If so, would the age of the child(ren) be a factor?

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I wouldn't get a pit bull to bring into a house with small children but I wouldn't get any dog to bring into a house with small children. Both need too much attention and one of them would be "acting out" to get the attention needed. I wouldn't have a problem bringing a child into a home with a well trained dog regardless of breed.

Stacey

Really? Even with the stories out there of 'well-trained' pitbulls that attacked a child out of the blue?

I agree any dog can bite. But a poodle would have a hard time killing a child. Not so with a pitbull.

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I was always fairly anti-dog. It wasn't that I disliked them, in fact, I think they're incredible animals, it's just a fear of an unpredictable animal around my children.
Even well trained , well bred dogs can snap. That being said, we did end up getting a lab (much to my chagrin.. dh doesn't listen), and it has actually been a wonderful experience. I've known her since she was a puppy, and she grew up around my children.

They are never ever allowed alone together, for even a minute. I trust my dog, but I'm still cautious.

I realize that pit bulls can be good dogs, but given the strength of the jaws, and the breeding history (for fights) I would not want my children around a pit bull, particularly a strange one.

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I've never heard a story about a well trained pit bull biting just out of the blue. Any dog can kill a child, it's matter of size proportion.

BTW, I have a scar on my cheeck from my father's dog that I received as a child. I was around 2 and my grandmother was looking after both me and the dog. I climbed on the dog's back, she ran to get a camera because it was cute, and came back to a bloodied toddler. It required stiches. The dog was a Scottish sheepdog so about the size of a terrier I guess. So I don't trust any dog with a child.

No. While some pitbulls are very good dogs, they are very 'mean' in nature. That is what that do was bred to do. Dh has friends that used to breed pits (it is now illegal in that town to own a pit) and he had a very well behaved blood-line. Pits are just to unpredictable. Dogs are in general. You can have the most well trained dog and have it turn on you. We have a excellent dog, Border Collie mix,very good with kids, but I still watch him when him and Adam are at play. Kids are rough without realizing it and when a dog gets hurt, their natural reaction is to snap. While biting is never good, I would much rather have a Yorkie snap at my son than a Pit.

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Wow, many posts at once!!

Wanted to add that as a child I was attacked by a Cocker Spaniel. Hurt like hell, but did not kill me or do any major damage. Just scars. So, by far, any dog can bite.

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No, and I'm with veiled, I'm fairly anti-dog. That said we will probably have one in the next 2-3 years. I would never choose a pitbull because of how powerful they are. Same with German Shepards, Rotties, and dobermans.

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Dear Jacquie,
You were right about everything.
-Jacie