Pit Bull Myth #1 - Pit Bulls Have Locking Jaws
This is absolutely not true! Dr. I Lehr Brisbin, of the University of Georgia, who
studies animal ecology, found that “there is no evidence for the existence of any
kind of "locking mechanism" unique to the structure of the jaws and / or teeth of
pit bulls.” Their jaws are structurally and functionally the same as every other dog
breed.
Pit Bull Myth #2 - Pit Bulls Can't Feel Pain.
The nervous system of pit bull type dogs is the same as all other dog breeds and
they do feel pain. They are sentient beings, not cartoons or monsters.
Pit Bull Myth #3 - Pit Bulls Have More PSI in Their Bite than Other Dogs
Dr. Brady Barr, of National Geographic, measured the bite force of many animals,
including humans, on the 2005 program Dangerous Encounters: Bite Force. Dr. Barr
found that the average domestic dog was capable of 320 pounds of pressure. A
German Shepherd, American Pit Bull Terrier, and Rottweiler were tested using a
bite sleeve equipped with a specialized computer instrument. Of the three dogs
tested, the pit bull had the least amount of pressure of the three breeds.
Pit Bull Myth #4 - Pit Bulls Bite More Than Other Breeds
There are so many breeds (as many as 10) that are commonly reported as pit bulls
by mistake. Many media outlets and law enforcement agents incorrectly identify
other dog breeds as pit bulls. If you think you can correctly identify an American Pit
Bull Terrier, we challenge you to take the this test!
Because so many dogs are misidentified as pit bulls, the number of bite cases
attributed to pit bulls is higher than it is in reality.
Additionally, it is very difficult to get an accurate count in dog bite statistics in
general. For more information on dog bites, check out the National Canine Research
Council
And lastly…pit bull type dogs are some of the most popular dogs in the country. The
more of them there are, the more likely it is that you’ll encounter one. You rarely
hear bite reports attributed to Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, not because
they don’t bite, but because there are so few of them in this country.
Pit Bull Myth #5 – The Brains of Pit Bulls Swell
Some people believe that the brains of pit bulls never stop growing. This imaginary
swelling of their brains causes them to go insane. This is total fiction! Before the
pit bull craze came about this same myth was pinned on Doberman Pinschers. This
rumor isn’t true of any breed and it's just as false now as it was back then!
Pit Bull Myth #6 - All Pit Bulls are Dog Aggressive
Pit Bull type dogs, like all other dogs, have a range of dog tolerance levels. The
tolerance level of each individual dog is a fluid element and will often change
throughout out a dog’s life. It’s up to the owner to be committed to providing safe
social interactions for their dogs. For this reason, we do not recommend dog parks,
where you have no control over other dog’s behaviors. Instead, try training classes;
slow introductions with familiar well-socialized dogs, and small play groups. Many pit
bulls live with other dogs very successfully with the help of a few common sense
household rules.
Pit Bull Myth #7 - All Pit Bulls have Unstable Temperaments
Canine temperament testing statistics are collected by an independent
organization, the American Temperament Testing Society (ATTS), which carefully
evaluates companion dogs through a battery of situations similar to the AKC's Canine
Good Citizen test. The ATTS results for the three breeds typically identified as
Pit Bulls—American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and
Staffordshire Bull Terrier—were a combined pass rate of 86.6%.
That’s higher than the Golden Retriever.
Carl Herkstroeter, the president of the ATTS, has been quoted on this issue: "We
have tested somewhere around a thousand pit-bull-type dogs […] I've tested half of
them. And of the number I've tested I have disqualified one pit bull because of
aggressive tendencies. They have done extremely well. They have a good
temperament. They are very good with children."
Pit Bull Myth #8 - Pit Bulls are Aggressive Towards People
Pit bull type dogs generally love people, crave our attention and approval, and are
loyal and devoted. Temperamentally sound American Pit Bull Terriers are known for
their dependability and trustworthy nature with people. Being people friendly, even
to strangers, is their breed standard. These dogs are fabulous with people not in
spite of being pit bulls, but because they are pit bulls!
Pit Bull Myth #9 - Pit Bulls Should be Kept Away from Children
Historically, pit bulls have been a favorite companion of children. Temperamentally
sound pit bulls are often willing to withstand the rough play typically associated with
children. In England, pit bulls were known for their reliability with children and it
earned them the nickname “nursemaid’s dog” or “nanny dog."
Of course, it’s never a good idea to leave children and dogs unsupervised, no matter
what breed of dog is involved.
Pit Bull Myth #10 - Pit Bulls Can't live with Small Animals
There are many different breeds of dogs that tend to chase cats and other small
animals, including pit bulls. However, there are countless cases of pit bulls that
show a low prey drive and can live with cats and other small animals without any
problems. It all boils down to socialization and each individual dog. No breed is
inherently better or worse in this case, it depends on each dog and the owner’s
commitment to responsible pet management.
Want to learn more? Join us at one of our FREE Pit Bull 101 for the Public seminars...
check our events page for details!
