All articles published on the "Did you KNOW?" page are with express permission from the author of www.realpitbull.com Mary Harwelik
Dog Fighting
Then, Now
The Real Pit Bull, Inc is 100% opposed to dog fighting, in ALL its forms: be it ‘street fights’ or professional matches; ‘rolling’ or ‘game testing’. Dog fighting is a disgusting, heinous human endeavor, an abusive act against innocent animals. There is NEVER an excuse for dog fighting.
Some History
Fights between two or more animals have always been popular
spectacles. The Romans, the Greeks, Spanish, as well as French have pitted dogs against other animals, dating back hundreds or thousands of years. So when the British people began selectively breeding the popular old-time bulldog for use in dog-on-dog combat, they couldn't take credit for having been the first to pit one animal against another. (It seems the bloodlust of humans extends across time and the globe!)
The dogs that were used in these British dog fights became known as the American Pit Bull Terrier.
The original, old-time bulldog was used for all manner of stock-related work, particularly as a catch dog: used by the butcher to manage unruly bulls, and by the hunter for help in catching and holding wild boar and other game. The sport of bull baiting became popular in England, having arisen from these functional jobs that the bulldog performed for humans.
Baiting was extremely popular and nearly a national past time. At one point, there was even a law mandating that the flesh of a bull could only be sold if the animal had been baited prior to slaughter. But the baiting of animals was eventually outlawed due to the increasingly loud voices of opposition.
And so humans--with their insatiable lust for blood and violence–-
turned to the sport of dog-on-dog fighting.
The bulldog, mixed with tough hunting terriers, was created to be used in this emerging ‘sport’. Selectively bred down to a smaller size to increase agility in the pit, these dogs were also bred for stamina and wrestling ability. However, the most important trait in the fighting dog was gameness. Gameness--the willingness to keep going and not give up--is a trait common to breeds of bulldog ancestry. It may also be described as that plucky, never-say-die attitude seen in terriers. Lastly, the fighting dog had to be easily handled by humans, and so any aggression shown towards people was carefully selected AGAINST.
These dogs were eventually to become known as the “Pit Bulldog” or
“Pit Bull Terrier”, the precursors to our modern APBT.
Pit Bulldogs (the new bulldog/terrier fighting dogs)were imported to
America around the time of the Civil War, and they gained great
popularity over the years. The dogs were not only the fighting dog of choice, but they were also surprisingly popular with the general public who embraced the breed wholeheartedly.
Viewing art and old photographs from the early to mid 1900’s, you can see that the Pit Bulldog was viewed as a valuable part of American culture. Back then, the breed was known as a sound family companion, and a dog that was great with kids—despite the fact that it was also a fighting breed.
In the realm of the American dogman, dog fights provided betting
opportunities, entertainment, and also served as a means to establish
and then preserve a specific type of dog--the American Pit Bull Terrier (aka “Pit Bull”). In 1898 the United Kennel Club was formed in order to preserve the breed, establish a stud book, and create rules for the pit.
UKC founder CZ Bennet officially named the breed: American Pit Bull
Terrier. Through dog fights, breeders could identify certain traits in a
dog and then breed that dog that manifested the sought-after traits.
Besides gameness, a very stable, sound dog was extremely important.
Aggression towards humans was not tolerated. Through this type of
careful selection, the Pit Bull breed was refined. (Please see Pit Bull
History for more information about the development of the breed.)
Dog fighting continued on into the 1900s, although it began to lose favor after the turn of the century. Throughout the 1900’s, dog fighting would gradually lose ground. The fighting amendment added to the Animal Welfare Act in 1976 helped propel stricter laws (and to push dog fighting underground where it unfortunately still flourishes). It was eventually outlawed as a felony all across America.
From a brutal past springs a beautiful breed
Many people wonder how a breed that sprang from a brutal past could make a good companion in today’s modern world. One reason is that despite the fact that dog fighting was--and is--so violent, the dogs themselves were bred specifically to be easily handled by humans; in fact, aggression directed towards humans was not tolerated, and dogs that were friendly and liked people were sought after and bred. And Pit Bulls, although originally a fighting breed, also have a long, strong history as companion dogs. They have been kept as such since their beginning, serving a sort of dualistic purpose: one of fighting dog, one of all-American rough and tumble canine friend and partner.
Like many bull as well as terrier breeds, some Pit Bulls prefer to be ‘only children’ and do not get along with other dogs. Dog fighters took this personality trait, and exploited it. Dog fighters routinely created an environment for the fighting dog-– from the time he was a pup--that promoted and encouraged unsocial behavior towards other dogs. The fighting pit itself was such a confrontational, hostile environment that a dog almost could not help but fight. Even so, many dogs DID refuse to fight or quickly gave up and attempted to escape.
Today, many fighting dogs have been successfully rescued. They have shown they can not only be social with but truly enjoy being around other members of their species; this is testament to the fact that environment has a huge influence over behavior. Change the
environment and you change the dog. It is only just now being shown on a widespread scale that ex fighting dogs CAN be integrated into society, despite their violent pasts. These dogs have shown that it is never too late to teach an old–- or abused!--dog new tricks!
Consider that most Pit Bulls today are far removed from their ancestors who fought, and have been all across the course of their history bred to be human-friendly, biddable, and highly adaptive - and have always been companion dogs. Even so, the ones that do fall victim to dog fighting abuse and manage to find their way into the safety of rescue, have shown they are perfectly capable of making loving family companions.
Pit Bulls are truly amazing dogs. For those who know them, it is no
wonder they are so popular. They are a breed that has had to endure a huge amount of suffering and struggle. But they show, through it all, that they are capable of directing gentleness and love towards that same species that has subjected them to such brutality and pain.
Dog fighting is a felony in all 50 states in
the U.S.
Spectating is illegal in all states except
Hawaii and Montana. It is considered a
felony to be a spectator in 24 states, and
the list of states is growing.
Dog Fighting Today
Dog fighting, despite its felony status in all 50 states, is still a grave
concern to animal advocates. All across the country, humans abuse
dogs in heinous ways. From nonchalant, impromptu ‘street fights’ to
the large-scale organized matches held on a regular schedule at set
locations, dog fighting still occurs every day.
