APBT's and similar breeds (American
Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Bull Dogs) are 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 Laws (BSL) and euthanized at a staggering pace by our animal
"shelters."
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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 Pit Bull.
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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 this breed out of hand.
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What’s important
to understand is that so-called "gameness" isn’t a negative trait in and of itself. In reality
it’s just a perversion of the breed’s lion-hearted devotion to its person. Despite what you see in the media,
Pit Bulls are NOT the fighting dog of choice because they're naturally vicious and dangerous. Fighters use these dogs
because they're highly trainable and exceptionally eager to please their people. That is what makes this breed different
from other dogs, and that, unfortunately, is what makes them so easy to exploit.
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In the hands of a responsible
person, that same drive 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, owning a Pit Bull is a 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 an idiot.
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This is a people problem, not a dog problem.
We can protect the breed by raising awareness, speaking the whole truth about their character, educating our friends
and neighbors, being responsible Pit Bull custodians, and by raising dogs that will be true ambassadors for their breed.
