Are Pit Bulls Really As Dangerous As Their Stereotype Suggests?

Pit bulls were once beloved family pets, so it’s somewhat shocking to hear many people now view them as if they are public enemy number one. But is it really true that pit bulls are more dangerous than other dogs like German Shepherd and Doberman dogs? Here are 5 most controversial opinions about pit bulls.

1. PIT BULLS AREN’T ACTUALLY A RECOGNIZED BREED.

There is a common myth that the general public doesn’t actually know how to recognize a pit bull when they see one. This is probably unlikely since media coverage of pit bulls is so prevalent and there’s lots of information about pit bulls online and on social media. In general, pit bulls are recognized by their square shaped heads and muscular bodies.

We think this myth of pit bulls being unrecognizable actually stems from a misunderstanding surrounding what a pit bull really is. Many people think that pit bulls are a specific breed, but the term “pit bull” is actually an umbrella term that encapsulates several dog breeds that are often called bully breeds.

Examples of these breeds include the American Pit Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the Bull Terrier, and the Cane Corso.

There are also a large number of mutts that likely have pit bull DNA included in their mix, but it may not be obvious. It’s very possible you could rescue a sweet mutt that is descended from a bully breed and never know unless you decided to DNA test your dog.

2. PIT BULLS ARE MORE DANGEROUS THAN OTHER DOGS.

While some studies have presented reliable data that suggests pit bulls bite and attack more frequently than other dogs, other reputable studies have contradicted this finding by determining that a dog’s breed doesn’t determine its propensity for aggression and that pit bulls are not significantly more aggressive than other dogs.

Any dog, including beloved golden retrievers and lap dogs can bite if provoked by the right circumstances. That said, pit bull attacks can cause a lot of damage due to their size, strength, and determination.

Pit bulls also have an incredibly strong jaw that allows them to clamp down on their target, leading many victims of pit bull bites to say the dog would not let go.

Therefore, pit bulls attacks may be reported more often because victims are more severely injured and need medical help. Meanwhile, if a common street mokgerwa attacked, the dog is too small to cause a lot of damage and any injuries could likely be addressed at home.

3. PIT BULLS ARE UNPREDICTABLE.

Over the years, we’ve heard many stories in the news about how a pit bull who behaved perfectly for his entire life suddenly snapped and turned on its owner with disastrous consequences. When these attacks are reported, it’s often said that the dog was unprovoked and the attack came from out of nowhere. However, experts say that pit bulls are no more or less unpredictable than any other dog.

If a dog is attacking, he has likely been triggered by pain or something that has made him extremely uncomfortable. In order to prevent attacks from occurring, pet owners need to be able to read their dogs’ body language to identify when he may be feeling triggered before it escalates into aggressive behavior. Pit bull attacks may seem particularly unpredictable because of an inability to understand the dogs’ body language and because of the force with which these dogs can use to attack or bite.

4. PIT BULLS WERE BRED TO BE DANGEROUS.

It is true that many pit bulls were bred to be used in dog fights. During the 1700’s, pit bulls were used in the vicious sports of bear and bull baiting, where the dogs were trained to attack wild animals that were cruelly chained to a post.

Because of this history of fighting, people often assume these dogs are dangerous and killing is simply part of their DNA.

However, pit bulls also have a much happier history that doesn’t involve any fighting.

Because of their strength and menacing appearance, they were often used as guard dogs to look after the children on farming properties and herd cattle, or used for pulling carts with heavy loads. At this time, pit bulls were known to be gentle and kind companions for children.

No one was afraid their pit bull would bite them or their kids. Because of this breed’s intelligence and determination, it simply needs a job to do in order to thrive and that job doesn’t have to be killing or fighting.

Past pit bulls have been kind and beloved family dogs and were even owned by famous historical figures and celebrities, including Helen Keller and Teddy Roosevelt.

Many pit bulls also gained fame and success in beloved advertising campaigns and motion pictures in the 20th century. Therefore, it’s important to consider the multi-faceted history that pit bulls share before assuming they were only bred to fight and are therefore mean and vicious.

5. A PIT BULL’S UPBRINGING MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

People often say the way a pit bull behaves depends on his owner and upbringing, which is really true for any pet. This is a situation where nature vs. nurture comes into play.

While a dog’s genetics could potentially predispose it to behave in unwanted ways, genes are not the only factor that comes into play when a dog’s personality is being formed. Dogs of any breed, not just pit bulls, can be raised to have aggressive tendencies if that is what the owner wants or if proper boundaries are not set during training.

But when dogs are raised with consistent training and positive experiences starting from when they are young, pups of any breed can make wonderful companions and trustworthy family pets.

Making an effort to properly socialize young dogs and puppies is particularly important to teaching your pet the right way to behave around other dogs and people and preventing aggressive behavior from manifesting during adulthood. If you notice your dog exhibiting signs of aggression, immediately consult with a professional trainer or trusted veterinarian to halt the behavior before it gets worse or becomes a habit.

[Presented by Cesar 911 - dabl.com]