The Pit Bull is the most misunderstood dog breed in the world. There are so many myths about this dog and it’s really quite ridiculous. Of all the dog breeds out there, the Pit Bull is one of my favorites. I am not alone on that either because they are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. They are also one of the most hated dog breeds by people who are not educated about dogs or people who like to believe everything they hear without checking the facts first.
I also want to point out that there really is no such thing as a “Pit Bull” dog breed. There are American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and American Bulldogs that are commonly lumped together as Pit Bulls. Even the Bull Terrier, Presa Canario, Argentine Dogo, Boxer and several other dog breeds are often called Pit Bulls by the media or people who don’t know any better.
While many of those breeds do have similar characteristics they are not the same type of dog and do have lots of differences. However, for the purpose of this post I will use the generic “Pit Bull” term to refer to these dog breeds.
Here are 10 myths about pit bulls and the facts behind them:
1) Pit Bull Jaws Can Lock
This is completely false. Expert examination has shown that the jaws of pit bulls do NOT lock and they are structurally and functionally the same as every other dog breed.
2) Pit Bulls Don’t Feel Pain
All dog breeds have the same nervous system and do feel pain, including pit bulls. In the early years of developing the breed pit bulls were bred to tolerate pain while continuing to complete whatever task was at hand. They definitely do feel pain but sometimes they can handle it better than other breeds.
3) Pit Bulls Attack People More Than Other Breeds
It is very difficult to get an accurate count in dog bite statistics because most of the time they are not reported and if they are reported it is often not known what the breed of dog is. However, the statistics that are available do not show pit bulls as most likely to bite.
In fact, when tests were conducted by the American Temperament Testing Society (ATTS), Pit Bulls received a passing score better than some breeds who are considered nice dogs, such as Beagles and Golden Retrievers!
Also, as stated above, there are several dog breeds commonly referred to as pit bulls. So, based on that alone, they are much more likely to be blamed for an attack than other breeds because the number of dogs called pit bulls is skewed far higher than the actual number of American Pit Bulls Terriers there really are.
4) Pit Bulls are Always Fighting
Now this is just plain stupid!
Have you ever seen a pit bull in person before? I bet you have.
Have you ever seen a pit bull in a fight in person before? I bet you have NOT!
It’s true that pit bulls are commonly used in illegal dog fighting today. However, every breed of dog is commonly used for something but that doesn’t mean they are always doing it. Labrador Retrievers were bred for hunting and are still used as hunting dogs today, but that doesn’t mean only hunters own them and they are always hunting. You see Lab’s every day that have never hunted a day in their life and never will.
5) Pit Bulls are Naturally Mean
Any dog expert will tell you that pit bulls are actually one of the nicest and most loyal dog breeds in the world. They are very loving, aim to please, great with kids, and are far from being mean. Every breed of dog can be trained to be mean but none of them are naturally that way, especially pit bulls.
6) Pit Bulls Have the Strongest Bite of all Dog Breeds
There is no known proof that pit bulls can bite harder than other breeds of dog. Dogs bite harder or less hard depending on what situation they are in, so it is very difficult to run tests to determine bite strength. It is a natural assumption that larger dog breeds with bigger jaws have stronger bites. That would mean there are numerous dog breeds that can bite harder than pit bulls.
7) Pit Bull Brains are Always Growing
There are actually people who believe that the brain of pit bulls keeps growing until it is too large and they end up going crazy. Years ago Doberman Pinscher’s had the bad rap that pit bulls have today and this same myth was given to them. It wasn’t true then and it isn’t true now.
8) Pit Bulls are Aggressive Towards People
It is a fact that pit bulls are very non-human-aggressive. They actually don’t even make very good guard dogs, contrary to popular belief. Other than people being afraid of pit bulls based on their image, they are not very suitable for guard work because they simply are not naturally aggressive.
Many pit bull breeders today own guard dog breeds such as Rottweilers to protect their pit bulls from being stolen by burglars because they are people lovers and won’t protect themselves.
9) Pit Bulls are Bad with Children
Anyone who has any legitimate knowledge of dog breeds knows that pit bulls are usually great with kids. It is just plain common sense not to leave any dog alone with small children but pit bulls are certainly not bad with children compared to most other dog breeds.
Historically pit bulls have been a favorite companion and friend to children and tend to like the excitement of being with kids. As long as they are socialized and trained properly, pit bulls are the perfect dog breed to withstand the rough play of kids.
