15 Surprising Facts About Pit Bulls That Prove How Misunderstood They Are
It's fair to say that Pit Bulls are one of, if not the, most misunderstood types of dogs out there. Whether you love Pit Bulls or fear them, you've doubtlessly heard all kinds of horror stories about them: that they're used in dog fighting because of their innate viciousness, that they have locking jaws, that they go out of their way to attack children and babies, etc. Several countries like the United Kingdom, Russia, and New Zealand have banned Pit Bulls, and even in the U.S., some major cities like NYC and Miami either ban or heavily restrict Pit Bull ownership. Sadly, the heavily negative public perception against Pit Bulls has led to them becoming the most euthanized dogs in U.S. shelters.
Unfortunately, a lot of heavy anti-Pit Bull sentiment is based not on hard facts but on myths, outdated science, and decades of bias against them. It's cruel that a dog with so many admirable qualities should be so harshly misperceived. With National Pit Bull Awareness Day on October 28, we felt that it was high time to lay out the straight facts about the breed and separate the truth from the fiction.
How Did Pit Bulls Originate?
According to the Pit Bull advocacy group Love-A-Bull, the origins of the Pit Bull can be traced back to the early 19th century in the United Kingdom, where Old English Bulldogs were cross-bred with Rat Terriers to create "Bull Terriers." The Bull Terriers were often called "Pit" Bull Terriers (for reasons we'll explain in a moment), then were dubbed "Amercan" Pit Bull Terriers after they were brought to America. Nowadays, most people just shorten the name down to "Pit Bull."
What Were Pit Bulls Bred For?
Sadly, it's true that the first Pit Bulls were bred for the purposes of animal fighting. According to Love-A-Bull, Old English Bulldogs were used for a cruel sport called "bull baiting," and when that was banned, breeders crossed them with Rat Terriers to make them more quick and agile so they could perform well in dog fights and other animal bloodsports. The "Pit" in "Pit Bull" comes from the fact that these dogs were often placed in pits with rats to see how many they could kill in a certain amount of time, a practice called "ratting."
Despite their cruel exploitation and use in bloodsports, though, others saw the beauty in these tenacious dogs and selectively bred them to make them less aggressive towards humans. These Pit Bulls came to be loved for their loyal and affectionate demeanor, and when they were brought to America, they were often given roles as hunting dogs, livestock herders, and faithful guardians of their flocks and families. From tragic beginnings, Pit Bulls made the jump from fighting animals to working-class companions and friends.
Are There Different Types of Pit Bulls?
Yes! "Pit Bull" is actually not a single distinct breed but an umbrella term for several closely related breeds. The AKC and BKC currently recognize four "official" breeds of Pit Bull. The one most people know of is the American Pit Bull Terrier, but there's also the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the American Bully (which is distinct from the American Bulldog). While they're not "official," several other closely related breeds like Bull Terriers and American Bulldogs often get lumped in under the "Pit Bull-Type" umbrella as well. And that's not even including all the mutt mixes with Pit Bull in them!
A Pit Bull swimming at the beach with a tennis ball
How Long Do Pit Bulls Live?
Again, there's a bit of variation between distinct breeds, but using the American Pit Bull Terrier as the standard, most Pit Bulls live somewhere between 12-14 years, which is about standard for medium-sized dogs. According to the Centerville Animal Hospital, Pit Bulls are generally pretty healthy dogs, though they can be predisposed to certain conditions like hip dysplasia and allergies.
What Do Pit Bulls Usually Die From?
As noted above, Pit Bulls are pretty healthy and don't suffer from a lot of genetic abnormalities that lead to life-threatening diseases. According to PetMD, Pit Bulls are more likely to deal with skin allergies and degenerative (though not necessarily fatal) conditions like hip dysplasia and cataracts as they age. However, they are predisposed to obesity, which can lead to heart disease and other life-threatening conditions, so maintaining an adequate exercise regimen and a healthy diet is important.
Unfortunately, because of their prevalent use in illegal dogfighting and the widespread cultural bias against them, many Pit Bulls sadly lose their lives to dog fights, abuse, neglect, and euthanasia. That's why fighting to end abusive practices like dogfighting and changing the public's negative perception of them are both common causes of activists and animal lovers the world over.
Are Pit Bulls Dangerous?
Some people fear that because Pit Bulls were originally bred for fighting other animals, they're genetically predisposed to be aggressive. Others may see the high numbers of Pit Bull bite reports and assume that Pit Bulls are inherently more aggressive than other dogs. However, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), controlled studies have not shown Pit Bulls to be disproportionately dangerous compared to other dogs. Genetics can influence behavioral traits, but they're a poor predictor of how a dog will actually act. Environmental factors (including whether or not a dog has been properly trained and socialized) have a far greater impact on a dog's aggression levels, Pit Bull or otherwise. To put it simply, no dog is "born bad."
So: are Pit Bulls dangerous? Well, yes and no. Any dog, regardless of breed, has the potential to become aggressive if mistreated or improperly socialized, and the dangers of aggression are far more serious from a Pit Bull as opposed to, say, a five-pound Chihuahua. But the notion that Pit Bulls are inherently more aggressive than other dogs is a flawed one. According to the AVMA, the frequent identification of Pit Bull-type dogs in serious dog bite cases likely relates to reporting biases, mistreatment from their owners, and the breed's prevalence in many communities where these cases are reported - not to their genetics.
A happy gray and white Pit Bull lying in the grass
OK, But What About Their "Locking Jaws?"
