How much do you allow the media to influence your decision on adopting a certain breed of dog ?

[BeachBaby]

Or do you make your decision, based on personal experience? Or do you not have any preference when you walk into a shelter, and keep an open mind and heart to all breeds?

I ask this, because, after my own personal experiences working in shelters and vet offices - as well as hearing others who are now in that field of work - it seems that the vast majority of dog lovers have written off Pitbulls. And, it saddens us when we hear the most common reason why:

"After that *insert pitbull attack story here*, I just can't take the chance. They're dangerous."

A couple of them have gone so far as to say that the breed should be banned.

The reason this topic is on my mind today, is because of a conversation I had - two days ago - with my former boss. I called him to wish him a happy birthday - but the conversation that followed, really resonated with me.

He's an attorney - and for many years, I was his paralegal. Our small firm handled many "dog bite" or "dog attack" cases. One of our cases was covered by the local media outlets, because of the nature of the incident - a teenage girl gets attacked by gang-owned pitbull, as she was walking home from school.

During the conversation, he mentioned how his youngest son (6 years old) has it in his head, that whenever it's somebody's birthday, he thinks that the "bestest birthday present ever" is a puppy; so, his son asked him if they could get a puppy. My boss had - up until this point - been putting off getting any kind of pet, because he wanted his kids to be a little bigger to understand how to respect and handle the responsibilities of owning a dog.

So, he asked his son what kind of dog he would want, should they decide to get one. His son immediately answered "I want the same exact dog that (his friend) has. He follows us everywhere! If we throw a ball in the pool, he jumps into the pool to get it! And he even swims in the pool with us!"

His friend's dog is a pitbull.

My former boss and his wife had been thinking more along the lines of a Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever - since they both had those dogs as pets, when they were kids. They perceive these two breeds as being "good family pets".

So, my former boss brings up that pitbull case that we handled. And I immediately countered his statement by reminding him that, out of the maybe 30 dog cases we handled, only ONE was a pitbull. The rest of them were an assortment of GSDs, Rottweilers, mixed breeds - AND ONE BLACK LABRADOR RETRIEVER.

I listened to him as he hemmed and hawed. He's concerned - obviously - for his childrens' safety. I reminded him that there is no rush in making a decision. I asked him to visit his son's friend's house, to see the dog. I even offered to visit some of my local shelters, to see what I could find. I even brought up the idea of looking into AKC registered breeders - since he has the financial ability to buy one that's bred from champion bloodlines. After he listened to my sales pitch of sorts, this is what I recieved in reply:

"You could probably talk ME into it, but there's no way in hell that (wife) will do it." He went on to say that she's totally on board with banning the breed altogether. When I asked him why, he told me that she told him that she's "seen enough on the news to know they're not animals that should be considered to be house pets". Then, he went on to inform me that she's even considered getting a German Shepherd puppy. When I reminded him that GSDs have had a reputation for attacking/biting, he told me that she doesn't agree. "It's not the same thing", according to her.

Bottom line: the media has made her decision for her.

So, I ask all of you dog lovers: has the media influenced your opinion - be it negatively or positively - regarding the decision to own a dog of a particular breed?

[demosincebirth]

1. No.

[etherealtruth]

2. My dad bought me a Golden Retriever during the Ford Administration

Best dog on earth! I doubt I would have ended up with him had the media not covered the Ford's Golden.

[BeachBaby]

20. Goldens are sweeties, it's true.

I rescued one 8.5 years ago - she's 15.5 years old now. Deaf and mostly blind - but still a sweetheart. :)

[CBR]

3. None.

I had a great schnauzer/lab mix growing up. When we decided to get a dog, my husband did research on different breeds. We narrowed it down to a few and settled on a boxer based on our experiences and the type of lifestyle they recommend for boxers. It is a great match. I probably will always go with boxers.

[Brickbat]

4. None. Having said that,

the majority of dogs that I dismissed as possible adoptions all looked to have bully breed backgrounds. And having said THAT, one of the dogs I did end up adopting clearly has some bully in him, and I brought him home anyway, ugly head and all. And having said THAT, he is the dog that I would not be surprised if he lashed out at some point. I don't trust any dog, but of the dogs I own, I trust him least of all.

[flvegan]

5. Bring on the haters!

:popcorn:

[BeachBaby]

31. I'm personally intrigued by all the unreccing going on!

What is it about this thread that prompts someone to unrec it?

