It’s true, we absolutely adore pit bulls here at the Animal Protective Foundation! There is often a stigma around pit bulls, but the truth is they are among the most loveable dogs in the world. They’re loyal, sweet, smart companions. 

Did you know? Shelters are typically full of bully dogs labeled as pit bulls, but there are fewer actual pit bulls than you may think. The American Pit Bull Terrier is the only recognized pit bull breed, however the term put bull is used as a blanket term for a wide range of characteristics. 

Due to diverse and unregulated breed standards across dog registries, as well as backyard breeding, it is difficult to claim one true set of standards for a pit bull. Instead of generalizing the breed, it is important to consider the individual dog, rather than the breed. 

The pit bulls we know today are likely descendants of the Olde English Bull Dog, used for sport in 19th century England. After this was considered inhumane, this breed was crossbred with terriers to create smaller dogs. In the 20th century, these crossbreeds made their way to America. During WW1, put bull-type dogs represented American propaganda and their general temperament made them the perfect “spokesdog”. 

Like most terrier-type dogs, different pitties have different tolerance levels for other animals. When they were developed in England, they were trained to spar with each other, and while this does not mean every pit bull is aggressive towards others, it does mean your pit bull needs socialization, training and monitoring to assess their tolerance levels. Some want to play with every dog in the world, and some want to be the only dog in your life. 

Pit bulls are sometimes called Velcro dogs because they typically always love people. Probably the biggest misconception about them is that they are all aggressive towards people, but temperament studies show that pitties rank high among the most affectionate, least aggressive dogs. 

As terriers, it is true that some pit bulls may be more tenacious about holding and shaking toys. Others may have a strong prey drive, and when combined with the breed’s general tenacity, makes them a bad match for a household with cats. As with any dog, it is important to know your pit bull in any situation. 

Regarding bite statistics, pit bulls are not considered any more dangerous than other breeds of dog. While some reports show a higher instance of bite from put bull-type dogs than other breeds, these results should be taken with a grain of salt because the breed of the dog in question may be inaccurately depicted (pit bulls are often misidentified), and the actual number of dog bites in a community is rarely known because bites that are not serious often go unreported.

Due to pit bulls’ tenacity, they make great sporting dogs. They generally excel with agility or flyball courses where they can show their strength and speed.

On the other hand, an excess of energy equates to a dog that can sometimes be considered willful, or even stubborn. Because they are big people-pleasers, they are trainable. Pit bulls make good therapy dog candidates and excel in obedience classes. As with any dog, exercise, engagement and training are important for pit bulls to live a fulfilling life and bond with their family members.

We often have several wonderful pitties here at our shelter looking for their forever homes. Come visit them and discover how loving they truly are!