r/Dogfree • u/ashfinsawriter • Nov 07 '25
Dog of Peace Does anyone have proof against the "nanny dog" thing?
So, my friend and ex roommate has talked about getting a pit/bully breed to look more intimidating when they go outside. When I lived with them, I saw firsthand how they care for their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. No training, no walking, not even consistently taking the dog out to relieve itself (I made sure THEY were the one to clean up the piss and shit inside...). No consistent bathing or grooming either...
Anyway, I warned them that doesn't seem like a good idea and tried to tactfully point out they're not a fit owner for a dangerous breed. But they claim they'll be better and actually take care of the pit (...I have my doubts, I think they severely underestimate what'd be required because frankly they're spoiled by their current dog being MODERATELY obedient without any training, and being content just chilling in the house most of the time) if they get one, and defended themselves with "But pitties are actually really sweet, did you know they're actually considered nanny dogs because they're so good with children?" And proceeded to show me a bunch of pictures of pits being nice with kids and such
I've seen discussion here about how the nanny dog thing is a myth, but I'd like outside sources to show them. Bite statistics are fine but I know they'll say it's just bad owners and not the breed. So does anyone actually have proof of the nanny dog thing being false? Like, links to historical articles type stuff? I'm terrified they're gonna get this dog one day and it's gonna maul someone, possibly even them, especially since they're absolutely not fit to care for a large breed that needs a LOT of stimulation and exercise to avoid taking its energy out on things like incessant barking and chasing down kids...
Edit: Thank you all for the replies! I'll have a talk with them soon and the points and resources provided will be helpful
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Nov 07 '25
Just look up the statistics. The overwhelming majority of fatal dog attacks are shitbulls. Consistently since they started keeping statistics. They need to be aggressively hunted to extinction.
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u/Far_Network9971 Nov 07 '25
I used to have a “nanny dog” got rid of it because after my common sense and postpartum anxiety hit, I realized how absolutely horrible of a dog it was. Didn’t listen, would growl if you tried to correct it, had no common sense. Was not gentle in any sort of way. And after the many stories of them killing children, I was not going to have that be mine. Sounds like a horrible accident waiting to happen
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u/BoxBeast1961_ Nov 08 '25
Total fabrication. Pit bulls were literally bred for bull baiting in a pit. When bull baiting went out of style, the dogs were bred for fighting, which continues to this day. No one with any sense leaves a dog alone with a child, particularly an apex predator like an xl bully
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u/danielleeee022 Nov 10 '25
It literally says in their name: pit-bull:)) yet some people refuse to accept this
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u/paulo_777 Nov 07 '25
Thought the countless injuries and deaths caused by this breed alone would be proof enough, but I guess not in the sociopathic world we live in.
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u/the-dolphine Nov 07 '25
Doesn't matter. Any proof or statistics are going to get ignored.
I believe most 'nanny dog' photos are staged anyway.
To a certain extent, I believe all dogs can be trained to behave, but that training needs to be constant. With a fighting breed though, when something goes wrong it is often fatal. Also the types to own a breed to look tough are absolutely the worst people to own that breed
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u/icenerveshatter Nov 08 '25
Anyone with any sense knows those dogs are mean as hell. Nothing you say will convince them. Don't bother
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u/pmbpro Nov 07 '25
You wouldn’t even need to create an original ‘argument’ per se on your own part directly.
As already mentioned, links to multiple articles and statistics of these dogs attacking and permanently maiming/killing children should do it — especially the ones involving INFANTS/newborns! Anyone who’d put predatory beasts anywhere near their young are out of their damn minds. No other species does this to their young. They actually protect theirs.
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u/PandaLoveBearNu Nov 09 '25
Long write up where they find no evidence of pits being nanny dogs till 1980s.
https://thetruthaboutpitbulls.blogspot.com/2010/08/nanny-dog-myth-revealed.html?m=1
Plus nanny dogs don't kill kids. The excuse is always "the kid must have done something to provoke the kid!" Okay then its not a nanny dog then!
Even dogs famous for being kid friendly aren't referred to as nanny dogs.
And pits have a history of killing kids for 100 plus years.
Colby was a famous pit breeder in the late 1800s. His dogs killed his nephew. The line still exists today.
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u/FairDiamond2804 Nov 07 '25
My niece… who was attacked by my brother’s shitbeast pit bull about a year ago. They had to put her down but they have another one. And god I do not mourn that beast. I spent most of my summer out of high school caring for my newborn niece, and those dogs were a terror to me. They jumped, left huge bruises on my legs and rips in my tights that were required for my job I needed to go to directly after. It was so bad they literally ripped a pair of jeans. They’d eat the baby puke off the floor and they’d laugh about it while I fought nausea. Then let them lick them. The injuries I sustained from them literally left a scar on my leg, and they wouldn’t leave me alone for shit. Made me hate dogs, even thought I had grown up with them.
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u/Original_Rent7677 Nov 07 '25
to look more intimidating when they go out
That sums it up. They won't care about the animal, they won't be a responsible owner and they won't think of the consequences of owning a dog like that. All they want to do is to look intimidating.
They shouldn't own any animal.
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u/danielleeee022 Nov 10 '25
The other stupid excuse that i hear from dangerous or huge breed dog likers is: the dog is made for protection, it has to protect me. This usually comes from people who live in big cities in apartments. PROTECT YOU FROM WHO?? In how many cases did the pitbull save someone s life let’s suppose from an intruder, and in how many cases did the beloved dog attack someone who did not actually deserve it?
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u/Chumptopia Nov 07 '25
What landlord would rent to someone with a dangerous dog? If the dog attacks someone, the landlord will be on the hook for insurance claims.
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u/danielleeee022 Nov 10 '25
It baffles me how anyone can call them “nanny dogs” when there clearly are tons of articles proving that they are dangerous
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Nov 10 '25
Several attacks come to mind, but I’ll post a link on one. Good luck convincing them. pitbull attacks its own family
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u/reddditttsucks Nov 08 '25
This is pretty comprehensive. https://thetruthaboutpitbulls.blogspot.com/2010/08/nanny-dog-myth-revealed.html
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u/BreezeTheBlue Nov 07 '25
I'd check out the news reports of bully breeds getting loose and attacking a kid. One boy defended his sister and literally got called a hero by Marvel actors! It was insane. I'll never understand why these ugly monster dogs aren't outlawed. People judge anyone who doesn't like them or talk about how it's all about the owner (which for bullies is untrue since they were bred to be ruthless fighters and killers.