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The Misperception of Pit Bulls
I wrote a post last week about a guy, a school counselor, who was arrested for breeding and holding fighting dogs (Pit Bulls) in Ohio.
I briefly touched on a point: pit bulls get a bad rapp. I think this bad reputation stems from two distinct concepts.
First: the “danger factor” of any dog is created by the dog’s owner, history and upbringing. If a dog, any dog, is abused or neglected, he learns to fend for himself. He will become overprotective of his property, his food, his toys (if given any), etc. He will become mean because he’s afraid. It’s amazing what an abusive environment does to a dog-any dog. Ultimately the irresponsible owner is the catalyst for any attack the dog may make.
Second: the media decides which stories about “bully dogs” to publish. They liked to talk about viscous pit bulls long before the Michael Vick dogfighting ring was unearthed. It’s easy for people who don’t know the pit bull dog breed to carry the commom misperception that the pits are mean, hence. There are so many stories on the evening news about children or women or small dogs getting attacked by pit bulls. The news shows pictures of these mean pit bulls and complements the dramatic scenes with serious tones of voice. They are setting a stage.
The news doesn’t show stories about German Shepherds or Chow Chows attacking people. These breeds have been known to be prone to violence by nature but the media doesn’t frame them as such because the public is already so entangled in the sensationalism of “viscous” pit bulls. Sensationalism sells.
The media has somewhat turned a corner recently. They are now more focused on reporting dogfighting rings and the people who partake in the violent blood sport. This is the new sensationalism.
The Best Friends Animal Society recently ran an article on its website about the facts and fiction related to the pit bull dog breed. They said,
Singling out any breed is akin to racial profiling of people, and its just as misleading and plain wrong. There are good and bad people in all creeds, colors and backgrounds. Same goes for dogs — of all kinds. But few people know enough about dogs to make the right distinctions, and can be easily persuaded that all dogs of a certain breed or type are bad.”
(To read the full article from Best Friends, click here.) Best Friends knows first-hand the worst of circumstances. They have 22 of Michael Vicik’s pit bulls. Most have turned into sweet-natured, loving dogs. A few are still hesitant to accept people. One will be shelter-bound for life because he was exposed to so much violence and abuse that it’s not possible for him to be adopted. But they are all getting a chance to have a good life now. They are all getting a chance to avoid the bad rap.
Talk to responsible pit bull owners and you will get stories of love, acceptance and unique personalities.
Our family has a pit bull. He follows you around because he can’t wait to sit on your lap, literally, when you plant yourself on the couch. He wants to be loved and he wants to give love. He follows you to the back door because he can’t wait to go outside and have you throw his ball. He greets neighbors with a friendly bark and a wagging tail. He has friends in the neighborhood. (See more sweet pit bull pictures like the one above.)
I think its so unfair that pit bulls are classified as viscous in so many states (a whole separate post coming soon on that note), when really it’s the irresponsible owner who is usually behind any viscous dog.
What do you think about pit bulls? I encourage your comments and feedback.
You are so right – pit bulls definitely get a bad rap. My daughter owns a “mix” pit and he is a big old sweetheart. I own two golden retrievers and they are big love hounds but there is a golden retriever in our neighborhood who is mean (hard to believe I know, a mean golden); we also have 2 vicious german shepards in our neighborhood, both owned by one family, that have attacked other dogs, including mine – it all depends on how you raise them. I wish people would stop blaming it on the breeds – its us humans, as usual,that are doing the damage.
[...] Original post by JL Smith [...]
I have to admit that I used to be one of those that was against and afraid of Pit Bulls. Lucky for me I have a great friend that is a huge animal lover and volunteers at animal rescues all of the time. She is actually known for handling Pit Bulls very well and is sought after by the animal rescues when she comes home to help with the Pit Bull cases. It took her some work, but she has definitely opened me up to the gentler side of Pit Bulls.
I completely agree. There are so many stereotypes about different breeds of dogs… and Pit Bulls and Rottweilers tend to get the baddest rap. What matters most is not the dog, but the owner. That is always the deciding factor in these things. Dogs are like kids… they show what they learn. Nice post!
I totally agree, I also come from an animal loving family and it completely depends on how the dogs are treated and raised. I currently have a pit bull mix and he is a wonderful and loving animal, he gives me little kisses every day. My sister also has a pure bred pit named Roxie that is a rescue! Roxie was once involved in a dog fighting ring in Las Vegas but now she is also a kind, sweet and loving dog. Once given a chance pit bulls and all other breeds of dog will give back what they get! If you love them they will return that love ten-fold!
I also agree. We got our Pit mix from the local shelter. The only thing we know is that she was involuntarily surrendered when her owner went to jail. She was 6 months old when we brought her home. She’s now almost 3 years. She also has this NEED to sit on our laps. She actually gives hubby hugs. She wraps her legs around his neck when he kneels next to her while she’s on the couch. He was nervous at first about bringing home a pit mix, but he has never regretted it.
http://tbirdonawire.net/tbirdwp/2007/12/09/dixie-plays-hard/ – click here to see her.
P.S. Thanks for visiting my blog!
[...] admin wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptI wrote a post last week about a guy, a school counselor, who was arrested for breeding and holding fighting dogs (pit bulls) in Ohio. I briefly touched on a point: pit bulls get a bad rapp. I think this bad reputation stems from two … [...]
why r ppl so scared of pitbulls? have they evr donr something 2 u? no i didnt thnk so!!!!!!! so yeah!
