Today's post is a bit different than most, but I think it is a very important topic to bring to light and increase awareness for all! As I recently finished two different commissioned pieces of some adorable pitbulls, I thought it would be a great opportunity to discuss pitbulls and why they are misunderstood.
The following information has been gathered and condensed from the article "5 Reasons Why Pit Bulls are Misunderstood" on OneGreenPlanet.org (thanks Matt for showing me the article!)
Pit bulls were once known as 'Nanny dogs' because of their gentleness and loyalty. They were also an American favorite. Unfortunately, people soon found ways to exploit their behaviors and tendencies for dog fighting and their strong appearance became a symbol for violence.
Pit bulls have become incredibly misunderstood because of "irresponsible owners, sensationalized news stories, and a proliferation of myths". The increased stigma surrounding these animals has lead to a large population of them in shelters (euthanasia rate of around 93%) and breed specific legislation (BSL) that restricts or bans the ownership of pit bulls in many cities.
Below are the top five reasons pit bulls are misunderstood - please view the article for further discussion on each myth.
Myth #1: Pit bull is a breed of dog
"“Pit bull” is actually a generic term applied to various breeds including the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Blue Blood Bulldog, Dogo Argentino and hundreds of mixed breeds of similar physical appearance."
Myth #2: Pit bulls are born to fight
"Pit bull dogs are not born ready to rip into another dog, animal or human being. They are trained to fight by people who are interested in making a profit and providing “entertainment” in the form of a dog fight."
Myth #3: Pit bulls are naturally violent, aggressive and mean, and are very dangerous dogs
"Pit bulls are not inherently dangerous. Like any other dogs, they can become violent, aggressive and mean through a lack of training, abuse, neglect and irresponsible ownership and breeding as well as a lack of attention to health and temperament issues. If they are treated with respect and trained properly, pit bulls will exhibit little to no negative traits (just ask a loving pit bull adopter!)"
Myth #4: Pit bulls have locking jaws
"This myth, like the others, is completely false. According to the ASPCA, there is nothing 'unique about the anatomy of [a] pit bull jaw.'”
Myth #5: Pit bulls have a high bite rate
"According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 'It is not possible to calculate a bite rate for a breed… [because] mixed breeds are commonly described as purebreds … [and] the actual number of bites that occur in a community is not known … if they did not result in serious injury.'”
All animals deserve a chance at a happy and healthy life - please help dispel the myths about pit bulls. Share this post with your networks!