[Oswczrdz]

To see how far we've fallen read up on this APBT named Sergeant Stubby ( actual Rank) though not sure, some say he was a boston terrier/apbt mix and some say full apbt. A true war hero. Dog breeds fall in and out of favor so quickly it truly is sad that now and days noone mentions the positive

http://www.ct.gov/mil/cwp/view.asp?a=1351&q=257892

[elects]

I got my interest int he American Bulldog from watching Saving Grace on TNT network. I saw Gus (the AB companion of Grace) and fell in love. I did a search to find out what breed the dog was and loved what I learned. Found a rescue, it didn't work out. Went to a breeder and got Ike. Have been in love ever since.

I wish peoples dog fickle nature didn't have to include bullshit laws that aren't so easy to take off the books.

[Buincchotourbss]

can someone show me a pic of a gsd.

[joanbertis]

can someone show me a pic of a gsd.

German Shepherd Dog Information and Pictures, German Shepherd Dogs

[ZesePreodaNed]

I know, SBT... Makes me wonder which will be next.

Just a fun fact, Chance's name is Sure Grip's Rattler.

can someone show me a pic of a gsd.

Here ya go.

[Maryjasmine]

I love the Homeward Bound movies... I always cry when I watch them. I love Shadow too.

[spoddersedpn]

I would say Chance was an American Bulldog


I didn't realize there was an older version.

[BPitt]

yea I love the Incredible Journey, that and White Fang were my 1st experiences at the bully breeds, and I loved them from then on, and homeward bound was another fav. of mine, I hope more people that have authority will get educated someday...but I do not see that happening while I am alive, and saddly I am only 24 years old...

[sydramySweame]

I remember the first dog I really want to have is GSD because what I want to have as a pet is a real Wolf and they look kinda similar. I visit and stay one summer with my uncle who have a showbred GSD, she is one sweet dog. I even go to her basketbed and sleep with her. At age of 8 I remember my parents still let me believe Santa Claus is real. Every xmas, my parents would always want me to write a letter to santa then give it to them, then I will have my present. So one day I sneak a letter to santa to our door with a wish that I want a GSD. It never came of course since my dad didn't even got a chance to read it. So from then on I hate Santa Claus! Haha!

Then first time I watch Whitefang.. that's the first time I've got an idea about pitbull. I was like.. if this dog can beat a wolf.. then this dog is what I want! So from then on.. I got to have my own pitbull and got stuck on it.

[F1grandprix]

Well I fell in love with the Bully type dogs as a kid. But my mom wouldn't have that. And honestly if it weren't for my stepdad I think she would have been more open to different dog breeds. I mean she used to dog sit huskies. And she loved the breed. I think if it weren't for his bias against larger dogs we would have had a husky. But instead we always had toy poodles or shih tzus. Stuff like that. And well over the years my mom got more and more turned off to dogs. My stepdad hates the bully breeds, especially pit bulls. Not that he would know one if it licked on the face. But him and my mom always told me they were bad and to stay away from those types of dogs. To the point that they scared me and I became scared of the breed APBT and I even started to become fearful of the American Bulldog which I've always loved, all of them really. My Dad on the other hand loves all animals. But he was sadly absent from my life for many years. But that is a story for another day. I think I get my love from animals from him. My mom has never been an animal lover. And none of the people involved in raising me was. Which brings me to the question, is it genetic? My dad encouraged me to get to know all sorts of dogs and to find the right dog for me and not to be afraid just because people told me to be, I shouldn't base any decision on fear. I then started putting myself into positions where I would have to interact with the breeds I had been told my whole life to avoid. And I love them now. I've never met more wonderful dogs than the bully breeds. How could anyone hate them? I still don't know what the right dog for me is but I love the American Bulldog and I'm very interested in the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, mainly because from my research and spending time with a few SBTs. They seem to be the closest in Temperment and personality and size and so forth to my Sasha than any breed I've met. And I like that. But its still going to be awhile until we get another dog and chances are I'll probably rescue again.

But I will say that I am angry, I was kept from these wonderful dogs all these years. Why? Because of someone elses fear.

[elects]

Yup, Chance was indeed an American Bulldog. He is mentioned in the book "The Working American Bulldog" by Dave Putnam. Kyle Symmes of Sure Grip Kennels in CA. bred "Chance" (real name Sure Grip's Rattler) and he sired many pups that were the foundation stock for quite a few lines. Rattler took a few titles, too. He won conformation titles, was PP trained and also worked as a hog catchin dog.

I would have given a toe or something to have one of his pups or grandpups.

[LongaDonga]

That's cool, MJJean. I didn't know that.

[F1grandprix]

Yup, Chance was indeed an American Bulldog. He is mentioned in the book "The Working American Bulldog" by Dave Putnam. Kyle Symmes of Sure Grip Kennels in CA. bred "Chance" (real name Sure Grip's Rattler) and he sired many pups that were the foundation stock for quite a few lines. Rattler took a few titles, too. He won conformation titles, was PP trained and also worked as a hog catchin dog.

