You’re Probably Wrong About Pitbulls
Tackling the dialogue around one of the most contentious dog breeds
If you are involved in online dog discourse, you will likely encounter The Great Debate surrounding Pitbulls. On one side, you have Pitbull advocates posting cute photos of their babies and toddlers cuddled up with their dog, touting their loyalty and protectiveness. On the other side, you have the anti-Pitbull crowd who have gathered in numbers online and are quick to pounce on any story involving the breed.
Why is this breed so contentious? Are they dangerous menaces or misunderstood cuddle bugs? Sometimes, the answer is complicated.
A Fighting Past
It is important to note that “Pitbull” is a broad term that encompasses multiple “bully breeds.” These breeds include American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers, and Bulldogs. The American Pitbull Terrier is tough to define for this reason and is often a mix of these bully breeds.
We can broadly say that many of these breeds descended from bull-baiting dogs. This bloodsport pitted a staked bull against a group of dogs for entertainment. This has earned bully breeds the reputation of fighting dogs. Unfortunately, this continues today, with illegal dog-fighting rings often using Pitbulls in their fights.
Depending upon which side you listen to, you may come to one of two conclusions. The pro-Pitbull side will argue that it is not the dog but the owner that determines the temperament of the dog. The anti-pitbull side will argue that Pitbulls are genetically predisposed to aggression and are therefore dangerous dogs who cannot be trusted.
Are Pitbulls Aggressive?
Laypeople often use the term “aggressive” as a catch-all term when the matter is not that simple. There are three different considerations to look at:
Prey Drive
A dog’s desire to play fetch, chase balls and chew on stuffed animals is all related to prey drive. That cute squeak your dog’s toys make is designed to mimic the sound of an animal in distress. Dogs descended from wild canines who hunted for their food. A desire to chase small mammals and even to kill those small mammals is instinctual. Some breeds have a higher prey drive than others due to selective breeding. West Highland Terriers, for example, were bred to chase and get rid of rat infestations in the 1700s. As a result, “Westies” are a breed known for high prey drive. But they are also known to be highly affectionate and great family pets. The main takeaway is that prey drive has no relationship with human aggression. A dog who chases and kills a squirrel is not a dog who should be deemed dangerous around humans.
The most important consideration for high prey drive dogs is their ability to be around other pets in the home, particularly cats. Because prey drive is innate it is not always something that can be trained out. Certain dogs will not be able to live in a home with small pets and breed can be predictive of this. Pitbulls are known to have a high prey drive.
Dog Aggression
It is not uncommon that a dog may be very friendly towards people but will become extremely volatile around another dog. The reasons for this can vary. Some dogs were never properly socialized as puppies. Some may be fearful and others may even have been trained to attack other dogs. It is also important to note the distinction between dog reactivity and dog aggression, as some dogs are “reactive” (ie barking when they see another dog) but not truly aggressive.
Similar to prey drive, aggression towards other dogs does not indicate aggression towards humans. A dog aggressive dog can thrive in a household without other pets. But this is where the discussion of bully breeds becomes especially contentious. Some people will point to their fighting past as evidence that these dogs have a genetic predisposition towards animal aggression. And some sources will note that Pitbulls are “less tolerant” of other dogs as a breed standard.
Human Aggression
Aggression towards humans is the most serious form of aggression and the one most likely to get a dog euthanized. This can take many forms. You may have a dog who has fearful aggression and will lash out at anyone who pushes past their boundaries. You can also have specific problems like resource guarding, where a dog will snap at anyone or anything that comes near its food.
Aggressive dogs can sometimes be rehabilitated, depending upon the cause. Dogs with a traumatic past can be helped to overcome their fear and low confidence. Resource guarding can be trained out. But these problems take a lot of work and require muzzle training in the interim. But where do Pitbulls land on this issue?
Pitbulls scored lower than average when it pertains to aggression towards humans. The American Temperament Test Society found Pitbulls had a passing score of 82%, which was higher than the average passing score among all breeds. There has not been any research linking Pitbulls with aggression towards people. Their breed standard often notes loyalty and affection towards owners.
It’s Complicated
The answer is that Pitbulls are more predisposed to be aggressive toward other animals. They are less likely to be able to live in a home with a cat. They are less likely than other breeds to thrive in homes with other dogs. But nothing is misleading about them being great family dogs and great with kids. There’s no known genetic link between bully breeds and human aggression.
If you think about it, this makes them the perfect fighting breed. These dogs will attack other animals if trained to do so but are less likely to fight back against the abuse, neglect, and mistreatment of their “owners” who force them to fight.
How the Dialogue gets Muddled
Genetic Predisposition
Even if you have managed to avoid the contention around Pitbulls, you have likely heard the pro-pitbull rallying cry. “It’s not the dog, it’s the owner!”
