In other words, perfect storm of factor upon factor. The American Pit Bull Terrier is technically the only true pit bull, although the American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier are often referred to as pit bulls. Pit bulls were originally used for bull- and bear-baiting, and later were bred to fight dogs in an arena. How did they go from mascot to monster? The truth about pit bulls . The title “pit bull” has expanded so dramatically over the years that people are lumping any dog with a large head and short coat into that category rather than separating out each of the pit bull breeds. In some areas, regulated breeds also include a variety of other dogs like American Bulldogs, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Dalmatians, Chow Chows, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers or any mix of these breeds—and dogs who simply resemble thes… Find the dog that is right for you and works for your lifestyle. WELCOME TO THE PAGE!!! With the exemption of the jack russell terrier, the bite of the doberman as an example, is less likely to cause the damage that the immensely powerful pit bull can inflict. Unpack this problem for us, as police in America today seem to be shooting more than just innocent dogs. All breeds can and do attack as they are the domestication of select breeding of the wolf. All dogs are special, but living with a pit bull really is different. People who have studied these cases, like Jeffrey Sacks at the CDC, have shown that when it comes to fatalities caused by pit bulls, the breed identifications are often not accurate. What do you love about pit bulls, Bronwen? Four-year-old Kevin Vicente was attacked by a pit bull named Mickey in Phoenix, Arizona. From 2005 to 2015, pit bulls killed 232 Americans, about one citizen every 17 days. Facebook page for The Truth About Pit Bulls blog. And what advice would you give to our readers if they are thinking of owning one? But the three other breeds that are lumped into this category have always been dog show conformation breeds. Let’s use an oversimplification to explain: Let’s say in a town there are 100 Pit Bulls and 10 Pugs. But the trigger-happy mentality is pretty bad. To others, they are victims of prejudice and misunderstanding. You will learn here that while Pit Bulls make great family companion… What I love about pit bulls are the same things I love about dogs. One obvious question they could investigate: Was the dog actually a Pit Bull? It happens both in the country and city. An exercised Pit Bull is a well-behaved Pit Bull. My own pit bull is called Nola. Dog fighting is a serious problem, but all the cruelty investigators I consulted said that it is decreasing. Have you owned them? Pit bulls, like these in Oxford, Mississippi, arouse strong passions. That’s a good thing because the more it’s pushed out the better. A self-taught canine behaviorist, I have been studying the pit bull controversy for many a year. Some states and cities have acted on the research: The state of Maryland has determined that pit bulls are \"inherently dangerous\" and all owners are liable for any injuries they cause, according to the Baltimore Sun.Even the U.S. Army has acknowledged that pit bulls are high-risk dogs; they are therefore prohibited in some military housing units.Pit bulls join several other breeds on the list of dogs that are reco… Reality: Pit Bulls do not have any special physical mechanism or enzyme that allows them to “lock” their jaws. Secondly, there’s no science that bears that idea out. Rarely do the writers perform actual research. 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. This is a child who really suffered, his family suffered, and that deserves an incredible amount of compassion. I am. When people say, “Oh, these dogs are bred for fighting,” it’s true that the original breed, the American pit bull terrier, which originated in 1889, was developed for fighting. But when the authorities sought to put the dog down, public opinion swung behind the dog, not the boy. We … When developing a breed, breeders selected only those dogs that performed their job best to produce the next generation. That’s always been the demographic the dogs were most popular with. Kathleen Gemmell is an animal rights proponent and an author. They are the only breed I avoid when walking my Dalmatian. This page discusses the most notable traits of Pit Bull type dogs, including the potential for dog aggression. When she started, most shelters in the U.S. denied pit bulls without giving them the chance at adoption. The majority (60%) of dogs identified as "pitbulls" do not have DNA signatures from any of the pitbull-type breeds - leading to exceedingly inaccurate breed information in media reports and in unreliable statistics about dog bites and fatal attacks. 36 talking about this. Thank goodness, after the attention the case received, the Vicente family has had more donations. such an undeserved reputation of being cold blooded killers. They don’t have that heritage. You’re unstoppable. Pit bull type dogs include breeds such as Staffordshire bull terriers, American pit bull terriers, and American Staffordshire terriers, amongst others. It is difficult for experts to label these as “non-pit bulls.”. My cat has bitten me as has a yellow labrador. There was a case in Idaho recently where a policeman shot a dog in a car because it barked at him. In that same town, all 10 Pugs and 20 Pit Bulls bite someone. Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase. ! ... and her interviews are thoughtful and unbiased. For people who are thinking of getting a pit bull, I would say, focus on the individual dog in front of you. [Meet the United States' most popular dog breeds.]. Mickey the pit bull nearly killed a child but ended up in a cushy, air-conditioned cell while the boy could not find funds for medical surgery. Regulated breeds typically comprise the “pit bull” class of dogs, including American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and English Bull Terriers. But while dog aggression may be normal in pit bulls, that doesn't mean it can't become a problem. They are the most wrongfully feared and legislated against. There have been police who shot and killed dogs at the wrong house or killed dogs who were just going about their business. Follow him on Twitter or at simonworrallauthor.com. A June 20th Time.com piece by Charlotte Alter called “The Problem With Pit Bulls” elicited a flood of protest mail from supporters of the breed. 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