In the USA in the first half of the 20th century, the American pit bull terrier was seen as the archetypal family pet, much like the Labrador is viewed today, regularly starring in films (often comedies), TV shows, and comic strips. How times – and attitudes – have changed. But look beyond their fierce physique and fearsome reputation, and you’ll find that pit bull breeds are full (and in need) of a whole lotta love.
There are few more polarising terms in the English language than ‘pit bull’, and probably few more misunderstood. Although sharing common ancestors (the olde English bulldog and various terriers) and similar traits (smart, affectionate, and even-tempered, with a desperate desire to please), ‘pit bull’ represents a group of breeds rather than one specific dog. That group may vary slightly depending on the country or kennel club but is widely considered to comprise: the American pit bull terrier (APBT); the American Staffordshire terrier (‘Amstaff’); the Staffordshire bull terrier (‘staffy’); the bull terrier; and the American bully.
A Case of Misidentification?
The above is significant because detractors argue that pit bulls are overrepresented in bite statistics, but, aside from the fact that they’ve become a favourite among undesirable dog owners (more on that later), at least five separate breeds are being categorised as one, which doesn’t happen with, say, shepherds or retrievers (in several regions around the world, the loveable Labrador retriever is responsible for most bites, by the way). Dogs are not DNA-tested after an attack, and misidentification is common, with breeds in the wider bully group (think American or British bulldogs, boxers, and various mastiffs, not to mention mixed breeds) often mistaken for pit bulls by the public. Studies published by the likes of the Veterinary Journal prove that even experts often get it wrong, with 50-87% of shelter dog breeds misidentified, and up to one in three dogs lacking any pit bull DNA labelled a ‘pit bull-type’ by at least one staff member.
“Some dogs we see have got up to 10 breeds in them,” says Abbey van der Plas, founder of Christchurch Bull Breed Rescue. “When it comes to registering them with the council, unfortunately you have to put a predominant breed, so they’ll often just get labelled staffy-cross or Lab-cross as these are the most easily identifiable breeds, right? This skewers the statistics.”
Clickbait
Twenty or 30 years ago certain German breeds were demonised but now the media has made monsters of the bully. In 2008, the story of a fatal mauling of a baby by a mixed breed was reported twice by a local US paper. Two days later, the hospitalisation of a woman from a pit bull attack generated 230 articles and TV reports in the USA and around the world. Think about it, when did you last read about an attack that wasn’t by a pit bull? It’s certainly not because they’re the only dogs that ever (occasionally) bite.
“The chances of getting bitten by any dog are miniscule,” says dog trainer, behaviourist and vet nurse Helena Akesson. “Most bites by the family dog don’t get reported on, but when it’s a staffy, it’s sensationalised with a muscly-looking picture. It’s a really unfair representation – plus, we never get the full story of the events that led up to the attack.”
“More people are beginning to look beyond the headlines and make up their own minds about these breeds,” says Abbey. “We’re now adopting dogs out to grandparents and young families, which wouldn’t have happened 20 years ago.”
Nanny Dogs
If you’re looking for a family companion with the tolerance and energy to cope and keep up with the chaos of young children, you’d be hard pushed to find a more willing and patient pooch than a pit bull-type. In 2017, the American Temperament Test Society tested and challenged the temperaments of more than 35,000 dogs, with the average pass rate among the general dog population being 83.7%. The American pit bull terrier passed at 87.4%; the Amstaff at 85.5%; the Staffordshire Bull Terrier at 90.9%; and the bull terrier at 91.6% – outperforming the likes of beagles, and many poodles and collies. In a heartening reputation reversal, earlier this year the staffy (often nicknamed the ‘nanny dog’ owing to its affection for children) was voted the UK’s favourite breed.
“I grew up with the family boxer before purchasing my first Amstaff, Gibson, as a teenager,” recalls Zeta Jordan, co-owner of Zaliamstaff, New Zealand’s leading American Staffordshire terrier kennel, who has been involved with bull breeds for nearly 50 years. “They are superbly gentle with children making wonderful family companions, they are intensely loyal and affectionate, and a fantastic watchdog.”
