Anectodal Evidence Means Nothing

Anectodal Evidence Means Nothing

by Meek
(Nebraska)

So, some people have a story about a pit bull that caused harm? I nearly had my armed ripped off by a yellow lab. I'm sure I could find other people who were attacked by yellow labs, but not in the media. The story just isn't sensational enough.

You have a story wherein a pit bull caused harm? I'm very sorry. But comparing a domesticated animal (and I'm talking thousands of years of domestication) to a wild animal (i.e. tiger) doesn't qualify as a parallel.

Every generation has it's own demonized dog (German shepherds in the 1940's, for example) that perpetuate the breed's use among subpar "owners."

Think about it. If a lab attacked your own dog or rampaged at a doggie daycare, would you tell your friends, "A lab did such-and-such!" or would you say, "Another dog did such-and-such!"? A pitbull or American bulldog? That's worth specifying!!!

No study has ever proven that pits cause more harm, though studies have proven that pit bull bites and attacks are reported at a much higher rate than other breeds.

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Anectodal Evidence Means Nothing

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Aug 01, 2010
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Funny you should mention...
by: Anonymous

I work with dogs as part of my job. And I've been bitten multiple times... never by pit bulls... mostly by labs. And yes, they broke the skin and blood was involved, etc.

At first I was baffled by the seemingly common occurrence of aggressive labs because before I began working with dogs, I never spent much time with any labs and always considered them the ultimate "all American family dog". But many of the labs we get are unruly, aggressive, stubborn, and all around difficult to work with. Especially the non-neutered ones.

And since I am a pit bull owner that hates the fact that people stereo-type my beloved boy, I really did struggle to come to terms with my dislike for labs due to my experiences with them as being commonly aggressive.

So in an effort not to stereo-type them, I've come up with my own theory as to why labs are so aggressive... and I think it goes back to my original idea of them as being the "ultimate all-American dog".

I think that many people have this opinion of labs and when deciding what kind of dog to get, many people choose labs without doing the proper research first. These are LARGE dogs with a LOT of energy and tend to be very stubborn. If they don't go into a home where they get LOTS of exercise on a very regular basis along with structure and discipline, their high-energy and stubborn nature get the best of them anytime they have the opportunity to "act out". And unfortunately, many of the people adopting these dogs don't have the time, energy, or means to give these dogs what they need while they're also juggling the demands of raising a family and going to work.

This is just my theory, it helps me to feel better about a breed that I've not had many good interactions with and I refuse to blame the dogs because I know how it feels to be on the other end.

But I must agree. As someone who spends most of my time with dogs of all shapes, sizes, and breeds... Labs tend to be the most aggressive in my experience. Not only towards people but also towards the other dogs (as some of my bites have happened while breaking up dog fights).

This just goes to show that people really need to put more thought into the pets they commit to raising so that they can give them what they need to grow into the wonderful pets they can be.

Aug 01, 2010
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I've heard it
by: Tally

My vet recently told me that she has never been bitten by a pit bull but has been bitten more times than she can count by labs.

I thought that was interesting and now I am starting to hear more stories like that too.

Aug 25, 2010
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labs
by: Anonymous

One day I took my pit bull to the park to play, we were having a great time when a black lab came out of no where and started attacking my baby. Chino (my pit bull) has never mouthed another dog and even when he was being attacked he didn't fight back. The lab ripped Chino's tongue open and gave him 2 huge cuts across his nose and Chino wouldn't even defend himself. After I broke them up the labs owner came over to me and started SCREAMING at me because I have a pit bull and they are the WORST dogs ever. Chino didn't even see the lab coming, he was minding his own business and got attacked and still didn't even defend himself. Chino is such a sweet dog, when the lady was yelling at me and Chino got so sad..... I hate when people put pits down just for being pits.

Aug 27, 2010
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Poor Chino!
by: Anonymous

I can totally relate to poor Chino! My pit is the same way. He's a BIG boy but won't even defend himself when he has every right to... and instead, it really hurts his feelings and it's quite obvious. Really breaks my heart!

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