up in a small town there were a LOT of pit bull-types roaming around. We played with them. I'm sure they were just family dogs then. Many of them had been in the war and had hearing problems. I remember that. The contorversial dogs then were German Shepherds. Of course that was in the time where if you had a german sounding last name you changed it and frankfurters became hotdogs, german spitzes became American Eskimos, and the like.

I got a Pit Bull because she came with my husband (and has since became "MY" dog)

I stuck with them, or Pit mixes, because they are great dogs, and I love the low maintance short hair.

Many of my agility friends have Shelties, or Border Collies, or other 'hairy' dogs and complain about mud, and shedding and how long it takes to groom, etc.

Doesn't bother me if they are controversial. My dogs are well trained and just plain good dogs.

I got a pitbull not because of the controversy, but because he needed a home and he clicked with me and my boyfriend at the time really well. I'm just one person, but that's just my experience.

If you are a dog fighter or you have a hog problem in your farm, by all means, get an APBT or 3, otherwise, morons look at the breed as a **** extension or they become emotional out of ignorance and repeat horse manure, :its all how you raise it".

Why does it matter what others think?