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The nicest dog you would of ever met. (Yes it's a Pitbull)

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C.

This is Hercules. He was an Eli/ McCoy Pit Bull. He was a pure bred pit and the nicest dog you would of ever met if he were still around. Unfortunately he got an unknown skin disease over a year ago, that the vets had never seen before, I won't go into all the details because it is discusting, but I decided to put him down instead of having him suffer like he was.

My reason for writing the post today is because on a post about my other dog, Chloey who is a Boxer/ Pit mix a fellow AR member mentioned a pit that visits his office and how it was the nicest dog he ever met. I got to thinking to myself, alot of people would probably be shocked to read, or hear that. However Pitbulls are actually really good dogs. They are not the vicious killers many try to make them out to be. When I got Hercules I was a senior in high school. My mother believed all of the rumors and bad news about pitbulls in the news but since I really wanted one she said "If you can research and write me a 5 page report and convince me they are not bad dogs I will let you get one." So I researched and researched, and in a few short days I was on my way to pick Hercules up :-D. The main thing that convinced my mother was a list of dog bite cases for the top 100 most popular dog breeds... Pitbulls were ranked #84... yes 16 from the bottom, meaning there were 83 other breeds that had more dog bite cases than pitbulls. The #1 and #2 were actually Golden Retrievers and Labs. Pitbulls were also genetically breed to not attack humans because of their use as pit fighters, and bull leaders, as the trainers had to get in there and break them apart and be able to handle them. Like any breed, they need proper training and are only "bad dogs" when people make them that way. There is really in my opinion no such thing as a "bad dog" only bad owners. Team a pitbull and a repsonsible owner together and you will get one of the nicest, friendliest, caring, loving, and loyal animals you will ever get the chance to meet. Hercules was such a nice dog he would actually let the squirrells come and eat out of his food bowl when he was outside, in exchange for them cracking open the black walnuts for him from the tree over his dog house of course. Me and him would wrestle and play fight (like we are doing in the picture above) all the time and he was always good, even when playing with my dad's german shepard he was great. The shepard would put Hercules' head in her mouth playing and he would just pull his head out and headbutt her, he wouldn't even open his mouth to her while playing. He also loved children, the only things he didn't like were my weed wacker, and 4 wheelers lol.

To anyone who thinks they are or has ever met one that was "bad" take a good look at the owner, more than likely thats the bad one. I have met tons and tons of pitbulls and the only ones that were mean were the ones trained to be mean, just like pretty much any other dog, teach it good and it will be good.

Don't get me wrong, never trust a dog you don't know. However before you judge the dog as being a bad dog if it is mean, look at the owner because more often than not that is where the meaness truely comes from.

Chris Fisher
Your Virtual Assistant - Concord, CA

I actually am surprised labs are the #1 biters.  Best dog I ever had was a black lab/shepherd mix.  She was SO gentle and would never have hurt a fly. Well... she would bite an intruder, she knew when to be serious, but she never had to.  Super careful with kids, even though at the time I didn't have any for her to get used to. 

 

Jun 02, 2008 04:45 AM
Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495
Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL

And Chris, we all have to remember, Petey on the original Little Rascals was a Pit.  Unfortunately, because they are a powerful dog, when they do bite they do more damage.  And two dogs, which is considered a pack, can maim or kill.  I've even heard of two Dachunds that killed an infant.  But americans being who we are, LOVE to label animals and people, as in ALL Pit Bulls are bad, ALL homeless people are lazy, ALL Moslems want to kill us.  Here in this country its all about the "ALL".  And unfortunately in the process of neatly putting things in little boxes, we end up hurting ourselves by our small mindedness.

Jun 02, 2008 05:45 AM
Chris Horton
Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C. - Burton, MI

Chris- I have met tons of friendly loving dogs of pretty much all breeds. The only reason I am not surprised by the "family dogs" labs and golden retrievers being so highly ranked is like I mentioned before the lack of training and common sense when getting a "family dog" and expanding your human family as well. Back a few years ago a girl I was seeing at the time told me about her niece who was killed by a rott. It was her uncles dog and had never really been around kids and actually some of its favorite chew toys were stuffed animals and dolls... They had a family picnic at the uncles house and a family member brought over their very young child who was just a couple months old and sat her down on the ground in her car seat for a minute to give the uncle a hug and say hi before setting up the play pin... lack of common sense and training and familiarizing the dog with children and now that family no longer has two of their family members, the unfortunate child, and the dog. I think Rotts get a bad rap as well, I have heard they have more of a tendancy to snap for no apparent reason even with training but I have never personally seen this or heard of it. However I have met a Rott that whenever a small child was around would actually get real low to the ground until the child was placed on its back so it could give them a "doggy" back ride, or told to go lay down lol.

Jun 02, 2008 06:52 AM
Chris Horton
Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C. - Burton, MI

Terry- That is so true, they are definitly powerful strong dogs that can do a world of damage, and that factor always needs to be respected. And yes Petey was a good looking pit :-D, my cousin actually looked almost like an identical twin to alfalfa, so I have seen the movie many times as I would put it in whenever he came over lol. Yes America is definitly the land of labels, and while I can't change peoples minds I am just trying/ hoping to open up some minds and get people thinking outside the box for a change as these are truely great animals and friends. So if I convince even one person that hey maybe pits aren't so bad, it was a good day :-D

Jun 02, 2008 07:04 AM
Jason Inoue
Bellevue, WA

I really appreciate a post like yours that dispells some of the myths associated with such a great dog breed.  All dogs need to be respected for their potential danger and as dog owners we must be responsible when handling our dogs.  Any dog is capable of attacking someone or other dogs and I wish more people realized that.

