[speeder]

Originally Posted by Wetwork

My GF moved in a few months ago and she has two Rottie's. It took forever to find a insurance company that would cover us just because of the Rott's. We ended up going with State Farm, the only company that would even discuss it. Of course for higher rate.

I also live way out in the sticks on a cattle ranch, no kids, and no neighbors within two miles. And we were still stiffed. I can't imagine I'd ever have gotten insured if they were pitts.

I won't get into my opinion on fighting dogs. They are genetically designed to do what they do and they do it very well. Exactly how we made them to be over generations of careful breeding. I don't think folks realize just how easy it is to genetically create domestic animals to bring out the best instincts. You just cull the wimps and keep the tough ones, breed it to another tough one, or back to its mother or father and rise wash repeat. You don't even have to train that. Just keep breeding them.-WW

Originally Posted by varmint

My neighbors breed Karelians. Got to play with the last litter. At eight weeks one wanted to eat me. Three wandered off and had zero interest in any human. One wanted to just pee on everything. One little girl curled up in my lap and went to sleep as I rubbed her belly.

I think she would have been a good pet. The rest are causing someone migraines somewhere.

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

I have 2 relatives who have adopted pit bull mixes. One about 7 years ago, the other about 3 years ago. Both dogs are OK as long as they're with their owners at home. They have to generally be locked up or put outside when visitors come because it's just not worth the stress of something happening. After several near disasters involving other relative's dogs, neither can be taken to family gatherings or anywhere where other dogs might be. Dogsitters are almost impossible to find, so they often just don't come to family things any more. If they do, the one relative has a heavy duty cage that looks like something from a zoo to stick the thing in for the day. They both are a major PITA to travel with because of the stress involved with them accidentally slipping out of the car unleashed when a door is opened. Both are very powerful animals and they have a tough time physically restraining them on leash. One relative likes to camp, but since pits are prohibited from most campgrounds these days they now boondock out in state or federal land.

Both relatives will tell you they are "fantastic pets"

It's ALL in the breeding. You can adjust behavior somewhat w socializing and training but if the genetics are fked up, forget it.