This is absolutely not true! Dr. I Lehr Brisbin, of the University of Georgia, who
studies animal ecology, found that “there is no evidence for the existence of any
kind of "locking mechanism" unique to the structure of the jaws and / or teeth of
pit bulls.” Their jaws are structurally and functionally the same as every other dog
breed.
Pit Bull Myth #2 - Pit Bulls Can't Feel Pain.
The nervous system of pit bull type dogs is the same as all other dog breeds and
they do feel pain. They are sentient beings, not cartoons or monsters.
Pit Bull Myth #3 - Pit Bulls Have More PSI in Their Bite than Other Dogs
Dr. Brady Barr, of National Geographic, measured the bite force of many animals,
including humans, on the 2005 program Dangerous Encounters: Bite Force. Dr. Barr
found that the average domestic dog was capable of 320 pounds of pressure. A
German Shepherd, American Pit Bull Terrier, and Rottweiler were tested using a
bite sleeve equipped with a specialized computer instrument. Of the three dogs
tested, the pit bull had the least amount of pressure of the three breeds.
Pit Bull Myth #4 - Pit Bulls Bite More Than Other Breeds
There are so many breeds (as many as 10) that are commonly reported as pit bulls
by mistake. Many media outlets and law enforcement agents incorrectly identify
other dog breeds as pit bulls. If you think you can correctly identify an American Pit
Bull Terrier, we challenge you to take the this test!
Because so many dogs are misidentified as pit bulls, the number of bite cases
attributed to pit bulls is higher than it is in reality.
Additionally, it is very difficult to get an accurate count in dog bite statistics in
general. For more information on dog bites, check out the National Canine Research
Council
And lastly…pit bull type dogs are some of the most popular dogs in the country. The
more of them there are, the more likely it is that you’ll encounter one. You rarely
hear bite reports attributed to Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, not because
they don’t bite, but because there are so few of them in this country.
Pit Bull Myth #5 – The Brains of Pit Bulls Swell
Some people believe that the brains of pit bulls never stop growing. This imaginary
swelling of their brains causes them to go insane. This is total fiction! Before the
pit bull craze came about this same myth was pinned on Doberman Pinschers. This
rumor isn’t true of any breed and it's just as false now as it was back then!
Pit Bull Myth #6 - All Pit Bulls are Dog Aggressive
Pit Bull type dogs, like all other dogs, have a range of dog tolerance levels. The
tolerance level of each individual dog is a fluid element and will often change
throughout out a dog’s life. It’s up to the owner to be committed to providing safe
social interactions for their dogs. For this reason, we do not recommend dog parks,
where you have no control over other dog’s behaviors. Instead, try training classes;
slow introductions with familiar well-socialized dogs, and small play groups. Many pit
bulls live with other dogs very successfully with the help of a few common sense
household rules.
Pit Bull Myth #7 - All Pit Bulls have Unstable Temperaments
Canine temperament testing statistics are collected by an independent
organization, the American Temperament Testing Society (ATTS), which carefully
evaluates companion dogs through a battery of situations similar to the AKC's Canine
Good Citizen test. The ATTS results for the three breeds typically identified as
Pit Bulls—American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and
Staffordshire Bull Terrier—were a combined pass rate of 86.6%.
That’s higher than the Golden Retriever.
Carl Herkstroeter, the president of the ATTS, has been quoted on this issue: "We
have tested somewhere around a thousand pit-bull-type dogs […] I've tested half of
them. And of the number I've tested I have disqualified one pit bull because of
aggressive tendencies. They have done extremely well. They have a good
temperament. They are very good with children."
Pit Bull Myth #8 - Pit Bulls are Aggressive Towards People
Pit bull type dogs generally love people, crave our attention and approval, and are
loyal and devoted. Temperamentally sound American Pit Bull Terriers are known for
their dependability and trustworthy nature with people. Being people friendly, even
to strangers, is their breed standard. These dogs are fabulous with people not in
spite of being pit bulls, but because they are pit bulls!
Pit Bull Myth #9 - Pit Bulls Should be Kept Away from Children
Historically, pit bulls have been a favorite companion of children. Temperamentally
sound pit bulls are often willing to withstand the rough play typically associated with
children. In England, pit bulls were known for their reliability with children and it
earned them the nickname “nursemaid’s dog” or “nanny dog."
Of course, it’s never a good idea to leave children and dogs unsupervised, no matter
what breed of dog is involved.
Pit Bull Myth #10 - Pit Bulls Can't live with Small Animals
There are many different breeds of dogs that tend to chase cats and other small
animals, including pit bulls. However, there are countless cases of pit bulls that
show a low prey drive and can live with cats and other small animals without any
problems. It all boils down to socialization and each individual dog. No breed is
inherently better or worse in this case, it depends on each dog and the owner’s
commitment to responsible pet management.
Want to learn more? Join us at one of our FREE Pit Bull 101 for the Public seminars...
check our events page for details!
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| Myth Busting |