Dogs Just Aren’t Born Angry
There’s no escaping pit bulls’ pugilist heritage, and many insist that violence is simply part of their DNA. But it’s not – and those that won’t accept that must then also accept that fighting pit bulls were bred to be non-aggressive towards humans so that handlers could safely enter the pits. According to Bronwen Dickey, author of Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon, there is “no credible scientific evidence” that pit bulls are any more prone to aggression than other dog breeds. Using specific subpopulations that have been bred for illegal dog fights as the standard for all pit bulls would be like, she says, using the US Navy SEALs as the standard for all American men.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (ASPCA) ‘Position Statement on Pit Bulls’ says that it’s “important to note that some dog breeds are now bred for entirely different jobs than those for which they were originally developed”. They cite bulldogs’ history of baiting bulls and bears, and golden retrievers now being bred as service dogs being “a far cry from their original job of retrieving downed birds”. A study by the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour showed there to be “no significant difference” in aggression between pit bull-type dogs and the control group of golden retrievers.
I ask Helena if there is a higher proportion of bull breeds in her behavioural classes.
“No, not at all, there’s a real mix. And I also have to say that in a clinic environment, the dogs that we would classify as aggressive and more likely to bite are definitely not the bull breeds.”
It’s the Upbringing, Own It
It’s not always easy being a bull breed parent. In one of those you-couldn’t-make-it-up moments I was once at the receiving end of a mini-rant about “those dogs” from an elderly fella while his miniature schnauzer stood snarling at my bemused boy – a boy who has, by the way, been lunged at, snapped at, and even bitten by smaller breeds and never so much as curled his lip in response. Bull breed owners are well-aware of the preconceptions and consider themselves ambassadors for their loyal, voiceless, and misunderstood best mates, often going the extra mile to ensure their companions’ manners are beyond reproach. Yet they are still, frustratingly, often treated as though there’s an alligator at the end of the leash while poorly-socialised ‘respectable’ pooches – and their owners – get a free pass.
But unfortunately, not all pit bull owners are so responsible. Studies show pit bulls more likely to attract those that display antisocial behaviour and have criminal convictions, meaning the breeds are more likely to be neglected or mistreated. However, mostly it just boils down to pit bulls just not always being a good fit for even some well-intentioned souls.
“Issues most commonly stem from frustration,” says Helena. “You have these high-drive, high intensity dogs – which also includes the likes of German shepherds and border collies – that don’t get enough exercise and stimulation and they act out. I love these dogs because it means that there is so much you can do with them, but if you don’t have an understanding of how to deal with that energy, it can become a massive problem – and it’s absolutely not unique to bull breeds.”
“The most common age for us to get dogs is between eight months and two years,” reveals Abbey. “They’ve turned into a teenager with perceived behavioural issues and rather than put the work in, owners think it’s easier to just drop the dog off and get another puppy.”
These are not reasons to demonise and punish pit bulls. Banning dogs only serves to make them more attractive as status symbols, benefitting unscrupulous breeders on the black market, while at the extreme end, eradication would mean irresponsible owners simply move on to other breeds.
Solutions and Conclusions
“The biggest problem we have with dog owners in general, is lack of education and lack of taking responsibility,” says Zeta. “Behavioural problems are rarely the dog’s fault, but down to human error. I don’t believe bull breed owners should be segregated – this would only create more stigma. However, I do believe all dog owners should be licenced and harsher penalties enforced for those who abuse animals or fail at their duties as a dog owner.”
“I think licensing for all breeds would be a fabulous idea, but it’s so difficult to police,” says Helena. “There definitely needs to be more done to check on the suitability of those who want a puppy and whether they’re fit to own one.”
Abbey says that it’s quite clear breed specific legislation doesn’t work, and New Zealand really needs to re-examine its animal welfare laws and Dog Control Act: “At the moment each council can take from them what they want. Some decide that all pit bulls are killed on site, and some don’t – we have dogs come to us from all around the country.”
While numbers of pit bull bites are likely wildly overestimated, the numbers that are abandoned are not. In 2018, it was revealed that Auckland Council alone had euthanised more than 16,000 dogs in the previous five years, the majority of which would likely have been at least part-bull breeds, while in the US, up to 3,000 pit pulls are put down each day simply because of their genes.
It’s often said that anyone that claims they don’t like dogs simply hasn’t spent enough time with them, and that’s especially true of a bully. Of course, bull breeds, like any other, aren’t for everyone, and that’s fine, but next time you pass one on the street, rather than cross to the other side, stop to say hello – these most sensitive of misunderstood souls, and their owner, will love you for it.
