(Above: Tug Boat, the sweet and gentle pit bull we used to walk at animal control)
I work with animals and I created this page for serveral reasons. I get asked these questions alot, AND I am all for dispelling myths about Pit Bulls. So I snagged the following from a wonderful site called BADRAP.ORG.

Who's afraid of the Big Bad Pit Bulls? Well, LOTS of people no thanks in part to some very damaging myths, the deeds of unscrupulous breeders/owners and the hyped up media coverage that has been plaguing this breed for years. So many untruths and half-truths have been repeated so many times that the general public has begun to believe fairy tales instead of fact. Its enough to make a bullydog supporter want to SCREAM!

myth (mith) n. 1.an invented story, fictitious person, etc. 2.a belief or set of beliefs, often unproven or false, that have accrued around a person, phenomena or institution.

Aren't Pit Bulls MEAN and VICIOUS?
No more vicious than golden retrievers, beagles or other popular dogs! In a recent study of 122 dog breeds by the American Temperament Testing Society (ATT), pit bulls achieved a passing rate of 83.9%. That's as good or better than beagles ... 78.2%, and golden retrievers ... 83.2%. How did your favorite breed do? See for yourself: ATTS.org.

In the ATT test, a dog is put through a series of confrontational situations. Any sign of panic or aggression leads to failure of the test. The achievement of pit bulls in this study disproves once and for all the old tired belief that pit bulls are inherently aggressive to people.

Like any breed of dog, a healthy pit bull that is properly raised will remain loving and friendly. In the past 20 years, we've seen some sad examples of poorly bred and badly treated dogs that are the byproducts of irresponsible 'backyard breeders' and cruel and abusive homes. These improperly raised, unsocialized creatures can show temperaments far removed from the traditional authentic pit bull. Don't confuse these unfortunate misbreds with the huge majority of well-loved dogs in this country that remain solid in temperament, affectionate, trustworthy and friendly to their dying day.

Why would anyone want to own a pit bull?
See for yourself with photos from BAD RAP volunteers and their dogs: Pit Bull Photo Galleria!

Don't Pit Bulls have LOCKING JAWS?
No. A pit bull's ability to "lock on" with it's jaws is one WHOPPER of a myth that refuses to let go! The jaws of a pit bull are built just as any other dog's jaw. There's no 'enzyme', no special mechanism that would make a pitbull's jaws 'lock'. They're DOGS, not alligators! What a pit bull does have is strength, tenacity, and determination. When he grasps something he wants to hang onto, his willpower is the glue.

Don't pit bulls have to be TRAINED TO FIGHT?
NO! Just as we have breeds like the Jack Russell Terrier which was selectively bred to do battle with badgers, foxes and other animals, the bull breeds have been selectively bred to fight other dogs. Pit bulls can run the gamut from very dog aggressive to exceptionally dog friendly, but each shares some degree of the inbred potential to fight other dogs encoded into their genetic makeup. Under the right (or WRONG!) circumstances, if a pit bull is poorly managed, he can get into a scuffle with another dog and fight like a pro ... even if he's never done it before.

A well socialized, well managed pit bull should never have to get into a dogfight, because he's accustomed to the presence of other dogs and - IMPORTANT! - he has a smart and responsible owner. Pit bull owners should always stay alert and careful to avoid any triggers or situations that could invite the unhappy possibility of a scuffle.
The old engraving above shows a hunter using his pit bull type dog to take down a fox.

Wise Words: For important info on how to manage more than one pit bull in your household, click here: More Than One Pit Bull in the Home: How to Avoid Trouble.

Doesn't forcing a pit bull to HANG from a tree branch make him aggressive?
No. Tugging at a tree branch is FUN for a pit bull (but it's not good for his teeth!). Many bull breeds show an inbred desire to grasp and hold -- a leftover trait from the days when they worked on farms and used as 'Butcher's Dogs' to grab onto the noses of bulls (i.e. "Take the bull by the nose"). This natural work drive shows up today in an enthusiastic desire to play Tug-o-War and to grab onto hanging objects like tree branches, ropes, etc. Many responsible pit bull owners provide safely designed 'Spring Poles' for their dog's enjoyment and to allow them to burn off steam while excercising this natural ability. The result is a calmer happier, better exercised dog. For info on how to build one for your bully, visit: Jessup's Working Pit Bull Site .

Aren't TREADMILLS used to get dogs ready to fight?
Many responsible owners utilize treadmills to help get their dogs in tip top shape in places where extreme weather prevents outdoor exercise, or in situations where its impractical to exercise a pit bull off leash. Folks who show their bullies in conformation rings or work them in dog sports such as weight pull find this tool an invaluable way to better condition their K9 athlete. Because pit bulls are high energy animals with hardy, athletic builds, responsibly using a treadmill can help them be healthier happier dogs. For info, vist: Colby's Famous Mills.

Will a pit bull that shows aggression towards other animals go after PEOPLE NEXT?
No. Aggression towards other animals and human aggression are two totally different things. We've heard this frightened quote, "He went after a dog (or cat) and our kids might be next!". This is one big MONSTER of a myth that has generated a host of damaging anti-pit bull hysteria. It is perfectly 'normal' for a pit bull to be wonderfully affectionate and friendly with people, while at the same time not 100% trustworthy around other dogs. Like any breed of dog that we see in family homes today, a properly raised, well socialized, responsibly owned pit bull should never be human aggressive. Pit bulls that do show aggressive behavior towards humans are not typical of the breed and should be humanely euthanized.