[flvegan]

37. The usuals don't want to show their faces, I suppose.

It's the only input they are willing to give it would seem. It just goes to show...the truth can indeed hurt. I mean, I *do* understand how folks that have personally been bitten/attacked/whatever by a certain breed having a distrust or even hatred for that breed. I certainly don't want to categorize them into the "hater" group.

[Control-Z]

44. Seriously, huh?

I can't imagine what an unrec on a thread like this would even mean?

[VMI Dem]

6. I find it tragic that those who use pitbulls for dog fighting have let the media influence them.

They should use labs instead.

[niyad]

7. no, I don't give a hoot what the media says. and, am I correct in saying that there is no such

breed as pitbull, that there are, in fact, several breeds that actually comprise what are thought of as "pits"? I have several frinds who own pits, and you would rarely find sweeter, gentler, more loving and loyal companions. A lot depends on their humans' behaviour. The only time I was ever bitten, it was by a yorkie, one of the most obnoxious little footed dust mops I ever encountered. As I said, it all depends on the humans.

[Wwagsthedog]

8. Cottonelle

[appleannie1]

9. They are looking at the wrong end of the leash. The problem is the owner, not the dog

I have owned 2 Rotts. One an abused female, the other a huge unwanted male. Both were extremely loving and gentle dogs.

[Tikki]

10. We brought Tikki (the dog) home even before the...

Taco Bell commercials aired so I guess we just wanted a smaller dog
with tan fur and a dark muzzle.

The Tikkis

[saltpoint]

11. If there is an Irish setter running through a nearby

park, its luminescent auburn sleekness catching the late day's glow on an autumn afternoon, I would be willing to watch it to the last hour of daylight.

I don't give a hoot in hell what the media say about this or that kind of dog.

[JVS]

12. I select breed based on which one appears most in 1 hour of commercials

[BeachBaby]

23. So, you must be torn, then....

being that it's a toss-up between Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Collies. :P

[saltpoint]

24. All beautiful animals. A Shepherd mix we had for

many years was not only the smartest dog I ever saw but certainly smarter than any Republican who ever served in Congress.

Dogs are such good pals to us humans.

[me b zola]

13. Zip, zero, zilch

When our cattle dog needed a companion, the perfect match for her--and us--that we found in the animal shelter was a huge black dog that has some pit bull in him. He has been absolutely perfect and I am thankful everyday for him being in our lives.

[JonLP24]

14. None what-so-ever

I have an APBT as well as two Gordon Setters.

[mnhtnbb]

15. No. If I had half a brain, I'd have a dog with short hair. All the dogs

I've rescued have all had long hair and all shed and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[ThomWV]

16. I've had Labs for 40 years, I was influenced by the friend who gave us our first one.

Because once you've had a Lab there is no other dog. And Oh my goodness we've had some good ones - and still do.

[Grey]

17. Our dogs found us,

They were each cast-off on the side of the highway/side road where we live. Both are mixed breed and both are wonderful.
Grey

[DBoon]

46. Same here - one a pitbull mix, the other a pure pit

both were orphans who adopted us

[daleanime]

18. Give me a classic All-American...

mutt! I'm a mixed breed and I like my dogs the same way.

[XemaSab]

19. I'll probably never own a purebred dog

I like mutts. They're smarter and healthier.

[Electric Monk]

47. +1

[TorchTheWitch]

61. Bull - mutts are more likely to be less healthy

Most of the point of purebreds is in breeding for exceptional health. Physical appearance is but a small part of what breeders try to accomplish, and breeders that have strayed from that are the bad ones particularly the backyard breeders. Anytime a dog is bred with another that has undetermined health issues you have no idea what you'll end up with and that includes those dogs that don't display any symptoms but are carries of genetic related diseases and disorders that can or will be passed onto their progeny. With mutts or even with careless purebred breeders it's a crapshoot. The only way to ensure a healthy dog is buying through a good breeder who breeds for health as well as appearance and behavior such as hunting, working, herding, etc. as they are supposed to do.

Those breeds that have health issues designed into the breed like pop-eyes, squashed snouts, hairlessness, etc. need to be eliminated since every one of the dogs are predisposed to having the physical problems associated with these sort of disfigurements. Tail and ear docking common of certain breeds should also be banned.

Aside from certain breeds, purebreds from good breeders who breed for health as they're supposed to are a far better bet when it comes to future health issues than any dog whose genetic history is unknown as most diseases and disorders are genetically passed on.