10) Pit Bulls are Animal Killers
It’s in the nature of almost every dog breed to chase after other animals, and pit bulls are no different. But there are countless cases that show pit bulls have a low prey drive and can live with cats and other small animals without any problems. I have a pit bull right now living in harmony with two other dogs and three cats. It all comes down to proper socialization and the personality of each individual dog. One dog in a household might hate other animals while another dog of the same breed in the same household wouldn’t hurt a flea.
I hope this post has shown you that some things you may have thought about pit bulls are not true. Don’t believe everything you hear on the news or from someone telling a story about a friend of a friend of a cousin that was attacked by a pit bull. Most of it is either not true at all or has been severely stretched for dramatic effect.
They really are a great breed. I have owned over 20 dogs of various breeds ranging from small to very large with two of them being pit bulls. I would put both the pit bulls in the top five overall with nothing bad to say about them at all. I am also a dog enthusiast and have always tried to learn everything I can about all dogs. That’s why I started this blog, to pass on my knowledge about dogs to the world. In my studies I have found, without a doubt, that pit bulls are super pets and one of the best dog breeds to own in the entire world.
Also, here are some more facts and myths about Pit Bulls for you: Pit Bulls: True or False?
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Rottweilers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States and around the world of any size. As far as large dog breeds go they come in very near the top in popularity. They are definitely one of my top 5 favorite dog breeds and actually might even be #1 in my mind. Much of the popularity of Rottweilers comes from their very high intelligence, willingness to please their owners, their ability to work as police, military and service dogs, their gentleness with children, and their superior guard dog abilities.
The Rottweiler is a large dog breed originating in the German town of Rottweil in Wurttemberg. It was used in Germany as a war and herding dog. Early Rottweilers worked as beasts of burden, carrying wood and other products to market as well as pulling carts. They were also once known as the butcher’s dog because they had to drive the cattle to the market while protecting their owners from thieves. These dogs were trusted so much that is was common for the cattle dealer to attach their moneybags to the neck of their Rottweiler because it was the safest place for it. Today they are frequently used as guard dogs and police dogs.
Rottweilers are muscular and athletic and have a massive, powerful body with a broad head. Their coat is short and is black with brown on the muzzle, cheeks, legs, and paws.
Rottweilers are typically calm, quiet, obedient, easy to train, faithful and courageous. They are a physically strong breed with a reliable temperament and are very protective of their family. The Rottweiler is a natural guard dog and they will not hesitate to fiercely defend the ones they love. They are very loyal and make great companion dogs.
The Rottweiler is a steady dog and has a self-assured nature, but they do need proper socialization at an early age to as many people, animals, and situations as possible to develop these qualities. This dog breed will show a strong understanding of what is right and wrong if they are properly handled and trained by a responsible owner.
I have owned many different breeds of dog in my life ranging from small to large and one of them was a Rottweiler named Xavier. Of all the dogs I have ever owned he was the smartest, most loyal, most protective, easiest to train, and overall best. There were none to match him before and none have matched him since. I love this breed and definitely plan to get another Rottweiler sometime in the future.
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Puppies seem to be in abundance when it comes to ill equipped breeders or people that have lost interest in them. Before you purchase that puppy in the pet store window or call a home concerning an ad in the local paper about buying a puppy, I implore you to please go visit your local animal shelter or rescue organization and adopt a puppy! Too many homeless and stray animals of all ages are without good and loving homes. It is an epidemic of mass proportions the number of stray dogs in our country that are without a forever family to love and care for them! Most people want that pedigreed, brand new, and raised from birth puppy.
A pedigree does not ensure that your puppy or dog will be well mannered, any more healthy, or any well trained than a dog of mixed breed or a dog without papers. Shelter dogs are just as if not more well mannered and trained. Many of them get excellent and top of the line veterinarian care because many veterinarians volunteer their services and care to local shelters. It is a myth that dogs and puppies of shelters all come from acts of violence or sickness. Not true at all! Some of them are there because owners thought they were ready for a pet but found out it was more time than they wanted to share.
Some reasons are owners see the “puppy” and when the “puppy” is no longer a puppy and they are ill equipped to care for the dog then they cast it off to a shelter or let it fend on it’s own. Puppies are even brought in because an owner’s dog became impregnated and they could not care for the litter or give the litter away. Even in those cases of neglect, abuse, and violence those dogs can be trained and given therapy that result in perfect behaviors and temperaments. Here are some tips when going to your local Animal Shelter to interview, and yes it is necessary that you interview your local shelter! Not just for your benefit but for your potential canine forever friend.
Very important questions that should always be asked are: How they take care of the dogs? Do they get more than just food and water? Does the animal shelter place emphasis on socialization? Do they allow the animals to move around and interact with the other dogs?