Dog fighting is an ANIMAL ABUSE ISSUE. Pit Bulls happen to be the
breed most used in dog fights. But if Pit Bulls did not exist, dog fighting would still take place. There is no quenching the blood lust of human‘kind’. Brutality against animals in the form of staged matches or fights between animals or even between man and animal is an activity almost as old as man himself – it was in existence long before the Pit Bull. Those who make dog fighting a PIT BULL ISSUE do the dogs a grave disservice. These dogs are VICTIMS in every sense of the word.
Exploited, abused, tortured for human gain, Pit Bulls are innocent
beings caught up in a tragic societal issue.
Pit Bulls are NOT part of the problem. The only PROBLEM is PEOPLE.
The dogs are not perpetrators, they are not evil partners of the
humans, nor are they mere ‘tools’ of a ‘trade’. These dogs abused by
man are living, feeling, breathing, helpless victims, with a world to
offer if humans would only give them the chance. They have so much worth and substance, but their countless positive traits are trampled on and stifled by the real ‘animals’ who mistreat them. Allowed the opportunity to blossom into their true selves, even those dogs who have been exposed to the cruelty of the pit can live as companions and enjoy those luxuries afforded to ‘normal pet dogs’. Dogs saved from fighting busts do not need ‘rehabilitation’ – what they need is a chance to show who they truly are, their intrinsic natures - their positive attributes of love, trust, loyalty, courage, and gentleness.
Why Do Pit Bulls Fight?
Coming soon...
If you've done even a minimal amount of research on the Pit Bull
breed, you have most likely read or been told somewhere along
the line that “Pit Bulls love to fight”; that getting torn up in the pit
for an hour or more is a fun and enjoyable activity for these dogs.
And if you are like most people, at the very least you probably
cocked your eyebrow in skepticism in response, if you didn't
outright reject such "information". "How could dogs like getting
torn to shreds", you may have asked. "Surely they are goaded
and tormented and trained to kill before they would ever engage
in such behavior." Here’s some information to consider……
Pit Bulls can and do willingly fight - without training, and even
when “raised right”. That is the fact of the matter. Here is another
fact:
ALL dogs can potentially fight, and intradog aggression is a
very common behavioral issue.
Certain breeds – because of selection of traits that helped dogs
do a specific task or job – anecdotally tend to show snarky or
outright aggressive behavior towards other dogs more often than
some other breeds. With Pit Bulls, their main, original task was
dog fighting.
Today, pit fighting is a felony in all states in America and the
majority of Pit Bulls here have been bred as companions and
show/working dogs. But selective breeding is an extremely potent
tool. Not just physical traits, but tendencies towards certain
behaviors can be selected for and perpetuated in future
generations. A willingness to engage in - and then finish - a battle
with members of their own species was a trait that
was selected for in Pit Bulls. In other words, normal and natural
fight drive in dogs was exaggerated.
Behavioral traits that are manifest in domestic, selectively-bred
canines are traits that occur normally in wolves and other
"natural" canines. Certain traits have been "customized" and
exaggerated, however, through selective breeding. Border Collies,
for instance, are herding dogs. Dogs bred to herd have had their
prey (hunting) drive streamlined through selective breeding.
While herding a flock of sheep, they go through, more or less, all
the behaviors a wolf would go through while out hunting a herd of
elk, minus the climax of the predatory behavioral sequence -
actually biting, bringing down, and then killing/consuming the
prey. Intraspecies aggression and fight-drive are two other
naturally occurring canine behavioral traits that can potentially
appear in any and all breeds but may be more common in some.
We are talking about a genetic propensity here – to a degree.
Dogs still have to learn a behavior before they can perform it.
With fighting Pit Bulls, they are raised in an environment that
reinforces and maintains fighting behavior.
All behavior is both genetically and environmentally influenced.
That is nature. Dogs fight with other dogs because “fight drive” is
a normal and naturally occurring drive in dogs. An important point
to consider, however, is that without the environment reinforcing
the behavior, it would never occur to begin with. Behavior is
performed because it is viewed as somehow valuable to the
animal – it gets him something good, or helps him avoid
something bad. Outcomes for behavior influence whether that
behavior occurs again in the future. A dog who fights views his
behavior as somehow beneficial – he is protecting himself from a
threat, driving away an enemy, or protecting something that is his.
Fighting Pit Bulls may have the natural ability and inclination to
fight members of their own species, but they are also consistently
placed into situations that reinforce fighting behavior. Saying that
Pit Bulls are “trained to fight” isn’t exactly accurate (no dog has to
be trained to fight – fight drive and the ability to fight is natural).
It would be more accurate to say that fighting Pit Bulls are "set
up”, “allowed”, and "conditioned" to fight; these dogs have
naturally occurring canine traits that humans exploit and
propagate.
(In the right hands, and with some re-conditioning, rescued
fighting dogs can make wonderful family companions and even
therapy dogs (see the story of ex-Vick fighting dog, Leo: http:
//network.bestfriends.org/stopbsl/news/24603.html ) - and YES,
they can get along with other dogs as well, with good
management on the part of their human guardians.)
What about “pet” Pit Bulls?
Any caregiver to multiple companion Pit Bulls that has had to deal
with an accidental fight can tell you: the dogs - even when raised
with the utmost care, concern, and proper training - still retain that
exaggerated fight drive, and may be quick to learn to fight to get
what they want – and sometimes, that is nothing more than
space (we call Pit Bulls “dog-sensitive”, because they tend to get
uppity about other dogs in their space). “Raisin’ ‘em right” goes a
long way. But underlying temperament tendencies cannot be
altered or “trained out of” dogs. You can’t eliminate normal canine
drives through training. It’s just not possible.
Aggression in nature is an energetically costly endeavor that puts
an animal at risk. But it is, from an evolutionary standpoint,
necessary behavior. Animals engage in aggressive behaviors to
protect/obtain needed resources, protect themselves, or their
territory. Aggression is not a “fun” pastime, it is serious business.
Aggression in Pit Bulls isn't some unique or special form - it is still
aggression, plain and simple. Aggressive behavior by definition is
defensive behavior. And it is dangerous and costly behavior that
can result in serious wounds or death - dogs only aggress when
they perceive a strong need. It is foolish to assume that Pit Bulls
fight for “fun”, or for any reason other than what makes any other
breed of dog fight – it is defensive, there is a perceived need, and
the dog feels it has no other choice.
