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**arriftell** · 08-17-2012, 03:55 PM

Pit bulls were known as Nanny dogs throughout the first half for the 20th century. They were portrayed as family dogs (Spot on the Little Rascals, Buster of Buster Brown Shoes, the RCA dogs) and a symbol of American strength, "talk softly and carry a big stick."

Being designed to fight and being incredible children are not two mutually exclusive traits. Few other breeds are as trustworthy with children. They seem to be drawn to children and kids are mesmerized by pits. They're confident yet humble and they even put-up with small children whom don't know better than to pull on ears and tails.

No, these are certainly not mutually exclusive traits. I have seen the same dog get into a truly scary fight with another dog because the owner failed and then put up with attention and handling from toddlers that made me cringe because the owner failed.

And that's why I wish the "nanny dog" thing would go away. Because owners often fail. They fail to train their dogs or their kids and that phrase "nanny dog" gives people the false impression that these dogs are safe unsupervised with kids when the reality is that no dog is 100% safe around kids and supervision is necessary. Things like temperament, training, previous experiences with children, a difference in the way humans and dogs communicate all play a role. But that is something not many outside forums and a few breed enthusiasts want to talk much about.

A well bred, temperamentally sound, trained, American Pit Bull Terrier is one of the finest( if not the finest...but I might be biased

) dogs to have when raising children and will put up with crap that would make me bite someone. A badly bred, unsound, American Pit Bull Terrier can be a nightmare.

I shudder to think how many people got a Pit because they have been hearing "nanny dog" decided to get one without researching the breed, the breeder/rescue where they got their dog, without understanding the training and exercise necessary, and then tossed the poor dog in with the kids without bothering to train either the kids or the dog in manners.

08-17-2012, 03:55 PM	#9
arriftell Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 411 Senior Member	Pit bulls were known as Nanny dogs throughout the first half for the 20th century. They were portrayed as family dogs (Spot on the Little Rascals, Buster of Buster Brown Shoes, the RCA dogs) and a symbol of American strength, "talk softly and carry a big stick." Being designed to fight and being incredible children are not two mutually exclusive traits. Few other breeds are as trustworthy with children. They seem to be drawn to children and kids are mesmerized by pits. They're confident yet humble and they even put-up with small children whom don't know better than to pull on ears and tails. No, these are certainly not mutually exclusive traits. I have seen the same dog get into a truly scary fight with another dog because the owner failed and then put up with attention and handling from toddlers that made me cringe because the owner failed. And that's why I wish the "nanny dog" thing would go away. Because owners often fail. They fail to train their dogs or their kids and that phrase "nanny dog" gives people the false impression that these dogs are safe unsupervised with kids when the reality is that no dog is 100% safe around kids and supervision is necessary. Things like temperament, training, previous experiences with children, a difference in the way humans and dogs communicate all play a role. But that is something not many outside forums and a few breed enthusiasts want to talk much about. A well bred, temperamentally sound, trained, American Pit Bull Terrier is one of the finest( if not the finest...but I might be biased ) dogs to have when raising children and will put up with crap that would make me bite someone. A badly bred, unsound, American Pit Bull Terrier can be a nightmare. I shudder to think how many people got a Pit because they have been hearing "nanny dog" decided to get one without researching the breed, the breeder/rescue where they got their dog, without understanding the training and exercise necessary, and then tossed the poor dog in with the kids without bothering to train either the kids or the dog in manners.
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