This popularity lead to an increase in the number of unsterilized, mistreated, tied to chains pit bulls in many communities.
While their guarding ability may have been subpar, their general tough appearance gained them popularity with gangs and others looking to protect their property. This lack of differentiation may boost the bite numbers for pit bulls.Īnother bit to note is that pit bulls previously had, and to some extent still maintain, a reputation for being mean, aggressive guard dogs. That being said, at least two other breeds and multiple mixes constantly get thrown into the pit bull category.īreeds like the American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, and sometimes anything with a broad head and short hair of a diverse background are commonly referred to pit bulls. The only true pit bull is an American pit bull terrier. However, it may be important to note that being categorized as a pit bull is an iffy at best classification. What Dog Bite Number May Meanįor those of you that know a friendly, loving pit bull those dog bite statistics are probably hard to stomach, but it’s also hard to debate those numbers. These numbers are hard to argue with, especially if you’re a parent looking to adopt a pit bull or bring a new baby into your already pit bull laden life. It’s true that there are more than their fair share of pit bulls making up those numbers, but does that mean they are all blood thirsty attackers just waiting for the opportunity? First let’s check some of those statistics.Ī 2018 Sarasota Herald-Tribune article by Laura Marusinec cites numerous medical studies of dog bites in children with a general consensus that pit bulls are responsible for the greatest percentage of dog bites and also the most damaging bites to kids.ĭ, a public information site, reports similar news, claiming that pit bulls account for about 2/3 of the fatal dog attacks in America. On the other side of the pit bulls and babies debate are those people that show you statistics of dog bites and children. This is why it’s so important to evaluate each dog individually rather than grouping them under the potentially bad rap of a breed. Older dogs may be a little more difficult in the beginning, but following the same guidelines can make them trustworthy baby companions as well. If a puppy is properly socialized, treated humanely, and adequately trained, they can be great with babies. This means that the way a dog is raised, trained, and treated will greatly affect their personality and how they react with the people and animals around them. And it turns out that genetics don’t play as great of a role in personality development as was once thought. The United Kennel Club describes the personality of pit bulls as “eager to please and brimming over with enthusiasm.” It goes on to say that pit bulls “make great family companions and have always been noted for their love of children.” This description wasn’t just made up, it had to come from experiences and observations of many, many pit bulls and babies.Ī pit bull’s personality, or that of any dog for that matter, comes from a mix of their genetics and their environment.
While dog fighting still has some popularity as an underground sport, these days most pit bulls are bred to be companion animals and they have succeeded very well in their new role. In fact, showing aggression towards their human handlers was found very negative and these dogs typically didn’t advance to a breeding age. A post shared by Lep Bernadett on at 2:27am PDTĮven though pit bulls have a history of being bred for baiting and then dog fighting, they were never selected to be aggressive against humans.