UNDERSTANDING THE MONSTER MYTHS:

All Pit Bulls are vicious, right?
Wrong. No more vicious than Golden Retrievers, Poodles or Beagles according to the American Temperament Testing Society (ATTS). In fact, Pit Bulls received a higher grade, 83.9%, than golden retrievers for good temperament. It's a fact ... check it out for yourself! www.ATTS.org

To achieve this score, dogs are put through many confrontational scenarios to see if they react with panic or aggression. The high rating of pit bulls under these tests proves that this breed is not inherently aggressive or vicious.

Like any dog, a sound, healthy pit bull that is properly raised and socialized will remain friendly to its owner. Unfortunately, due to over breeding and being severely abused, some pit bulls can have temperaments far removed from the original breed standards.

Do pit bulls have locking jaws?
A very common question, but a complete urban myth definitely. No, this is not true. Pit bulls do not have some sort of special genetic make up that makes their jaws lock, any more than a Chihuahua has. We believe this myth started from the fact that pit bulls are physically very strong, coupled with the tenacity and determination to hold on to whatever they grasp. Jack Russells, as do many terriers breeds, grasp and shake in much the same way, yet none suffer from this myth. This grip was developed on purpose in terriers, because it was ideal for catching and killing vermin or holding on to a bull to control it.

If a pit bull has dog aggression, that means they could just turn on the owner or general public at any time, right?
Absolutely not. Dog aggression and human aggression are completely separate things in dog behaviour. One does not translate into the other, in any way.

Sadly, most people, and the media, do not understand the difference whatsoever. A pit bull that is friendly, well trained and socialized should welcome people with love and enthusiasm. However, it may not welcome a strange dog the same way. This breed is known for its love of people, but having varying degrees of dog aggression is considered normal and acceptable, and should be coupled with responsible ownership.

Dogs are foremost intelligent animals, and can easily distinguish the difference between an adult, a small child or another animal.

A pit bull showing human aggression is not typical of this breed, and should be humanely euthanized. Understanding the difference about aggression could be the key to restoring this breed's reputation.

Do pit bulls make good guard dogs?
Generally not at all. While they may bark, like most other breeds, if someone knocks on the door, a good sound pit bull will welcome everyone in with a wag of a tail and a big, bully lick! Pit bulls' history dictates that they were always to act appropriately around people, and really humans are their choice of company over other dogs. While they may look physically intimidating, they are not a guardian breed, and protecting people or property was never something they were bred for.

Can pit bulls ever be trusted around children or other pets?
A pit bull's first and foremost love are their humans, big or little. Many pit bull owners often comment on how their dogs tend to gravitate towards children. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is one of only 3 breeds in the AKC where their love of children is actually noted in their breed standard. Most pit bulls are excellent with children, and can withstand, with patience, the manhandling that kids can give out. However, younger pit bulls may accidentally knock over small children as they are physically larger and can be exuberant.

Regardless, dogs of ANY breed should always be constantly supervised when around children.

Many pits do live peacefully with other pets. If you are considering adding a pit bull into your household that already has other pets, it is crucially important to choose the right dog. A dog with high prey drive, or one that has never been exposed to other animals would not be a good choice. If the dog's reactions are unknown to other pets, one must ensure that the dog is initially introduced safely, on leash, in an area where the pets can leave if necessary. Many pit bulls are part of one big happy menagerie of lots of furry friends!

Don't thugs, gang members and drug dealers own pit bulls? Why would you even want to own one of those beasts?
Yes, some do. However caring, wonderful owners who have fallen in love with this breed own the majority of pit bulls. Before the media created a hysteria about these breeds, they were just dogs like any other breed. However their intimidating physical appearance and complete devotion to please their owners unfortunately appealed to groups that had less than these dogs' best interests in mind. From there, the image of the pit on a chain, snarling ferociously, forever changed the general public's mind sadly. The headlines one often sees are an extremely small percentage of all the pit bulls that live happily ever after in their homes.

I heard that a pit bull can be totally normal one day, then suddenly snap on its owners.
Again, another common myth. There are many variations of this myth including the belief that a Pit Bull's brain keeps growing, and eventually the pressure in their skull builds up until it goes crazy. Absolutely ridiculous!! A Pit Bull is no more likely to turn on someone than any other dog. A well-balanced dog has a sound temperament, regardless of breed.

Any breed of dog that is not properly trained or socialized can have the potential to become aggressive to its owner or family. Therefore it is extremely important to maintain a healthy relationship with your pet, watch for subtle changes of physical conditions, medical problems or aggressive dominant behaviours, and deal with these problems accordingly with a professional trainer or veterinarian.

Many owners sadly do not recognize subtle signs that their dogs are giving off, until something serious happens. This is not exclusive to the bull breeds. It is a common error in dog ownership in general, and relates to dogs that are 5 pounds to 150 pounds, regardless of breed.

I don't want to adopt an adult rescue, because I don't know their history. I guess a puppy is the only option then?
Not at all. So many adult dogs in the rescue system were simply victims of unprepared owners who were not willing to commit to being responsible owners for the dog's lifetime. Every dog should be judged as an individual. There are certainly benefits to considering an adult dog, such as you know exactly what size they will be, what they will look like full grown, and most importantly, their general personality! Many come with perks as well, such as being already housebroken or having some basic obedience.

With puppies, there are no guarantees as to what they'll be like as mature adults (mellow vs really energetic? Dog tolerant vs. dog aggressive?) If those things truly concern you in your decision making choice, we recommend that you keep an open mind and consider an adult, as they could be a much better match for you and your home, as opposed to a puppy who in a year, may not be what you want at all.

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