Petside.com

Mila October 1, 2009 11:52 AM

That's a bull terrier, not a pit bull

Cindy October 1, 2009 2:30 PM

I also have seen this e-mail. What I find unsettling about this and other "proof" pix of animals being 'mauled' by humans and taking it - I find it unacceptable to allow it to happen. You are teaching a very bad habit - one that says to our children, it's okay to do this. I've had shepherds, dobies and rotties and now have two labs. In many ways my labs are more protective of me and my possessions than the others were - simply because the others were trained when to be protective, and the labs are doing it out of their own 'possessiveness' of what they perceive to be mine. When we allow our children to maul their pets - we are inadvertantly telling them that all animals will accept their behavior. Take it from me - I have 57 stitches and nearly lost my right eye because as a seven year old, I could not imagine that my cousin's cute beagle would do anything to harm me. Fortunately, I survived, and so did the dog. It was not his fault - I had been told, just did not "hear" the warning - as so many children don't. Teach your children respect for your animals and they will approach strange animals in the same way. I love what this photo is telling us. It is NOT the breed - my dobbie used to sit (or try to) on my Mom's lap. She was only with him two weeks out of every year, yet he knew she was a friend, and loved her attention.

Barb October 1, 2009 2:35 PM

Pits are one of the most misunderstood breeds there is these days. These dogs were originally one of the first choices as a family pet since they are naturally a people pleasing breed. Their loyalty is unquestioning. I never worry about my 3 pits with cats or small children except for their comparative size. My 70lb male can raise welts on your legs when he wags his tail.

jmuhj October 1, 2009 2:57 PM

ALL dogs are dangerous, all have the potential to bite and be violent. I would never have one (I have been forced to care for two in my life. I would never do it again).

Diana October 1, 2009 3:17 PM

jmuhj, I feel very sorry for you.

Vicki October 1, 2009 3:19 PM

These dogs have been unfortunate enough to have had some very bad publicity. Any dog can be dangerous if taught. But this breed has had so much bad publicity that is is now illegal to own them in some states. It is a shame that some people have put the entire breed in such a bad light. They do not deserve it.

Rani October 1, 2009 4:33 PM

Dogs can be remarkably tolerant and loving (like the one in that foto, bless his heart).... and remarkably violent and vicious (like my friend Cliff's dog who ripped off his stepdaughter's face because she wanted to play with him while he was sleeping). A normally nice dog can be incited. My point here is that that may be a "cute picture" to be forwarded, but the parents of that little boy need to teach him to respect all animals, especially one he lives with.

Amy October 1, 2009 4:46 PM

As much as I love all critters I have a healthy respect for them at the same time. My daughter owns a Pitt bull and he is the most loving dog I have ever met.My daughter has him very well trained but errs on the side of caution always with him. It is people who "do not" think that will have accidents involving animals.

Iniki October 1, 2009 5:20 PM

Thanks for featuring this article. I adore Bull Terriers. They are the clowns of the terrier breeds and so loving and family oriented.

Donna October 1, 2009 5:44 PM

Yep, it's a bull terrier, my brother has had several of them. Personally I don't care for their looks LOL they remind me too much of opossums but then again I'm a cat person. NONETHELESS...I don't believe pit bulls are any more dangerous than any other breed...and probably less than some. A friend works in an animal shelter in NY...and says the pit bulls she comes in contact are just pussycats. Now, not to say, that mistreated, one could turn on you, but that's true with ANY animal.

Anonymous October 1, 2009 8:25 PM

jmuhj, you are a very uninformed person when it comes to dogs. Dogs ARE THE MOST LOYAL, LOVING ANIMAL ON EARTH. If you've never been loved by a dog, you've never been truly loved. I feel very sorry for you. You really need a reality check. Of course, with your attitude, you're doing all dogs a favor by not being owned by one.

