Pit Bulls have a bad reputation in today’s world and have even been treated horribly just because of their breed. This has led to some truly horrific situations, including breed-specific legislation that goes so far as to ban them from being owned in certain cities! Some cities even say that the dogs can not leave their house without wearing a muzzle, just because of how they look. That’s why we want to bring you the truth behind three of the most common Pit Bull myths.
1. There is no breed known as a Pit Bull! In fact, the dogs commonly referred to as Pit Bulls are one of ten or fifteen other breeds that are mislabeled. The three most commonly confused dogs are the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. When dog bite statistics are released, the results are typically incorrect due to this problem. Since dog bites by bully breed mixes are often labeled as Pit Bulls, it’s actually the results of multiple dog breed bites being compared to one breed's, making for some very incorrect data.
2. Bully Breed mixes do not actually have a locking jaw! While this is a very common belief, it’s actually becoming more debunked by the year as people learn about these wonderful pets. The dogs' jaws are just like those of every other dog, and they do not have a special locking mechanism at all. In fact, when compared to the bite strength of other dogs including German Shepherds and Rottweilers, American Pit Bull Terriers actually had less bite strength!
3. Pit Bull-type dogs are not inherently dangerous. While they are more prone to dog aggression, it can be prevented with the help of socialization classes and the help of a trainer. Even adult Pit Bull-type dogs that have been adopted recently, can prosper with the help of a great trainer and classes! These loyal and sweet dogs can definitely be the perfect pet, and they are, most assuredly, not inherently dangerous.