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Measle's Animal Haven

Understanding Pit Bulls....

Pit Bull Breed Information

Measle’s Animal Haven is very happy that you have chosen to adopt a pit bull from us! Please read the following information about the breed you are interested in adopting. For clarification, the Pit Bull is NOT a breed of dog, but a term that characterizes several breeds of dog: the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), American Staffordshire Terrier (Am Staff), American Bully, American Bulldog, and also mixed breed dogs with the physical characteristics of any of the aforementioned breeds. Please be advised that ALL of our rescue dogs are spayed/neutered PRIOR to being adopted. The puppy/dog you have chosen to adopt has been examined by a veterinarian.

The following information is adapted from the Pit Bull Rescue Central (PBRC.net) Breed Information page…

BREED INFORMATION

Introduction
Following is basic breed information for anyone interested in acquiring a Pit Bull, for those who already have one or more and would like to learn more about the breed, or simply for anyone who would like to understand these great dogs a little better.

This page discusses the most notable traits of Pit Bull type dogs, including the potential for dog-aggression as well as their great love for people. You will learn here that while Pit Bulls make wonderful family companions in the right hands and living situation, they require intelligent, responsible, and dedicated ownership. Unfortunately, too many people obtain these dogs for the wrong reasons, or have little understanding of the inherent traits this breed possesses. It is unfortunate that one of the original purposes of the Pit Bull was dog-to-dog combat, but this is a fact that can't be denied or ignored. It is very important that every potential Pit Bull owner understands the selective breeding that took place to make the dogs of today and the inherited characteristics that are potentially within this wonderful breed.

Basic Breed Overview
Pit Bulls are phenomenal animals that deserve a chance to have a good life like any other dog. However, it is important to remember that Pit Bulls are not just any other dog—they are a little more of everything a dog can be.

Pit Bulls have superior physical and mental characteristics that make them excellent partners for responsible, active, and caring owners. On the other hand, these same outstanding qualities can make them a little difficult to handle for people who don't have a lot of experience with dog ownership, or for those who do not understand the breed very well. Luckily, Pit Bulls are very responsive to training and eager to please.

It is therefore strongly recommended that you take these dogs to obedience classes as soon as they are up to date with their shots. A well-behaved and obedient Pit Bull will be a great ambassador for the breed and help fight prejudice and misconception.

Pit Bulls are very adaptable and will thrive in urban living provided they have enough exercise or other positive outlets for their energy. Many Pit Bulls are easygoing couch-potatoes but can also be somewhat rambunctious until they mature. Maturity occurs relatively late with this breed (2 to 3 years old in some cases). Pit Bulls remain playful and active their entire lives. These dogs are real clowns at heart, but are also very sensitive to human emotions and needs.

Pit Bulls are strong, energetic, agile, and powerful dogs. They are also very resourceful and driven. "Determination" is one of their most notable traits. Whatever they set out to do, they put their heart and soul into it...whether it is escaping an inadequately fenced yard to go explore the neighborhood, destroying your new couch when left home alone, or climbing into your lap to shower you with kisses! They do not give up easily!

Stahlkuppe (1995) writes "The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), or the AmStaff, is certainly not the right pet for everyone. Being a powerful dog, it will require sufficient and adequate control. Some prospective elderly owners or children, will not be able to supply that control... A first-time dog owner, in the minds of many experienced dog breeders, should not buy an APBT or an AmStaff!. An insecure person who wants only an aggressive dog to bolster some personal human inadequacy should never become an owner of one of these dogs. An uncaring or negligent person should not buy an AmStaff or an APBT (or any other dog for that matter)."

Another very important characteristic of Pit Bull dogs is their amazing love of people. Many people are surprised by the loving personality of these dogs the first time they meet one. Pit Bull dogs are indeed remarkably affectionate and truly enjoy human attention. They are wonderful cuddlers, and nothing beats a belly rub. In fact, most Pit Bulls think they are lap dogs!

