Dear Sasha,
Welcome to the dog debate of the century. I have a bone to pick with your mother-in-law. (Preferably one without rawhide, since those upset my tummy.) Pit bull terriers can make excellent family pets when raised by responsible owners.
Here are the facts. Between 2005 and 2017, pit bull terriers have been responsible for about 65 percent of all fatal dog bites in the United States. Pit bulls descended from the English bull-baiting dog, which was trained to bait large game animals, like bulls and bears. Some of them were later bred with terriers to create a more athletic breed.
These smaller, more agile pit bull terriers were then bred for two different purposes. Some were bred to fight other dogs, while others were bred for companionship or work. So does that mean some pit bulls are hardwired to be aggressive?
Nope. Even dogs used for fighting had to be handleable by people, so dogs who were aggressive toward handlers weren’t included in breeding programs.
Many dogs are kept for different purposes today than the jobs they were originally bred for. Just look at me. I’m a golden retriever, and my ancestors were tasked with retrieving game during hunting season. The only thing I’ve ever retrieved is my favorite tennis ball.
It’s impossible to say exactly which personality traits a puppy will inherit, but there isn’t a single breed that’s universally sweet or scary. Every dog’s temperament should be assessed individually, pit bull or not.
Moreover, a dog’s temperament is influenced by their environment just as much as by their genes. Even a dog with a genetic predisposition to reacting to other dogs, for example, can be socialized early on to play well with others, preventing future aggression before it happens.
Let’s break it down a little more.
What’s true about pit bull terriers:
- They were once used as fighting dogs
- Later, many people kept them as “nanny” dogs thanks to their friendly disposition
- They’re extremely muscular and strong
- They can deliver a serious bite, just like any other large dog
- In the 1980s and 1990s, many pit bulls were purchased as guard dogs or to look “tough,” and were trained to be aggressive by irresponsible owners
What’s just a rumor:
- Pit bulls are aggressive by nature. Nope. They can, however, be trained to be aggressive by abusive or irresponsible treatment.
- Their jaws lock. Totally not true. They have very strong jaws and tend to shake whatever they’re holding, but that’s true of all terriers.
- They’re unpredictable. Rumor has it that pit bulls can snap in an instant, but they’re no more likely to suddenly snap on an owner than any other dog breed. When this does occur, there’s usually a trigger.
In short, there are many, many loving pit bulls out there, and they’re not ticking aggression time bombs. As long as you socialize and train your dog properly, there’s no reason to avoid the pit bull terrier breed. If you love pitties, get one, give it tons of love and care, and show your mother-in-law the side of the breed she’s missing.
Happy adopting.
– Doctor Dog
