Linda Lou, Blog Dog reporting in… Unfortunately the above reaction is what some breeds get when the public spots them out and about. I feel really bad when someone sees me or my sisters and calls us ankle biters. We would never bite an ankle. Eww.
So, what exactly is a “pit bull”? Well, it may surprise you to know that a pit bull is not actually a breed, but rather a broad description of dogs with a certain look. Some of the breeds classified as pit bulls include the American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier and American Bulldogs. They have the big blocky heads, muscular bodies and strong, handsome jawlines.
Pit bull-type dogs have had a bad rap over the years as being aggressive, unpredictable and untrustworthy animals. So let’s clear up a few things. Pit bulls can’t “lock” their jaws; this is ridiculous. Yes, their jaws are much stronger than mine but they were originally bred to be working and hunting dogs needing strong bones and teeth for their duties. Secondly, not all pitties are mean dogs. In fact, most of them are the goofiest guys you will meet! My friends Odin and Thor are fun-loving pooches who wouldn’t hurt a fly, much less another dog. Oh sure, I might get trampled when we are running around the yard but that is par for the course when your playmates are 10 times bigger than you!
Don’t get me wrong, pit bulls (all dogs for that matter) need to be trained properly, socialized at a young age and taught to respect the Alpha of the pack (their human). If these three things do not happen, any dog can become a “bad dog” and if they have dominant or aggressive tendencies, those tendencies will emerge through behavior. Then we have issues. But honestly I have been more afraid of some naughty Labradors and Goldens I have met while out on walks than I am of the bully breeds.
Dogs should not be judged for what they look like, but by how they interact with their own kind as well as humans. This is something that we dogs do. It doesn’t matter the size or shape of a fellow dog, we treat every dog as we want to be treated unless they prove to not deserve to be treated that way.
I am a firm believer that a well-adjusted dog gets plenty of exercise or opportunities to play, has a job if they want one (like me! I love blogging!) and has a firm pack leader to lay down the rules. If any dog has a home where they are offered these things, they are bound to be a good dog, no matter what they look like! So to summarize, please don’t judge a dog by its breed 🙂
Later,
Linda Lou, Blog Dog and Friend of Pit Bulls
