Saturday, October 22, noon - 5 pm, is Pit Bull Awareness Day at the Montgomery County Humane Society. As part of October's Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog celebration, the MCHS will be presenting their most adoptable pit-bull and/or pit-bull type homeless dogs currently residing at the shelter. All of "The Wonderbull" terriers available for adoption have been fully evaluated; and are recommended as great pets by the shelter staff.
Historically, the American Pit Bull Terrier was brought to the US by immigrants mainly from England, Ireland, and Scotland. These dogs were used as "catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions". (Wikipedia) The founder of the United Kennel Club, C Z Bennett, was the first to recognize the breed, American Pit Bull Terrier, in 1898. In fact, he assigned his own dog, "Bennetts Ring" the registration number 1.
As per Wikipedia, "The American pit bull terrier is the product of interbreeding between terriers and a breed of bulldogs to produce a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the bulldog." However, the American pit bull terrier, as noted in the MCHS announcement of Pit Bull Awareness Day is "often misunderstood and misrepresented". It is with this in mind that the shelter is promoting Pit Bull Awareness Day so "prospective adopters get better acquainted with the positive characteristics" of the American Pit Bull Terrier.
The American Pit Bull Terrier is often recocgnized more for its aggressive nature; and as a fighting dog than for the other characteristics it is also known for, such as: companion dog, police dog, therapy dog. Unfortunately, due to breed-specific laws, the Michael Vick dog-fighting case, and media reports of pit bull attacks, the positive characteristics for the most part have gone unnoticed. This is why the MCHS has set aside Oct 22 as a day to celebrate and understand the American Pit Bull Terrier. In addition, from Oct 22 through the end of the month, selected pit-bull terriers and pit-bull types, can be adopted with all fees waived except for micro-chipping and the required licensing fees. In addition, "all adopters must follow MCHS adoption policies and standards".
According to BullDogBreeds.com: "Today the Pit Bull has evolved into a marvelous working and companion dog, used for purposes as varied as those it originally performed. Pit Bulls are employed as police/armed services dogs, search and rescuers, therapy animals, and livestock workers. They compete in all manner of organized dog sports, from herding to agility to conformation to obedience and the bite sports like Schutzhund and French Ring. They make loving pets for children and seniors, and everyone in between. The are indeed one of the most versatile breeds on the planet. Much of this is owed to the activities it once performed. The harshness and physical demands of the activities molded a strong, healthy, stable animal, one anyone should be proud to own.
If you have ever considered adopting an American Pit Bull Terrier, please take the time to visit the Montgomery County Humane Society on October 22, 2011. The staff and volunteers have put a great deal of time and effort into evaluating each and every adoptable shelter dog to make sure it can make the transition from "homeless shelter dog" to "devoted member of a loving family". Look at the American Pit Bull Terriers and get to know them on your own. Make your own decision based on your own personal experience.
And remember, the shelter houses all breeds, sizes, ages and colors of dogs, cats, and small mammels and reptiles. If an American Pit Bull Terrier isn't the dog for you, I can promise that if you visit the other residents living at the MCHS you will be sure to find a pet that will be a perfect fit for you and your family. It only takes an hour or so to walk through the shelter and visit with the animals. It will be an hour that could change your life in a very positive way. For a shelter pet, it could be an hour that will save their life.
Montgomery County Animal Shelter, 14645 Rothgeb Drive, Rockville, MD 20850
240-773-5960
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