American pit bull terriers are the most controversial and mediatic dogs today. As expected, under these circumstances, there are many myths surrounding this breed. What do you think? What do you think about pit bulls? Would you have one?
We are going to offer you the 10 most common myths about pit bulls and we are going to explain why these beliefs exist and whether they are true or not…
Discover now in this article on our site based on the 10 myths about the pitbull their true character, the personality they display and the why of these myths, let's go there:
1. All pitbulls are aggressive and dangerous
Despite the bad press the breed receives, Not all Pit Bulls are aggressive or dangerous On the contrary, most are pets that do not cause major problems or put anyone at risk. That's also not to say that all American Pit Bull Terriers are sociable and very friendly. That will totally depend on the type of education you received.
Aggressiveness and dangerousness depends on each dog in particular and is not an exclusive characteristic of a breed. Thus, there are pitbull dogs that can show aggressiveness and pitbull dogs that are sociable. This depends on the genetics of the dogs, their socialization, the training of the pit bull, the care they receive from their owners, and the way they are handled and controlled.
two. Pit Bull Jaws Lock When Biting
A myth as common as it is absurd. There is no different anatomical or physiological mechanism in the pit bull that allows its jaws to lock. In this sense, the pit bull's bite is exactly the same as that of any other dog.
This myth is not only related to the pit bull, but to many other breeds of dogs. It is also said that boxers, American Staffordshire Terriers and other dogs have the ability to lock their jaws when they bite, but it is simply an absurd myth.
3. The pit bull's brain grows larger than its skull allows
It is said that the pit bull's brain grows larger than the skull allows and that is why these dogs go crazy and become aggressive. It is completely false that the brain grows more than the skull allows in any normal pit bull and in any normal dog.
This myth was originated in relation to the Doberman dog when that was the feared breed of the moment. It is not true, neither in the doberman nor in the pitbull. If the brain were to grow larger than the skull allows, dogs would simply die.
4. Pit bull bite exceeds 1600 psi (pounds per square inch)
One of the most widespread myths is that the pit bull has a bite pressure of over 1600 psi, which in the metric system is equivalent to 112.49 kilograms-force per square centimeter.
Measuring the bite pressure of any animal apart from humans is extremely difficult, since the collaboration of the experimental subjects cannot be requested, and precise data cannot be obtained. However, some measurements have been made that give an idea of the biting power of dogs and other animals.
National Geographic made bite measurements of different species, including dogs. Although these are not studies with all the scientific rigor, they provide data that at least allow us to evaluate the myth of pit bull bite pressure.
In the investigations they conducted, they found that the average bite in dogs reaches 320 psi, and that the pit bull is not the breed with the highest bite pressure. The bite of lions, hyenas and tigers was also estimated to be around 1000 psi.
So if pit bulls had a 1600 psi bite they would outperform a lion's bite. It would be impossible to train schutzhund or do defense training with these dogs, because they would simply shred the protection sleeves, along with the helpers' arms. A frequent myth, but one that doesn't come close to reality
5. The temperament of the pit bull is unstable and unpredictable
It is also said that the temperament of the pit bull is unpredictable and that at any moment it can attack both acquaintances and strangers without giving any sign. This is false.
He althy pit bulls show all the signs of stress that other dogs do. Also, their temperament is very stable and it is very rare for them to attack for no reason. In fact, temperament tests by the American Temperament Test Society suggest that the Pit Bull has a more stable temperament than most breedscanines.
6. Due to its history as a fighting dog, the pit bull is aggressive towards people
Dog fights that originated in the 19th century were carried out in pits where the dogs subjected to that cruelty and their respective owners were found. At the end of the fights, people had to be able to hold their dogs (the winners) to remove them from the pit. Therefore, the breeding that was done selected animals that were aggressive towards other dogs, but with easiness to socialize with people.
So throughout history, Pit Bulls have been selected to be friendly towards people, even though in many cases they have also been selected to be aggressive towards other animals. This has also occurred with most terrier dog breeds and with many hunting dogs. Of course, there are pit bulls that are aggressive towards people, but that is not directly related to the history of the breed nor is it a characteristic of the breed.
In fact, in the last century the pit bull terrier was used as a nanny dog for its excellent social qualities. He is a simply exceptional dog.
7. A pit bull that attacks other dogs or other animals will later become aggressive towards people
Fake. Dogs are capable of distinguishing between different animals (humans included) and being aggressive towards one species does not mean that they will be aggressive towards another.
Hunting dogs are an excellent example of this. They can chase and viciously attack the prey they hunt, but do no harm to their humans. Something similar happens with sheepdogs that are capable of killing predators but coexist peacefully with sheep and humans.
Well, it's the same with pit bulls. Some pit bulls have attacked other dogs or other animals, but that doesn't mean they will necessarily be aggressive towards people.
8. Pit bulls don't feel pain when they fight
Pit bulls feel pain just as much as other dogs, but during emotionally intense activities that pain can take a backseat because other physiological responses are more important to the body's survival.
This also happens with dogs of other breeds that can withstand very painful situations due to the adrenaline of the moment. It also happens with people and basically with any animal.
Pit bulls yes they feel pain and they don't deserve to be subjected to fights and other cruel stupidities that can only happen to people with problems psychological.
9. All pit bulls fight other dogs
It is not true that all pit bulls fight with other dogs. There are pitbull dogs that react with other dogs (due to dominance, fear…) and cannot socialize well with their own species, but there are also pitbull dogs that are very friendly with others of their species.
Most are in the middle, not being particularly aggressive or sociable with their own. Therefore, each Pit Bull should be evaluated as an individual and not as a breed. Some of these dogs will be social with dogs and some will not.
10. An aggressive pit bull cannot be rehabilitated
Some pit bulls who develop aggressive behavior or have been used in fights have a long way to go to rehab (and not all of them do it completely). However, many of them can perfectly be rehabilitated based on a systematic dog socialization and training program oriented to their needs, yes, always in the hands of a professionalexperienced in this type of behavior. Again, each case must be evaluated individually and not all dogs of the breed should be judged as if they were a single individual.
