Education...

• Nutrition:
• Dog foods (print this list)
• PLEASE READ: The dangers of human foods to pets
• Care of Pit Bulls:
• To new Pit Bull owners
• Pit Bull breed overview
• Pit Bull Do's and Dont's
• Got questions?
• Pit Bull info:
• Fear vs. Fact
• Media Bias in Reporting Dog Attacks
• The superior temperament of Pit Bulls
• Links to further reading

Dog Foods

The right dog food makes a big difference in the overall health and longevity of your dog. Substandard brands contain dyes, allergens, artificial preservatives, indigestible grains, as well as chemicals linked to cancer and other health problems, and meat by-products instead of pure animal proteins. The list below is based on the recommendations of veterinary experts in dog nutrition.

The dangers of human foods to pets

While the occasional carrot, for example, can provide a healthy treat for your dog, there are many other table scraps that are toxic to them. This list from the American Animal Hospital Association details human consumables that are poisonous to dogs. All the more reason to make sure they can't get in to the trash...

To new Pit Bull owners

(Including the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bull Dog, American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier):

First and foremost, a happy Pit Bull owner is an educated Pit Bull owner. Please take every opportunity to research this breed and it will be a better experience for all involved. Now that you have adopted a Pit Bull, you have also adopted the life-long responsibility of trying to change the negative view of these wonderful dogs. Unfortunately, people only know of Pit Bulls as the dogs they see on the News. So when you’re walking down the street and somebody stops you and says “what a beautiful and well-behaved dog you have. What breed is it?” Hold your head high and proclaim “he/she is a Pit Bull!”

Experience has proven that Pits are trainable, smart, clean, loyal dogs, (not to mention some of the funniest and best personality-wise.) We often find that people who have owned this breed in the past don't want to adopt any other breed. They become loyal fans. Each day is a learning experience for a Pit Bull owner.

Last but not least, a properly bred Pit Bull is so exuberantly happy upon meeting her owner’s friends (or even friendly strangers) that new owners sometimes worry that their dog is too sweet and fun-loving to protect their home and family. A multitalented companion, the well-trained Pit Bull is suited for a variety of exciting activities. He excels at obedience, agility, and weight pulling competitions which showcase his intelligence, training ability, and physical strength. In addition, the Pit Bull’s pleasant nature makes him an ideal candidate for assisting in therapy work with people. So get out there, get your dog involved, and blow the Pit Bull's negative persona out of the water!

Pit Bull breed overview
(Adpated from "The Real Pit Bull," courtesy of The Rescue Train and PBRC)

The following is basic breed information for anyone who is interested in acquiring a Pit Bull, for those who already have one and would like to learn more about the breed, or simply for anyone who would like to understand these great dogs. This section discusses the most notable traits of Pit Bull type dogs, including the potential for dog aggression. You will learn here that while Pit Bulls make great family companions in the right hands and living situation, they require intelligent, responsible, and dedicated ownership. Unfortunately, too many people obtain these dogs for the wrong reasons, or have little understanding about the inherent traits this breed possesses. It is unfortunate that one of the original purposes of the APBT was (and still is for many) dog-to-dog combat, but it’s a fact that can’t be denied or ignored. It’s very important that every potential Pit Bull owner understands the selective breeding that took place to make the Pit Bulls of today, and the inherited characteristics that are potentially within this wonderful breed.

Keep in mind that often little is known about the background of rescued dogs. Some may be game-bred (from fighting lines), some may be registered show dogs, some may be Am. Staffs, some may look like APBT’s but are mixed with other breeds, etc. Since there is no way to know for sure about the dog's lineage unless you have its pedigree in hand, we recommend the following PBRC guidelines for any type of “Pit Bull”...

Pit Bulls are wonderful animals that deserve a chance to have a good life like any other dog. However, it’s important to remember that Pit Bulls are not just any other dog. They are a little more of everything a dog can be.

Pit Bulls have great physical and mental characteristics that make them excellent partners for responsible, active, and caring owners. On the other hand, these same outstanding qualities can make them a little difficult to handle for people who don’t have a lot of experience with dog ownership or for those who don’t understand the breed very well. Luckily, Pit Bulls are very responsive to training and eager to please. It is therefore strongly recommended to take them to obedience classes as soon as they are up to date with their shots. (Pit Bulls are prone to Distemper and Parvo, so it is important that they receive all their vaccinations before coming into contact with other dogs or going places that other dogs frequent). A well-behaved and obedient Pit Bull will be a great ambassador for the breed and help fight prejudice and misconceptions.