Some people seem to have the idea that "purebred" means a dog that has a genetic history of too closely related animals being bred together and that's a ridiculous old wives tale. Only the worst of bad breeders do such a thing, and mutts are just as prone to too closely related animals in the bloodline having been bred together. Any time the genetic history is unknown, there is the chance that interbreeding is in the bloodline. The entire purpose of a pedigree is to show a long genetic history in order to prove the dog has no history of interbreeding or animals that should not have been bred due to genetic health related issues.

[Liquorice]

63. +1

[realisticphish]

21. Media, no. Breeders, perhaps

that is to say, I won't trust them implicitly, but I value their opinions. And I generally prefer shelter animals in any case.

Breeders, vets, and other people who interact with a lot of breeds are more reliable (and of course, personal experience)

[jtuck004]

22. There's a good story about media over-reporting about

"pitbulls" (terrier mixes and others). It's in the Denver Post and can be read here....

There is a ton of mis-information out there. Please know that YOU are the single most important factor in your pet's behavior.

Thanks for the post..

[flvegan]

26. Off topic

Your "wrapped around her paw" sigline is the best sigline I've ever seen.

[jtuck004]

58. I usualy like bigger dogs, but we rescued a family of chi/pomeranians,

and the two that survived with us took a while to get to weight for spay/neuter. Then the shelter decided to kill them since they were full, so we wrote a check. The little girl is the one that inspired the sig, after I had to get her knees worked on at WSU ;)

[flvegan]

60. Not that it matters

but you are my favorite DUer now.

[JonLP24]

27. Thanks for the story

It doesn't surprise me other breeds with serious injuries barely get mention in local papers compared to the one featuring a "pit bull" was reported on in over 200+ articles.

I've been thinking about that very fact.

Local news here reported on a story of a "pit bull" that got free and attacked another dog. I mean how often does another dog attack another dog and it get reported on? I recall a DUer a few months ago in this very forum told a story about how his/her dog got free and attacked another dog. It wasn't a "pit bull" the DUer had but a large dog IIRC. The DUer said that he/she would pay for the vet bills for the dog just like in the very same story the local news here reported on.

[MadHound]

25. The only thing I discriminate is on size,

I really prefer my dogs to be larger. However even that rule has been bent lately, since one of the dogs that wandered into my life was a cocker spaniel, poodle mix. Not my ideal dog, but he's a sweety.

I've made it a priority to always have a pitbull or pit mix in my life due to the bad rap that they get. My latest, a pit mix, died recently, so I imagine that I'll be getting another in the relatively near future.

Tell your boss that until modern pit bull hysteria took hold, the AKC recommended pits as the best dog to have for a family. They are durable dogs and unless abused, are very, very docile. They will take a kid's roughhousing without complaint, and are truly gentle, loyal pets.

[hlthe2b]

29. I have a really soft spot for the biggies as well...

Lots more to hug on! And, :toast: to another pitbull lover, though unfortunately I live in a breed-ban city. :eyes:

[MadHound]

35. Not judging or urging you to take action,

But if I lived in a breed ban city, that wouldn't stop me. I think breed bans are unconstitutional and I would take it to court. Not to mention that so many breeds look like pits, it makes breed bans utterly impossible to enforce. Have a look <http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html>

No officer, my dog is a Presa Canario, prove otherwise if you can.

[hlthe2b]

39. I have been working on it.... with others..

Unfortunately, a few high profile incidents in past years have made it almost impossible to even get a word in edgewise. Unfortunately, the powers that be will not listen to anyone with facts, science, or credentials.... the media has done such a good job scaring the shit out of people, it is just emotion and nothing else that is driving these bans. I know of no veterinary or animal welfare group that supports breed-specific bans, yet....

I have been successful in getting a repeal of other insane knee-jerk ordinances in Denver (like the previous attempt to outlaw having a dog with you when sitting in the outdoor sidewalk areas of Starbucks and other coffee shops).

[hlthe2b]

28. Unfortunately, there are cities that have passed breed-specific bans

And the morons enforcing then have license to confiscate and euthanize anything that remotely looks like a pitbull. I wonder how many boxer mixes and others have been killed in Denver because of this kind of insanity.

I personally adore pitbulls. But for novices any large dog can be more of a challenge. Training makes all the difference in the world.

