For those of you who would like a little information, history, or maybe just some knowledge on pit bulls, this is a good place to start. Please note that this is nowhere near everything about pitbulls, just a useful guide to help you understand the breed.
I have also included some links about dog bites in the U.S this past year and heroic pitbulls in the last year. Please be sure to look at these so you can get an idea as to how great these dogs are, and also how they geta bad wrap from the media. In my town, incidents involving a pitbull are placed on the front page of the paper, so everyone can see how (vicious) these dogs supposedly are. Take a look at the link below and see just how many other breeds of dogs are biting and mauling, and not getting the front page and the bad name. I have also included a link to a chart giving pictures of 25 dogs that resemble Pit Bulls. Can you pick the Pit?
Some facts and and stats on this page were taken from various sites and people with their permission. So DD is giving them credit for taking the time to supply the world with these facts. We thank them and hope they continue what they are doing. You can visit some of those sites by clicking on the foloowing links. http://www.pitbull411.com/history.html , http://www.ukcdogs.com , www.adba.cc
Questions & Answers
Do Pit Bulls have locking jaws?
I've had both owners and non-owners inform me of this "fact". Well if their jaws lock, why don't the dogs come with keys? There is nothing physiologically different about a Pit Bull's jaws than another dogs jaws. A Pit's jaws can't lock any more than a labs can. Pit Bulls do have a massive amount of jaw-strength, however. The wide jaws allow them to hold onto an object, even dangling in mid-air. This is a trait that comes from the bulldog ancestors of the breed. Jaw strength was needed in order for a dog to be proficient at bullbaiting, in which the dog would grab the bull by the nose and hang on until the enraged animal was subdued.
Do Pit Bulls have more jaw strength per square inch (psi) than any other breed?
This is pure speculation, as there is no reliable way to test psi jaw pressure. In testing, many variables come into play (what is driving the dog to bite, how motivated is the dog, etc ), and it also has a lot to do with the individual dog, itself. The results vary greatly. Although, so far, there has not been another breed to prove this theory wrong. "Dogs that are aggressive towards other animals are automatically aggressive towards people." Human aggression in dogs is entirely different than aggression directed at other animals. Aggression towards animals is a natural trait of the breed (as it is in many terrier breeds, among others).
Where did pit bulls come from?
When the Normans invaded England in 1066, they introduced a new sport called baiting. Interestingly enough, baiting originated with butchers who kept dogs (called Bullenbeissers now Pit Bulls) to handle unruly bulls as they were herded to the market for slaughter. When a bull stepped out of line or exhibited uncontrollable behavior, the dogs would clamp down on its nose and simply hang on until the handler could regain control of the wayward animal. Like most dog owners, the butchers were proud of their canine companions and their stubborn tenacity in dealing with the much larger, and potentially dangerous bulls. Consequently, pubic displays were arranged to showcase the dogs' abilities and, quite frankly, to appease the multitudes that attended baiting events for their entertainment value. By the 16th century, nearly every town in England had its own baiting ring. The popularity of baiting events was unparalleled at the time, as was their ability to draw spectators from every level of society. Their popularity was further enhanced by the misguided perception that prolonged torture ensured the tenderness of the meat. In baiting events, no more than one or two dogs were unleashed on the bull. They were trained to unrelentingly harass the bulls until they collapsed from fatigue, their injuries, or both. These episodes lasted for prolonged periods, sometimes as long as three or four hours.
Do Pit bulls attack more peole than any other breed?
Now for those of you who aren't big pitbull fans, read carefully; bite statistics actually show otherwise. In a study of 100 breeds most likely to bite, pitbulls were actually 4th.... from the bottom. More popular breeds such as labradors, and cocker spaniels that are generally considered to be "nice dogs" top the majority of lists. It may seem to the general public who is constantly bombarded with disturbing reports on Pit Bull attacks that this is the only breed that harms humans with any great regularity. However, the fact remains that Pit Bulls are hot news items. Dogs of all breeds and mixes bite and attack people all the time, but it is mainly the Pit Bull bites that get sensationalized. A report about the local Golden Retriever that attacks and maims a child isn't considered newsworthy. No one wants to believe that any dogs--even the fuzzy, cute, popular ones--are capable of biting. It's much easier to blow up and sensationalize a story about a vicious dog when it's a member of a breed who's reputation preceeds it. Pit Bulls are already considered the demons. All the reporters have to do is stand in front of the camera, look horrified, and say, "A Pit Bull did it". From 1965 - 2001, there have been at least 36 different breeds/types of dog that have been involved in a fatal attack in the United States. (This number rises to at least 52 breeds/types when surveying fatal attacks worldwide). We are increasingly becoming a society that has less and less tolerance and understanding of natural canine behaviors. Breed specific behaviors that have been respected and selected for over the centuries are now often viewed as unnatural or dangerous. Dogs have throughout the centuries served as protectors and guardians of our property, possessions and families. Dogs have also been used for thousands of years to track, chase and hunt both large and small animals. These natural and selected-for canine behaviors seem to now eliciting fear, shock and a sense of distrust among many people.
There seems to be an ever growing expectation of a "behaviorally homogenized" dog - "Benji" in the shape of a Rottweiler or Pitbull. Breeds of dogs with greater protection instincts or an elevated prey-drive are often unfairly viewed as "aggressive or dangerous". No breed of dog is inherently vicious, as all breeds of dogs were created and are maintained exclusively to serve and co-exist with humans. The problem exists not within the breed of dog, but rather within the owners that fail to control, supervise, maintain and properly train the breed of dog they choose to keep. Any dog, regardless of breed, is only as dangerous as his/her owner allows it to be.
Some Facts
Pit bulls have the strongest jaws.
Pits have what are considered to be, the most powerful jaws in the canine kingdom, and they also have an incredibly high threshold for pain.
Pit bulls were bred for fighting
Pit Bulls were originally bred as fighting pit dogs hundreds, and even thousands of years ago, and pound for pound, a pit bull is probably the strongest canine in the world, as well as the most athletic. But saying that an agressive dog, gets it because it was bred that way, is completely false. A dog becomes what you make it. Just as a human being does. If you raise a dog to bite, its going to bite. If you raise a child telling him its ok to hurt others, hes going to do it. But the same is true if you raise them right. Its all about the OWNERS. So owners, take a little time, and a little responsibility and raise your dog right.
Pit bulls make GREAT family dogs
Pitbulls do make awesome family dogs. When raised with kids and in the hands of a good owner and responsible owner, you should never have to be afraid of having an 'incident' with your dog. So far, We here at Desert Dawgs have NEVER had an incident of a dog bite or even snapping at a person. We raise our dogs to be completely loving and loyal companions to you and your family. Pitbulls do protect their home and family, as do most dogs. So don't think that barking or growling at a complete stranger is signs that your dog is turning vicious. It means that there is someone around that they dont know. Dogs feel threatened just as we do. So.....what do you do? Introduce them. Let the dog lick the person and get to know them, so they can know thats its safe.
Some facts and and stats on this page were taken from various sites and people with their permission. So DD is giving them credit for taking the time to supply the world with these facts. We thank them and hope they continue what they are doing. You can visit some of those sites by clicking on the foloowing links. http://www.pitbull411.com/history.html , http://www.ukcdogs.com , www.adba.cc