4.0. The Disagreements
Much is said and repeated ad nauseam about so-called “Pit Bulls”, but how much of it is accurate?
Stories abound about bull-baiting, the development of dogs used for bull-baiting, when bull-baiting was outlawed in 1835, and the transition to dogfighting in England and then to the United States.
Countless books and articles have been written on the subjects, but initially, when researching this subject more questions were raised in my mind than answered by reading these documents. The result was to raise the most significant and fundamental question: “how could the information be so diametrically opposed, i.e., “Pit Bulls” are good dogs versus “Pit Bulls” are “killers”?
At http://www.thefreedictionary.com/diametrically, diametrically is defined as
“Exactly opposite; contrary.”
As the research continued, the fundamental question continued to arise with the accumulation of additional facts until I digressed and found the apparent definitions of the terms being used by the opposing factions. What I found was that while all of the parties may be using the same terms they are not assigning the same meaning to those common terms.
Most responsible owners of “Pit Bulls” contend that it is not the dog, but the way the dog is trained or socialized that will determine how the dog is going to behave. Scientific research and studies support that conclusion. See http://pitbullsfactormyth.net/7-2-it-is-not-the-breed-of-dog-but-how-it-is-raised// The same thing is said about humans: it is how humans are brought-up/raised (trained) and their environment (socialized) that determines how they will conduct themselves.
Owners and supporters who have had extensive contact with the animals say that “Pit Bulls” are good dogs. Opponents, who for the most part have never owned and/or had any first-hand experience with these types of dogs, other than what has been espoused on media or as victims, claim that all “Pit Bulls” are aggressive, vicious, dangerous, etc.
There is no doubt that dog attacks occur. However, are all of the attacks attributed to so-called “Pit Bulls” actually committed by “Pit Bulls”?
An article entitled “What is – And Isn’t – A Pit Bull?” published in a mid-western newspaper states,
“A Pit Bull is not an officially recognized breed of dog, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Instead, a Pit Bull can be one of several breeds, such as an American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bull Dog, Boxer, or Alpha Blue Blood Bull Dog. Or, even more complicated, a mix of several breeds.
Historically, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was bred centuries ago in England as a fighting dog. The desire for faster dogs led to the bull breed being crossed with smaller terriers. Today, several terrier breeds often are called Pit Bulls. Common characteristics are a short muscular neck, wide chest narrowing to the loins and a short low tail that has been likened to an old-fashioned pump handle.
From the AKC website: “From the past history of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the modern dog draws its character of indomitable courage, high intelligence, and tenacity. This, coupled with its affection for its friends, and children in particular, its off-duty quietness and trustworthy stability, makes it a foremost all-purpose dog.”
The preceding article contains several inaccuracies, but it does represent “common knowledge” or lack of knowledge about “Pit Bulls” and their origins.
