Pitbulls And Rotts

VON KIRCHER · #1 03-27-2003, 07:18 PM

The biggest problem I have with these misconceptions is the fact that Pitbulls were bred initially for one reason, fighting. Rottweilers, however, were bred as drovers and hearding dogs. Ignorance is bliss. I have found that the Rotts I have been around are as gentle as labs, and the owners make the difference.
This is all pretty common Rott knowledge, but the mainstream will never know. I even see people avoid my 16 week old pup. Very sad.
I was first associated with the Rottweiler in the mid 80's and at that time very few people knew what type of dog they were. Even back then, though, Pits were bred and developed for one reason, fighting. There is no comparison with the two breeds in my opinion.

flyballmom · #2 03-27-2003, 08:29 PM

Careful, there are those of this on this forum who own both breeds!! And, you are quite wrong. The Pit Bull Terrier was original bred to bait and bring down bulls. They were also used to bring down wild game. It was we Americans who began breeding and using these dogs to fight other dogs. Don't accuse other people of ignorance when you are obviously lacking in knowledge yourself.

lblax · #3 03-27-2003, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by VON KIRCHER
Rottweilers, however, were bred as drovers and hearding dogs. Ignorance is bliss. I have found that the Rotts I have been around are as gentle as labs, and the owners make the difference.
This is all pretty common Rott knowledge, but the mainstream will never know. I even see people avoid my 16 week old pup. Very sad.

you will find that there are many labs in rott clothing in america a set of akc papers does not a real rottweiler make.

VON KIRCHER · #4 03-27-2003, 09:24 PM

Correct about their original purpose, however, the Rottweiler at no time was bred specifically for fighting. That was the point I was trying to make.
And as far as offending anyone, I will be the first to say not all dogs of any breed are good nor bad, and ownership and training are a large part of a dogs behavior. Nor am I saying all Pitbulls are any particular way, I have come across many great PB's.
If you look more carefully at my thread, when I stated "ignorance is bliss", that was directed at people who only hear about breeds through the media.

marianne · #5 03-27-2003, 10:30 PM

when I stated "ignorance is bliss", that was directed at people who only hear about breeds through the media. [/b][/quote]

Unfortunally...ignorance is not bliss! The general population believes what they read in the papers, and on the t-v news.

KRISSIE · #6 04-04-2003, 01:29 AM

There is one thing that both these breeds do have in common and that is that both the Rotts and Pitts are the main target of negative attention these days . I remember a time, not to long ago when it was the Dobbies that were being targeted . It's sad and unfortunate .What you can do to help change the opinions of those ignorant people is give the best example you can of the breed (breeds) , even if you change the mind of one person, it's still a start.

sparklemom · #7 04-04-2003, 09:59 AM

Quote:

There is no comparison with the two breeds in my opinion.

Both breeds are intelligent, loyal, loving, protective, strong-willed, companion dogs.

Quote:

the Rottweiler at no time was bred specifically for fighting.

All the ads I see in the paper every weekend for "big bear, big-boned, etc" rotts seem to indicate differently. These people aren't breeding them for the right reasons.

Quote:

ignorance is bliss

You must be very blissful

VON KIRCHER · #8 04-04-2003, 02:05 PM

Again to combat what I stated earlier, it is simple. Looking to deep into what was stated. I agree the Rott, in recent times, due to bad breeders, has changed its initial purpose. This can be said for the Pit as well.
However, true pure breds, that come from breeders with great histories, are not guilty of breeding the dogs for the wrong purpose.
What I would like to find out is How many attacks occur by pure bred dogs, that are papered and come from good tempermen?
Like anything in life when buying or partaking in something with a possible risk (large breeds) do your homework and make certain you are getting what you are looking for.
You can make any dog mean my mistreatment. And you can also run into dogs that may have problems. The argument can be made that because of both dogs surge in popularity led to problem dog. That is and was the point I was making, plain and simple.
As far as the quotes listed I will say, "True Rotts from good breeders were not bred specifically for fighting"

"Ignorance is bliss" This is directed at main stream media, no one on the forum. Now if we want to talk about both dogs and their breed history, feel free to start that thread and I will happily give my input.

My quote on camparisons between the two breeds is that I am (opinion) more impressed by the Rott.

I can be quoted on this. "Just because a Car Looks like a Corvette and says Corvette in the ad, does not mean it is a Corvette underneath its skin."
For all we know its a Yugo with a Corvette body

Judi W · #9 04-04-2003, 03:05 PM

To ignore the Rottweiler's heritage as guardian and protector is an error. The breed is one of the best of utility breeds. They do many jobs well including herding, tracking, draft and yes, guarding and protecting. They have a strong work ethic and that is as working in partnership with man but it is the strength and courage they exhibit in their protecting that many do not understand. Hardness means they do not back down easily so ownership by the indecisive or weak of character themselves is where people get into trouble.

Protecting and "fighting" are are entirely different attributes. A dog of good character only protects when there is true danger.

VON KIRCHER · #10 04-04-2003, 03:12 PM

Judy absolutely. That is exactly what I mean. Very few mainstream people know that about this breed, and they only associate horrible stories with them.
It would be only fair to include the wonderful and heroic stories these amazing dogs have been involved with.

flyballmom · #11 04-04-2003, 10:28 PM

Your contention that Pit Bull Terriers were ORIGINALLY bred for fighting is false. Yes, in the recent past (such as you state, the 80's) , they were. People also breed Rottweilers to be bait dogs and for "personal protection." I say that in quotes to distinguish a poor breeder from those who breed a true working dog. Do a web search for "origins of the Pit Bull Terrier" and see what you find. Also it can be said that "true Pit Bulls from good breeders were not specifically bred for fighting." It's fine for you to have your opinion that you prefer the Rottie-so do I. It's not fine to come across on a forum such as this seeming to "slam" a wonderful breed of dog-the Pit.

cherrywithns · #12 04-05-2003, 05:37 AM

I have raised both, and both breeds are exceptional family pets. I got my rottie as a birthday present, and he has made me a rottie owner forever. As for the origins of the pit-bull, they were bred to do one thing and that is fight with other dogs, plain and simple. You can look at the Staffordshire terrier and American Staffordsire Terrier and get dogs that look like Pits, but are not as dog aggressive. Another breed to look at is the American Bull Dog, which is the closest breed to the original Bulldog, and it too is not that dog aggressive. After Bulldogs were outlawed in England due because its violent nature, dog baiters, down bred the breed and crossed it with the Bull Terrier and other smaller fighting breeds to form the American Pit Bull Terrier. The Pit Bull is an excellent family dog, that loves people, and if trained properly can get along with other dogs, it just takes time. Both breeds are great famity dogs.

tigtori · #13 04-05-2003, 01:27 PM

I just wanted to let you know that my family has 2 rotties, 2 pit bulls,a german shepard and 2 mixed breeds and the dogs all get along great with each other and they are all great dogs and live in the house. I think it really depends on the owner and the up bringing of the dogs. If they have a great enviroment and a loving family they will definely react differently to those who are brought up in a bad enviroment.