In Defense of PitBulls
In Defense of Pitbulls
I have a great pitbull. She is sweet, obedient and loyal. Her name is Lola, rescued her from an animal shelter, she's almost 2 years old. I walk her daily and she gets to the dog park every other day.
An issue I have is that whenever I am out with her someone always feels the need to "school" me on pitbulls, I cannot tell you how many misinformed people there are out there, so I'd like to take the time and clear up some misconceptions about pitbulls in general and then about Lola specifically:
1-All Pit Bulls are mean and vicious.
It is reported on temperament tests conducted by the American Temperament Test Society that Pit Bulls had a passing rate of 82% or better -- compared to only 77% of the general dog population.
These temperament tests consist of putting a dog through a series of unexpected situations, some involving strangers.
Any signs of unprovoked aggression or panic in these situations result in failure of the test. The achievement of Pit Bulls in this study disproves that they are inherently aggressive to people. (Please visit ATTS.org)
2-The infamous locking jaw is a myth. The American Pit Bull Terrier and related breeds are physiologically no different from any other breed of dog. All dogs are from the same species and none have locking jaws. Dr. I Lehr Brisbin of the University of Georgia states, "To the best of our knowledge, there are no published scientific studies that would allow any meaningful comparison to be made of the biting power of various breeds of dogs. There are, moreover, compelling technical reasons why such data describing biting power in terms of 'pounds per square inch' can never be collected in a meaningful way. All figures describing biting power in such terms can be traced to either unfounded rumor or, in some cases, to newspaper articles with no foundation in factual data." Furthermore, Dr. Brisbin states, "The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the skulls, mandibles and teeth of pit bulls show that, in proportion to their size, their jaw structure and thus its inferred functional morphology, is no different than that of any breed of dog. There is absolutely no evidence for the existence of any kind of 'locking mechanism' unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier."
3- Pitbulls chew with their back molars while biting (crazy huh?) This absolutely untrue and has no basis in behavioral or physiological fact, as can be attested by true experts who have had thousands of hours of experience with trained biting Pit Bulls. This misinformation is often used in the language of ordinances banning Pit Bulls.
4-Pitbulls brains never stop growing/swelling.This rumor started with the Doberman, and has since been said about game-bred dogs in general. The concept of an animal's brain swelling or growing too large and somehow causing the animal to "go crazy" is not based in truth in any way.
Their brains grow at the same rate as any other dog, and the only time that a Pit Bull's brain is going to swell is if it receives a serious injury. If an animal's brain were to grow too big for its head, the animal would die.
Now about Lola:
She is trained, she will not jump on you or attack you unprovoked. She has passed all personality tests at the vets, she is submissive and loyal to me. She ignores most dogs at the park more intent on chasing the ball. She plays with other dogs and yes she can become aggressive like any other dog but she stops if and when I want her to. She is a joy in my life.
So please stop and think before you make crazy comments, sweeping generalizations and ignorant guesses about pitbulls to me, I know about the breed and I chose to own one, if you don't like her that's fine she won't be coming over to your house.
And please people... curb your dog, no one likes stepping in it.
I have a great pitbull. She is sweet, obedient and loyal. Her name is Lola, rescued her from an animal shelter, she's almost 2 years old. I walk her daily and she gets to the dog park every other day.
An issue I have is that whenever I am out with her someone always feels the need to "school" me on pitbulls, I cannot tell you how many misinformed people there are out there, so I'd like to take the time and clear up some misconceptions about pitbulls in general and then about Lola specifically:
1-All Pit Bulls are mean and vicious.
It is reported on temperament tests conducted by the American Temperament Test Society that Pit Bulls had a passing rate of 82% or better -- compared to only 77% of the general dog population.
These temperament tests consist of putting a dog through a series of unexpected situations, some involving strangers.
Any signs of unprovoked aggression or panic in these situations result in failure of the test. The achievement of Pit Bulls in this study disproves that they are inherently aggressive to people. (Please visit ATTS.org)
2-The infamous locking jaw is a myth. The American Pit Bull Terrier and related breeds are physiologically no different from any other breed of dog. All dogs are from the same species and none have locking jaws. Dr. I Lehr Brisbin of the University of Georgia states, "To the best of our knowledge, there are no published scientific studies that would allow any meaningful comparison to be made of the biting power of various breeds of dogs. There are, moreover, compelling technical reasons why such data describing biting power in terms of 'pounds per square inch' can never be collected in a meaningful way. All figures describing biting power in such terms can be traced to either unfounded rumor or, in some cases, to newspaper articles with no foundation in factual data." Furthermore, Dr. Brisbin states, "The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the skulls, mandibles and teeth of pit bulls show that, in proportion to their size, their jaw structure and thus its inferred functional morphology, is no different than that of any breed of dog. There is absolutely no evidence for the existence of any kind of 'locking mechanism' unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier."
3- Pitbulls chew with their back molars while biting (crazy huh?) This absolutely untrue and has no basis in behavioral or physiological fact, as can be attested by true experts who have had thousands of hours of experience with trained biting Pit Bulls. This misinformation is often used in the language of ordinances banning Pit Bulls.
4-Pitbulls brains never stop growing/swelling.This rumor started with the Doberman, and has since been said about game-bred dogs in general. The concept of an animal's brain swelling or growing too large and somehow causing the animal to "go crazy" is not based in truth in any way.
Their brains grow at the same rate as any other dog, and the only time that a Pit Bull's brain is going to swell is if it receives a serious injury. If an animal's brain were to grow too big for its head, the animal would die.
Now about Lola:
She is trained, she will not jump on you or attack you unprovoked. She has passed all personality tests at the vets, she is submissive and loyal to me. She ignores most dogs at the park more intent on chasing the ball. She plays with other dogs and yes she can become aggressive like any other dog but she stops if and when I want her to. She is a joy in my life.
So please stop and think before you make crazy comments, sweeping generalizations and ignorant guesses about pitbulls to me, I know about the breed and I chose to own one, if you don't like her that's fine she won't be coming over to your house.
And please people... curb your dog, no one likes stepping in it.
Total Comments 3
Comments
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I have absolutely nothing against pitbulls, but unfortunately, the people who have bad experiences are so much more verbal than those who have good ones.
I raised St Bernards who were also on the list of agressive dogs that you could be forced to have liability insurance on. Knowing they could kill a child or really harm an adult, I always protected my dogs by putting muzzle collars on them when we were in public. They were my babies and so sweet, but there are stupid people everywhere. This is what I protected my Saints from. To me, it was much more important than furthering their reputation.
The best thing you can do for your dogs is to protect them from stupid people.Posted 07-30-2009 at 05:11 AM by yukiko11
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I totally agree with you 100%. I have a pitbull, which she is called a staffordshire terrier, they are the same animal. My Lexi has been great to my children and other dogs, she does not like cats, though what dog likes cats. Every dog i have ever had has chased a cat every time they would see one. Stop knocking on these animals..it's all according on how you raise them just like with any animal. Lexi is very spoiled and acts like a big baby! We have had her for three years and before we had taken her, she was raised by two women. So know what you are talking about before you start knocking on their species.Posted 09-25-2010 at 03:02 AM by mrh859
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