Pam G October 1, 2009 8:55 PM

Yes, indeed, a Bull Terrier. I should point out that it took a lot longer than just a minute or so for this junior picasso to do all that art work. Nor do we know whether the parent or parents were supervising : they may indeed have been watching every moment and seen that the dog remained as totally relaxed as he is in this photo. some dogs utterly adore children and will accept almost anything from them. being crayoned 9or maybe it's a felt tipped marker) is probably not uncomfortable by the standards of a dog bred to catch cattle by the nose . all terriers are pretty insensitive to minor bodily discomfort, even major bodily discomfort. in any case the dog in the photo is absolutely relaxed. no harm, no foul.

Linda October 1, 2009 9:00 PM

I too believe that some breeds get a bad rap and many times unfounded. It's sad but true. And yes, dogs are very loyal and give you unconditional love. I once had one for 17 years that was the light of my life. I haven't had a dog for a long time now but rather have 5 cats. I love them all even though they just use me as their servant.

And as far as the photograph, my brother took a class in photoshop and he said he would never totally believe any computerized picture again. Guess I'm saying, this picture may have been "created" rather than taken.

Ruth from England October 2, 2009 5:26 AM

That is a bull terrier and that picture is very disturbing because even the most placid of dogs can snap if goaded too far. What on earth was that child's parents thinking of ? What a lesson to teach a child, that a dog can be laid down and scribbled on.I lost count of how many times perfectly healthy dogs were brought into the vets where I worked because they'd turned on the child of the family.Dogs of ALL breeds. Because of the stupidity of many parents the dogs paid with their lives.Children should learn to respect animals, that they are not toys. It's like parents who have cats declawed 'for the children's sake' It's cruel,stupid and wrong that children think cats can be adapted and that dogs can be used as playthings. My parents brought us up in the real world where dogs bite, cats scratch and it was our own fault if we incited them.
I get really angry about any animal abuse !!!I always say anyone who wants a pet of any kind should first be made to sit a competence test.Sadly that is never going to happen.

Jessy October 2, 2009 11:47 AM

I have seen this just this past week in a email and i find it disturbing... that this child needs to be tought to respect animals,not to just abuse them in this way.. its just not right..

jennifer October 2, 2009 1:44 PM

i also own a pitbull and i think for you people that slash there name you are wrong they are the most passionate sweetest dogs i have ever seen it is the owners fault if they act up dont blame the dog they go on what they are taught

Melanie October 3, 2009 1:24 AM

This poor dog doesn't know that the little boy is drawing on him, the dogs probably just feeling a tickle sensation & likes it. It bothers me that the little boy could have paper scissors next & give the dog a "hair cut" or paint him with something and it gets in the dogs eyes,either scenario could mean the dog might get angry becuase it doesn't understand - Children should be taught to always remember dogs are animals first..even the most placid dog could instinctively bite, not becuase he is BAD, BUT BECUASE he has animal instincts.

Terah October 5, 2009 3:59 PM

I think the picture is cute. I own eight american bulldogs and two labs and my labs are definitly more possesive and have been harder to train than my bullies. It is not the breed but the owner that makes the dog. If these owners created a dog that sweet and tolerant, then kudos to them.
This type of behavior should not be labeled as animal cruelty. There are so many bad things happening to dogs in the world and you guys are complaining about a boy drawing on a dog. How silly.

annie October 7, 2009 3:11 AM

when i lived in california i periodically went to a pet store owned by two vets. there was a dog there -- one of the nicest, sweetest dogs in the whole world. her name was ghana.

the store clerks would not tell people what kind of dog ghana was, unless someone asked. one day i asked and was stunned when i was told that ghana was a pit bull.

like i said -- she was one of the nicest, sweetest dogs in the whole world. i cried when she died. one of the store clerks got so upset that eventually he quit working at the store.

ghana was around 14 when she died. to this day, i still miss her. she was that wonderful a dog.

lynsey October 22, 2009 5:57 AM

i have a pitt bull blue and i have a black lab and they are no different in any way its how u bring them up

henry January 30, 2010 1:11 PM

first iwant to clear that the dog in the picture is not pitbull but a bull terrier and second i have to agree with a lot of you pet lovers is the owners who makes any breed what they want than to be is not the dog i have two akc boxers the female is very gentle loves other pets and my kids most of all the is the same way but i trained him to be on the look out and he serves both purposes they are both very obedient is up to the owner what they want their pets to become not a breed problem.