Dunbar (1999) writes: "Today, a properly bred Pit Bull is so exuberantly happy upon meeting her owner's friends (or even friendly strangers) that new owners sometimes worry that their dog is too sweet and fun-loving to protect their home and family... A multitalented companion, the well-trained Pit Bull is suited for a variety of exciting activities. He excels at obedience, agility and weight-pulling competitions, events which showcase intelligence, trainability and strength. In addition, the Pit Bull's pleasant nature makes him an ideal candidate for therapy work with people."

Human aggression, severe shyness, and instability are not traits typically found or accepted in Pit Bulls. Dogs with these traits are not good representatives of the breed and should not be placed into adoptive homes.

Like any other breed, Pit bulls can develop behavior problems if poorly bred, mishandled, abused, not properly socialized, and so forth—and these behavior problems could result in inappropriate aggression. Any large, strong, and powerful dog that attacks can do a lot of damage.

Unlike the myth propagated by the media, human aggression is not a problem specific to the Pit Bull breed. In fact, Pit Bulls perform far better than other breeds in temperament tests.

The American Temperament Test Society provides temperament testing around the country for dog breeds, and gives a passing score for the entire breed based on the percentage of passed over failed within total number of the particular breed tested. As of December 2003, the American Pit Bull Terrier has a current passing rate of 83.9%, and the American Staffordshire Terrier passes at 83.2%. In comparison, The Golden Retriever passing rate is 83.2%

Pit Bull-type dogs are wonderful, loving, and very loyal companions. It is important however, to understand the breed's nature, to provide a structured environment, and to establish a positive leadership role. In order to do so, Pit Bull owners must understand the original purpose of the breed, and respect its potential.

The Breed's Original Purpose
Humans have created specialized dogs through emphasizing desired traits and eliminating unwanted ones. It is no different with the Pit Bull breed. The Pit Bull has been "selectively" bred for hundreds of years to fight other dogs. This is the sad "work" these dogs were created for, and in the same way that Labradors were bred to retrieve birds, Pit Bulls were bred to face other dogs in mortal combat. But, please note that even in dogs that are not recently bred from fighting lines, the urge to fight can arise at any time and it is very important to strongly emphasize this fact.

That said, we cannot blame specialized breeds for behaving in the manner to which they were bred. Certain specific traits were selectively bred into the dogs and are now part of the character of that breed, for example, the digging instinct of many Terriers, the herding behavior in Shelties, the compulsion to run in Greyhounds, and so forth. Even though a Pointer may have never spent a day on a real hunt, he may still point and flush birds as his ancestors were bred to do.

It is a mistake to think that the fighting gene could be easily trained or loved out of a dog, or that early socialization will guarantee your Pit Bull will always get along with other animals. There are precautions to take when owning Pit Bulls, especially in a multiple-dog environment. Unfortunately these precautions are often viewed as an acceptance for the sport of pit fighting when nothing could be further from the truth. Knowing how to avoid a fight, as well as how to break it up if despite all efforts one strikes, is proof of smart and responsible Pit Bull ownership.

Never trust a Pit Bull not to fight...
It is not necessarily a dislike of other dogs that will cause Pit Bulls to fight, but rather an "urge" to do so that has been bred into the breed for many generations. Pit bulls may fight over hierarchic status, but external stimulus, or excitement can also trigger a fight. Remember that any canine can fight, but Pit Bulls were bred specifically for their drive, intensity, and determination to win.

Pit Bull owners must be aware of the remarkable fighting abilities this breed posses and always keep in mind that Pit Bulls have the potential to inflict serious injuries to other animals. A Pit Bull may not even be the one starting a conflict, but he has the genetics to finish it. Remember that Pit Bulls are almost always blamed no matter who initiated the hostilities, and often end up paying the price at the hands of the authorities, and so does the Pit Bull’s owner!

With all that said, some Pit Bulls get along great with other pets (other dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and so forth) and may live happily with other dogs without any incidents. However, you cannot assume that this is true for all Pit Bulls, or take for granted that Pit Bulls getting along with other pets today will do as well with those same pets tomorrow. Pit Bull owners need to have common sense and to make sure they do not set their dogs up for failure by putting them in the wrong situations.