The notion the Pit Bulls have a special locking mechanism in their jaws is also a myth. Not only do Pit Bulls not have locking jaws, but according to the Peninsula Humane Society, no dog of any breed has jaws that lock (unless they're suffering from tetanus, but that's a different problem entirely).
It is true that Pit Bulls do have strong jaws and a pretty powerful bite force, but even then, they're not the most powerful. According to Spark Paws, the American Pit Bull Terrier doesn't even crack the top 10 dog breeds with the most powerful bites in most studies. They're frequently beaten out by German Shepherds, most Mastiffs, and Akita Inus!
Are Pit Bulls Safe to Have Around Young Children?
If they're well-socialized, Pit Bulls are no more inherently dangerous than any other dog their size. Again, any dog has the potential to be aggressive or dangerous without healthy socialization, so we'd never suggest leaving a small child alone with an unfamiliar Pit Bull (or any unfamiliar dog, for that matter). However, when raised with love and care and properly socialized from an early age, Pit Bulls have proven themselves as very gentle, affectionate, and loving family dogs.
If anything, Pit Bulls that are raised in healthy environments are actually predisposed to have sweet, loyal temperaments. The American Temperament Test Society found that all standard Pit Bull breeds consistently score very well on temperament tests, with American Pit Bull Terriers achieving an average pass rate of 87.6%. That's well above the overall average pass rate of 83.4% and on par with the average pass rate for mixed-breed dogs (aka, mutts) in general. Furthermore, the American Pit Bull Terrier also scored higher than many other popular dog breeds, including the Basset Hound (87.5%), the Saint Bernard (84.9%), and the Collie (80.9%). You read that right: Pit Bulls beat out Lassie in temperament testing!
Then Why All the Misconceptions Surrounding Pit Bulls?
Ironically, Pit Bulls were pretty highly regarded well into the 20th century. Unfortunately, as I Pity the Bull explains, they earned a lot of negative press in the 1980s when their exploitation in dog-fighting circles was brought to the public's attention. The media sensationalized reports about dog fighting crimes and Pit Bull attacks, using now-outdated statistics and poor research to paint a picture of Pit Bulls as inherently violent, dangerous dogs, which led to further bias and over-reporting of Pit Bull attacks in comparison to attacks and incidents involving other dog breeds. Four decades later, this negative stereotype still sticks around.
A brown Pit Bull wearing a pink bow and hanging out with a little girl
A Few Fun Pit Bull Facts
We hope that we've proven that there's more to Pit Bulls than the deeply controversial reputation that precedes them. Despite the breed's tragic beginnings and the abuse and exploitation many of them still experience to this day, they're a wonderful breed with a lot of love to give.
With National Pit Bull Awareness Day just around the corner, now's the perfect time to celebrate the often-misunderstood Pit Bull and try to change people's perception of them. MetLife has some great tips for getting involved this National Pit Bull Awareness Day, whether it's sharing positive Pit Bull stories, showing off your own Pitty babies, or even adopting a Pit Bull from your local animal shelter. As a closer, here's a few more lighthearted facts about Pit Bulls you can share on National Pit Bull Awareness Day to help change the narrative for the better!
Pit Bulls Were the Unofficial "Mascot" of the US in the Early 20th Century
According to Mutts Matter Rescue, Pit Bulls were the closest thing the US had to a "national dog" at one point. During World Wars I & II, Pit Bulls were used in posters to recruit soldiers and sell war bonds and became a powerful symbol of American Pride!
The Most Decorated Dog in US Military History Was a Pit Bull-Type
The title of "Most Decorated Military Dog" in US history belongs to "Sgt. Stubby," a Bull Terrier who served with the 102nd Infantry in Europe during World War I. This brave Pitty endured gas attacks and was even wounded by a grenade (for which he was awarded the Purple Heart), yet he survived his tour of duty and came home a celebrated war hero, marching in every legion parade and attending every legion convention until his death.
Pit Bulls Make Excellent Therapy Dogs
Despite all the bad press against them, Pit Bulls have been used as sweet-hearted and loyal therapy dogs for many, many years (though as with all therapy dogs, they need to exhibit certain valuable traits and undergo a rigorous training regimen). According to the MSPCA, deaf-blind disability activist Helen Keller famously had a therapy Pit Bull!
Pit Bulls Are Hard-Working Canines
Pit Bulls aren't just helpful as therapy dogs, either. According to Save a Bull, the Pit Bull's qualities of "intelligence, loyalty, athletic ability, stamina, and drive" make them well-suited for jobs like search and rescue operations, bomb-sniffing, and drug detection. In fact, "Popsicle," a rescued dogfighting Pit Bull turned K9 Officer, helped police make one of the biggest narcotics busts in Texas history!
Many Celebrities and Historical Figures Have Loved Pit Bull-Type Pups
We already mentioned Helen Keller as a famous Pit Bull parent, but she's only one of many. Some other famous Pittie parents you might recognize include President Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, Humphery Bogart, Rachel Ray, Channing Tatum, Jon Stewart, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Aniston, Kaley Cuoco, and many more!
Believe It or Not, Pit Bulls Are Still America's Most Popular Dog
Yep: despite all the hate, we Americans still love our Pitties. According to PitBullInfo.org, Pit Bull-type breeds are the most commonly identified breeds in DNA-tested dogs, making them even more popular than Labrador Retrievers, Huskies, and German Shepherds. Who knew? Well, now you do!
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