by Kristy Chestnutt
The other day I was having a conversation with my mom about the Pit Bull next door. She was afraid it would get through the fence to attack her two dogs or possibly her, which then lead to the conversation of how Pit Bulls always seem to be labeled as “bad dogs.” I see Pit Bulls almost every weekend and they are always extremely sweet to me. So… why do these dogs have such a bad rap?
Let’s Get to the Roots:
“Pit Bull” is not necessarily a breed; it is more of a term used to describe different breeds with similar traits. Some use this term to describe as many as five breeds (and all mixes) or as little as two. The three breeds that clearly fit into this label are the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier – I will be using the term “Pit Bull” to not leave out any of the mixed breed. Pit Bulls came to America from England, Scotland, and Ireland where they were originally used to help control livestock. Immigrants brought these dogs over to America and soon began to breed them for the unfortunate sport known as “baiting.” These dogs were used to attack other animals while people watched for entertainment. Cruel, right? It gets worse. The sport was banned in the early 1800s; however, people then began to have the Pit Bulls fight against each other, hence creating the inhumane sport known as dog fighting. People began to breed Pit Bulls that would make a faster, more agile opponent in the ring.
Temperament:
Like humans, all dogs are different and have different personalities. So, first the negative traits – normally when dogs fight, it is not with the intent to severely hurt or kill an opponent. It’s more of an argument with circling, growling, possible nipping, and teeth showing instead of shouting. Just imagine a Cleveland Browns fan and Pittsburgh Steelers fan fighting over a game (kidding!). Since these dogs have been bred to fight for their lives, they may go through the standard stages of agitation other dogs do. Instead they may lash out without warning, are less likely to back down and could become quick to aggression when provoked. Now for the positive – Pit Bulls actually make great family pets. They are extremely loyal and protective of their master. They are also fantastic with children – which led to their nickname “nursemaid’s dog.” Many Pit Bulls work as Registered Therapy Dogs as well as compete in agility contests. These dogs have an uncanny ability to know when to protect their owners; however, because of their intelligence and courageousness they can sometimes be unruly with submissive owners. Pit Bulls are love to please their masters; which can be positive and negative depending on the type of owner. People have a huge part in developing a Pit Bull’s temperament. The type of situations we put these dogs in could determine on whether the pup becomes a friendly family dog, or a dog fueled off of anger and fear.
Pit Bulls and Other Animals:
Can a Pit Bull get along well with other animals? It all depends on socialization. As always with socialization, the earlier you start an animal, the easier it is for them to adapt. If a Pit Bull has many fond memories of being with other animals, they will have no reason to want to fight with them. However, the opposite will have a greater effect on the dog. If a Pit Bull has memories of bad experiences with other animals or very few memories of other animals, their behavior will tend to be more fearful and aggressive. It all starts with the owner and how attentive they were/are with the dog. If the owner does not properly introduce a Pit Bull to other animals, or assume a role as their master, the Pit Bull could retain violent tendencies towards other animals.
So… Why the Bad Rap?
Well, to be honest, it mainly comes down to us as humans. Pit Bulls have the reputation of being unpredictable and unreliable. If raised correctly, they could be the best dog you’ve ever had. The key phrase there is “raised properly.” Pit Bulls are not recommended for everyone. You really have to know how to raise a dog and be the dog’s master to fully have a Pit Bull under control. Simple things like letting the dog enter through the door first can lead the Pit Bull to think he is the pack leader, and that the owner should be submissive. Many people still raise these dogs to be fighters. They either want their house protected from intruders or, for whatever reason, they think that training animals to fight is okay. Whatever the reason, Pit Bulls are still being raised in negative ways for negative reasons. The media is not helping this breed’s cause, either. Every dog will have his day and the potential to bite someone. Highlighting every occurrence on the news does not help the Pit Bull’s case. Pit Bulls can be aggressive if not raised and socialized properly, but that solely rests in the owners hands. These dogs cannot be blamed for behaving the way they were bred to behave. It is up to owners to help their dog become an ambassador to the breeds instead of an enabler of the stereo type. Pit Bulls can make great pets if the time and care is put in to raise them correctly.
Owning a Pit Bull:
Do your research. There are many websites out there that give tips for socializing Pit Bulls and how to integrate them into your family. Be sure you know what you are getting yourself into before you make the commitment. A Pit Bull could make a great addition to your family, just be sure your family is ready for the responsibility. If you are interested in adopting a Pit Bull or a Pit Mix there are a few posted on our web page for adoption being held at Summit County Animal Control. Paws and Payers is sponsoring many of these Pit Mix’s adoption fees since these dogs have been at the pound for over a month. Pit Bulls and Pit Mixes can be very sweet dogs; they just need the right environment and the right family to help them prove the stereo type wrong.
Paws and Prayers Rescue Blog 