That is so true Conrad Allen . I know a lot of pit bull owners who own wonderful pets. They are used by folks who use them for dog fighting. I once knew a guy, seedy character type, whose pit bull had scars all over its body. (from fighting of course). Friendly dog around me. - loved me to death. It would even roll over. I could not allow it around my own dogs.

I'm very surprised.  I would have expected it to be Spaniels:  both Cocker and Springer.  Rage Syndrome is highly identified with them.

Agreed Conrad!  Nurture not nature.  I know some of the sweetest pit bulls ever.  Put any dog in the hands of Michael Vick and he'll turn it into a viscious fighter.

1. My grandson had a pit bull.  We kept the dog for him for about 6 months.  He was such a big, really big lover.  I can't say about others, but my vet said it is the way they are handled.  I do agree with you and my vet agrees with you.

If a dog has a dominant personality and the owner isn't equally determined, it makes a bad combination.  On the other side, if a dog is very timid and is confronted, it can also bite.  Not an owner issue, a dog issue.  The fear biters are the worst.

Good morning Conrad. My daughter and son-in-law have a pit bull, pretty big and no one you would want to get pissed off, that is also the sweetest dog in the world. Dog 0wners have everything to do with their personality, you are so right.

one of those tiny little dogs

Conrad Allen I think I would have guessed this right...

I agree, but that's why they buy them.  Some want them to be mean.

Ron's brother in law had a pit bull.  It was the sweetest and gentlest dog ever.  And I agree with you, the owners are to blame.  A

I don't know the answer then...

My insurance broker has a long list of hounds that will raise your insurance rates!

I've been bitten by dogs twice in my life.  Niether was a pit.  And one was because I accidentily hurt the dog (I was a child) and recently when doing a CMA a little yap yap dog took a nip of me.  

This breed is now the new favorite. The public seems cycle with favorite dog breeds and the pit bull has been a favorite for a long time. My dog played very nicely with one today at the local dog park.

One thing that needs to be considered about the bite of a pit bull is how the dog bites. They don't just bite like any other dog. They bite deep, rip and tear and this can tear out muscle that can't be replaced in the victim. 

Dogs that are mistreated and not trained properly.

No matter which breed the owner is ultimately responsible for the behavior of their pet

Pit bulls can be excellent pets for smart pet owners.

I read somewhere that Alaskan huskies, Saint Bernard and Great Dane are also on the list of dogs with tendencies to bite. This one fact throw me for a loop. Your homeowners insurance will also be higher if you have any of the following breeds such as Pit bulls, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Chow Chow, Malamute, wolf-dog hybrid.

I personally believe it is how these dogs are being raised and handled by their owners that give these breeds the tendency to be more aggressive.

I totally agree that it is the trainers/owners who own the dogs, and not the dog breed Conrad Allen.  Off topic here, but I've always felt that if someone could be mean or cruel to an animal, then they could be that way to a human, too.

I'm still stickin' with the little dogs, the chew-weenies.

Not surprising Conrad, not surprising at all

Chihuahuas

I never would have thought that pitbulls captured that large a share of bites. Any breed at 20% or so seemed more realistic. Is there a ranking somewhere Conrad? Very interesting. 

That would have been my guess.

Absolutely! You are right, it is all about owners. Some Chihuahuas are scarier than pit bulls. 

Thanks for sharing.

Dachshunds,

Conrad Allen When I was growing up German Shepards had a bad reputation for being a dangerous breed. You are right, it is the way owners treat and train them.

Glad to know this Conrad.

So true Conrad! This came up as a trivia question.

What you are not telling us is that the majority of deaths and maulings come from pits. There is a huge difference between a bite and a mauling.

That is so true, Conrad. And as much as I love dogs and never fear them, I will admit to being a bit uncomfortable around pit bulls.

No idea.