Every breed of dog has stereotypes attached to them, but often they just don’t have any basis in reality. Here, we’ll take a look at the top five misconceptions surrounding Pit Bulls, and dispel them.
Pit Bulls Are the Most Dangerous Breed
In a peer-reviewed study, the American Veterinary Medical Association found that the breed of a dog is a factor in whether or not they’ll bite somebody.
And, in another study, it was found that dogs thought to be Pit Bulls are incorrectly identified around 60% of the time. Not only that, but one in three shelter dogs were incorrectly identified as Pit Bulls.
Pit Bulls Are More Aggressive to Other Dogs Than Other Breeds
There’s no concrete evidence that any breed shows more dog-aggression than others. In fact, one study compared Golden Retrievers to breeds subject to dangerous dog legislation in Germany, including Pit Bulls, and found very little difference in dog-aggression between them.
Pit Bulls Can Lock Their Jaw
It’s sometimes thought that Pit Bull Terriers can lock their jaws, allowing them to deliver stronger bites. However, this just isn’t true – no dog breed can lock their jaw.
In fact, a Pit Bull’s bite isn’t as strong as an English Mastiff’s or a Rottweiler’s. And, larger dogs will naturally have a stronger bite than smaller dogs, but this doesn’t make them inherently more likely to bite.
They Require Harsher Training Methods
Sometimes, Pit Bull owners believe that their dogs need a heavier hand in training. But, regardless of breed, positive reinforcement is best.
There’s no need to be any more harsh or stern with a Pit Bull than you’d be with any other breed. Training rooted in positive reinforcement is the most likely method of getting results.
It’s Not Safe to Get a Rescue Pit Bull
When adopting any dog, it’s important to do your research and choose the right dog for you. But the idea that Pit Bulls aren’t adoptable is wrong.
Every dog is different, of course, and the Pit Bull you adopt might have been mistreated or abused before, but this doesn’t mean that adopting a Pit Bull is an unsafe choice. It’s important to ask questions about the dog’s background and any health or behavioral issues, however, so you know whether they’ll be a good match for you.
