October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, Black Cat Awareness Month, and Pit Bull Awareness Month. In honor of these misunderstood animals, let’s have a look at 30 myths and their factual counterparts.
Myth #1: Pit bull-type dogs have "locking jaws"
Truth: "Locking jaws" are not a thing. Bully breeds have big jaws, but there is no unique musculature or part of their skeletal structure that allows them to maintain their bite. Additionally, pit bull-type dogs actually exert less pressure per square inch in their bites when compared to German shepherds and rottweilers.
Myth #2: It's not safe to adopt a pit bull from a shelter; its past is unknown.
Truth: I am proud to be able to say that I am from a state that was hugely instrumental in rehabilitating Vicktory Dogs (pitties rescued from Bad Newz Kennels in 2007, owned by NFL's Michael Vick). These dogs who, up to that point, had only known fighting, but were taken in and are now living happy, healthy lives. All dogs are good dogs, sometimes we just have to give them a chance to work through the bullshit. ...Not unlike people. We all have a past; some are harder than others, but it doesn't mean we're hopeless. Shelters--reputable shelters go to great lengths to test their animals' respective demeanor, arguably more than any breeder.
If you need a little more convincing, please read the simultaneously heart-breaking and -warming story of the late-Lucas, Michael Vick's former grand champion fighting dog who, unfortunately, was never permitted to be adopted according to federal rulings, but lived out a happy life at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, UT until his health declined in 2013.
http://blogs.bestfriends.org/…/20…/06/20/vicktory-dog-lucas/
For the Vicktory Dogs' story, read this: http://blogs.bestfriends.org/…/2013/03/08/the-michael-vick…/
Myth #3: Pit bull's bites are unique in that they bite, hold, and shake.
Truth: *All* dogs do this; it is a natural hunting instinct leftover from wolves and wild dogs. Big dogs, little dogs, each and every one of them will at one point or another display this type of bite. It is in no way indicative of undue aggression.
Myth #4: Pit bulls are driven to kill people on a genetic level.
Truth: Like any carbon-based life form, we are influenced both by genetics, as well as our surroundings (think nature and nurture). Some individual dogs may be raised to attack and kill people, other dogs, or any other animal, but it is not genetically predetermined, nor is it unique to bully breeds.
