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American Pit Bulls have gotten quite a bad reputation over the past several years. This breed has elicited fear-based thinking, as many people believe that they are inherently dangerous, aggressive, and unpredictable. Ever since irresponsible owners forced these dogs into fighting rings, they have had quite a struggle getting back their positive image.
However, awareness of the prejudice is expanding for these fantastic creatures, and it’s about time that the truth comes out and the stigma against the breed ceases. Read on to find out the truth about Pit Bulls.
The 8 Myths & Misconceptions About Pit Bulls
1. Pit Bulls Are Inherently Aggressive
Even though Pit Bulls, and other bull breeds, have a reputation for being extremely aggressive, that is the furthest thing from the truth1. By nature, Pit Bulls are incredibly loyal and devoted to their owners. While they might be a bit protective in some cases, they are quite trainable.
As a result of poor socialization or previous negative experiences, any dog can become aggressive. When this happens to a Pit Bull, due to their highly muscular structure, it can make them a lot more threatening. But they have no greater risk of being aggressive than any other breed if they are properly raised and socialized.
2. Pit Bulls Can Lock Their Jaws Without Releasing
There is a misconception that Pit Bulls can lock their jaws, creating an unbreakable hold on whatever is in their mouth. This is not true—at least, not in the way that most people think.
The Pit Bull is an enthusiastic breed that is competitive during play. If you’ve ever played tug-of-war with one, you know just how tightly they can grasp with their jaws. However, there is no special skill a Pit Bull has that makes their jaws snap shut and stay closed.
3. Pit Bulls Have the Strongest Bite Force
PSI, or pounds per square inch, refers to the force with which animals bite. Most people think that Pit Bulls have the strongest bite force of any other canine, but this is actually false.
According to the WorldAnimalFoundation website Pit Bulls do not have the strongest bite force by far. They don’t even make the top 10 list. Other breeds that are twice as powerful include the Dogo Argentino, the Dogo Canario, the English Mastiff, and the Tosa Inu. Pitbulls only have a PSI of 235, which is minimal compared to many other dog breeds.
4. Pit Bulls Don’t Get Along With Other Dogs
The Pit Bull is notoriously labeled as a breed that does not get along with other dogs. They are especially pegged as being inclined toward same-sex aggression. While this can be the case, depending on the dog’s background, a well-socialized Pit Bull is no worse than other breeds in this regard.
If your Pit Bull is raised with other dogs, they will acclimate to the environment, getting along well with them over time. However, they can be a bit territorial. So, if they feel that another canine is a threat, they might act protective of their home.
This isn’t necessarily a bad quality, and it definitely doesn’t mean they are always going to lash out in an attack. Most of the time, this lovable breed will adore having a partner in crime.
5. Pit Bulls Are Always Aggressive Toward Cats
Pit Bulls have quite a reputation for being predators. Many people claim that they are incredibly aggressive toward cats and are basically not good with any smaller animals. While this can be true in some cases, it is not always.
This breed loves to chase and play. Due to their strong jaws, it is easy for them to hurt a smaller animal. However, this isn’t always intentional. Don’t mistake their prey drive for being malicious. It’s simply not the case. This danger exists for many dogs with high prey drives.
Pit Bulls that are raised alongside cats have almost no problem whatsoever getting along with them. However, different situations warrant different behaviors. You always have to make sure every single animal that interacts with one another stays safe.
6. Pit Bulls Can’t Be Trusted With Kids
There is a widespread misconception that Pit Bulls are not suitable for families with children. Any dog can be a danger to a child, which is why supervision is always essential. However, it’s worth noting that when the breed first emerged, they were given a nickname: the nanny dog. They were so loving and affectionate toward children that they were specifically given duties to protect them.
Even with this in mind, any interaction between dogs and children must be supervised to ensure safety, as each dog is an individual, and their behavior can vary based on training, environment, and temperament.
7. Pit Bulls Are the Only Dogs Used for Fighting
When a person sees a Pit Bull, it is common for them to assume that they are a fighter dog. A horrible stigma comes with the breed due to what human beings have done to them. It’s true that Pit Bulls were widely used in fighting rings, but this practice has decreased drastically over the last several years.
But sadly, when it comes to fighting, the dog is trained to act in a certain way, which is often dangerous. A Pit Bull would be no different.
8. Pit Bulls in Shelters Shouldn’t Be Adopted
It is a fact that Pit Bulls flood rescues and shelters all over America. They are one of the most surrendered and rescued breeds of all canines. Many people think that once a Pit Bull winds up in a shelter, this means they’re unadoptable.
While you should always consider all the particularities of any dog you rescue, Pit Bulls are absolutely ready and willing to find forever homes. Naturally, some of them will have more issues than others, but that’s true of any breed.
Anytime you want to rescue a dog from a shelter, it’s best to first conduct a home visit or do slow introductions to see whether they’re compatible with your existing pets and children. This is not just true for the Pit Bull breed. You should test any dog to gauge compatibility.
The more confident you are that the dog will acclimate into your household, the less you risk any adverse reactions, including having to rehome the animal.
Pit Bull Information
| Name: | American Pit Bull Terrier |
| Height: | 18–21 inches |
| Weight: | 30–65 pounds |
| Colors: | Black, white, brindle, fawn, tan, grey, blue, brown, red |
| Lifespan: | 8–15 years |
How Pit Bulls Got Their Reputation
Pit Bulls were originally bred for guarding and companionship. However, in the 1800s, things changed for this breed, as gamblers began to use them for entertainment and financial gain. These people began developing fighter dogs by overbreeding and culling litters to produce a hyper-aggressive temperament.
Unfortunately for the breed, humans recognized the Pit Bull’s incredible muscle tone, definition, and willingness to follow commands. Due to these desirable traits, bad people took advantage of the breed, creating long lines of fighter dogs trained to kill.
However, this history does not mean every Pit Bull that you encounter has fighter instincts. It also doesn’t mean that a Pit Bull that has been abused, neglected, or otherwise mistreated has no hope for a stable future.
These dogs are incredibly loving creatures that are extremely interactive and loyal to their owners. When it comes to the aggression and bad stigma related to the breed, it is 100% the fault of the people who conditioned them, not the dog’s.
Pit Bulls in Shelters
Unfortunately, Pit Bulls are one of the most common dogs in shelters and rescues. So much stigma has been built around them that many owners are forced to surrender them due to breed restrictions in apartments, communities, or other law-related factors.
There are also people who breed Pit Bulls relentlessly, choosing methods that don’t produce quality puppies. The breeding of these animals is purely profit-based, and they are often placed in homes that don’t take the commitment seriously. Sadly, dogs that come from these situations can exhibit poor temperaments or health issues.
Fortunately, as awareness of this breed’s plight spreads, people are trying to create healthier, more evenly-tempered dogs, effectively eliminating the negative qualities. Animal advocates are also diligently working to rescue these beautiful creatures from destitute situations.
The more we can introduce potential owners to the reality of the breed, the more Pit Bulls will finally find their loving forever homes, sparing them from negative situations and shelters.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there is nothing to fear when you have a Pit Bull. Poor breeding is slowly but surely being eradicated to produce healthy, happy litters. Law enforcement continues to work behind the scenes, ensuring an end to dogfighting not just for Pit Bulls but every breed.
Pit Bulls are some of the kindest, most devoted dogs you can own. As long as you select a pup or adult that fits in with your living situation, you will have a companion that will never leave your side. They deserve to have the facts brought forward and their unfortunate history left behind where it belongs—in the past.
Featured Image Credit: sophiecat, Shutterstock
