The Misunderstood “Pit Bull”

  

The Misunderstood “Pit Bull”

The “Pit Bull” isn’t an actual breed at all, but a slang term that current american culture uses to describe any dog that has a big head, cropped ears, brindle coat or eye patch usually a large/stocky dog. The true breeds most commonly labeled as Pit Bulls are: American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Unfortunately the Pit Bull has become popular with the gang-subculture who have exploited this breed by forcing them into dog fighting rings, and breeding and training them to be aggressive. Today, many people automatically associate the Pit Bull with crime, gangs, and poverty when, in fact, most Pit Bulls are owned by your average upstanding citizens. With the explosion of Pit Bull breeders, thousands of Pit Bulls are ending up in shelters across the country, topping the list of the most euthanized pet. The fact is, millions of Pit Bulls are living peacefully in homes throughout the country.

PITBULL FACTS AND FICTION:

Pit Bulls have locking jaws - FICTION. Pit Bulls can't lock their jaws. Their jaws are constructed just like any other dog. In fact if you take the x-ray of a Chihuahua and compare it to that of a Pit Bull, you will see that they are both the same except for the size difference.

Pit Bulls are unpredictable and more likely to bite than other dogs - FICTION. Pit Bulls are no more vicious than Golden Retrievers, Beagles or other popular dogs! In a recent study of 122 dog breeds by the American Temperament Testing Society (ATTS), Pit Bulls achieved a passing rate of 83.9%. That's as good or better than Beagles ... 78.2%, and Golden Retrievers ... 83.2%. How did your favorite breed do? See for yourself - go to: www.ATTS.org

Pit Bulls are good with children - FACT. Pit Bulls always test high as one of the most stable breeds of dogs in the country. These statistics can be found with the American Temperament Test Society of the United States, where they always fall as one of the top five most stable dogs. Because of this, they are extremely patient and tolerant of children.

All Pit Bulls will "snap" and attack a person sooner or later - FICTION. Pit Bulls are a very popular breed and rarely attack. Pit Bulls are very powerful animals, so when something does go wrong, it usually makes the news. Almost all Pit Bull attacks have involved unaltered Pit Bulls, so it is very important to have your Pit Bull spayed or neutered as soon as possible. Additionally, serious Pit Bull attacks rarely involve spayed/neutered Pit Bulls who have received proper training and socialization.

Pit Bulls are good dogs for apt./condo living - FACT. Though Pit Bulls are athletic and love to get out and play, if they had their druthers, they would be sleeping on the couch, 24/7. They are short coated dogs and do not do well outside in the cold weather or very hot weather. They don't shed too much and are easily groomed, thus making them the ultimate indoor dog.

"Red nose" Pit Bulls are more aggressive - FICTION. Are blondes dumb? Do redheads have a quicker temper? Of course not. "Red nose" is simply a color/style. They have a lighter pigment such as a pinkish nose with yellow/green eyes. They act no different than black, brindle, or white Pit Bulls.

 Pit Bulls are easy to train - FACT. Extremely easy to train. All they want to do is please you. As they are so sensitive to your feelings, verbal training comes easily with this breed.

 Pit Bulls cannot be with other dogs and/or cats - FICTION. This is probably the biggest misconception and biggest misunderstanding when it comes to this breed. With proper training and handling, your Pit Bull can learn to live peacefully in the company of other dogs and often cats as well.

 "My kids are around pit bulls every day. In the '70s they blamed Dobermans,in the '80s they blamed German shepherds, in the '90s they blamed the Rottweiler. Now they blame the pit bull." - Cesar Millan

Pit bulls get a bad rap because of irresponsible owners. Many people consider the look or popularity of a breed before thinking about whether the dog works for their lifestyle. Please evaluate your lifestyle before taking on the responsibility of a pit bull.

Celebrities Who Own Pit Bulls

” Jon Stewart of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart owns two pit bulls: Shamsky & Monkey.

” Ken Howard, award-winning actor from Crossing Jordon, was saved by his pit bull Shadow during a medical crisis.

” Movie star Alicia Silverstone owns a rescued pit bull named Samson.

” Adam Brody gave girlfriend and O.C. co-star Rachel Bilson a pit bull named Penny Lane as a birthday gift.

” Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, TV Personality Rachael Ray and Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker Joey Porter all own two pit bulls!

” Jessica Biel has a pit bull named Tina, and Jessica Alba owns a pit bull puppy.

” President Theodore Roosevelt, President Woodrow Wilson, singer Kevin Federline, radio personality Ira Glass, actor Fred Astaire,General George Patton, actor Michael J. Fox, actor Jan Michael Vincent, actor Jack Dempsy, Thomas Edison, singerMadonna, movie star Brad Pitt, actress Bernadette Peters, comedian Sinbad, actress Linda Blair, actor Humphrey Bogart,musician Usher, comedian Mel Brooks, actress Ann Bancroft, actor Jan Michael Vincent, singer Pink, actress Eliza Dushku and actress Kelli Williams are just a few other celebrities who own or have owned a pit bull.