This is a well-meaning claim but not necessarily a useful one. Dog breeds are the result of generations of selective breeding. We can predict the traits and temperament of breeds based on what they were bred for. For instance, we can predict that huskies will be high-energy. You would be foolish to adopt a husky and expect to only need to give it 30 mins of light walking per day. It’s just not a realistic expectation, even if you adopted one as a puppy.
Of course, there is individual variation. There is likely a lazy husky somewhere in the world. There may even be a quiet beagle. But genetics play a role in dog temperament in predictable and consistent ways. The fighting past of bully breeds has likely led to a genetic predisposition for a high-prey drive and dog aggression. The United Kennel Club States:
Although some level of dog aggression is characteristic of this breed, handlers will be expected to comply with UKC policy regarding dog temperament at UKC events
So why would an entire slogan be created to deny this reality? Because to some people, it seems inconvenient. If they acknowledge this reality, people may not want a Pitbull! And since we see a plethora of Pitbulls in shelters, we really don’t want to scare people away from adopting them.
But this attitude has done a huge disservice to the breed.
America’s Boogeyman
Before the Pitbull, other dog breeds were just as demonized. These included boogeymen like the vicious Rottweiler, the fearsome German Shepherd, the deranged Doberman Pinscher, and more recently, the crazy Cane Corso.
These dogs had a variety of characteristics that made them appear scarier. They are often large and strong dogs, which makes attacks by them more dangerous. Some of them, like German Shepherds, are known to be protective and sometimes territorial of their owners. And they have stereotypically been owned by racial minorities as protection dogs which carries a stigma.
In my opinion, what is notable is how their proponents reacted to the stigma. In many cases, they acknowledged some of the truth behind the fear. Far from trying to convince everyone that they are great dogs and everyone should have one, the dialogue around the breeds often took the opposite course and encouraged things like research, preparation, and responsibility before owning one of these breeds. It’s widely understood that these are not beginner-level dogs but they can still be great dogs.
On the supply side, many of these breeds are expensive to buy. Breeders are strict about vetting candidates and eliminating anyone who seems to want a dog for unsavory reasons. Breed-specific rescues often won’t adopt out one of these breeds unless the applicant has prior dog experience. And the result is not very many purebreds wind up in shelters.
I credit a large part of this change to people taking a responsible and educational approach to these breeds rather than a desperate one. All of these dogs can make great family pets, but it requires work. And if you’re not able or willing to do the work, you aren’t encouraged to buy one.
Deny, Deny, Deny
Pitbull proponents have their hearts in the right place, but I fear they have taken a completely different approach to the breed. It’s difficult to find one who acknowledges that a genetic predisposition towards animal aggression exists. They often try to allege that an owner must have been abusive or cruel to their Pitbull to cause it to attack another dog. And they often try to sell the idea that anyone should just walk into a shelter and pick out a Pitbull if it means “saving” a dog. Pitbull “breeders” tend to breed for profit, sell puppies for cheap and do very little to vet applicants or their intentions for the dog.
This is intended to be helpful, but it isn’t. There’s little accountability for bad breeders because no one’s willing to acknowledge that genetics affect Pitbull temperament. There are a ton of bully breeds in shelters as the result. In addition, plenty of them are adopted and then returned once the owner realizes that they aren’t capable of handling a Pitbull. And training may even be impacted if common wisdom dictates that an owner must have done something to their dog to make it chase cats or lunge at other dogs.
The Reality
Many people are willing to own dog breeds that require a little more work. A lot of German Shepherd owners are aware to be vigilant against resource guarding. A lot of Doberman owners understand the importance of early socialization. A lot of Husky owners understand the need for their dog to have plenty of outlets for exercise. A lot of Rottweiler owners know their dogs aren’t the best breed for dog parks.
Being honest about Pitbulls does not mean that no one will want one. They have many amazing traits like loyalty, affection, and intelligence that draw many people to them. And, of course, they have that classic Pittie smile that makes them adorable. Letting people know they will need to socialize their Pitbull puppy from a young age around other dogs is not a turnoff. Preparing people for the reality that they may not be able to live with a cat is not a death sentence. Do you know what is a death sentence? Sending a Pitbull home to an unprepared adopter who can’t control their dog.
Conclusion
Pitbulls can make amazing family pets. They’re loyal, affectionate, and intelligent dogs. Due to their origin, they may be more prone to animal aggression.
Plenty of Pitbulls do great with other dogs and sometimes even cats. Plenty of others can be assisted with training. They are not monsters or boogeymen, they simply require responsible ownership and proper preparation before owning the breed. Neither unfettered hate nor hopeless denial are appropriate ways to approach them. The best way to destigmatize the breed is to encourage responsible ownership. And this is best accomplished when people can have all the information they need to decide if a Pitbull is the right fit for their home.