The "they love to fight" defense has been used too often, and it is time this notion was put to rest.
Then, Now
The Real Pit Bull, Inc is 100% opposed to dog fighting, in ALL its forms: be it ‘street fights’ or professional matches; ‘rolling’ or ‘game testing’. Dog fighting is a disgusting, heinous human endeavor, an abusive act against innocent animals. There is NEVER an excuse for dog fighting.
Some History
Fights between two or more animals have always been popular
spectacles. The Romans, the Greeks, Spanish, as well as French have pitted dogs against other animals, dating back hundreds or thousands of years. So when the British people began selectively breeding the popular old-time bulldog for use in dog-on-dog combat, they couldn't take credit for having been the first to pit one animal against another. (It seems the bloodlust of humans extends across time and the globe!)
The dogs that were used in these British dog fights became known as the American Pit Bull Terrier.
The original, old-time bulldog was used for all manner of stock-related work, particularly as a catch dog: used by the butcher to manage unruly bulls, and by the hunter for help in catching and holding wild boar and other game. The sport of bull baiting became popular in England, having arisen from these functional jobs that the bulldog performed for humans.
Baiting was extremely popular and nearly a national past time. At one point, there was even a law mandating that the flesh of a bull could only be sold if the animal had been baited prior to slaughter. But the baiting of animals was eventually outlawed due to the increasingly loud voices of opposition.
And so humans--with their insatiable lust for blood and violence–-
turned to the sport of dog-on-dog fighting.
The bulldog, mixed with tough hunting terriers, was created to be used in this emerging ‘sport’. Selectively bred down to a smaller size to increase agility in the pit, these dogs were also bred for stamina and wrestling ability. However, the most important trait in the fighting dog was gameness. Gameness--the willingness to keep going and not give up--is a trait common to breeds of bulldog ancestry. It may also be described as that plucky, never-say-die attitude seen in terriers. Lastly, the fighting dog had to be easily handled by humans, and so any aggression shown towards people was carefully selected AGAINST.
These dogs were eventually to become known as the “Pit Bulldog” or
“Pit Bull Terrier”, the precursors to our modern APBT.
Pit Bulldogs (the new bulldog/terrier fighting dogs)were imported to
America around the time of the Civil War, and they gained great
popularity over the years. The dogs were not only the fighting dog of choice, but they were also surprisingly popular with the general public who embraced the breed wholeheartedly.
Viewing art and old photographs from the early to mid 1900’s, you can see that the Pit Bulldog was viewed as a valuable part of American culture. Back then, the breed was known as a sound family companion, and a dog that was great with kids—despite the fact that it was also a fighting breed.
In the realm of the American dogman, dog fights provided betting
opportunities, entertainment, and also served as a means to establish
and then preserve a specific type of dog--the American Pit Bull Terrier (aka “Pit Bull”). In 1898 the United Kennel Club was formed in order to preserve the breed, establish a stud book, and create rules for the pit.
UKC founder CZ Bennet officially named the breed: American Pit Bull
Terrier. Through dog fights, breeders could identify certain traits in a
dog and then breed that dog that manifested the sought-after traits.
Besides gameness, a very stable, sound dog was extremely important.
Aggression towards humans was not tolerated. Through this type of
careful selection, the Pit Bull breed was refined. (Please see Pit Bull
History for more information about the development of the breed.)
Dog fighting continued on into the 1900s, although it began to lose favor after the turn of the century. Throughout the 1900’s, dog fighting would gradually lose ground. The fighting amendment added to the Animal Welfare Act in 1976 helped propel stricter laws (and to push dog fighting underground where it unfortunately still flourishes). It was eventually outlawed as a felony all across America.
From a brutal past springs a beautiful breed
Many people wonder how a breed that sprang from a brutal past could make a good companion in today’s modern world. One reason is that despite the fact that dog fighting was--and is--so violent, the dogs themselves were bred specifically to be easily handled by humans; in fact, aggression directed towards humans was not tolerated, and dogs that were friendly and liked people were sought after and bred. And Pit Bulls, although originally a fighting breed, also have a long, strong history as companion dogs. They have been kept as such since their beginning, serving a sort of dualistic purpose: one of fighting dog, one of all-American rough and tumble canine friend and partner.
Like many bull as well as terrier breeds, some Pit Bulls prefer to be ‘only children’ and do not get along with other dogs. Dog fighters took this personality trait, and exploited it. Dog fighters routinely created an environment for the fighting dog-– from the time he was a pup--that promoted and encouraged unsocial behavior towards other dogs. The fighting pit itself was such a confrontational, hostile environment that a dog almost could not help but fight. Even so, many dogs DID refuse to fight or quickly gave up and attempted to escape.
Today, many fighting dogs have been successfully rescued. They have shown they can not only be social with but truly enjoy being around other members of their species; this is testament to the fact that environment has a huge influence over behavior. Change the
environment and you change the dog. It is only just now being shown on a widespread scale that ex fighting dogs CAN be integrated into society, despite their violent pasts. These dogs have shown that it is never too late to teach an old–- or abused!--dog new tricks!
Consider that most Pit Bulls today are far removed from their ancestors who fought, and have been all across the course of their history bred to be human-friendly, biddable, and highly adaptive - and have always been companion dogs. Even so, the ones that do fall victim to dog fighting abuse and manage to find their way into the safety of rescue, have shown they are perfectly capable of making loving family companions.
Pit Bulls are truly amazing dogs. For those who know them, it is no
wonder they are so popular. They are a breed that has had to endure a huge amount of suffering and struggle. But they show, through it all, that they are capable of directing gentleness and love towards that same species that has subjected them to such brutality and pain.
Dog fighting is a felony in all 50 states in
the U.S.
Spectating is illegal in all states except
Hawaii and Montana. It is considered a
felony to be a spectator in 24 states, and
the list of states is growing.
Dog Fighting Today
Dog fighting, despite its felony status in all 50 states, is still a grave
concern to animal advocates. All across the country, humans abuse
dogs in heinous ways. From nonchalant, impromptu ‘street fights’ to
the large-scale organized matches held on a regular schedule at set
locations, dog fighting still occurs every day.
