This post was written by our technician Lea
What is your first thought/feeling when you hear the word “Pit bull”? Is it fear? Compassion? Hide the kids? Don’t worry-you’re not the only one. Many people cross the street to avoid coming in contact with them.
“Pit bull” is often used to describe a group of dogs with similar characteristics: wide, blocky heads, deep chests, powerful jaws.
Pit bulls are, and have been, used for many reasons; the military, search and rescue, therapy dogs, and the original nanny dog. Did you also know that in a test done by the American Temperment Test Society, Pit bulls ranked more stable than Golden Retrievers?
These dogs have been judged in the media, hung out to dry and persecuted by a few horror stories. What would happen if the media reported on all dogs that have done something wrong? Chances are we’d have fewer breeds because of the need to banish “troublemakers”.
I have had Pit bulls since I was 16.There’s a joke in our family that when my now husband came to pick me up for our first date, he was a bit intimidated when he found out about my male Pit bull, Riot. Things have a way of working out, because we, Riot, and our son also live with a 10 month old German Shepherd and a cat. Please don’t judge an animal by the way he looks or stories you’ve heard. Not every breed is right for every family, but I can’t imagine my life without a Pit bull.
