Pit Bulls
Andre Darville
Professor Kaefer
English 1B
3 March 2013
Pit Bulls: Misconceptions and the Truth
Pit Bulls, one of the American societies famous bully breeds is too often stereotyped as malicious animals, but that stereotype is false due to evidence that pit bulls can be just as loving as the iconic golden retriever. According to the American Temperament Test, which is a test that focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, friendliness and self-preservation in the face of a threat shows that Pit Bulls have a temperament of 86.8%, (American Temperament Test Society) a much higher percentage than other breeds which justifies that these animals can withstand a higher tolerance of aggressiveness. If this is the case, why are Pit Bulls one of the most discriminated dog breeds in today’s society?
Due to irresponsible owners, Pit Bulls have been labeled cruel and violent animals, leading people to be frightened for themselves, their children, and their pets. By experience and owning a pit bull for oneself, people would begin to understand something entirely different. Pit Bulls are a misunderstood breed; they are one of the most loving and loyal breeds that deserves a fair chance just like any other dog would, but because of irresponsible owners, and their negligence toward teaching their pit bulls the right mannerisms this may never happen. The reputation of the Pit Bull has taken a dramatic downfall in the past few decades due to negative publicity. Originally, Pit Bulls were considered to be “American darlings”; during WWI they were claimed to be the sweetest and most loving dogs a person could own, but in the 1980’s the view of the “American darlings” changed due to an illegal “sport”, dogfighting. Although dogfighting is illegal in all fifty states, inhumane persons who participate in the sport choose pit bulls because of their strong physique and loyal personality, which contribute
Professor Kaefer
English 1B
3 March 2013
Pit Bulls: Misconceptions and the Truth
Pit Bulls, one of the American societies famous bully breeds is too often stereotyped as malicious animals, but that stereotype is false due to evidence that pit bulls can be just as loving as the iconic golden retriever. According to the American Temperament Test, which is a test that focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, friendliness and self-preservation in the face of a threat shows that Pit Bulls have a temperament of 86.8%, (American Temperament Test Society) a much higher percentage than other breeds which justifies that these animals can withstand a higher tolerance of aggressiveness. If this is the case, why are Pit Bulls one of the most discriminated dog breeds in today’s society?
Due to irresponsible owners, Pit Bulls have been labeled cruel and violent animals, leading people to be frightened for themselves, their children, and their pets. By experience and owning a pit bull for oneself, people would begin to understand something entirely different. Pit Bulls are a misunderstood breed; they are one of the most loving and loyal breeds that deserves a fair chance just like any other dog would, but because of irresponsible owners, and their negligence toward teaching their pit bulls the right mannerisms this may never happen. The reputation of the Pit Bull has taken a dramatic downfall in the past few decades due to negative publicity. Originally, Pit Bulls were considered to be “American darlings”; during WWI they were claimed to be the sweetest and most loving dogs a person could own, but in the 1980’s the view of the “American darlings” changed due to an illegal “sport”, dogfighting. Although dogfighting is illegal in all fifty states, inhumane persons who participate in the sport choose pit bulls because of their strong physique and loyal personality, which contribute
Cited: 6 Reasons Pit Bulls Make Great Pets. PitBulls.org Dogs for Smart People, n.d. Web. 4 Dec. 2012. ATTS Breed Statistics. American Temperance Test Society, Inc., 19 Feb. 2012. Web. 4 Dec. 2012. Berry, Christina. Pit Bull Facts: Do YOU Know The Truth?. The Lazy Pit Bull, 20 Feb. 2012. Web. Dec. 2012. Lynskey, Joy. Why Do Pit Bulls Have a Bad Reputation?. Squidoo, n.d. Web. 4 Dec. 2012. Pit Bulls: Behind the Jaws. HubPages, 10 Oct. 2011. Web. 4 Dec. 2012. Wilkens, John. Pitt Bull Debate: Crackdown, ban or nothing?. U-T San Diego, 21 June 2011. Web. 4 Dec. 2012. D. Caroline Coile, Pit Bulls for Dummies, (Indianapolis, Indiana: Wiley Publishing Inc., 2001 Frosek, Rose Mclellan, Resa. "Why are pit bulls so misunderstood." Examiner.com. N.p., 11 Oct. 2011. Web. 19 Feb. 2013. <http://www.examiner.com/article/why-are-pit-bulls-so-misunderstood>.