Breed profiling: It's the pits

Breed profiling: It's the pits

Published: Tuesday, March 06, 2012

By Gailynne M. Ferguson
For Journal Register News Service


Once known throughout the United States as the “Nanny Dog”, the pit bull has now been labeled as one of America’s most vicious dogs. They have even been banned in some states. In Tijeras, New Mexico (just outside of Albuquerque) animal control officers are permitted, by law, to seize and destroy pit bulls on site. Shelters see their share of pit bulls entering their facilities. Some are surrendered, some seized, a few are lost and there are even those left alone on shelter steps injured or dying.

Unfortunately, as is often the case, reports are sensationalized in order to make big headlines. Though there are cases of pit bull attacks on people, the truth is that these dogs have been around for centuries without the hysteria that is now present in today’s headlines. Before they rose to being labeled as one of America’s most vicious dogs, they were considered one of America’s most coveted family pets and the protector of children. For years, people have been told not to judge a person by their ethnicity or color yet we are allowing a group of dogs, like those in the Bull and Terrier group, to be judged by their breed? Let’s face it, racism, in any form, is the pits!

In the 1970’s, the Doberman pincher was considered a vicious, dangerous dog. Children were not only told to not go near them but to walk on the other side of the street, even if there was a fence. Though the dog is highly intelligent, alert and loyal to its owner, the public hysteria of “this dangerous dog” made people fearful to be near one even though it was trained and trusted to be a guard, police and military dog.

In the 1980’s, the vicious label shifted to the ever loyal German shepherd. Like the Doberman, the German shepherd is a highly intelligent, extremely obedient, loyal and protective animal. It is these traits that law enforcement and military have relied on to protect their officers and soldiers throughout the world.

By the 1990’s,attention was drawn to the Rottweiler, a German and American bred dog that today is used in search and rescue operations, as a police, military and customs dog as well as a guide dogs for the blind. Again, the Rottweiler’s high intelligence, loyalty and protective traits have made him exceptional as a family dog and as a working dog.

Today, the global target is on the Bull and Terrier group, which includes the American Staffordshire terrier, American Pit Bull terrier and at times the Bulldog. They are being banned because of their perceived aggressiveness which unfortunately has been the result of years of mistreatment. The blogger of Gotham Resistance, wrote recently of the pit bull hysteria stating that “ignorance spreads twice the speed of truth”. This statement is so true. And to think, man is supposed to be the more intelligent species.

Too often, people’s ignorant perceptions will group and label those they don’t understand with the expectation that others accept their opinions without challenging the accuracy of the statements. Intelligent people look beyond a simple opinion and search for the truth. Over the next few segments, the Community Connection will look into the history of the Bull and Terrier group; shed light on how they went from being America’s number one family dog to being one of the most feared dogs in the world and highlight famous dogs and owners from this group. The Community Connection’s series on Pit bulls may very well change some people’s perceptions of this exceptional breed. As famed Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, would say, “sit, stay and remain submissive”.


Photos courtesy of Jamie Imbesi: Look! It’s the Easter pit bull! As with any breed, pit bulls can be taught to be aggressive and vicious, but by nature, are gentle and loving dogs.

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