Don't SCARS on a pit bull always mean that he "has been fought"?
No. Many APBTs that show up with scars in local shelters are assumed to "have been fought" and are given an automatic death sentence. In many cases, this may be an unfair judgment call. A pit bull can show up with scars for many different reasons. They're bold, active creatures and can get into all sorts of adventures (and misadventures). He may have been a stray on the streets and scrapped with other stray dogs without any prompting from an irresponsible owner. He may have started those fights, or tried like hec to avoid them, or anything in between. He may be an active dog that ran through brambles on a hike with his owner, tumbled with a cat, nosed in too close to a wild urban animal such as a raccoon, or cut himself while trying to dig out of a poorly secured yard. He may have developed a skin condition known as mange, which frequently causes suspicious looking scars. Use caution, but don't assume that a pit bull with scars was necessarily encouraged to fight by irresponsible owners.

Should adopters avoid pit bulls with UNKNOWN HISTORIES and unknown lineage?
BAD RAP believes that a pit bull with an unknown history should be judged by his temperament, not by his unknown past or lack of papers. Putting a rescued pit bull through many different kinds of "tests" in many different situations and fostering him in a home setting helps us learn about the ins and outs of each pit bull we take in. Becoming well acquainted with a rescued animal helps to match each dog to the home best suited for his personality.

Should adopters be wary of RESCUED ADULTS and stick with rescued pups?
Many of us in BAD RAP actually prefer taking rescued adult pit bulls into our home over rescued pups. Pups are a LOT more work. Its also a lot harder to know what the personality of a pup is going to be like as a mature adult (really energetic or mellow? dog-aggressive or dog tolerant?). If you're looking to adopt a pit bull puppy from us, don't be suprised if we try to talk you into a young adult instead.

Is it better to get a PIT BULL MIX to "water down" the potential dog-dog aggression?
Not necessarily. We've known many wonderful pit mixes, but some can show just as much dog-dog aggression as full breeds. As a rule, full breed pit bulls tend to show more stable temperaments than pit mixes. This is because the other breed may be bringing undesirable traits to the dog's make up. Mixing a guarding breed, for example, with a pit bull can make for a sketchier temperament.

Should DOG AGGRESSIVE pit bulls be euthanized?
Since we know that dog aggression does not equate with human aggression, we believe dog aggressive pit bulls with wonderful people-loving personalities deserve the same opportunity to enjoy life as more dog tolerant pit bulls. Pit bulls are highly trainable, and even the more dog aggressive individuals can be RESPONSIBLY MANAGED by their smart and loving owners so there never has to be concern of a tussle.

Is a small animal that shows up with bite marks 'Pit Bull BAIT' ?
While we hate that there are people who would abuse animals, we aren't convinced that many of the so-called 'bait animals' that show up on the 6 o'clock news are correctly labeled as such. Life on the streets is TOUGH and when a stray dog shows up with bite marks from another dog, we know that that animal got into a scrap somewhere along the way. Whether that stray received its injuries from voluntarily entering fights with dogs on the streets for meager food scraps, etc., from being ganged up on by other loose strays, or from the purposeful abuse by a cruel person is anybody's guess. Unless there's a witness to the cause of injury, mysterious bite marks remain an unhappy mystery with an unknown perpetrater. *To shout "bait dog" whenever a dog with bites appears keeps a popular myth alive and may actually be encouraging copycat crimes by offering animal abusers ideas we would rather they didn't have!

Are pit bulls unpredictable around CHILDREN?
Pit bulls have enjoyed a long history as favorite children's companions and family pets. When well socialized and properly raised, they're the perfect breed to tolerate the rough and tumble play that kids can dish out. Pit bulls tend to be drawn to the joyful optimism of children and love to meet them with tails awaggin'! Some APBTs may not be suitable with young children because they could knock them down in their exhuberance. Common sense dictates that children should be taught how to properly interact with dogs (of EVERY breed) and should never be left alone with a dog unsupervised. Have you seen this wonderful site yet?: Kids and Pit Bulls.

Don't all pit bulls want to chase CATS?
Self-respecting dogs of every breed will go after cats, and pit bulls are no exception. However, there are endless examples of pit bulls that exhibit a lower prey drive and co-exist quite peacefully with cats, birds and other pets. Within BAD RAP there are members whose dogs are great with their family kitties, birds, rabbits, and ferrets...And there are also some dogs who can never be trusted with smaller animals. IMPORTANT: Understanding your individual dog's realistic limits with small animals, training him to respect your expectations (i.e. Squirt Bottle!), supervising all interactions and separating the pets before you step out will make the difference between success and tragedy -- And that goes for Poodles as well as Pit Bulls! (Photo: BR volunteers Daphna & Scott raised their rabbit 'Bianca' and their pit bull 'Kaiu' together since they were both babes, and they share an agreeable friendship.) Need more info on dog/cat relationships? Check out this informative weblink: Dogs & Cats.

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