[XemaSab]

48. It's my personal suspicion

that people have more training problems with small dogs than with larger dogs.

Behavior problems in little dogs are more likely to be brushed off as "cute," whereas a big dog that barks all day or snaps at people is taken seriously.

To wit, I got bit by a chihuahua when I was 2... the thing grabbed onto me and hung on like pitbulls are reputed to do, and all the owner said was "Oh, George!"

A larger dog that bit a toddler would be euthanized.

[BeachBaby]

50. I see that a lot as well, even with cat owners.

Someone's cat bites me and runs away - and I'm told that I was "overstimulating" them with the petting, or it was a "love bite". Fair enough - but it broke the skin. If a dog had done that.....well, you know. :)

[hlthe2b]

51. yes... I suspect so as well. A large dog gets fewer "chances"

I have to admit, though I adore dogs in general, those little ill behaved yappers annoy the hell out of me... I realize it is the owner that really is responsible and thus pissing me off, but.... There is no excuse for allowing that kind of thing. Even teething puppies must be taught that biting other living things is not acceptable.


But, with big dogs, what upsets me the most is that there are more and more people who were not raised around dogs and that can not distinguish playful assertiveness from threatening aggression. Or that think a dog that barks at another is signaling an intent to attack. Many breeds of dogs invite others to play by barking, which should be obvious from their tail wagging, their ear position and body language-- but often not obvious to those who haven't spent time around dogs. Herding breeds naturally want to run towards other dogs, yap at them and encourage them to run with them. That's what they do. But, I've seen dog owners at the off leash parks start screaming, just seeing another dog running towards them, even though it is playful.

Bottom line, dog owners are generally the problem, not the dogs.

[dsc]

30. for me it is size

I live in a one bedroom apartment and don't have the ability to really walk a large dog the amount of time he or she should be. A small dog is thus a necessity.

[TheKentuckian]

32. Somewhere between negative infinity and zero

[Edweird]

33. I don't. I think for myself. I do my own research. Pits are awesome dogs.

[Warren Stupidity]

34. we do mutts from shelters

so we don't give a flying fuck what is fashionable

[femmocrat]

36. No one has ever influenced me, pro or con.

I have had dogs all my life, some were rescues and some were purebred.

We have adopted the dogs that were best for us and our family at the time. When the kids were growing up, we had a Golden Retriever. I could not have one now, so I have smaller dogs. I do like furry dogs though, instead of short-haired.

[Irishonly]

38. Nope

We have three German Shepherds. The female is a mix and both the males are purebred. My girl was adopted fro a family and my two boys are rescue dogs. Both were severely neglected. We have a very happy pack. One of my boys has lost the use of his hind legs so we got a wheelchair for dogs and modified it so he can walk with the other two.

I know lots of loving pit bulls. It seems to me that almost all medium and large breed dogs get attacked my the media. A few years back it was Rotties.

Your former boss may need to see some old "Dog Whisperer" episodes and learn how to be the leader of the pack.

[elleng]

40. NOT AT ALL!

No one EVER writes about 'my' Bedlington Terriers!

[ThomCat]

41. No. Dogs have their own personalies, not by breed, but

according to who they are, and how they've been treated.

Each dog starts out with his or her own personality. (nature) Then you take into consideration whether or not that dog has been loved or neglected, whether it has been abused or nurtured, and whether it has been trained or encouraged to be vicious, or socialized and trained to be obedient.

That will tell you if a dog is vicious! Breed will not.

[lynne]

42. Media, NO. Facts, YES.

Like it or not, certain breeds have a higher frequency of bites and severity of bites than others. Some breeds are more tolerable of children tugging on them than others. Some are so protective that they can be dangerous if not handled correctly. Yes, most dogs with bite history are the products of their owners but different breeds have different temperaments.

I would never let the media make the decision for me. I made my decision after consulting with our vet and doing research regarding bite frequency and severity per breed.

