Class teach truths about pit bulls

[Marty]

Knoxville,TN -- The Young Williams Animal Center held two classes Saturday offering information on the history, characteristics and temperament of pit bull terriers.

The class filled up almost immediately with people wanting to know what is true and not true about pit bulls.

Pit bull terrier educators debunked several myths about the breed, including pit bulls have locking jaws or ones with red noses are more aggressive. Educators say the breed gets a bad rap because they often have bad owners that turn positive traits that stem from its history baiting bulls into negative ones.

"Know that pit bull terriers aren't necessarily bred or destined to be an aggressive animal necessarily," explained humane educator, Taylor Slemmer. "They are destined to be a bright animal, and a strong animal and a tenacious terrier."

All dogs are born with traits specific to their breeds. It is up to the owner to determine what kind of dog they are.

"Know the tools that are available to you in your community," said Slemmer. "Know the history of your dog and be committed to helping it be the best dog it can be. It's up to the owner to lead the way to help out animals."

Since pit bulls are big and strong, they are capable of doing more harm than other breeds.

"Because it's a larger dog, a stronger dog, and it was bred to be a strong dog, it could bring about more injury than a smaller dog. It doesn't mean it is more likely to bite," said Slemmer.

Just like with any type of dog, its owner needs to be a strong leader.

The Young Williams Animal Center is offering classes for all types of breeds all year long.They hope to schedule an additional class for pit bulls late spring. If you want to be placed on the waiting list, call 215-6661. All classes are free of charge.

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=7745485&nav=0RYv

[ayobreezie]

Cool.. they need this everywhere..

[miakoda]

That's a good start! But too bad they didn't begin the seminar with, "There's no such breed as a 'pit bull.' However, 4 main different breeds of dogs are considered to be 'pit bulls' along with any mixed breeds containing these 4 breeds and numerous others that share similar physical characteristics." THIS is what the public needs to realize!!

[ABK]

OK, question here ...

I have recently started hearing statement all the time that there is no such breed as a "pit bull." Then what in the heck do I have kenneled in my backyard then? They are all registered as American PIT BULL Terriers!

I could see if the dogs were registered as "American BULL Terriers." But they're not. They're offically registered as a BREED by the name American PIT BULL Terrier.

So where did the idea "there is no such breed as a pit bull" thing come up? :confused:

[screamin'eagle]

So where did the idea "there is no such breed as a pit bull" thing come up? :confused:
Here's my attempt to answer that question ABK...

First off...I would rather call the American Pitbull Terrier the bulldog tried and true. That being said, the official breed name is American Pitbull Terrier as you stated above and there is plenty of reason to stick to that depending on who you're talking to.

The reality is, as we all know, that there are several (over 20) distinct breeds that are commonly referred to or mistaken as "pitbulls" Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Stafford Terriers, American Pit bull Terriers, and Bull Terriers are all distinct breeds that have claim to the name "pitbull." The issue comes when the general public lumps these breeds together (as well as Ambulldogs, Dogo Argentinos, Presa Canerios, Cane Corsos, etc.) IMO. I believe that for each breed the distinction has to be made. Although there are pit bulldogs I would say that there is no breed called a pitbull. The breed would be respective to what I mentioned above. That being said I see the name pitbull as an umbrella term describing the job that a specific breed was bred to do. The same for a black and tan coon hound and a plott hound. Both hounds, but two distinct breeds. That is my take on the situation.

[miakoda]

OK, question here ...

I have recently started hearing statement all the time that there is no such breed as a "pit bull." Then what in the heck do I have kenneled in my backyard then? They are all registered as American PIT BULL Terriers!

I could see if the dogs were registered as "American BULL Terriers." But they're not. They're offically registered as a BREED by the name American PIT BULL Terrier.

So where did the idea "there is no such breed as a pit bull" thing come up? :confused:
You do have "pit bulls." But so do people who own ASTs, SBTs, BT, AB's, & any dog that looks like a pit bull.

The media had taken the term and generalized it so that it no longer is specific to one particular breed. I for one do not call my dogs 'pit bulls', but rather American Pit Bull Terrier. I know many complain that the name is too long, but if I wanted to say a shorter name, I would've invested my time & money in Boxers.

[ABK]

I see what you guys are saying. But just b/c ppl confuse SBT, BT, AB, etc. w/ our APBT does not take away from the fact that the American Pit Bull Terrier (re: "pit bull") & is still a breed & when most say "pit bull" they're referring to the APBT; a known, registered & recognized breed.

To me the name "pit bull" is short for APBT & it's use is no different than Neapolitan Mastiff fanciers calling their dogs Neos, or Presa Canario fanciers calling their dogs Presas, etc.

So to me to say there is no such breed as a pit bull is confusing.