Dog fighting is an ANIMAL ABUSE ISSUE. Pit Bulls happen to be the
breed most used in dog fights. But if Pit Bulls did not exist, dog fighting would still take place. There is no quenching the blood lust of human‘kind’. Brutality against animals in the form of staged matches or fights between animals or even between man and animal is an activity almost as old as man himself – it was in existence long before the Pit Bull. Those who make dog fighting a PIT BULL ISSUE do the dogs a grave disservice. These dogs are VICTIMS in every sense of the word.
Exploited, abused, tortured for human gain, Pit Bulls are innocent
beings caught up in a tragic societal issue.
Pit Bulls are NOT part of the problem. The only PROBLEM is PEOPLE.
The dogs are not perpetrators, they are not evil partners of the
humans, nor are they mere ‘tools’ of a ‘trade’. These dogs abused by
man are living, feeling, breathing, helpless victims, with a world to
offer if humans would only give them the chance. They have so much worth and substance, but their countless positive traits are trampled on and stifled by the real ‘animals’ who mistreat them. Allowed the opportunity to blossom into their true selves, even those dogs who have been exposed to the cruelty of the pit can live as companions and enjoy those luxuries afforded to ‘normal pet dogs’. Dogs saved from fighting busts do not need ‘rehabilitation’ – what they need is a chance to show who they truly are, their intrinsic natures - their positive attributes of love, trust, loyalty, courage, and gentleness.
Why Do Pit Bulls Fight?
Coming soon...
If you've done even a minimal amount of research on the Pit Bull
breed, you have most likely read or been told somewhere along
the line that “Pit Bulls love to fight”; that getting torn up in the pit
for an hour or more is a fun and enjoyable activity for these dogs.
And if you are like most people, at the very least you probably
cocked your eyebrow in skepticism in response, if you didn't
outright reject such "information". "How could dogs like getting
torn to shreds", you may have asked. "Surely they are goaded
and tormented and trained to kill before they would ever engage
in such behavior." Here’s some information to consider……
Pit Bulls can and do willingly fight - without training, and even
when “raised right”. That is the fact of the matter. Here is another
fact:
ALL dogs can potentially fight, and intradog aggression is a
very common behavioral issue.
Certain breeds – because of selection of traits that helped dogs
do a specific task or job – anecdotally tend to show snarky or
outright aggressive behavior towards other dogs more often than
some other breeds. With Pit Bulls, their main, original task was
dog fighting.
Today, pit fighting is a felony in all states in America and the
majority of Pit Bulls here have been bred as companions and
show/working dogs. But selective breeding is an extremely potent
tool. Not just physical traits, but tendencies towards certain
behaviors can be selected for and perpetuated in future
generations. A willingness to engage in - and then finish - a battle
with members of their own species was a trait that
was selected for in Pit Bulls. In other words, normal and natural
fight drive in dogs was exaggerated.
Behavioral traits that are manifest in domestic, selectively-bred
canines are traits that occur normally in wolves and other
"natural" canines. Certain traits have been "customized" and
exaggerated, however, through selective breeding. Border Collies,
for instance, are herding dogs. Dogs bred to herd have had their
prey (hunting) drive streamlined through selective breeding.
While herding a flock of sheep, they go through, more or less, all
the behaviors a wolf would go through while out hunting a herd of
elk, minus the climax of the predatory behavioral sequence -
actually biting, bringing down, and then killing/consuming the
prey. Intraspecies aggression and fight-drive are two other
naturally occurring canine behavioral traits that can potentially
appear in any and all breeds but may be more common in some.
We are talking about a genetic propensity here – to a degree.
Dogs still have to learn a behavior before they can perform it.
With fighting Pit Bulls, they are raised in an environment that
reinforces and maintains fighting behavior.
All behavior is both genetically and environmentally influenced.
That is nature. Dogs fight with other dogs because “fight drive” is
a normal and naturally occurring drive in dogs. An important point
to consider, however, is that without the environment reinforcing
the behavior, it would never occur to begin with. Behavior is
performed because it is viewed as somehow valuable to the
animal – it gets him something good, or helps him avoid
something bad. Outcomes for behavior influence whether that
behavior occurs again in the future. A dog who fights views his
behavior as somehow beneficial – he is protecting himself from a
threat, driving away an enemy, or protecting something that is his.
Fighting Pit Bulls may have the natural ability and inclination to
fight members of their own species, but they are also consistently
placed into situations that reinforce fighting behavior. Saying that
Pit Bulls are “trained to fight” isn’t exactly accurate (no dog has to
be trained to fight – fight drive and the ability to fight is natural).
It would be more accurate to say that fighting Pit Bulls are "set
up”, “allowed”, and "conditioned" to fight; these dogs have
naturally occurring canine traits that humans exploit and
propagate.
(In the right hands, and with some re-conditioning, rescued
fighting dogs can make wonderful family companions and even
therapy dogs (see the story of ex-Vick fighting dog, Leo: http:
//network.bestfriends.org/stopbsl/news/24603.html ) - and YES,
they can get along with other dogs as well, with good
management on the part of their human guardians.)
What about “pet” Pit Bulls?
Any caregiver to multiple companion Pit Bulls that has had to deal
with an accidental fight can tell you: the dogs - even when raised
with the utmost care, concern, and proper training - still retain that
exaggerated fight drive, and may be quick to learn to fight to get
what they want – and sometimes, that is nothing more than
space (we call Pit Bulls “dog-sensitive”, because they tend to get
uppity about other dogs in their space). “Raisin’ ‘em right” goes a
long way. But underlying temperament tendencies cannot be
altered or “trained out of” dogs. You can’t eliminate normal canine
drives through training. It’s just not possible.
Aggression in nature is an energetically costly endeavor that puts
an animal at risk. But it is, from an evolutionary standpoint,
necessary behavior. Animals engage in aggressive behaviors to
protect/obtain needed resources, protect themselves, or their
territory. Aggression is not a “fun” pastime, it is serious business.
Aggression in Pit Bulls isn't some unique or special form - it is still
aggression, plain and simple. Aggressive behavior by definition is
defensive behavior. And it is dangerous and costly behavior that
can result in serious wounds or death - dogs only aggress when
they perceive a strong need. It is foolish to assume that Pit Bulls
fight for “fun”, or for any reason other than what makes any other
breed of dog fight – it is defensive, there is a perceived need, and
the dog feels it has no other choice.
