The Truth About Pit Bulls

To understand the truth about pit bulls it is important to understand that pit bulls are not a single breed of dog. The term pit bull refers to a wide variety of breeds including; the American Pitbull Terrier, the American Bulldog, and the American Staffordshire Terrier. The American Pitbull Terrier is the breed most commonly associated with the term pit bull, because of its name. Many people tend to think pit bulls are bad dogs, and that couldn't be farther from the truth. Pit bulls are all from different breeds, and are only associated with one another because of their looks. Let's take a look at the three most commonly misinterpreted breeds known simply as a pit bull. 

• American Pitbull Terrier - The APBT is known as a vicious dog, but only because of negative media and their solid appearance. American Pitbull Terriers were bred in England as bulldogs, and were renamed when the first breeder of them moved to the United States of America. He registered his favorite breed with the American Kennel Club as the American Pitbull Terrier.
• American Staffordshire Terrier - A lot of people couldn't tell the difference between an American Staffordshire Terrier and an American Pitbull Terrier if their life depended on it. The breeds look very similar in the face and body, and of course they're both in the terrier family. The differences stop there, though. Am Staff terriers are known for being smaller in size than other pit bulls, and they only stand about 17 inches in height on average.
• American Bulldog - The American Bulldog gets its name from the job that the dog was developed to undertake. They were bred for herding bulls, and unfortunately, killing or fighting them. Bull baiting was a popular sport in the 1700's that pinned bulldogs against wounded bulls. The American Bulldog is the one breed in the pit bull group that was legitimately bred to destroy. However, centuries of curving the breed's temperament have actually turned them into an efficient herding dog.

The American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and American Bulldog are three of the most mistaken breeds of dog that live today. Unfortunately, they are also some of the most misinterpreted. The most important thing to realize is that pit bulls aren't mean dogs, and they are all coming from a different background. A dog is only as well behaved as its pack leader, or owner. Pit bull is a generic term associated with several breeds of dogs, and not just these three. My favorite pit bull is Jaxon, my American Pitbull Terrier. Who is your favorite pit bull?

The American Pitbull Terrier

Breed specific legislation is taking the United States by storm. Many cities across the country are now starting to ban large breeds of dogs. No breed, however, is banned from more cities nationwide than the American Pitbull Terrier. Breeds of any animal should not be discriminated against. Breed specific legislation will only damage the future of all large dog breeds, but it could also lead to certain breeds becoming extinct. The American Pitbull Terrier is illegal in over 600 cities nationwide, and the most sickening part of it all is that most are proud of it. Pit bulls are not born mean dogs. Irresponsible owners, such as dog fighters, have preyed on pit bulls making them the object of hatred and fear.

Image courtesy of tiverylucky / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The American Pitbull Terrier is a majestic dog. They were first known simply as bulldogs. Then in 1897, they were renamed the American Pitbull Terrier when the United Kennel Club was formed. The truth is that the American Pitbull Terrier is a great family dog. They love children, and love to please their family. It is important that people begin to see the American Pitbull Terrier for what is is; an affectionate, fun-loving, and loyal family companion.

My personal American Pitbull Terrier, Jaxon.

Dogs cannot help what breed they get born into. Just like people cannot choose what race they are. Holding a breed to the responsibility of the actions of their owners is not going to solve anything. These breeds did not do anything wrong. The people that failed them did. This country has come a long way towards stopping discrimination, and banning individual breeds of dogs is a step in the wrong direction. Dogs are not bad animals, and what breed they are does not determine how bad a dog is. Its owner does. I would really hate to see an entire group of dogs be banned, because nobody opened their eyes to the real problem. Irresponsible dog owners should be the ones being held accountable for their own actions. The breed of the dog has nothing to do with the problem. People need to help to situation, and not by turning the other cheek on it. Even if you are not a pit bull owner, please, show some empathy for a struggling breed.