Always supervise your Pit Bull when he/she is interacting with other animals. Every negative incident involving a Pit Bull adds to the breed's poor (albeit undeserved) reputation and jeopardizes our right to own these great dogs—keep your Pit Bull safe and out of trouble!

In closing, please remember that animal-aggression and people-aggression are two distinctive traits and should never be confused. Unless they have been very poorly bred and/or specifically "trained" to attack humans (often by undesirable individuals through abusive methods), Pit Bulls are by nature great with people. They are, in fact, one of the most loving, loyal, friendly, and dedicated companions one can have.

Additional recommended reading:

www.PBRC.net

www.badrap.org

http://www.bulldoginformation.com/own-american-pit-bull-terrier.html

Pit Bull Myths

MYTH: All pit bulls are aggressive.

This is a stereotype perpetrated by the media who has chosen to generalize and condemn and entire breed based on the actions of a few bad owners ( there are no bad dogs, only bad owners). Click here to access a New Yorker article that elucidated what pit bull stereotypes can teach us about racial profiling.

MYTH: A Pit Bull that shows aggression towards an animal will go for people next.

"Many working breeds have antipathy towards other animals - coonhounds go mad at the sight of a raccoon, foxhounds will not hesitate to tear a dog-like fox to shreds, greyhounds live to chase and maul rabbits and even dog-like coyotes. Even the ever-friendly beagle will slaughter a rabbit, given the chance.

And yet the greyhound, coon and foxhound and beagle are among the friendliest of breeds towards humans. And it is the same with the pit bull. His work through the years has been control of other animals - never humans. A correct pit bull often submissive toward all humans, and adores children.

A pit bull that snarls, lunges or growls at non-threatening humans is NOT typical of the breed." (Written by Diane Jessup)

Pit bulls that do show aggressive behavior towards humans are not typical of the breed and should be humanely euthanized.

MYTH: American Pit Bull Terriers have 1600 P.S.I. in jaw pressure

Dr. Lehr Brisbin of the University of Georgia states, "To the best of our knowledge, there are no published scientific studies that would allow any meaningful comparison to be made of the biting power of various breeds of dogs.

There are, moreover, compelling technical reasons why such data describing biting power in terms of "pounds per square inch" can never be collected in a meaningful way. All figures describing biting power in such terms can be traced to either unfounded rumor or, in some cases, to newspaper articles with no foundation in factual data."

MYTH: American Pit Bull Terriers lock their jaws.

Dr. Brisbin: "The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the skulls, mandibles and teeth of pit bulls show that, in proportion to their size, their jaw structure and thus its inferred functional morphology, is no different than that of any breed of dog.

There is absolutely no evidence for the existence of any kind of "locking mechanism" unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier.

MYTH: Pit Bulls brains swell/never stop growing.

This rumor started with the Doberman, and has since been said about game-bred dogs in general. The concept of an animal's brain swelling or growing too large and somehow causing the animal to "go crazy" is not based in truth in any way.

Their brains grow at the same rate as any other dog, and the only time that a Pit Bull's brain is going to swell is if it receives a serious injury. If an animal's brain were to grow too big for its head, the animal would die.

MYTH: It is unsafe to get a Pit Bull from a rescue or shelter because their past/genetics are unknown.

Under the best of circumstances, it is great to know the history of a dog, the history and health of its parents, and what that line of dogs were bred for.

If a person is buying a Pit Bull from a breeder, this information should be of top importance. However, in most shelter/rescue cases this information is not available. The Pit Bull at the shelter will often be a wonderful pet. It is important to know the general behavior of the dog.

Has it shown any aggression towards humans? Most Pit Bull rescues will not accept or adopt out Pit Bulls with any level of aggression or excessive shyness towards humans. How does this dog do with other dogs? Has it shown any undesirable behavior or habits?

It is suggested that a potential adopter of a Pit Bull bring the whole family to meet the dog. Often, shelters and rescues will allow you to take the dog for a home visit to see how they respond to the new surroundings. Most adoptions of a Pit Bull are amazing successes, and the adopter is not only receiving a wonderful new family member, but they are also saving a life!