 

Jun 09, 2008 08:29 AM
Chris Horton
Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C. - Burton, MI

Jason- Thank you. Another myth about pitbulls is that they have lock jaw. They actually do not have the magical locking mechanism that everyone thinks is "lock jaw". However they have very strong jaw muscles that allow them to clamp and hold objects very well. The "design" for their jaw muscles was do to their original uses as pit fighters, and bull herders as they would have to grab the ring bulls have in their nose and pull them where they wanted them to go when the bulls didn't follow where they were supposed to go.

Jun 09, 2008 11:56 PM
Patrice Estess
PB APPRAISALS - Kerhonkson, NY

Chris, did you see my 2 blue pit pups??  they were rescues from someone who had 19 altogether...they are wonderful.

Jun 10, 2008 12:34 AM
Chris Horton
Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C. - Burton, MI

Patrice- OMG no, I am on my way to find them though I absolutely love pits and have always wanted a Blue.

Jun 10, 2008 12:37 AM
Joan Wexelbaum
Luxury Mortgage - Ridgefield, CT

My experience with Pits has been very positive.  I work with animal rescue.  The pits we have received at our shelter have been mild mannered, kind, sweet and playful. They usually stay at the shelter for months until some smart, savvy soul rescues them -

Jun 10, 2008 05:02 AM
Chris Horton
Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C. - Burton, MI

Joan- It is a shame what the media has done to this amazing breed. At the animal control shelter here they are in the words they actually use "destroyed" if unclaimed by the owner in 5-7 days.

Jun 10, 2008 05:26 AM
-- Casey Brischle
Columbia Bank - Spokane, WA
Spokane Home Loan Mortgage Professional

All the pit's I have met in person have been all bark and no bite! :)

Jun 10, 2008 06:26 AM
Chris Horton
Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C. - Burton, MI

Casey- Yes, they are excellent let you know someone is here dogs as well. There presence in a yard or home is enough to deter many would be criminals, thats about the only good all the bad media about them has done. There are TONS of Pitbulls around where I live, and I have never heard of a Pit biting case here. German Shepards, Chows, Rotts, Labs, Golden Retrievers yes, but not a single Pit.

Jun 10, 2008 09:40 AM
Andy Laughlin
ConnectRealty.com - Bellingham, WA

I hate how everone gives pit bulls a bad name. I have met some great pits. Thanks for sharing!!!

Jun 11, 2008 06:14 AM
Chris Horton
Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C. - Burton, MI

Andy- I wouldn't mind if they actually earned their bad rap, but they have not. They are a great breed and love human's.

Jun 11, 2008 02:29 PM
Raylene Lewis
Century 21 Beal, Inc. - College Station, TX

He was a beautiful dog & love his sweet face! Thanks for showing me this post. My best friend from law school had a brindle pit that was a total doll. His name was Tex and I always enjoyed seeing him. I hope the breed's reputation continues to improve and people get the record set strait. Have a wonderful weekend.

BTW: I am surprise dash hounds are #1 on the bite list. The only time I have been bit while showing property was from a wienerdog. ;)

Aug 09, 2008 09:30 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Raylene- Yes he was a beautiful dog, although alot of people thought he had a mean looking face. My mom knew him and was around him all the time and she still to this day says she thought he was scary and he looked mean (she knows he was a big baby though). If I had my way (but I don't because Ashlee, my fiancee gets her way lol) I would only have pits or pit mixes like Chloey. Ashlee wants a boxer for our next dog when we decide to get another (which is ok I like boxers too and that is what Chloey is mixed with.... and they are actually related to the pit bull in the dog world

Aug 09, 2008 12:31 PM
#33
Ginger S
Wilkinson & Associates, Wilmington NC - Wilmington, NC
Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation~

Chris, This is a great tribute to your Hercules. I have never had any personal experience with a Pit. But do know there are no bad dogs, lke you say. Thhercules looks like a sweetie. Thanks for the post. I am featuring it!

Ginger

Aug 09, 2008 12:58 PM
Chris Horton
Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C. - Burton, MI

Ginger- I have had quite abit of experience with pitbulls. I have had Hercules, my fiancees parents have one several of my friends have 1 or 2, and a few of my cousins also have them, and they are all great :-D While some dogs (regardless of breed) are more predisposed to aggressiveness (just like humans) it can be broken in many cases with proper training, socializing, and care :-D Thank you for the feature and the nice comment, Hercules was a big sweetie and I miss him.

Aug 09, 2008 02:13 PM
Jackie Kyles
Keller Williams Realty - Rock Hill, SC
ABR, CNE, SFR

Amen!!! I truely believe that it is the owners that make the dogs mean. I go to a lot of dog shows and there are always lots of pits there. Never have I seen any of them act agressively towards other dogs or people. Granted I wouldn't appoach any dog without a little caution and common sense.

Aug 11, 2008 11:52 PM
Chris Horton
Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C. - Burton, MI

Jackie- It actually takes a lot to make a pitbull human aggressive, as they have been breed and trained for many many years to be human friendly as the bull hurders who they were originally breed for had to be able to handle them as well, and the fighters had to be human friendly so their owners could break them up in fights. They actually don't even make good gaurd dogs other than the fact so many people fear them because of the negative media surrounding the breed. They love attention, and are amazingly loyal and friendly (with proper training and socialization). Don't get me wrong though, I (and everyone else should be) cautious of any dog I don't know regardless of breed.

Aug 12, 2008 04:03 PM