What You May Not Know About Pit Bulls

Hi Global Strays Partner,

I hope you’re enjoying your weekend (with your furry friend if you have one)!

We all know Pit Bulls get a bad rap. Their reputation for being an aggressive and violent breed makes them one of the most feared dogs. But where did these ideas originate? We've compiled a list of the most common misconceptions about Pit Bulls in order to dive deeper into these stereotypes and explore them within a historical and societal context.

1. Pit bulls are naturally aggressive. According to journalist Bronwen Dickey in her book, Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon, Pit Bulls were popular pets throughout the early 19th century because they were seen as symbols of American fortitude. However, in the late 1960s-70s, citizens exposed dog fighting through media outlets that circulated images and videos of Pit Bulls being forced to fight other dogs (often through the use of steroids), establishing the stereotype that they were violent dogs. The public didn’t just see dog fighting, but also the assumed horrors of the particular breed. Moreover, dog attacks in the media today continue to overlook other factors such as the animal's level of socialization and whether or not he/she has been sterilized. Instead, the media focuses on the breed and ignores the context.

Malibu, of @malibusmama

2. Pit bulls are the problem. Another component of the formation of the stereotype that Pit Bulls are aggressive is linked to classism and racism. As crime rose largely in the 1970s (especially in New York City), people living in poorer parts of the city began to use Pit Bulls as guard dogs. This led to an association between Pit Bulls and the negative stereotypes associated with the urban poor, inciting more fear around the breed and creating an increase in calls for the eradication and banning of Pit Bulls throughout the US. C lick here to hear more about this interesting analysis by Bronwen Dickey.

3. It's a dangerous breed to own as a pet. Responsible dog owners should never have to decide between their dog and their home. Over 900 U.S. cities have enacted breed-discriminatory legislation (BDL), many of which outright ban citizens from owning Pit Bulls. Certain landlords and insurance companies have also placed Pit Bulls on a list of aggressive breeds. Many insurance companies refuse to insure apartment buildings unless dog breed restrictions are in place. This rule prevents owners with well-behaved Pit Bulls, along with Rottweilers, Dalmatians and Huskies, from living in apartments and housing complexes. These unfounded laws in states across the U.S. have caused many families to surrender their friendly pets to shelters or be seized by law enforcement officials, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Pit Bulls. Furthermore, because of breed discrimination, it is very difficult for families to adopt a Pit Bull or a dog that resembles a Pit Bull, which adds to the high euthanasia rates in many places around the world. We agree with Best Friends Animal Society that the laws that determine if a dog is dangerous or not should focus on “the behavior of the dog and the dog’s owner, not the breed.” This stance is known as breed-neutral legislation (BNL). Opposing breed discrimination does not justify bad behavior of dangerous dogs or reckless owners. In fact, people who are serious on this topic would want to see an increase in penalties for irresponsible ownership. Please take a look at this comprehensive website for more information on this topic.

Daisy, rescued from New York's Animal Care & Control, has been a family dog for over 10 years.

4. If a Pit Bull happens to be aggressive with other dogs, it will be aggressive to humans. No matter what breed a dog is, some dogs might just not like other dogs. However, their relationship with humans is a separate discussion. In fact, Pit Bulls are known by those who have them to be incredibly loving, loyal and friendly companions. According to Pet Finder, the popular online resource for pet adoptions, “While Pit Bulls are not good guard dogs because they just love people so much, they may intercede if someone threatens ‘their’ humans... Pit Bulls are a loyal, people-oriented breed that thrive as part of the family. They are affectionate with both adults and children.”

Tembo and Laika of @temboandlaika

5. Pit bulls lock their jaws. This is a myth that has been debunked several times in studies across the country, yet it is still perpetuated. Regarding jaw strength, Animal Planet cites a 2005 National Geographic study that “measured force of bite for several creatures as pounds of bite pressure... The study also included a simulated bite sleeve test with a German Shepherd, a Rottweiler and an American Pit Bull terrier. The Pit Bull actually registered the least amount of pressure among the group, despite rumors that bully breeds can clamp down with an alarming 1600 pounds of force.” Additionally, according to Bronwen Dickey, Pit Bulls aren’t an actual “breed” but a descriptor for certain visual markers that have been then called “pit bull” and it is sometimes impossible to identify these traits on certain dogs. This has led to many dogs being mislabeled in shelters.

Luckily, resources like the Dodo, Animal Planet, and more have begun to widely debunk the myths and stereotypes associated with Pit Bulls. We personally love Pittie Nation by The Dodo because it focuses only on positive Pit Bull stories from around the world. Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon by Bronwen Dickey is a great read. We are also fans of this book that analyzes the stereotypes surrounding this misunderstood breed. We hope this recognition will continue to help the public realize the unfounded biases against Pit Bulls and that more people will choose to adopt Pit Bulls as their next loving companion.

If you want to learn more about how to combat breed discrimination in your community, take a look at this page.

To end on a positive note, breed-discriminatory legislation (BDL) has been repealed in 44 cities in the US since 2018, which means laws against breed discrimination are becoming widely unacceptable. We at Global Strays, would love to hear your thoughts on this topic so please reply to this email with your thoughts.

Best regards,

Psst...This hunky boy, Ace, is up for adoption with @pitstopny in New York. Photo credit: Tischman Pets