I too get very defensive about pit bulls. I have a pit mix - she's the smartest dog you will ever meet. She opens our front door for company, and lets herself and our other dog back into the house if we don't respond to her bark that says she wants back in. Yes, she was high-energy for a long time, and she still runs circles around our shepherd mix who is 2 years younger, but you'll never meet a more intelligent, well-behaved, sensitive animal.

Over time, i have had pit bull strays show up at my house. Some were clearly used as bait dogs, or were beaten. The amazing thing about pits is they accept these beatings and keep on going - they don't seem to hold a grudge, or become shy (some do, I've cared for and re-homed many a pit). They are happy animals - those big heads of theirs make room for the biggest, happiest grins you ever saw, and their tails wag so hard they sting when they whip against your leg. I only had one that I felt could not be rehabbed, and it just killed me. This was nothing more than a puppy, he was in terrible shape, and was the most terrifying wild creature I ever came across.

Pit bulls do not "snap" - no more than any other breed. Evidence is starting to come to light that dogs who "snap" are actually rabid - from repeatedly getting the rabies vaccine. There are veterinarians in Canada who are trying very hard to get this brought to light. It's possible that some dog breeds have a lesser tolerance to getting the vaccine... and also possible that pits are just the fighting dog breed of choice, and are often given such horrible lives - I can't blame such an animal for "snapping".

Your friend is an idiot - but don't judge her too harshly. Pits (and often times, dogs who are not pits are reported to be pits) are in the news headlines every week. Some people cannot get past the bad publicity and see that pit bull terriers are some of the BEST dogs out there.

My house will never be without a pit bull. Ever.