There are a few things to look for when you visit shelters. First of those are if you walk into a shelter and you see puppies in cramped kennels or cages and this is where they have spent their entire stay while at the shelter, you will not want to adopt ANY dogs from this place and you should perhaps report the shelter! Dogs that are kept in cramped, dirty, etc. are being conditioned into furthering fear of the outside world, trauma, stress and anxiety disorders, and other fears.
If a shelter does not allow their dogs to be exercised or to be let outdoors, then you should ask how it is they are allowed to enjoy physical activity and stimulation. Also you will want to know exactly how much and how often human contact is received. To add to your query when interviewing a shelter is to ask what services such as pet insurance, complimentary vet visits, obedience classes, and do they newsletters following adoption on care and tips for introduction to their new home, etc…
About the author:
James is the owner of Your Dog Supplies Store an online dog supply store that focuses on the needs of dogs and dogs only. They have many different dog supplies such as food, treats, pet carriers, dog shampoo and so much more! Visit us first!
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Just about everyone has given their dog scraps or food right off their own plate at one time or another. Overall it’s not a good idea, for many reasons, but for the most part it’s not usually too big of a deal. However, sometimes it can be very harmful or even fatal to your dog. After my last post, 5 Foods You Should Never Give Your Dog, you already know you should never feed your dog chocolate, onions, alcohol, caffeine, or raw fish. But there are more foods you should also never feed your dog. In this article I will tell you which ones and why.
Here are five more foods you should never feed your dog, in no particular order:
1) Avocadoes – These contain toxins that are harmful to dogs and can cause heart problems and damage to tissue. They are also high in fat which can upset your dog’s stomach causing vomiting or just making him miserable. The pit of the avocado can also get lodged in your dog’s intestines and surgery may be required to remove it. Remember that guacamole is mainly made of avocadoes so keep your dog away from that too.
2) Bread Dough – The heat in your dog’s stomach will cause the bread dough to rise. This can cause bloating, vomiting, and pain. Alcohol may also be produced during the rising, which is very bad for your dog.
3) Pitted Fruits – A lot of fruits that contain pits have small doses of cyanide, which can be very harmful or fatal to dogs. The pits of these fruits also cause a choking hazard.
4) Grapes – If you dog eats grapes or raisins it is recommended that you seek immediate and aggressive treatment. They can cause diarrhea, vomiting, severe kidney damage, and even death. These are very easy for your dog to ingest so make sure you always keep them out of reach.
5) Macadamia Nuts – The toxins in these nuts is strong enough to have an effect on your dog even if they only eat a small amount of them. They can cause extreme weakness, paralysis of limbs, accelerated heartbeat and tremors.
So there you have 5 more foods you should never feed your dog. Keep these foods away from your dog at all times to avoid an accident. Remember you may think you are being nice to your dog when you feed him “people food” but your dog will be happier and healthier without it.
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Even though most of us know that giving our dogs “people food” isn’t a good thing, we still find ourselves sharing our meals with our furry friends all the time. Most of the time doing that isn’t exactly the worst thing we could do (but it’s never good). However, there are some foods that you should never give your dog no matter how bad you want to. This article will address some of the foods you shouldn’t give your dog and why.
Here are five foods you should never give your dog and the reasons for it:
1) Chocolate – This is probably the number one food that you should never give your dog. It’s very toxic to them and can kill them quite easily. Even if they don’t eat enough to kill them, chocolate can cause vomiting and diarrhea. If your dog gets ahold of some chocolate it’s wise to take them to a veterinarian right away.
2) Onions – These cause the breakdown of red blood cells in dogs, deprive them of oxygen and cause anemia. They can also lead to vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and more. The effects of onions can add up over time to make things even worse. So don’t give your dog onions or foods with onions in them.
3) Alcohol – Simply put, alcohol can kill your dog. If it doesn’t do that it can give them alcohol poisoning or put them into a coma. Dogs bodies do not handle alcohol like humans do. It is much worse for dogs even in small doses.
4) Caffeine – Is a stimulant that can make your dogs heartbeat rise to a very dangerous level. This can cause a whole host of problems, including seizures and even death.
5) Raw Fish – Certain types of raw fish can infect your dog a parasite. That actual parasite isn’t so much the problem. However, if that parasite is infected with a certain organism then your dog can be in some real trouble. Without treatment death is nearly certain. Fish is good for dogs but make sure it is cooked.
There you have it, five foods that you should never give your dog. If you find yourself giving in to the urge to feed your best friend the foods you eat just make sure it’s not on the above list.
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