But thanks for helping to clarify for me! :)

[miakoda]

I see what you guys are saying. But just b/c ppl confuse SBT, BT, AB, etc. w/ our APBT does not take away from the fact that the American Pit Bull Terrier (re: "pit bull") & is still a breed & when most say "pit bull" they're referring to the APBT; a known, registered & recognized breed.


To me the name "pit bull" is short for APBT & it's use is no different than Neapolitan Mastiff fanciers calling their dogs Neos, or Presa Canario fanciers calling their dogs Presas, etc.

So to me to say there is no such breed as a pit bull is confusing.

But thanks for helping to clarify for me! :)Then going by your judgement, a "Pit" is a breed too. Ummmm.........

And don't ever go up to a Rottweiler owner & say, "Oooo....I love your Rottie!" Most will correct you immediately. Same with the Dogo Argentino group.....don't just say, "Nice Dogo." You'll get looked at stupidly.

[coolhandjean]

But just b/c ppl confuse SBT, BT, AB, etc. w/ our APBT does not take away from the fact that the American Pit Bull Terrier (re: "pit bull") & is still a breed & when most say "pit bull" they're referring to the APBT; a known, registered & recognized breed. I have found most times someone says "it was a pit bull". It really turns out to be an American Bully, more often than not.

[ABK]

Mia: I don't much care for the use of the term "pit" but I do recognize it as what is is - just a shortened term for our BREED, the APBT.

As for Rott folks & Dogo folks, etc. they must me WAYYYYY too uptight where you are. If you compliment someone on thier "Rottie" where I am at, all you will get is a nice "thank you" & they might engage you in some dog talk. I have oft called Rottweilers Rotties (& Dobermans, Dobies & Neapolitans, Neos etc.) right in front of their owners & have ever yet to get a snotty response from anyone at all.

Now I could be wrong & please correct me if I am (& I'm sure you will) but the whole "there is no such thing as a pit bull" thing seems to have only come around in recent years since BSL has become more prominent & it appears to me to only be a created defense strategy by pro-pit bull ppl to try to protect our breed. By claiming it doesn't exist, it can't be banned, harmed, taken away, etc.

It reminds me of when a child will cover their eyes & claim "you can't see me!" lol.

But again, this is JMHO.

coolhandjean: I know what you mean. I have seen AmBullys, AmBulldogs & pit bull mixes all called "pit bulls." But that does not change that fact theat there is still is a true purebred breed dog dog called the American Pit Bull Terrier (pit bull).

[Miss Conduct]

I dont ever call my dogs "Pit Bulls". They are bulldogs plain and simple. When you say "Pit Bull" the first thing in most peoples mind is a 90 pound Mastiff looking dog... my dogs are FAR from that!

[coolhandjean]

coolhandjean: I know what you mean. I have seen AmBullys, AmBulldogs & pit bull mixes all called "pit bulls." But that does not change that fact theat there is still is a true purebred breed dog dog called the American Pit Bull Terrier (pit bull).I understand what you are saying, but yes, a "pit bull" to us is most definitely an APBT...a "pit bull" is the common man is all of those breeds...
I think when people says there is no breed "pit bull", I believe they say that, because people says, "Pit bulls are horrible. Look how much they are in the paper/news." To say there is no breed, "Pit Bull" is telling those people that it isn't just one breed doing it. It's a bunch of different breeds thrown under one name. Though it the past it most likely wasn't this way, "Pit bull" has become as common as calling a dog a hound or retreiver. It no long just means one breed. Unfornately it emcompasses a bunch of different breeds in today's world.

[ABK]

You are so right in that there is no one breed doing it Jean. I just printed out an at least 3 page list to give to someone I work with of supposed "pit bull" attacks where they found out after the fact that they weren't pit bulls who did it at all.

I also printed out an article where an animal control officer doing a seminar on dog bites said that it was not Rotties or pit bulls who bit the most, but those who bit the most were actually found to be small dogs & Labs.

Funny thing is, she said she was scared of pit bulls but said she wanted to learn more about them. After we talked about the breed & I gave her the article & list, now she hardly talks to me at all & seems to try to avoid me.

I wonder why ... :confused: I hope I didn't do anything wrong ...

[screamin'eagle]

I also printed out an article where an animal control officer doing a seminar on dog bites said that it was not Rotties or pit bulls who bit the most, but those who bit the most were actually found to be small dogs & Labs.
Can you send me a link to that article, ABK?

[ABK]

Here it is: http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/11173071.html

The part about Labs & small dogs biting most often is in the last paragraph.

[screamin'eagle]

Here it is: http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/11173071.html

The part about Labs & small dogs biting most often is in the last paragraph.
Thank you very much

[ABK]

No problem! ;)