Pit Bulls are very adaptable and will even do well in urban living, provided they have enough exercise or other positive outlets for their energy. Many Pit Bulls are easy going couch potatoes, but can also be quite rambunctious until they mature. Maturity can come pretty late with this breed (2 to 3 years old in some cases). Pit Bulls remain playful al their life and have a great sense of humor. These dogs will make you laugh like no other.

Pit Bulls are strong, energetic, agile and powerful dogs. They are also very resourceful and driven. “Determination” is one of their most notable traits. Whatever they set out to do, they will put their heart and soul into it. Whether it’s escaping out of an inadequately fenced yard to explore the neighborhood or destroying your new couch when left home alone or climbing into your lap to shower you with kisses – they just don’t give up easily.

Stahlkuppe (1995) writes: “The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) or the Am Staff, is certainly not the right pet for everyone. Being a powerful dog, it will require sufficient and adequate control. Some prospective elderly owners or children, will not be able to supply that control. A first time dog owner, in the minds of many experienced dog breeders, should not buy an APBT or an Am Staff. An insecure person who wants only an aggressive dog to bolster some personal human inadequacy should never become an owner of one of these dogs.”

Another very important characteristic of Pit Bulls is their amazing love of people. These dogs are remarkably affectionate, and crave human attention. They are wonderful snugglers and nothing beats a belly rub. In fact, most Pit Bulls think they are lap dogs!

Like any other breed, Pit Bulls can develop behavior problems if mishandled, abused, poorly bred, unsocialized, etc. that could result in inappropriate aggression. Any large, strong and powerful dog that attacks can do a lot of damage. This is why serious temperament evaluation is so important when dealing with dogs of certain size. Unlike the myth propagated by the media, human aggression is not a problem specific to the Pit Bull breed. In fact, Pit Bulls tend to do better than average in temperament tests.

Pit Bulls make wonderful, loving and very loyal companions. It is important however, to understand the breed’s nature, to provide a structured environment and to establish a positive leadership role. In order to do so, Pit Bull owners must understand the original purpose of the breed and respect its limits and potential.

Pit Bull Do's and Don'ts
(Adpated from "The Real Pit Bull," courtesy of The Rescue Train and PBRC)

1. SOCIALIZATION – Socializing your dog is important, especially if he/she is a puppy. If your Pit Bull is young, trips to the dog park and time spent around other dogs is recommended. Realize though that circumstances at the dog park cannot be controlled and sometimes this can bring out bad behavior in your puppy. As your Pit Bull gets older, the dog park can become a problem no matter how much he/she has been socialized. Though a Pit Bull may not start the fight, if provoked they will definitely finish it. As your Pit Bull gets older and stronger, it’s best to keep the socialization process safe and in a controlled environment.

2. CANINE RACISM – Be advised that as a Pit Bull owner, you may encounter some animosity towards this particular breed from the general public. You must also realize that if there is any incident involving your dog, whether he starts it or not, he will more than likely get blamed. Because of this, you must be a step ahead of other dog owners and insist that your dog behave like a lady or gentleman when out in public.

3. OUT IN PUBLIC – You must understand that by letting your Pit Bull run off leash, you are only asking to get yourself and your dog into trouble. We HIGHLY recommend that even if you have the best-behaved dog in the world, always assume that the “other guy” does not. Be the responsible dog owner and keep your dog close by.

4. PIT BULLS & SMALL PETS – We do not recommend adopting an ADULT Pit Bull into a household where there are cats, small dogs, or other small animals. Puppies are recommended for these situations.

5. PIT BULL “SCUFFLES” – If there are multiple dogs in the home, we advises that the Pit Bull be kept separate when no one is at home to supervise. Though they may get along great, Pit Bulls can have “temper tantrums” and this can escalate and cause great harm to another dog or cat. It is typical for this breed to “fight” with another dog over what seems like nothing.

6. MY PIT BULL & HIS FRIENDS – There is big confusion in this department. Just because YOUR Pit Bull gets along with YOUR dogs and cats, does not mean that he will like other dogs or cats. This is very commonly just referred to as a “Pit Bull thing.”

7. BUT HE LOVES PEOPLE..... Because this breed is wonderful with people and exceptional with children, this is often confused for how they will do with other dogs. This is probably the most common mistake a new Pit Bull owner makes. Just because your Pit Bull adores people, this absolutely, positively, does not mean that he will get along with other dogs. We can’t stress this one enough and if you remember anything about this list of do’s and don’ts, let it be this one.

8. KIDS & PITS – This is a great combination, but under the supervision of adults. Pit Bulls are such strong dogs, that it doesn’t take much more than a ‘head butt” to give a child a black eye. But more importantly are the rules that apply when walking the dog. NEVER allow a child to walk a dog of this caliber without the assistance of an adult. If a dog of this magnitude sees a cat or another dog that he decides to go after, a child does not have the strength to hold him back. You’re only asking for a terrible accident to happen and your child to be traumatized.