I, too, decided against a Pit Bull. As of 2007, it was considered the #1 most dangerous breed of dog.

http://www.petsdo.com/blog/top-ten-10-most-dangerous-dog-breeds

[foxfeet]

43. Not at all. I do my own research.

I have two cairn terriers and one large mixed-breed. The big dog was dumped over our fence as a puppy one cold January night. We kept her. I remember how cold, scared and confused she was that night. I picked her up and carried her in my arms into the house. At the time she weighed about 25 lbs. and looked rather like an odd-looking collie puppy with a Spitz tail curled over her back. She matured into a beautiful red-and-white, long-haired dog about 75 lbs at her heaviest. She looks like a big-boned border collie, with a blocky muzzle. The vet thought she was part St. Bernard. Years later, my partner was in the yard with the dogs and a guy driving by stopped his truck and confessed he had dumped her in our yard. He said she is a Collie-"pit bull" mix. She has been the sweetest, most gentle dog we have had, much more mellow than the cairns (not surprising; cairns are high-energy action commandos). What my partner said to the jerk who had dumped her is a story for another day.

When she goes, we'll get a shelter dog, breed or breed-mix as yet undetermined, depending on who's available for adoption. In my neighborhood there are a number of "pitbulls," that have become status symbols for some of the young men. They often run loose and appear otherwise untrained. One day we came across a group of three young boys kicking a "pitbull" puppy because it wouldn't move. The poor thing was terrified and it had lain down in the middle of the street, trying to be as submissive as possible. My partner slammed the truck into park and beat me out the door to confront the kids. They were absolutely ignorant about how to treat a puppy. He gave them a lecture about cruelty, then some gentle, yet direct instruction in how to handle a puppy. They picked the puppy up and carried it as they went on their way. Yep, the problem is generally on the people end of the leash, although there can be individual psychotic/traumatized dogs of any breed that will bite.

EDIT: Capitalization

[nashville_brook]

45. some of the most lovey dogs i've known were bull breeds...but some of the worst owners

i've known/observed have chosen this breed. i think there's a self-selection thing going on with pits and SOME pit owners.

btw, isn't the biting-est dog a dachshund?

to answer your question...yes, the media effects how i've thought of dog breeds. like, everyone wanted a jack russell for a while when the Frazier dog was popular...and they're really difficult first dogs, especially for apartment dwellers.

i think that what a young boy wants in a dog is that follow-you-everywhere dog. they want a bond-y dog (get a male!). they want a dog to play fetch and sit at your feet. a dog that will do all the dog stuff...and the pitbull will definitely fit this bill. and so will a lot of other breeds. there's so many other considerations. do they have a fenced yard? are there family members who are sensitive/allergic to fur (get a breed with a single coat). will there be ample training? or do they need a dog that's a little less willful than say, an italian greyhound, which is my breed (these little boogers are not easy to train!). will there be babies/toddlers around? then, maybe they don't need a big dog with a big prey drive.

i'm a fan of people knowing their "dog personality" and getting a breed that matches -- and that means research and finding a good breeder (not a puppy mill or backyard breeder). especially for their *first* dog. getting a pound puppy is a noble thing to do, but it can lead to some real problems if you have no idea what the breed is, and how it's going to fit in your life b/c each breed of dog has very different and specific personality profiles -- not to mention, physical attributes. for example, my SIL got the most adorable puppy from the pound a year ago. he was an 8-pound fluff ball...and he grew into a 100+ pound Great Pyrenees. he's an AMAZING dog, and they love him and have changed their life so that he fits in...but it's not what they had in mind, and if they had been first-timers, or any less amazing dog-parents, then it could have been a disaster.

i do think the pitbulls have gotten a bad rap...but i would have a hard time encouraging a first-timer to get a pitbull from a pound, mostly b/c you don't know if the dog had been abused/have antisocial behaviors. if they must have a pitbull, i think it would be better to find a reputable breeder -- just for the social aspects.

[XemaSab]

49. A few years ago I got a tiny 6 week old puppy from a ranch outside town

His mom was a 45 pound springer spaniel, and they thought his dad was a golden retriever.

Bee was about the size of a guinea pig when we got him.

He's now 120 lbs. :o

[nashville_brook]

53. oh, he sounds like an awesome dog! i love both those breeds!

my little iggies were the size of guinea pigs at 6 weeks too. you just never know. the paws are a pretty good giveaway, tho...

the SIL was told the Great Pyrenees was a "terrier mix" at the shelter! that still cracks me up. he might have been a little fluff ball -- but his paws were like hockey pucks. i luuuuv him. he's adorable, but it's a total Marmaduke situation. he broke a window wagging his butt (french door). they also have a black lab/pitbull mix (who is the biggest sweetheart!), and the two make such a pair.

[LWolf]

52. The media has no influence on my choice of dog breed.

Neither does anyone's personal opinion of a breed.

