There are many "facts" floating around about Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) and the breeds it effects. Unknown to many people, BSL has been around for a long, long time and the myths often disguised as facts used to classify a breed as dangerous are also not new. Many breeds have come under the scrutiny of BSL throughout history, with documented proof leading as far back as the 1800s. Bloodhounds, German Shepherds, Rottweilers and Dobermans are just a few of the breeds that have suffered unjustly and, unfortunately, still do today. In recent years, the seemingly most notorious of breeds targeted has become the 'pit bull'. Unfortunately, proponents for BSL rarely research facts pertaining to these wonderful dogs and much prefer to believe and perpetuate the fabrications and myths that surround them.
1. The "Pit Bull" is a breed.
False, "Pit Bull" is not a breed. It’s a term that describes a group of dogs based on appearance, typically one with a compact, muscular body and a large, square head. The name was derived from a term used to describe dogs of Bull and Terrier descent that were selected to fight other dogs in what is known as fighting "pit". Generally, the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are referred to as "Pit Bulls", however, over 20 other breeds have been mistaken or mislabeled as Pit Bulls, including American Bulldogs, Boxers, and Labrador Retrievers.
2. Pit bulls have locking jaws.
False, There is no evidence to support the theory that pit bulls have a locking jaw. The American Pit Bull Terrier and related breeds are physiologically no different from any other breed of dog. If they had a special mechanism or muscle that allowed their jaws to lock, they would not be part of the canine species. 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 comparision 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. 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. Pit Bulls have been selectively bred to fight and have no other working purpose.
False, In recent years, the majority of Pit Bulls have been bred for looks, not fighting. Yes, dog fighting still exists and many participants of the illegal sport have bred their "prized" dogs to carry on their "winning" tradition. However, the descendents of the three "Pit Bull" breeds are crosses of the Old English Bulldog (extinct) and a variety of English Terriers (some are extinct, while others have evolved into new breeds) were bred for herding and chasing away small animals.
When Americans began moving West, the American Pit Bull Terrier was the dog of choice for many families moving into the American frontier. Pit Bulls were loyal to their families, they protected their families and livestock from wild animals, chased away small rodents, and even herded animals on the farm.
Herding is genetic, fighting is trained.
4. Pit Bulls were bred to kill other animals and, therefore, are inherently aggressive.
False, Pit Bulls are no more aggressive than any other dog. A variety of dog breeds were bred to capture and kill animals, including the majority of the terrier breeds. A many breeds are descendents of the ancient Molosser dogs, which were bred for war combat. Dog aggression is normal in all dogs. Some dogs will remail dog social for their entire lives, while others are better off in a one dog household. Animals aggression does not solely apply to the Pit Bull breeds, it applies to all dogs.
5. Since American Bulldogs and Pit Bulls have similar genetic pools, American Bulldogs are technically Pit Bulls.
False, American Bulldogs and Pit Bulls are both descendents of the Old English Bulldog (extinct). Boxers are also descendents of the Old English Bulldog. American Bulldogs and Boxers, however, are not descendents of Terriers, unlike the Pit Bull breeds. Airedale Terriers and Fox Terriers are descendents of the Old English Bulldog and English Terriers, and therefore, are more closely related to the Pit Bull than any of the Bulldog breeds.
6. It is the owner, not the dog.
True, All but one of the dogs rescued from Michael Vick’s fighting ring were rehabilitated. Many have gone on to new homes (one is now a certified therapy dog), while others are living peacefully amongst other animals and humans at various animal sanctuaries. The Vick dogs are a prime example of what happens to a dog in the wrong hands and what happens in the right hands.
If all Pit Bulls were inherently dangerous and "ticking time bombs", considering the vast population of these dogs across the country, there would be hundreds, if not thousands, more attacks by these dogs. Pit Bulls have been in existence in American for over a decade. If they were as bad as some people claim them to be, there would have been attacks by these dog reported in the early 1900s, the majority of canine experts would be calling a ban against these dogs, and there wouldn’t be any pit bull rescues in existence.
7. Only criminals and thugs own Pit Bulls.
False, Rachel Ray, Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake, Jessica Alba, Rachel Bilson, and Sophia Bush are just a handful of celebrities who currently own a Pit Bull.
Pit Bull owners come from all walks of life, all social, education, and ethnic backgrounds. For many of these owners, all it took was just one pit bull to open their homes to these great dogs.
8. Pit Bulls were bred to be loyal to their humans.
True, Dogs had to be handled by humans in the fighting pits. Any dog that showed signs of aggression towards humans were euthanized and were not considered to be of “correct” temperament. Loyalty to their humans is a trait that Pit Bull still have today and is a quality that has attracted both good and bad owners to this dog.