Questions

If you have any questions or concerns while raising your new pup, please don’t hesitate to email us.

Fear vs. Fact
(compiled by the Animal Farm Foundation)

Fear:
Pit Bulls attack without warning.
Fact:
“Pit Bulls signal like other dogs.” -- The Institute of Animal Welfare and Behavior of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany temperament tested over 1,000 dogs.

Fear:
Pit Bulls are “ticking time bombs” that turn on their owners.
Fact:
“No single, neutered household pet pit bull has ever killed anyone.” -- Karen Delise, Founder and Director of Research for the National Canine Research Council, and Author of The Pit Bull Placebo: The Media Myths and Politics of Canine Aggression (Anubis Publishing).

Fear:
Pit Bulls are more dangerous than other dogs.
Fact:
“A dog is only as dangerous as its owner allows it to be.” -- Diane Jessup, Founder of LawDogsUSA, Author, retired Animal Control Officer.

Fear:
While there are some pit bulls with good temperaments, they are the exception not the rule.
Fact:
The American Temperament Test shows pit bulls consistently score above the average for all breeds tested, year in and year out! -- American Temperament Test Society

Fear:
Pit Bulls have “locking jaws.”
Fact:
“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...” -- Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, University of Georgia

Fear:
Pit Bulls have massive biting power measuring in 1,000s of pounds of pressure per square inch. (PSI)
Fact:
On average, dogs bite with 320 lbs of pressure per square inch. The bite pressure of a German Shepherd, an American Pit Bull Terrier and a Rottweiler were tested. The American Pit Bull Terrier had the least amount of bite pressure of the three dogs tested. -- Dr. Brady Barr, National Geographic

Media Bias in Reporting Dog Attacks
(courtesy of the Animal Farm Foundation)

Sensationalism has replaced common sense. Attacks by non-pit bull dogs are rarely taken up by national or international media sources. A study by the National Canine Research Council reveals biased reporting by the media, its devastating consequences for dogs and the toll it takes on public safety.

Consider how the media reported four incidents that happened between August 18th and August 21st, 2007:
• August 18: A Labrador mix attacked a 70-year-old man sending him to the hospital in critical condition. Police officers arrived at the scene and the dog was shot after charging the officers. This incident was reported in one article and only in the local paper.
• August 19: A 16-month old child received fatal head and neck injuries after being attacked by a mixed breed dog. This attack was reported two times by the local paper only.
• August 20: A 6-year-old boy was hospitalized after having his ear torn off and receiving severe bites to the head by a medium-sized mixed breed dog. This attack was reported in one article and only in the local paper.
• August 21: A 59-year-old woman was attacked in her home by two Pit bulls and was hospitalized with severe injuries. This attack was reported in over two hundred and thirty articles in national and international newspapers, as well as major television news networks, including CNN, MSNBC and FOX.

"Clearly a fatal dog attack by an unremarkable breed is not as newsworthy as a non-fatal attack by a pit bull" says Karen Delise, researcher for the National Canine Research Council.

People routinely cite media coverage as “proof” that pit bulls are more dangerous than other dogs. Costly and ineffective public policy decisions are being made on the basis of such "proof". While this biased reporting is not only lethal to an entire population of dogs; sensationalized media coverage endangers the public by misleading them about the real factors in canine aggression.

Pit Bulls Score Higher Than Golden Retrievers in Temperament Tests
By SAVE-A-BULL Staff

Pit Bulls are not born to fight or kill. Those of us who own or foster these Terriers know that they make excellent family pets. But too often we see them get overlooked for adoption, or euthanized by shelters, due to media-propagated stigma. What you typically hear about in the news are exceptional cases of bad owners forcing their dogs to fight.

The American Temperament Test Society has compiled statistics from 2002-2006 on how well different breeds have scored in temperament tests. The table below lists some of the breeds that Save-A-Bull specializes in (marked with ♦), along with the breeds most commonly taken as family dogs.

(More statistics about Pit Bulls can be found here.)

Note: We present these statistics to help increase awareness. By all means, adopt the breed and dog that best matches you, your energy level, etc.

Links to Further Reading

• BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls)
• The Real Pit Bull
• Understand-a-bull
• Pawsitively Pit Bull
• Pit Bull Rescue Central
• The Rescue Train
• American Temperament Test Society (Pit Bull scores 84.3% > Golden Retriever 84.2%)
• American Pit Bull Registry (Read "The Un-Warranted Negative Stigma")
• National Canine Research Council

♦ Save-A-Bull Rescue of MN ♦
"Helping to bring back the true American Pit Bull"