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In praise of the Pit Bull
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Friend-to-all Toby waits at Friends of Animals Foundation for a fun, loving new home Photo: Susan Beveridge
I’ll admit it, I was afraid of Pit Bulls. I bought the hype and, being an animal lover who devoured every dog-related news article, I exposed myself to a disproportionate number of stories of alleged “Pit Bull aggression.”
Then I finally met a Pit Bull – in fact, I met a bunch of them. Despite the scare-stories still knocking around my brain, I got to know a number of Pits, Pit mixes and other bully breeds, including Staffordshire Terriers, who often get lumped in under the “Pit Bull” label by the uninformed, unfortunately including many law enforcement and animal control professionals.
I found that Pit Bulls and Staffordshires are some of the sweetest, most openhearted, people-loving dogs I’ve ever met. They’re team players who want to do just what you want them to do. That’s what makes some Pits such good fighters; they’ll do what their owners want, even if it kills them.
Scooby Doo shows off his signature Staffie smile while he hopes for a safe forever home Photo: Susan Beveridge
But the fact is that dog- or animal-aggression, while occasionally a factor in some Pit Bulls, as it is with many dogs, is by no means a given. And contrary to often-inept reporting, dog-aggression and aggression against humans are two very different things for any dog.
The Pit Bull breed standard, as set forth in the Pit Bull Owners Alliance’s Rescue Code of Ethics states: “The ‘Temperament Correct’ pit bull: seeks out human interaction; is responsive, biddable and eager to please…” That’s a perfect description of all the Pits and Staffordshires I’ve met.
Witness the dogs abused by Michael Vick: of nearly fifty fighting dogs seized from his “Bad Newz” kennels, only one was so aggressive he couldn’t be adopted or sent to a sanctuary. (See “For more info” below for shocking new revelations about Vick’s cruel torture of pet dogs he placed in the ring with trained fighting dogs).
While a handsome handful, the eggheaded Bull Terrier looks nothing like a Pit Bull Photo: dog-breeds-explained.info
So why the bad press? I think in part it’s literally “bad” press. If you’ll allow me to indulge my inner conspiracy theorist for a second, I think it’s often due to the fact that readers are more likely to click on a news story if it says “Pit Bull Attacks!” than if it says, “Schnauzer Attacks!” It’s sexier. That’s a significant disincentive for news organizations to verify the true breed of an attacking dog for every story.
In addition, other breeds are frequently misidentified as Pit Bulls. Many people would look at a Cane Corso, a Dogo Argentino, even a white Boxer, and assume the dog is a Pit. Back when Pits were first starting to make scare headlines, one reporter authoritatively told readers that it was easy to identify the notorious Pit Bull – just look at famous beer-spokesdog Spuds McKenzie. Oops! Spuds was a Bull Terrier, about as visually different from a Pit or Staffordshire as you can get.
Of course, it doesn’t help when some Pit Bull and Staffordshire owners indignantly proclaim, “Pit Bulls get a bad rap!” only to walk you past signs on their house threatening, “My Pit Bull can make it to the gate in fifteen seconds – can you?” Then they proudly introduce you to their precious “Diablo” or “Bruiser,” who's sporting a spiked leather collar. No doubt Pit Bulls and Staffordshires get a bad rap, but at least some of that scary reputation is due to blockhead owners.
If you really love your Pit Bull or Staffie, name her “Twinkle.” I defy anyone to be scared of a dog named “Twinkle.” And when you think that one of the most beloved characteristics of both Pits and Staffordshires is that beautiful smile, “Twinkle” seems just about perfect.
For more info: on the Pit Bull Rescue Code of Ethics see http://www.realpitbull.com/coe.pdf
For info on the rehabilitation of former Vick fighting dogs see: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/07/vick.dogs.rehab/index.html
For info on new USDA revelations of Vick torture of family pet dogs see: http://blastmagazine.com/the-magazine/sports/2008/11/vick-laughed-as-dogs-were-injured/
For a handy quiz on breeds commonly misidentified as Pit Bulls see: http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html
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