American Pit Bull Terriers and
similar breeds (American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Bull Dogs) are generically labeled
as Pit Bulls. They're also commonly referred to as the "Bully Breeds." A more apt reference would be
the "Bullied Breeds."
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These animals have been
forced into cruel servitude as vicious guard dogs and tough-guy status symbols for the weak. They've been forced to
fight for their lives for the spectacular entertainment of it. And now, they're being legislated into outlaw status
with Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) and euthanized at a staggering pace by our animal "shelters." If ever a dog needed a human advocate to stand
on his behalf and defend him against the true bullies of the world, it's the Bullied Breeds.
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The scoundrels that participate
in dog fighting seek out, (attempt to) selectively breed for, and beat/starve/train a dog that will fight until it physically
cannot continue. In their vernacular, that's a "game" dog. It's fear of that characteristic, in particular,
that moves people to condemn the Bullied Breeds out of hand.
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What’s important to understand is that so-called "gameness" isn’t a character defect or something
to fear. In reality, it’s just a perversion of the dog's lion-hearted devotion to its person. Despite
what you see in the media, Pit Bulls aren't the fighting dog of choice because they're inherently vicious and dangerous.
Fighters use these dogs because they're highly trainable and exceptionally eager to please their people. It's that deep
loyalty that, sadly, makes these dogs so easy to exploit.
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In the hands of a responsible person, that same drive - that "gameness"
- can be focused on running an agility course for blue ribbons, or becoming your jogging buddy, or pulling the kids
around the yard in a Radio Flyer wagon. There’s nothing evil about these dogs outside of the people who misuse
them.
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The truth is having
a Bullied Breed dog in your life is a serious responsibility and a liability. Thanks, in large
part, to their unfortunate appeal to lowlifes. The broader truth is: so is any other pet. So is owning a
car. So is owning a firearm or an electric table saw or a steak knife. They’re all potentially dangerous
weapons in the hands of a destructive idiot.
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This is an irresponsible people problem, not a dangerous dog problem.
We can protect the Bullied Breeds by raising awareness, speaking the whole truth about their character, educating our friends
and neighbors, being responsible dog custodians, and by raising dogs that will be true ambassadors for their breeds.
