King George Animal Control (KGAC) is often filled with “Pit Bulls”. So what exactly is a Pit Bull? That’s not an easy question to answer because the term doesn’t refer to a single breed of dog. The most accurate definition is a Pit Bull is one of two breeds – the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) and the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff). However, as their popularity has increased, many people include other breeds (e.g. Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Bulldog) as well as mixes to the definition of a Pit Bull.
Originally, Olde English Bulldogs were used for hunting and as working dogs for livestock management. In the 1800s, they were bred to participate in baiting. This violent and inhumane “sport” pitted the dog against bulls, bears and other large animals for entertainment. When baiting was banned in 1835, the dogs were then pitted against each other. This is the origin of dog-fighting. To develop a more agile fighting dog, they started crossing the bulldog with the smaller terrier. Through selective breeding, they also encouraged bite inhibition towards humans so they could be safely handled during fights. This eventually became today’s Pit Bull.
Pit Bulls are generally considered to be short haired, muscular, dogs with a square head, but there are such wide variations in their physical characteristics that identifying them can be difficult. They are typically 35-65 pounds but can weigh as little as 25 pounds or more than 80. Some dogs are very stocky, while others are leaner. In general, Pit Bulls are strong and athletic. They have a lot of stamina and excel at agility, competitions, search and rescue, and as therapy dogs.
Pit Bulls were once highly regarded. Sergeant Stubby was a decorated war-hero dog that saved human lives in WWI, graced magazine covers, and was honored at the White House. They were
the favorite dogs of people like Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Helen Keller, George Patton, Fred Astaire, and Humphrey Bogart. They were also prevalent in popular culture including being featured in advertisements and children’s television shows (“Petey” in the Little Rascals/Our Gang was a Pit Bull).
Ask any Pit Bull guardian and they will tell you that Pibbles (the affectionate name for Pit Bulls) are friendly, outgoing, inquisitive, smart, sweet, loyal, playful, goofy, energetic dogs. This may
surprise people that are unfamiliar with them. You may have heard the stories about the mythical beast with the locking jaws. This is absolutely untrue! There is nothing unique about the anatomy of Pit Bull jaws. Similarly, they do not have extraordinary bite pressure. Studies conducted to measure the jaw strength of various dogs show Pit Bulls are lower on the list than many other breeds. Maybe you heard that if a Pit Bull bites another dog, it will turn on people
next. This is another myth. Research confirms that dog-aggressive dogs are no more likely to direct aggression toward people than dogs who aren’t aggressive to other dogs. In fact, some of the best fighting dogs are the most trustworthy with people. Or maybe you heard that Pit Bulls are dangerous to have around children. Well socialized Pit Bulls are very tolerant of kids' rough housing. But as with any dog, children need to be taught how to safely interact with
them and should not be left unsupervised with them.
The pictures above are 2 different covers from Sports Illustrated. On the left, a cover from the 1980’s, sensationalizing fallacies about the breed and flaming the media smear campaign against Pit Bulls. Twenty years later they revisited the topic and showed the dogs in a whole new light. Unfortunately, the Pit Bull has received an undeserved, bad reputation with a great deal of help from the media. Pit Bulls are not ferocious monsters, but characterizing them as such makes great headlines. When they became popular with gangs, drug dealers, and other criminal groups, the media was quick to blame the dog rather than the owners that abused,
tortured, and mistreated them. In 2007 when Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels made headlines, numerous groups emerged supporting the breed. Ever since, there has been a growing movement to clear the breed’s name and show the world the positive side of Pit Bulls.
The truth is, Pit Bulls are actually one of the best tempered dogs. If they are properly socialized, they are very affectionate. Most Pit Bulls love everyone, including strangers, which is why they make lousy guard dogs! In annual testing done by the American Temperament Test Society on over 240 breeds of dogs, the Pit Bull was found to be one of the most tolerant dogs, just behind the Labrador Retriever. In an article discussing whether or not Pit Bulls were dangerous dogs, the American Veterinary Medical Association stated that, “Based on behavioral assessments and owner surveys the breeds that were more aggressive towards people were small to medium-sized dogs such as the Collies, toy breeds and Spaniels.”
Pit Bulls, like all dogs, are individuals and each has its own personality. But there are some generalities that can be made – they are athletic and affectionate but they also come with baggage. So, Pit Bulls aren’t for everyone. They have unfairly been given the reputation of a ferocious beast, so the Pit Bull guardian will likely face discrimination. People will unjustly be afraid of your dog or blame it for things it hasn’t done. But by being responsible with the care and training of your dog, you can help educate others and change their minds. There’s nothing like a well-behaved, tail wagging dog, anxious to give out kisses to put someone’s fears to rest.
They are strong-willed and physically powerful and as with any dog, they require proper care, respect, and love. But if you are willing to devote the effort, you will find that the spirit, energy,
and companionship of the Pit Bull will enhance your life tremendously. They will be a loyal, courageous, affectionate, goofy addition to your family.
Written by Melissa Lederer