Claude vs. ChatGPT on pit bulls vs Golden Retrievers

A recent New York Post story, “3-month-old baby mauled to death by family pit bull in NJ”:

I asked Claude, Anthropic’s $7 billion baby, whether the choice of pit bull was unwise:

We have a 3-month-old baby. We want to get a dog. If the baby’s safety is our main concern, should we adopt a pit bull or a golden retriever?

If the baby’s safety is the main concern, it would be advisable to adopt a golden retriever rather than a pit bull when getting a dog for your home with a 3-month-old infant.

While it’s true that any dog can potentially bite if mishandled or improperly trained, certain breeds are generally considered better suited for homes with small children. Golden retrievers are renowned for their friendly, gentle, and patient temperament, especially around children.

On the other hand, pit bulls were historically bred for blood sports like bull-baiting and bear-baiting, which has shaped their tendency toward aggression if not properly socialized and trained from a very young age. Even a well-trained pit bull’s powerful jaws can inadvertently cause severe injury to a fragile infant during play or accidental incidents. …

ChatGPT, on the other hand, is strong on political correctness. Genetics, whether dog or human, does not determine intelligence, personality, behavior, etc.:

When considering adding a dog to a family with a young baby, the primary focus should indeed be on safety, alongside the temperament, energy levels, and size of the dog. It’s important to note that individual dogs can have personalities that differ from the general characteristics of their breed, but there are some general tendencies worth considering. … Pit Bulls, a term often used to describe a variety of breeds including the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and others, can also be loving and loyal pets. They are known for their strong attachment to their families. … Socialization and training are crucial for Pit Bulls, as with any dog, to ensure they are well-behaved around children and other animals.

Ultimately, the decision should be based on thorough research and consideration of the specific dog’s personality and the family’s lifestyle and ability to meet the needs of the dog. Consulting with a veterinarian, a professional dog trainer, or a breed rescue organization can provide additional guidance tailored to your situation. Regardless of breed, bringing a dog into a home with a baby requires commitment to training, socialization, and creating a safe environment for all.

ChatGPT’s advice seems particularly clueless regarding human nature. How many people consult “a veterinarian, a professional dog trainer, or a breed rescue organization” before adopting a dog?

Let’s go back to Anthropic’s Claude…

Prompt: Our neighbor has a golden retriever named “Mindy the Crippler”. Should we be concerned about her having aggressive tendencies?

Yes, I would be very concerned if your neighbor’s golden retriever is named “Mindy the Crippler.”

While golden retrievers are generally known for being friendly, gentle family dogs, a name like that implies the dog may have been trained for aggression or have exhibited aggressive tendencies in the past.

A few key reasons why that name raises red flags:

  1. “Crippler” is not a typical pet name, and connotes inflicting harm or damage on something/someone.
  2. Giving an aggressive name to a dog can actually reinforce and encourage aggressive behavior in that dog.
  3. Even though goldens are a typically non-aggressive breed, any individual dog can become aggressive if improperly trained or treated.
  4. You don’t know the history of how this particular dog was raised and trained by your neighbors.

While I don’t want to assume the worst, that name suggests at the very least poor judgement by the owners. At worst, it could indicate the dog has a history of aggressive behavior that has been reinforced rather than corrected.

For the safety of your infant, I would recommend speaking to your neighbors and expressing your concerns, especially if you plan on having your baby around this dog at all. Don’t accuse, but explain that the name worries you since infant safety is the top priority. See what they say about the dog’s temperament and history.


Related… “Bruiser” from Legally Blonde:

10 thoughts on “Claude vs. ChatGPT on pit bulls vs Golden Retrievers

  1. It’s a shame to think we’ll soon be murdered by machines who don’t understand Simpsons references.

    Seems like a tragedy on so multiple levels.

  2. Claude thinks like my great aunt of blessed memory. I think it is already became a sentient being, albeit one not aware of 1st Amendment to US Constitution, not watching TV for the past four decades and very superstitious.
    Related, it is more likely to die from a lightning strike the a dog attack. 69 pit-bull death ion 20 years. Some malamute attack deaths!
    https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/dog-attack-statistics-breed/

  3. From ChatGPT 3.5:

    Why does Philip Greenspun call his dog “Mindy the Crippler”?

    Philip Greenspun, a software engineer and author, named his dog “Mindy the Crippler” because she had a tendency to unexpectedly dart out in front of moving vehicles, posing a danger to herself and others. This nickname reflects her risky behavior and serves as a cautionary warning about the dangers of not properly restraining pets.

    • Anon: Thanks for that! I guess one sign of intelligence is never saying “I don’t know.”

    • @Philip: I’ve always assumed that she enthusiastically greeted and unintentionally tripped people. But now my mother asked me point blank, so please: what is the actual story behind dear Mindy’s moniker?

    • I always assumed that the name came from being the opposite of a fighting dog like a bulldog or a pit-bull, like how we might sometimes in jest nickname someone the inverse of their appearance, like calling a super tall dude shorty.

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