Pit Bulls Essay

Virginia Surdez
Comp and the Spoken Word
Professor Nixon
April 4, 2018

Are Pit Bulls Dangerous?
By any standard, dogs are extraordinary animals. They have been part of the human society for longer than any other domestic species. They exist in a great variety of different shapes sizes, color, and breed. They occupy a wide ecological niche that ranges from pampered pets, loyal service dogs, faithful servants, to feral scavengers. Even our attitudes towards dogs seem to oscillate between extremes. On the one hand, the dog is man's best friend. On the other, he is the despised and degraded outcast. No other breed does this run truer than it does for Pit Bulls.
Pit Bulls have the stigmata of being a vicious, fighting dog. When in fact the Pit Bull is a fun-loving dog that loves playing with its family and friends. It is typically a playful, social, friendly, docile, timid dog

that likes to please its owners. The Pit Bulls love of a good game is rivaled only by its need for human companionship. Most are very friendly towards strangers. Some, like mine, can be very strong-willed. Although the Pit Bull does not usually look for a fight, they are fearless and tenacious. Pit Bulls are very good with children. Although Pit Bulls are usually gentle, some can be rambunctious. In the United Kingdom, the Pit Bull was known as the “nanny dog,” because of its eagerness and ability to assume the role of a child's nursemaid. (Holland, Joshua)
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 is escaping out of an inadequately fenced yard, to explore the neighborhood, or to destroy your new couch when left home alone, or climbing into your lap to shower you with kisses – they just do not 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."
In the early stages of America, many immigrants brought their Family Pit Bulls over as part of their families. Although the dogs were bred for fighting sports, they were also incredibly intelligent. They were used for a variety of jobs that included farming, protecting the family farm from predators, watching their children, and providing loyal companionship. When the popularity of newspapers and media grew, many Pit Bulls were recognized for the number of the good deeds they performed. Pit Bulls have earned their place as an important part of the fabric of our developing

nation.
Pit Bulls are not just one specific breed, but rather a classification of several breeds which include: Staffordshire Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Bullies, American Staffordshire Terriers, and sometimes American Bulldogs and Bull Terriers. Pit Bulls are beautiful in their variety; their most appealing features are their inner qualities. Their strength, confidence, a sense of humor, and a zest for life are all characteristics of the breed. Pit Bulls are also sensitive and do get their feelings hurt easily. If you properly socialize your dog, they are quite affectionate and friendly, even with strangers. Therefore, Pit Bulls do not make good guard dogs. They are intelligent and very eager to please, most tend to be playful throughout their lives. While some, like mine, are low key couch potatoes. Maturity can come late with Pit Bulls (2 to 3 years old in some cases).
Many others need a job to channel their enthusiasm and energy. Pit Bulls excel in dog sports, out of the 115 dogs who have earned UKC "super dog" status by gaining championship titles in conformation, obedience, agility, and weight pull, 34 have been American Pit Bull Terriers, and another 13 were American Staffordshire Terriers (American Pit Bull Terrier.”). Search and rescue, drug and bomb detection, police working dogs, and as therapy dogs.
Pit Bulls are not a statistic. They are far from the monsters they are made out to be. They are not born into this world wanting to kill. They are the unfortunate victims of a lot of different circumstances. They forgive you. They forgive those that have hurt them, they forgive you for being afraid, and they forgive you for not understanding them. All they want is a chance to prove to you what sweet, charming, intelligent, goofy, loving dogs they truly are. Pit Bull history has taught us that Pit Bulls are loyal to a fault. They will do whatever it takes to please their human. It is up to today's Pit Bull owners to make sure that the reputation of this amazing breed is repaired. We can not rewrite Pit Bull history, but we can all learn from the mistakes of the past