Download The Misunderstood Nature of Pit Bulls: Debunking the Myth of Aggression and more Summaries English in PDF only on Docsity! Pit Bulls Deserve More Credit Than They Are Given By: Autumn Graham If one were to search online for “the world’s most aggressive dog breeds,” you would probably expect to see pitbulls and pitbull type dogs at or near the tops of lists, however that’s just not the case. Though results are mixed, the highest a pitbull seems to be on an aggression list is 7th. So why do they get such a bad reputation for being dangerous and aggressive? The main issue with pit bulls seems to be the way they are raised, not their size or demeanor. A study by The Atlantic found that breeds as small as the chihuahua are more aggressive than pit bulls. The study was a random survey of dog owners who were asked how aggressive their pet dogs were in certain situations; the pit bulls were one of the least aggressive breeds except when meeting new dogs. Personal interaction can show anyone that many pitbulls are not aggressive, but they are extremely playful. Gina Lanzone owner of one-year-old pit bull Smokey said, “He is one of the smartest dogs I have ever met. He acts like a person, he has a routine, he loves to take showers. I can never have a bath because he will try to jump in!” After interacting with a pit bull like Smokey, one could see how a big energetic dog who wants to constantly play could be mistaken for an aggressive bully breed. Most of the time, people jump to conclusions and don’t take the time to get to know the dog before labeling it aggressive. According to the American Temperament Test Society, fourteen dog breeds did not pass their temperament test (passing is at or above 60%) and only one of those breeds was a type of pit bull. The English Pitbull failed the temperament test, however only one was tested. The more common breed, the American Pitbull Terrier passed the temperament test at an 87.4% with 814 passing and only 117 not passing. This statistic proves true when one observes the temperament of the top sixteen “bully breeds” of dogs. These dogs include the alpha blue blood, American bulldog, American pitbull terrier, Staffordshire terrier, banter bulldogge, Boston terrier, bull mastiff, bull terrier, cane corso, English bulldog, French bulldog, American bully dog, olde English bulldogge, Staffordshire bull terrier, valley bulldog, and boxer. All of these bully breeds passed the temperament test, with the lowest score being the alpha blue blood at 75%. This data raises the question, why are people so afraid of pitbulls and better yet, should they be? Caring for a pit bull is a high maintenance job, definitely no walk in the park, so owners must be capable of handling all the responsibilities of owning a pit bull or bully breed. If someone does not think they can handle that level of maintenance, it is probably better to stick to an easier to care for pet. Often, pit bulls who are aggressive act the way they do because a lack of proper care and even sometimes abuse from their owners. Any dog of any age, size, and breed is capable of acting this way if treated incorrectly; however, bigger dog breeds can do more damage, giving them a bad reputation. This is still not always the case, many dogs raised in a bad environment are not aggressive at all. Trinity Brown, owner of pit bull Eve said that her adopted dog has never shown aggression towards any of her family or friends. “This surprised me because I am her fourth owner, and all three before me were abusive. Even though this happened she still has a heart of gold.” These dogs are so nonjudgemental, despite their past experiences and lifestyles, maybe humans should take a page out of their book.
