Why are people afraid of Bully breed dogs?

I personally love pitbulls, and Pitbull mixes. They have been the kindest, and most lovable of the 200 + dogs my wife
and I have had come through our rescue over the last 30 years.

I understand if someone was bitten by an untrained dog, any dog can bite. The majority of dogs in America by far, are
bully breeds. They make up 20% of all dogs in America. The AKC has over 200 breeds listed, not to mention all
the mixed breed.

Pit-bulls do not bite as often as most dogs, but the fact that 1 in 5 dogs are the big head types it only makes sense
that most dog bites are from bully breeds. If they were real biters, that number we be much higher.

I have a picture of my father in 1926 when he was 3 sitting next to his family dog
a Staffordshire Bull terrier, which is always confused with a Pit Bull.

Hopefully I can find it.

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DogMan · 61-69, M

22Michelle · 70-79, T

@DogMan Only thing I'd say on the picture is I'd have had no problem with habing a small child cuddling with my dog. However, I'd never leave them alone. Not because I didn't trust my dog, but because children can do very silly things to the dog which could cause the dog to react, and the result could be very bad for both child and dog. Training your dog is very important, but so is ensuring children learn how not to treat those dogs.

DogMan · 61-69, M

@22Michelle I agree with that, although many kids sleep safely with their dogs. But yes, when playing with the dog
they need to be constantly supervised. We don't want kids poking the dog in the eye with stick.

22Michelle · 70-79, T

@DogMan Yes, exactly that scenario

DogMan · 61-69, M

@22Michelle There are tons of You Tube videos with kids and dogs. I love watching them, makes my heart feel good.

Although I know that if I searched "Kids getting bitten by dogs", I'm sure many would pop up

22Michelle · 70-79, T

@DogMan As responsible dog iwners mot only should we train our dogs we need to protect them from the ignorance of children who don't know and / or understand dogs.
I recall how several times I ended up with my hand in my Black Labrador's mouth when he'd got something stuck. He was always very gentle. Then I'd see him eating a bone and be reminded of how powerful that bite could be. I trusted him with children, it was the children I kept an eye on

DogMan · 61-69, M

@22Michelle

This is one of our many Pit mixes. That is the neighbors cat that would come over during the period when Jaida started
going down hill. The cat offered much comfort.