This weekend I've ran across a few instances where it seemed so obvious to me, that having your dog out in the public is possibly another downfall of this breed. Especially for those people, that truly don't have one single ounce of knowledge about the breed, though they own them.
Once instance was a few weekends ago, during a parade. There was a guy that had two dogs, a male and a female. She was pregnant they were on large chains attached to a bumper. She was obviously mixed, no doubt about it. Comments ranged from damn what a bad ass dog, to how much for her puppies, to get away from those dogs they bite. Of course during the whole parade they lunged, barked, and acted like complete idiots. Though there was also a beautiful, solid white boy. He was amongst the 50 or so horses, trotting right alongside one horse that obviously had his owner on it. The dog was in excellent shape, offleash completely, and did not take his attention from his owner nor the horse that he was riding on. Did not pay one ounce of attention to the two idiots not even a foot from him, barking and lunging at the end of their chains trying to get to him. Comments ranged from that dog is beautiful look at those muscles, is that a pit bull, check him out now that's a good dog, then the I've always wanted a pit bull look at that dog, that's how they all are, see they make excellent pets.
Friday, I went to the grocery store, low and behold if there wasn't one barking and snarling at people as they walked by the back of the truck. He was chained exactly in the middle of the truck, and straining to get to the sides. An old lady that was walking with a walker almost fell the dog surprised her. I avoided the truck completely and walked out of my way to steer clear. I can only imagine the comments that dog caused.
To my surprise, last night I went to a gas station with a friend. There was that damn dog again, this time he had three in the back of his truck! Hanging out in the parking lot with their owner standing beside the truck, getting plenty of attention from passer bys. She went in the store, I sat in the truck. I was amazed by the comments that the owner said ~ they make excellent guard dogs, I have one more at home she's due anyday now, they are the best everyone should own one. My favorite "Zues is the best, he protects the others got him a chow the other day, tore that sucker up"..
As soon as she came out of the store, and we were on our way I started complaining. I don't think I shut up for 30 minutes, . Apparently, from what my friend gathered (since the damn dog was the topic in the store line) the guys girlfriend/wife works at that store, and he was waiting on her.
I can understand fully now, why I've read the belief that "pet owners" are a huge part of the downfall of this breed. In the past, I've almost taken offense to this comment. It's not just these instances though I'd probably be here all day typing the many I've seen or heard. I think that APBT's doing work such as SAR, therapy, agility, fly ball, weight pull, etc. is wonderful. I like to read positive stories, I enjoy pictures of working dogs, I enjoy the dogs here and seeing them curled on the couch. I'm not saying the owners here, are necessarily hindering/hurting the breed either. I'm just torn with the thoughts that people can go away with a false sense of security about the breed. I think the lack of knowledge, seeing so many in the "public eye", and especially the idiots such as above are only fueling the fire, doing nothing but making things worse. I don't know, I'm just mainly irritated and ranting I suppose.