The "they love to fight" defense has been used too often, and it is time this notion was put to rest.
A Dose of Reality
1.) Rottweiler, not the pit bull.
2.) Although there are no accurate or even near accurate census records
for dogs in the U.S., in some populations pit bulls are estimated to
comprise some 30-40% of the dog population, making it a very popular
breed. Considering that there were an estimated 53,000,000 dogs in the
U.S., and assuming that pit bulls make up 10% of that population, there
would be approximately 5.3 million pit bulls in our society. In 2000, 13 pit
bulls were involved in 8 fatal attacks. That is roughly ONE dog out of
204,000 - or .000385 percent of the pit bull population.
3.) Over the 37-year period from 1965-2001, pit bulls have been blamed
for an average of 2.48 human fatalities per year.
4.) About 40 people (children) per year die by drowning in 5-gallon water
pails. A person, during their lifetime, is 16 times more likely to drown in a
5-gallon water pail than to be killed by a pit bull.
5.) Approximately 50 children in the US are killed every year by their cribs
- 25 times the number of children and adults killed by pit bulls.
6.) Approximately 150 people are killed every year by falling coconuts.
Therefore, you are more than 60 TIMES MORE LIKELY to be killed by a
PALM TREE than a pit bull.
7.) Each year, 350 people drown in their bathtubs. You are 151 times
more likely to be killed by your bathtub than you are by a pit bull.
8.) It is estimated that about 500 deaths per year are caused by aspirin.
You are more than 200 times more likely to die from taking aspirin than
from a pit bull attack.
9.) Every year, more than 2,000 children in the U.S. are killed by their
parents or guardians either through abuse or neglect. A child is more
than 800 times more likely to be killed by their adult caretaker than by a
pit bull.
10.) It is estimated that 5,000,000 dogs per year are killed in shelters.
Since in many places pit bulls make up 30-50% of the shelter population,
and are less likely to be considered for placement than any other breed,
guessing that 25% of those dogs killed is a reasonable estimate.
Therefore, it can be assumed that perhaps 1.25 million pit bulls are killed
per year.
Therefore - it is at least a HALF MILLION TIMES MORE LIKELY that a pit
bull will be killed by a HUMAN than the other way around.
11.) For every pit bull who kills, there are hundreds of thousands that
DON'T.
---------
In the year 2000, pit bulls were involved in 8 fatalities.
From the National Safety Council: Numbers of Deaths Due to Injury,
United States in 2000:
Most of the dog bite fatality info from CDC/HSUS studies; stats from the
book “Fatal Dog Attacks” by Karen Delise.
Additional statistics from both the CDC and the National Safety Council.
The percentage of overall pit bull populations in shelters was drawn from
various shelter/rescue statistical data.
One note on pit bull population estimates that are floating around out
there – I believe the pit bull population numbers are grossly
underestimated by AKC-leaning “experts” (Alan Beck comes to mind, for
one). At the time I wrote that piece, I did some searching on Petfinder for
all the pit bull “varieties” (APBT, AmStaff, Staffordshire whatevers, bull
terriers) and I’m darned if I can remember the results, but it was
something quite stunning – especially considering that many shelters
won’t even place them up for adoption. In my opinion, that’s a much more
accurate way of estimating the pit bull population than figuring the
percentage of AKC registered AmStaffs as compared to all AKC
registrations, which is how I know Alan Beck does his figuring, as well as
some other. There is a large population of urban dogs which remain
invisible to the middle- and upper-class fanciers, and this is where I
believe the larger segment of the pit bull population remains.
2.) Although there are no accurate or even near accurate census records
for dogs in the U.S., in some populations pit bulls are estimated to
comprise some 30-40% of the dog population, making it a very popular
breed. Considering that there were an estimated 53,000,000 dogs in the
U.S., and assuming that pit bulls make up 10% of that population, there
would be approximately 5.3 million pit bulls in our society. In 2000, 13 pit
bulls were involved in 8 fatal attacks. That is roughly ONE dog out of
204,000 - or .000385 percent of the pit bull population.
3.) Over the 37-year period from 1965-2001, pit bulls have been blamed
for an average of 2.48 human fatalities per year.
4.) About 40 people (children) per year die by drowning in 5-gallon water
pails. A person, during their lifetime, is 16 times more likely to drown in a
5-gallon water pail than to be killed by a pit bull.
5.) Approximately 50 children in the US are killed every year by their cribs
- 25 times the number of children and adults killed by pit bulls.
6.) Approximately 150 people are killed every year by falling coconuts.
Therefore, you are more than 60 TIMES MORE LIKELY to be killed by a
PALM TREE than a pit bull.
7.) Each year, 350 people drown in their bathtubs. You are 151 times
more likely to be killed by your bathtub than you are by a pit bull.
8.) It is estimated that about 500 deaths per year are caused by aspirin.
You are more than 200 times more likely to die from taking aspirin than
from a pit bull attack.
9.) Every year, more than 2,000 children in the U.S. are killed by their
parents or guardians either through abuse or neglect. A child is more
than 800 times more likely to be killed by their adult caretaker than by a
pit bull.
10.) It is estimated that 5,000,000 dogs per year are killed in shelters.
Since in many places pit bulls make up 30-50% of the shelter population,
and are less likely to be considered for placement than any other breed,
guessing that 25% of those dogs killed is a reasonable estimate.
Therefore, it can be assumed that perhaps 1.25 million pit bulls are killed
per year.
Therefore - it is at least a HALF MILLION TIMES MORE LIKELY that a pit
bull will be killed by a HUMAN than the other way around.
11.) For every pit bull who kills, there are hundreds of thousands that
DON'T.
---------
In the year 2000, pit bulls were involved in 8 fatalities.
