I am very happy to see the reaction these fun facts are getting. The shares and the comments being received are amazing. Which is exactly the point of these posts.
The general public fears pit bulls.
Those who pander to that fear, #takingapagefromTrumpsplaybook, describe massive dogs with steel trap jaws who want nothing more than to rip the unsuspecting public to shreds.
Ok, I recognize that some pit bulls can be intimidating looking (admittedly, not the one in the picture above..and I know it is a bull terrier before you start slamming me... and definitely not in the picture below where Rigger was doing her best impression of Rudolf) but some can be. When you get a a squat muscular dog with pinned ears looking at you..it can give one pause.
However pit bulls come in all shapes and sizes from 30 pounds to 100 pounds plus. FYI Bronx (the picture above) weighs about 60 pounds, Rigger weighed in at a whopping 45.
Why the discrepancy?
The “pit bull” moniker refers to a family of dogs more than anything. It is why when one regards many BSL descriptions the phrase “pit bull or pit bull type dogs” is often used as a means to encompass to which dogs the legislation refers.
BSL descriptions are broad, encompassing and should scary for all dog owners. Own a lab beagle X…that fits the pit bull description…own a doxie boston cross…that fits the description….
The UKC, which is the only kennel club that officially recognizes the american pit bull terrier as a breed, has the following to say about the pit bull in their breed standard…
“The APBT is not the best choice for a guard dog since they are extremely friendly, even with strangers. Aggressive behavior toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and highly undesirable. This breed does very well in performance events because of its high level of intelligence and its willingness to work.”
What what?
But these dogs are the bane of human existence…I mean they are not as dangerous as coconuts or 5 gallon buckets of water and do not come close to bathtubs (for more on this, refer to fun facts 1 and 2)…. but they are bred to be aggressive…it is a fact!
Ummmm…no.
We also covered some of the discussion on this elusive aggressive gene in earlier posts. When I have organizations like the American Veterinary Association, and the ASPCA state that it does not exist, I tend to pay heed.
Now we have an actual kennel club..the people who write the breed standards on…well…breeds, say pit bulls make horrible guard dogs…it is actually stated in the breed standard that pit bulls are not bred to be aggressive to people.
Yet "pit bulls are bred to be aggressive?" #facepalm
Hmmm…so where is the disconnect?
This is where we introduce people. It takes humans to make individuals within this breed aggressive to humans. It is not in the nature of the breed.
We did this.
Still doubt me?
Ok, consider the pit bull history in dog fights where all the Helen Lovejoys of the world, #IlovetheSimpsons #wontsomebodypleasethinkofthechildren, #Jim, point to these vicious dogs attacking other dogs as game, set and match, proof positive as to why pit bulls are just waiting to rip the throats out of people and should be eradicated...
…and examine this disgusting part of our history rationally.
The dogs used in these fights had to be led into the ring by handlers, there were referees in the ring as the matches were going on, there were crowds of people surrounding the ring. After matches handlers had to collect the winner and lead them out of the ring…
Think about it….
If these dogs showed aggression toward their handlers, toward the referee, toward the spectators, they were quickly killed. Attacking the people who give you money is just bad business. People seeing handlers or referees killed would put a dampener on them betting. People would stop attending the matches if word got around that numbers were attacked or killed during them. #peoplesuck
Human aggression was actually bred out of these dogs.
So please people, lets stop the madness. Research your actual facts before stating your opinion because that is what it is…your opinion.
You fear pit bulls???
I have no problem with that.
After researching how many deaths are the result of drownings in bathtubs, I am glad I am a shower guy.
But stop using your fear to fan the flames of breed specific legislation and instead focus on a more meaningful conversation like:
#responsiblepetownership
#publicpeteducation
#replacefearwithfact
#dontbullymybreed
To summarize,
The AVMA warns us that breed should not be used as an indication of aggression
The ASPCA presents studies which conclude that pit bulls do not have this elusive aggressive gene
ATT Inc. stated that pit bulls consistently score high on temperament tests.
AND
The UKC states that the american pit bull sucks as a guard dog because they are too friendly IN THEIR BREED STANDARD.
Using pit bulls in dog fights did not create a gene which makes them aggressive to humans….it actually did the opposite.
I will leave you with THIS SHORT VIDEO containing an interview with Dr. Ian Dunbar.
For those of you unfamiliar with who he is, Ian Dunbar is the father of modern day dog training. He is a veterinarian, he has his PHD in animal psychology and numerous other degrees, awards and commendations. He has written a ton of books on the subject, is the founder of the Sirius Dog Training Program…oh heck, I can go on but let’s just sum up and say, he is the leading expert and we should probably listen to him.
What he says about pit bulls and using breed as an indicator for aggression is enlightening.
WARNING…the video starts off with some graphic images of a child suffering from a dog attack. If you do not want to see it, skip to the 1:00 mark….that is the part that counts anyway.
