About Pit Bulls free essay sample

There are no Bad Pit Bulls, just Bad Owners Misty Heier COM215 January 12, 2012 Rachel Grant There are no Bad Pit Bulls, just Bad Owners Thesis: Because of bad press, myths, and distorted facts, this breed has missed many privileges other breeds enjoy. â€Å"There are no bad dogs, just bad owners. † (unknown) This is a mantra for any rescue society, but it seems to hold true the most for the â€Å"vicious† dog breeds. The breed of Pit Bulls appears to receive the lion’s share of bad press, myth and distorted facts. To sort the truth from myths, the information on the breed would be a good place to start. A perspective owner would have to decide if they could properly handle the breed, they decide on. Information on the Breed Despite the negativity surrounding this breed of dogs, Pit Bulls are one of the most popular breeds in America. They come in several combinations of coats. The breeds originally bred for blood sports, such as bear baiting and bull baiting. It was not until later in their history dog fighting appeared. In the early days of dogfighting, before it became outlawed, dogfighting was an organized sport. Handlers had to be able to jump in the ring and separate the fighters, and then treat the wounded dogs after the fights were over. Dogs that showed aggression toward humans, even in the middle of a fight, were usually killed and never bred. † (Pitbulls. org,  © 2010). This breed has a high prey drive, perhaps from coming from terrier (example Scotland terriers) lineage. Generally, Pit bullsâ€Å"were used for herding, hunting or guardian purposes, but most were bred and kept primarily as companions† (Pitbulls. org,  © 2010). Many dogs from this breed are famous. Some examples are Petey from The Little Rascals, Grunt from the movie â€Å"Flashdance†, Tige from Buster Brown shoe advertisements and the dog in the film â€Å"Snatch†. This breed represented America on WWI propaganda posters, and the only breed to have graced the cover of Life Magazine three times. â€Å"Pit bulls were the dog of choice for famous personages such as Helen Keller, Laura Ingalls Wilder (of Little House on the Prairie fame), and President Theodore Roosevelt. † † The first dog decorated with medals by the armed forces was one Sgt. Stubby was another Pit bull. (Pitbulls. org,  © 2010). Distortions, Myths and Bad Press in need of Counters It is true that Pit Bulls grab and hold on. But what they most often grab and refuse to let go of is your heart, not your arm†. (Vicki Hearne, unknown). For someone who does not know the breed, he or she may only hear the first part of this persuasion by Vicki Hearne and think that this breed is vicious. Since about the 1970s, the press this breed receives tends to be negative. No matter how much good press there is, there will be myths floating around any breed of dog. Myth 1 about Pit Bulls: â€Å"Arent Pit Bulls mean and vicious? † The answer is not more mean and vicious than any other popular breed. Myth 2 about Pit Bulls: â€Å"Dont Pit Bulls eventually turn on their owners? † Again, the answer is no because a Pit Bull with a good temperament. The animals that turn on their owners tend to have troubles Dogs could suffer from many different problems (such as bad training, reckless owners, or just a dog that needs to be put down). Myth 3 about Pit Bulls: â€Å"Dont Pit Bulls have locking jaws? After research, Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, University of Georgia concluded, We found that the American Pit Bull Terriers did not have any unique mechanism that would allow these dogs to lock their jaws. There were no mechanical or morphological differences Myth 4 about Pit Bulls: â€Å"Dont Pit Bulls have to be trained to fight? † All terriers (including Pit Bulls), are naturally scrappy with other animals, unless they recieve socialization with the types of other animals. A responsible owner should ensure their dog is properly socialized, with a wide array of common situations at a young age for their dog (a young age, for a dog would be from birth to the age of two). Myth 5 about Pit Bulls: If a dog uses a treadmill (or has scars and cropped ears), mean they are part of a fighting ring or have been used as bait? Some apartment dwellers do not have a yard for properly exercise their dog so they would turn to a treadmill to exercise their dog. Pits tend to be an energetic breed and exercise would help keep their energy needs in check. With the case of cropped ears and scars, the answers have a wide range of possibilities and do not always point towards dog fighting. There are wide ranges of myths to explore and find the answers to if a person is considering owning a particular breed of dog. It is highly suggested for a perspective owner do their â€Å"homework† before acquiring a particular breed. â€Å"Pit Bulls are not your average pet. Due to the perceived dangerousness of the breed, it is the duty of every pit bull owner to ensure that they are always responsible, and that their dogs are never out of control. By being a responsible pit bull owner, you can prove that this breed is as good of a dog as any other†. (Pitbulls. org,  © 2010). Because of the myths, bad press and distortions about the breed, these dogs have lost the privileges other dogs enjoy. Find the information on the breed, to see the truth about them. The conclusion the reader should find is that this breed is just ordinary dogs looking for love and compassion that other breeds find.