I would have given a toe or something to have one of his pups or grandpups.

That is a really cool peice of info thanks for sharing

[Buincchotourbss]

.

[F1grandprix]

There was a time not too long ago that they were accepted and loved. I was watching an Old Favorite of mine last night. "Homeward Bound". And that is the movie that sparked my interest in one of my favorite breeds when I was just a child and I've been researching the breed for years...The American Bulldog. Chance was the most beautiful dog I had ever seen up until that point and just wanted to learn everything I could about the breed. I love the American Bulldog and I'd love to own one oneday. I've been plotting it since I was a kid of 7 or 8 years old. When I was a kid I would go to the library and read anything I could find on the breed. Which I am afraid wasn't much. They had like 2 books at the time that even referenced the American Bulldog. Funnily enough the librarian always pointed out to me a few books about Labs and Goldens, but whatever. My mom wouldn't let me get any books on the breed. She said there is no point getting my hopes up for a dog like that. In our home we only have small inside dogs. So I read what I could until I finally got older and started surfing the net. And then my research really began. I knew I'd never have an American Bulldog at home but when I grew up one day I would.

But why it got me thinking was at one point the American Pit Bull Terrier was accepted enough to be in a show with kids. I'm sure you all know who I am referring to, Petey from the Little Rascals. Now a days if you put a Pit Bull in a movie with kids the media would have a Hay day.

The American Bulldog, again in a movie with kids and other animals. Homeward Bound and Little Rascals the movie.

Turner and Hooch was a cute movie and the dog was a Dogue de Bordeax.

Then I got to thinking about the previous reputation of the GSD, and still know people who fear them. At one point they were pretty popular. Look at Rin Tin Tin. And they are becoming popular again.


I guess my point in all this is I find it kind of funny how fickle people can be. One day a breed can be so loved and popular and the next it seems people want them all dead. And as sad as it is, I have to laugh at the ignorance.
The fact is a Dog is a Dog. No matter how well trained it is, it is still an animal and an animal has teeth. So if the dog is provoked or not trained or unsound, whatever. At the end of the day you can still expect an animal to react like an animal. If it has teeth you better believe it can bite.
People seem to forget that I think. Its not something that should be accepted and we all should do everything in our power to prevent that, but some people think animals should comform to our world I guess and that they never should bite, they never should react like animals. And when they do react like animals humans then come with their mobs and pitchforks and are ready to destroy a whole breed over it.

Humans are funny sometimes, I see why I enjoy spending time with the dogs better though, lol.

That is my thought for the day.

[Acalsenunse]

I believe the GSD was rated the number 2 most popular dog in America this last year. Second to the Labrador Retriever. Take into account that the AKC doesn't really recognize generic "bullies" or the APBT... Given how many people own them, I personally think they are right up there in popularity.

[F1grandprix]

I believe the GSD was rated the number 2 most popular dog in America this last year. Second to the Labrador Retriever. Take into account that the AKC doesn't really recognize generic "bullies" or the APBT... Given how many people own them, I personally think they are right up there in popularity.

The issue isn't popularity that I'm going with but the fickleness of people. That was my point or thought. Was how fickle people can be.

[MpNelQTU]

That is one of my favorite movies, though I got hooked by the original 1963 version. In that one there was a bull terrier instead of the Ambully.

Both great movies and now I shall have to go and watch it again!

[F1grandprix]

That is one of my favorite movies, though I got hooked by the original 1963 version. In that one there was a bull terrier instead of the Ambully.

Both great movies and now I shall have to go and watch it again!

Sadly my very alert 5 month old seemed way more interested in Sassy the cat. Than she did in Shadow or Chance. I'm praying she doesn't want a cat one day. Please be a dog person

I like that version too though. I like Bull Terriers

[HakTaisanip]

If it has teeth you better believe it can bite.
People seem to forget that I think.

Family friends bred and raised Appaloosas and I grew up hearing "If it has teeth it bites, if it has legs it kicks" It isn't so much people have forgotten that, but people aren't exposed to the environments where that is just common sense knowledge to keep you from getting hurt.

These days since so many have drunk the "the government is supposed to look out for you and keep you safe" kool-aid is it any surprise we have so many idiots running around who can't think for them self and expect everyone else to look out for them? Why should they have to have some common sense around animals and actually think about what they are doing around those animals? If that's the case the government should just legislate those animals out of existence as part of their "job" of keeping the idiots safe. Makes me want to puke.

It's been GSD's, Dobermans, Rottweilers, it may someday be Poodles and Goldens who knows. Whatever the fad breed to hate and blame for everything happens to be the media will fan the flames and the ignorant will still refuse to ask them self why 10 years ago these same dogs were not a problem.

Unfortunately unless one is willing to learn and change their opinions you cannot change those opinions. And the number of people who let the government and the media tell them what their opinions should be seems to be on the rise.