Common Myths & Misconceptions of the Pit Bull Debunked

Bully breed dogs don’t have a higher pain tolerance. All dogs, even the strongest and most muscular feel as much pain as any other breed or human for that matter. Although dogs express pain differently, there is no medical research to support that ANY one breed of dog feels less pain or is immune to it.

Not all ‘pit bulls’ hate other dogs, just as not all ‘pit bulls’ love other dogs. Dogs, no matter the breed should be supervised, especially when high value treats or possessions are around. Understanding canine body language, dog training basics, and being an educated owner overall are as important with pit bull type dogs as with any other dog.

Bully breed dogs do not have locking jaws. There is nothing physiologically different about the jaws of a pit bull type dog and that of any other canine.

No dog, including pit bulls, are aggressive to by nature.  The most recent statistics from the  American Temperament Test Society, rank AmStaffs up there with golden retrievers. American Pit Bull Terriers' ranking is even higher with 87.4% of 913 American Pit Bull Terriers passing. In fact, they all did better than collies (80.6 % of 888 collies passed). However, this does not mean that dogs who are poorly trainer, under-socialized, neglected or abused have never caused harm. Understand that this risk is present in ALL breeds who are mistreated.

Not everyone should own a pit bull. And not everyone can drive a stick. All dogs require different things. Some dogs require high levels of exercise and other daily grooming. FACT: pitties are (for the most part) athletic, high energy dogs that thrive in environments where they are engaged and working towards something new.

Large numbers of pit bull type dogs are in the shelters are because they don’t make good family dogs. WRONG! Currently, the American Pit Bull Terrier is listed as one of the top 3 favorite breeds in 28 states in the U.S. Unfortunately their popularity has led to overbreeding and a spike in unwanted litters as a result of failure to spay and neuter. These two factors along with breed-discriminatory legislation (BSL), there has been an influx of pit-bull-like dogs in shelters. We’ll keep saying it… EVERY DOG IS AN INDIVIDUAL, NO MATTER THE BREED. Today, thousands of families in the United States have one or more pit bull type dogs as pets. Some are couch potatoes, some are snuggle bugs, some are service dogs and others are the energy spark that makes life full.