From the National Safety Council: Numbers of Deaths Due to Injury,
United States in 2000:
- Bitten or struck by dog (all breeds), 26
- Bitten or struck by other mammals, 65
- Bitten or stung by nonvenomous insect and other arthropods, 9
- Bitten or crushed by other reptiles, 31
- Drowning and submersion while in or falling into bath-tub, 341
- Drowning and submersion while in or falling into swimming-pool,
567 - Accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed, 327
- Ignition or melting of nightwear, 9
- Contact with hot tap-water, 55
- Contact with venomous snakes and lizards, 12
- Contact with venomous spiders, 5
- Contact with hornets, wasps and bees, 54
- Contact with other and unspecified venomous animal or plant, 9
- Nonopioid analgesics, antipyretics, and antirheumatics, 176
- Alcohol, 302
- Legal intervention involving firearm discharge, 270
- Legal execution, 80
Most of the dog bite fatality info from CDC/HSUS studies; stats from the
book “Fatal Dog Attacks” by Karen Delise.
Additional statistics from both the CDC and the National Safety Council.
The percentage of overall pit bull populations in shelters was drawn from
various shelter/rescue statistical data.
One note on pit bull population estimates that are floating around out
there – I believe the pit bull population numbers are grossly
underestimated by AKC-leaning “experts” (Alan Beck comes to mind, for
one). At the time I wrote that piece, I did some searching on Petfinder for
all the pit bull “varieties” (APBT, AmStaff, Staffordshire whatevers, bull
terriers) and I’m darned if I can remember the results, but it was
something quite stunning – especially considering that many shelters
won’t even place them up for adoption. In my opinion, that’s a much more
accurate way of estimating the pit bull population than figuring the
percentage of AKC registered AmStaffs as compared to all AKC
registrations, which is how I know Alan Beck does his figuring, as well as
some other. There is a large population of urban dogs which remain
invisible to the middle- and upper-class fanciers, and this is where I
believe the larger segment of the pit bull population remains.
Breed Myths
"Pit Bulls have locking jaws." The jaws of the Pit Bull are functionally the same as the jaws of any other breed, and this has been proven via expert examination.
The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the skulls, mandibles and teeth of Pit Bulls show that, in proportion to their size, their jaw structure and thus its inferred functional morphology, is no different than that of any [other] breed of dog. There is absolutely not evidence for the existence of any kind of ’locking mechanism’ unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier, says Dr. I. Lerh Brisbin of the University of Georgia (from the ADBA booklet, “Discover the American Pit Bull Terrier.)
"Pit Bulls can hold on with their front teeth while chewing with their back teeth." As stated above, the Pit Bull’s jaws are, functionally speaking, the same as all other breeds.
“Pit Bulls don’t feel pain.” Pit Bulls have the same nervous system of any other breed, and they can and do feel pain. Historically, those dogs that would tolerate or ignore discomfort and pain and finish the task they were required to perform were the dogs that were bred and the sort of dogs breeders strove to produce. This is the trait of “gameness” that so many breed fanciers speak of, which may be defined as, “The desire to continue on and/or complete a task despite pain and discomfort.”
“Pit Bulls have more bite pressure per square inch (PSI) than any other breed.” This is absolutely false.
Tests that have been done comparing the bite pressure of several breeds showed pressure PSI (per square inch) to be considerably lower than some wild estimates that have been made. Testing has shown that the domestic dog averages about 320 lbs of pressure per square inch. Recently Dr. Brady Barr of National Geographic conducted a comparative test between a Pit Bull, a Rottweiler, and a German Shepherd. The Pit Bull had the LOWEST PSI OF THE THREE.
The highest pressure recorded from the Pit Bull was 235 lbs PSI. The highest from the GSD was 238, and the highest from the Rott was 328. Dr. Barr states that as far as he knows, the PSI tested in the Rott is the highest on record for any domestic canine.
What happened to the supposed 10,000 pounds PSI pressure that the breed supposedly has??? It's a MYTH, pure and simple.
Watch the video!
THERE HAVE NEVER been ANY TESTS done to prove that the APBT has bite pressure PSI higher than what has been tested by Dr. Barr.
“Pit Bulls attack more people than any other breed.” Bite statistics are difficult to obtain accurately. Dogs that are referred to as “pit bulls” in statistical reports actually are a variety of breeds and mixes all lumped together under the “pit bull” heading. Also, many people have a difficult time properly identifying a true Pit Bull, so added to the statistics are those dogs that have been misidentified. Considering these factors, the actual number of attacks attributable to American Pit Bull Terriers is considerably lower than represented. Also important to understand is the extreme popularity of the Pit Bull and pit bull-type breeds. By some estimates, numbers-wise they are the most popular of all dog breeds. It is only logical to assume that the breed with the higher number of individual dogs would be represented with a higher number of bites. Viewing older statistical reports for the Center of Disease Control, one will see that trends in breed popularity reflect in the number of bites attributed to a specific breed during a specific period of time.
“The brains of Pit Bulls swell and cause them to go crazy”. Prior to the boom in Pit Bull popularity, the Doberman Pinscher was rumored to suffer from an affliction of the brain in which the skull became too small to accommodate a dog’s grey matter. This would, according to the rumor, cause the Doberman to go crazy, or “just snap” out of no where and attack their owner. This rumor could never be quantified, and indeed had no merit whatsoever. Now that the Doberman fad has run its course the Pit Bull has inherited the swelling brain myth. It is no truer now than it was during the Doberman’s fad days.
“Pit Bulls ‘turn’ on their owners.” Dogs, as a species, do not perform behaviors “just because”. There are always reasons for behavior, and when aggression becomes a problem the reasons can be such things as improper handling, lack of socialization or training, a misreading of dog behavior by the owner, or, rarely, disease. Aggression, when it presents in pet dogs, follows specific patterns. First occur warning signs, then more warning signs, and finally, when those signs are continually ignored or misinterpreted, the dog resorts to using its teeth. When an owner is startled by a sudden, aggressive outburst, it is because they have been unaware of problems that were brewing. This is true of all dogs, not just Pit Bulls. Pit Bulls, indeed no dogs, “turn” on their owners.
“The only thing Pit Bulls are good for is dog fighting.” Unfortunately, a large amount of attention has been brought to the fact that the Pit Bull was originally created for fighting other dogs in the pit. Since the breed was selectively bred for and excelled at this task, there is a common assumption that fighting must be all for which the breed is good. The truth of the matter is that the Pit Bull is one of the most versatile of canines, capable of excelling at just about any task his owner asks him to complete. This breed is routinely used for: obedience trialing, conformation showing, weight pull, Schutzhund (a German sport which requires dogs to perform in obedience, tracking and protection phases of a competition), agility, and have even been known to participate in herding trials, search and rescue work, and a variety of other tasks including police and armed services work. But fanciers will argue that the task this breed performs best of all is that of beloved companion.
"Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs are aggressive towards people." Human aggression in dogs is entirely different than aggression directed at other animals. Inter-dog aggression is a normal trait of the breed (as it is in many terrier breeds, among others). Historically, humans were always in the pit, handling fighting dogs closely, while the animals were in full fight drive. A dog that was a danger to people and prone to biting was not feasible, and therefore carefully selected against.
"Red or blue nose dogs are: a special type of Pit Bull / rare / worth more than black nose dogs": The answer to all of the above is: FALSE!!! Let's talk color in Pit Bulls.
Pit Bulls are traditionally a performance breed. That means that they were originally bred based on how well they performed a certain task, not what they looked like. Color was probably the least important thing that oldtime breeders of Pit Bulls considered. Today, Pit Bulls remain largely a working/performance dog, and so the old way of doing things as far as looks are concerned largely still holds fast. True, many Pit Bulls today are also bred with the show ring in mind, however color is of almost zero importance even in that venue. No one who really knows Pit Bulls is all that impressed by color. A flashy color does not a good dog make, and although many people have favorite colors, breed-saavy people know that it's what's under the coat that counts.
Pit Bulls come in almost every color that is genetically possible in dogs. Some colors are more common (brindle or fawn for instance); some colors you don't see as often (such as spotted or black and tan). One thing is for certain, however: blue and red nosed dogs do NOT fall into the "rare" category--there are many of both colors out there, especially (at least in my area) the red nosed dogs.
There is, unfortunately, a faction of breeders (all unscrupulous), that are attempting to cash in on the current fad of blue and red nosed dogs. These people produce poor quality animals with no thought to health and temperament, their biggest selling point being coat color. Breeders of this type many times charge jacked up prices for their puppies, justfying the high price tag by claiming their dogs are of a "rare" or "special" color. The unsuspecting buyer is duped into believing their animal is extraordinary simply because he happens to have an "odd" colored nose. Breeders of this ilk are especially dubious because not only are they producing bad stock, but they lure their customers in by making false claims. Do not be fooled by this type!
There are, of course, very ethical breeders that produce blue and red nosed dogs. There are many fine, healthy, stable examples of these color varieties out there. These are dogs bred by people who care about the breed, are knowledgeable about what they are doing, and breed for MUCH more than just a snazzy color. There is nothing wrong with liking one color above another, but one should be an educated consumer. Realize that you aren't just buying a pretty face, but a living, breathing creature that is going to make real demands and require money to care for, time, and patience.
Some people have the mistaken belief that blue or red nosed dogs are a special "type" of Pit Bull. When speaking of such dogs, these sorts are apt to make statements such as, "I have a blue Pit", or "My dog is the red nosed kind". Let's replace "brindle" with "red-nosed": "My dog is the brindle kind." Sort of silly, no? Brindle is just a color a Pit Bull may be, not a "kind" of Pit Bull. Well, ditto red and blue. There is a specific line of Pit Bull known for its red noses; this is the Old Family Red Nose strain. But this was a tight-knit family of dogs bred closely because of their superior ability in the pit. The genetic closeness of the dogs made it easy to pass on certain traits--it just so happens that the traits of the Old Family dogs included not only gameness, but the genes for red noses as well.
"Pit Bulls cannot get along with other animals": (We're working on this explanation =) Check back soon!)
The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the skulls, mandibles and teeth of Pit Bulls show that, in proportion to their size, their jaw structure and thus its inferred functional morphology, is no different than that of any [other] breed of dog. There is absolutely not evidence for the existence of any kind of ’locking mechanism’ unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier, says Dr. I. Lerh Brisbin of the University of Georgia (from the ADBA booklet, “Discover the American Pit Bull Terrier.)
"Pit Bulls can hold on with their front teeth while chewing with their back teeth." As stated above, the Pit Bull’s jaws are, functionally speaking, the same as all other breeds.
“Pit Bulls don’t feel pain.” Pit Bulls have the same nervous system of any other breed, and they can and do feel pain. Historically, those dogs that would tolerate or ignore discomfort and pain and finish the task they were required to perform were the dogs that were bred and the sort of dogs breeders strove to produce. This is the trait of “gameness” that so many breed fanciers speak of, which may be defined as, “The desire to continue on and/or complete a task despite pain and discomfort.”
“Pit Bulls have more bite pressure per square inch (PSI) than any other breed.” This is absolutely false.
Tests that have been done comparing the bite pressure of several breeds showed pressure PSI (per square inch) to be considerably lower than some wild estimates that have been made. Testing has shown that the domestic dog averages about 320 lbs of pressure per square inch. Recently Dr. Brady Barr of National Geographic conducted a comparative test between a Pit Bull, a Rottweiler, and a German Shepherd. The Pit Bull had the LOWEST PSI OF THE THREE.
The highest pressure recorded from the Pit Bull was 235 lbs PSI. The highest from the GSD was 238, and the highest from the Rott was 328. Dr. Barr states that as far as he knows, the PSI tested in the Rott is the highest on record for any domestic canine.
What happened to the supposed 10,000 pounds PSI pressure that the breed supposedly has??? It's a MYTH, pure and simple.
Watch the video!
THERE HAVE NEVER been ANY TESTS done to prove that the APBT has bite pressure PSI higher than what has been tested by Dr. Barr.
“Pit Bulls attack more people than any other breed.” Bite statistics are difficult to obtain accurately. Dogs that are referred to as “pit bulls” in statistical reports actually are a variety of breeds and mixes all lumped together under the “pit bull” heading. Also, many people have a difficult time properly identifying a true Pit Bull, so added to the statistics are those dogs that have been misidentified. Considering these factors, the actual number of attacks attributable to American Pit Bull Terriers is considerably lower than represented. Also important to understand is the extreme popularity of the Pit Bull and pit bull-type breeds. By some estimates, numbers-wise they are the most popular of all dog breeds. It is only logical to assume that the breed with the higher number of individual dogs would be represented with a higher number of bites. Viewing older statistical reports for the Center of Disease Control, one will see that trends in breed popularity reflect in the number of bites attributed to a specific breed during a specific period of time.