I have a pitbull and he is the most gentle and sweetest dog i’ve ever owned. And its true they do love to follow you around everywhere and curl up on your lap. There also the most emotional dog breed i know and very loyal. i think i’ll always own a pitbull.
As for dogs, do you know any reliable resource where one can find all the local dog kennels?
I have a pit bull; I hate the bad rep that pits get!! You always hear about the bad and not the good. Pits are a very loyal dog, you need to know how to control your pit, my pit doesn’t show any aggression towards any body or any dog, it is just on how your train them. When you hear about all the attacks that are caused from pits you have to read in between the lines, the owner of pit probably did not take proper care of the dog or it did not have enough socialization with other humans or animals, its never the dogs fault. If you stick a pit or any kind of dog with an ignorant person it’s just like saying, “it’s not the gun that killed the person it’s the idiot that pulled the trigger”. I don’t agree with people that fight pits either, its animal abuse and its not right for any dog to go through the hurt and the pain that humans put them in but even through all of that a pit is so loyal it will love you and stay right by your side, a dog cant pick its owners so why is it always the dogs fault? But remember, its irresponsible humans, not pit bulls’, who deserve our derision. You don’t blame the car when a drunk driver kills someone, and no one should blame a good dog ruined by the hands of ignorant people.
It appears that you are likening pit bulls to inanimate objects, which they are most certainly not.
As said in other posts, pit bulls are very emotional and loving dogs. But not all emotions are good. If a dog is very emotional, it can be very loving at times, or very angry or scared at others.
Pit bulls can act on their own. You don’t see guns chasing cats or cars. Cars don’t get aggressive and attack you when you walk by someone’s yard.
You also said, “. . . no one should blame a good dog ruined by the hands of ignorant people.” That is true, however, not all dogs are ‘good.’ While guns and cars all act the same way (or rather, not at all), dogs have different personalities and emotions.
You CAN train SOME dogs to not bite or act aggressive if it is frightened or threatened.
You CAN’T train ANY dog to never be frightened or angry.
I have a pit bull and she’s is the most loyal dog ever. She is extremely smart. She loves other dogs, kids and gets along with my two cats – - we’ll she actually teases them alot. Educating the public on pit bulls needs to continue. The media will always print negative comments, so it’s up to owners of bully breads to get the word out that these are perfectly good family pets!
I agree about the pitbulls having a bad name it is so mislead. Any dog that is mistreated or trained to fight that is what it will do. My 5yr old daughter and 7yr old son have a pitbull and she is the loveablest thing in the world and we also have a boxer they are together all the time and never fight. Punish the deed not the breed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am the proud owner of a 16 week old purebread colby pit bull. He is a beautiful blue fawn and white, and his name is Capone. He has trained VERY easily, and is very well behaved. As far as the rap they get, Its 100% rediculous. Any dog, being that they are ALL decendents from wolves, can and WILL bite if nescesary. The dog is brought up from day 1 learning anything and eveyrthing the owner wants. And when you have people breeding them like hotcakes, and selling them to the next person they see to make a 100 bucks, they get in the hands of ones who want them for there “image.” The Image of pure strength and fear. Which lets face it, these dogs absolutely can have a fearsome look when dressed in spikes and chains. Its the 16, 17 and 18 year old KIDS who have them to show off, then they get stuck out in there pen with some food and water untill more friends come over to “check out the dog.” Its disgusting. Has anyone ever seen a chihuauha??? There mean little bastards. Imagine if they were the size of a pitbull. Now THATS a dangerous dog!!! Repsect pit bulls loyalty, strength, beauty, and use the dog for what any domesticated animal is here for, LOVE THE DOG! The very first war dog ever was a pitbull. To this day we use many kinds of war dogs but that very first pitbull is still to this day the most decorated, and famous. It saved its whole platoon and is quite a good story. Look it up! So the same dog that saved americans is being destroyed by them??? Ummmmm,,,, somethings wrong here… Punish the deed!!! SAVE THE BREED!!!!!!!
http://www.mercykennels.com
” He will become mean because he’s afraid. It’s amazing what an abusive environment does to a dog-any dog. ”
This is a true statement. Depending on their environment, a dog will react and behave accordingly.
” Ultimately the irresponsible owner is the catalyst for any attack the dog may make. ”
This statement, however, is not true. Any dog, with any owner, responsible or not, can suddenly become aggressive or violence. Especially a mother dog with a litter of puppies.
A dog’s instincts are much more powerful than a humans, and instincts are a VERY deciding factor in how even a well trained dog will act.
Pit bulls were bred to be even more violent, powerful, and athletic when they were introduced to America to be part of dog fights. Before moving to America, they were used in bull baiting.
It would take many many years of selective breeding to tone down the pit bulls fighting instincts.
The only death caused by a dog in my small town was a five or six year old child killed by a pit bull that the family had had even before the child was born. Many dogs bite or attack people for various reasons, but the pit bull went straight for the child’s head. The dog and child had grown up together, so it was not a case of jealousy.
I am guilty of feeling hesitant to have a pitbull but our family have one and we call her chubby. I am glad that this issues are answered about pitbulls. she is still very young 4 months but very playful and loves to run all the time and destroys things. He likes to bite all the time..