There are several factors that influence my choices. I've had dogs all of my 50 years; generally mid to large breeds; no small dogs.

Some factors:

Living environment: depending where I am, I like to have a dog suited to that environment. My current 6 acres is different than a small place in town.

Schedule and life style: At different times in my life, I've had more or less free time. While all dogs need to be with their people, some handle being left at home alone for long days better than others.

Availability: what I find, and what dogs need me.

I currently have an Australian Shepherd. She is perfect for the 6 acres, chickens, sheep, horses...she doesn't chase or harrass the other critters, she is content to be at home guarding our territory when I'm gone, she handles severe winters and can do many miles out on the trail. I do clip her for the summer, when that deep furry coat makes her miserable, and it is a pain in the ass to keep up with her shedding. She sheds undercoat 365 days a year, and is truly the hairiest dog I've ever had. She was offered to me as a gift, and has been a blessing.

I've had labs, shepherds, spaniels, and a chow. And a pit/whippet mix, a pound puppy. I loved them all.

[nashville_brook]

54. a pitpett!! that must have been a fun dog!

i've never met a dog i couldn't love. my parents wouldn't let me have a dog when i was a child...so, i got the dog yearning really bad as soon as I got a house with a yard. i felt like it was a travesty not to have a dog with a half-acre backyard. i was right.

also never thought i'd be a small breed person...but i did a lot of research (i have allergies, and the ex had even worse allergies) and had to go for a single-coat. for some weird reason i had this thing about hounds. i just couldn't get away from the hounds. they just seemed extra doglike. ironically, the italian greyhound turns out to be more catlike than doglike in some of their behaviors: sitting in sunbeams, stalking prey for hours, wanting to be petted and adored. i just love them. great companions.

and now i've become a small breed person. it's SO BAD. like, i get happy when i see people out walking their little dogs. the best thing ever is seeing a giant tough-looking guy with a chihuahua or a little terrier. it just cracks me up b/c i know the dog has no idea how small they are. as a matter of fact, the smaller the dog, the more sure of themselves, it seems. i think that's what i love about them so much.

i'm dying to adopt a retired racing greyhound, but we're going to need more room for that. i'm on a five-year plan...one day i'll have the retired hound ranch out in Ocala somewhere. and, goats. i want goats.

[LWolf]

57. She was the epitome of "sweet."

She was gentle, loving, and timid. She never had an aggressive moment in her life.

She LOVED to run. She was FAST. She lived with us on 5 acres. One of her favorite activities was to race people up and down the road from her side of the fence. We lived rurally, but had friends who would drive out of their way to drive by our place just to race with her. The road past the place was 300 feet long; she never lost a race.

The run/chase instinct got her in trouble with the horses. It was hard to teach her not to chase them. Her favorite thing to chase, though, was light. I used to sit on the porch after dark with a flashlight. I'd point it at a tree about 40 yards from the porch. She'd bark and chase. Just as she got there, I'd move the light across the way to another tree 60 yards away. She'd bark hysterically, race to it, and I'd shift again. She could do this for an extended period of time without any signs of "too tired."

When not chasing/racing, she was quiet and content to just be where ever we were.

I think a retired greyhound would be great. I don't know how well they'd do with our harsh winters; my dog has a door and can be in whenever she wants, but she still has to go out for exercise and to relieve herself, even in sub-zero temps. She's got that deep, thick double coat, though. I've never seen her shiver or show any signs of discomfort in snow or on ice.

If I were to get a small dog, I'd probably look for a corgi; another herding dog.

[petronius]

55. I am unlikely to adopt a dog - they're just not my thing - but if I did I would

probably want the same sort of dog that I enjoy playing with: something in the lab/GR size range that can run and jump and not bark too much and keep its nose out of my sensitive areas.

I've seen enough pit bull looking dogs (I can't really tell the difference) that I had fun with to say that they would be up for consideration with no prejudice...

[AnArmyVeteran]

56. I'd get a medium, working-class dog with short fur. A definite mutt from a shelter...

[GSLevel9]

59. I admit... I want a Dogo Argentino

but I AM concerned about the dirty looks from the soccer moms and nosey neighbors.

[flvegan]

62. Can't blame you.

I've got a Dogo here. She is epically brilliant. I don't know that I've known a smarter dog than her.

As for the soccer moms and neighbors? Too stupid to deal with, dirty looks aside.