“The brains of Pit Bulls swell and cause them to go crazy”. Prior to the boom in Pit Bull popularity, the Doberman Pinscher was rumored to suffer from an affliction of the brain in which the skull became too small to accommodate a dog’s grey matter. This would, according to the rumor, cause the Doberman to go crazy, or “just snap” out of no where and attack their owner. This rumor could never be quantified, and indeed had no merit whatsoever. Now that the Doberman fad has run its course the Pit Bull has inherited the swelling brain myth. It is no truer now than it was during the Doberman’s fad days.
“Pit Bulls ‘turn’ on their owners.” Dogs, as a species, do not perform behaviors “just because”. There are always reasons for behavior, and when aggression becomes a problem the reasons can be such things as improper handling, lack of socialization or training, a misreading of dog behavior by the owner, or, rarely, disease. Aggression, when it presents in pet dogs, follows specific patterns. First occur warning signs, then more warning signs, and finally, when those signs are continually ignored or misinterpreted, the dog resorts to using its teeth. When an owner is startled by a sudden, aggressive outburst, it is because they have been unaware of problems that were brewing. This is true of all dogs, not just Pit Bulls. Pit Bulls, indeed no dogs, “turn” on their owners.
“The only thing Pit Bulls are good for is dog fighting.” Unfortunately, a large amount of attention has been brought to the fact that the Pit Bull was originally created for fighting other dogs in the pit. Since the breed was selectively bred for and excelled at this task, there is a common assumption that fighting must be all for which the breed is good. The truth of the matter is that the Pit Bull is one of the most versatile of canines, capable of excelling at just about any task his owner asks him to complete. This breed is routinely used for: obedience trialing, conformation showing, weight pull, Schutzhund (a German sport which requires dogs to perform in obedience, tracking and protection phases of a competition), agility, and have even been known to participate in herding trials, search and rescue work, and a variety of other tasks including police and armed services work. But fanciers will argue that the task this breed performs best of all is that of beloved companion.
"Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs are aggressive towards people." Human aggression in dogs is entirely different than aggression directed at other animals. Inter-dog aggression is a normal trait of the breed (as it is in many terrier breeds, among others). Historically, humans were always in the pit, handling fighting dogs closely, while the animals were in full fight drive. A dog that was a danger to people and prone to biting was not feasible, and therefore carefully selected against.
"Red or blue nose dogs are: a special type of Pit Bull / rare / worth more than black nose dogs": The answer to all of the above is: FALSE!!! Let's talk color in Pit Bulls.
Pit Bulls are traditionally a performance breed. That means that they were originally bred based on how well they performed a certain task, not what they looked like. Color was probably the least important thing that oldtime breeders of Pit Bulls considered. Today, Pit Bulls remain largely a working/performance dog, and so the old way of doing things as far as looks are concerned largely still holds fast. True, many Pit Bulls today are also bred with the show ring in mind, however color is of almost zero importance even in that venue. No one who really knows Pit Bulls is all that impressed by color. A flashy color does not a good dog make, and although many people have favorite colors, breed-saavy people know that it's what's under the coat that counts.
Pit Bulls come in almost every color that is genetically possible in dogs. Some colors are more common (brindle or fawn for instance); some colors you don't see as often (such as spotted or black and tan). One thing is for certain, however: blue and red nosed dogs do NOT fall into the "rare" category--there are many of both colors out there, especially (at least in my area) the red nosed dogs.
There is, unfortunately, a faction of breeders (all unscrupulous), that are attempting to cash in on the current fad of blue and red nosed dogs. These people produce poor quality animals with no thought to health and temperament, their biggest selling point being coat color. Breeders of this type many times charge jacked up prices for their puppies, justfying the high price tag by claiming their dogs are of a "rare" or "special" color. The unsuspecting buyer is duped into believing their animal is extraordinary simply because he happens to have an "odd" colored nose. Breeders of this ilk are especially dubious because not only are they producing bad stock, but they lure their customers in by making false claims. Do not be fooled by this type!
There are, of course, very ethical breeders that produce blue and red nosed dogs. There are many fine, healthy, stable examples of these color varieties out there. These are dogs bred by people who care about the breed, are knowledgeable about what they are doing, and breed for MUCH more than just a snazzy color. There is nothing wrong with liking one color above another, but one should be an educated consumer. Realize that you aren't just buying a pretty face, but a living, breathing creature that is going to make real demands and require money to care for, time, and patience.
Some people have the mistaken belief that blue or red nosed dogs are a special "type" of Pit Bull. When speaking of such dogs, these sorts are apt to make statements such as, "I have a blue Pit", or "My dog is the red nosed kind". Let's replace "brindle" with "red-nosed": "My dog is the brindle kind." Sort of silly, no? Brindle is just a color a Pit Bull may be, not a "kind" of Pit Bull. Well, ditto red and blue. There is a specific line of Pit Bull known for its red noses; this is the Old Family Red Nose strain. But this was a tight-knit family of dogs bred closely because of their superior ability in the pit. The genetic closeness of the dogs made it easy to pass on certain traits--it just so happens that the traits of the Old Family dogs included not only gameness, but the genes for red noses as well.
"Pit Bulls cannot get along with other animals": (We're working on this explanation =) Check back soon!)
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In general, whole articles or paragraphs may not be used on other websites. When quoting the material herein, please be sure to include footnotes, a reference to the page number where the quote originated and a link back to realpitbull.com. Special permission may be granted to educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and students wishing to include RPB material on other websites or as part of other written materials. Interested parties should contact us for permission
All rights reserved.The material appearing on The Real Pit Bull website is copyright Mary Harwelik /The Real Pit Bull unless otherwise stated. No material on this website may be duplicated in whole or in part without express written permission from the author. Our reproduction policy is as follows:
In general, whole articles or paragraphs may not be used on other websites. When quoting the material herein, please be sure to include footnotes, a reference to the page number where the quote originated and a link back to realpitbull.com. Special permission may be granted to educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and students wishing to include RPB material on other websites or as part of other written materials. Interested parties should contact us for permission
