Explaining Why Are Pitbulls So Dangerous

By Angel Dudley


Different dog breeds have different reputations. For instance, spaniels and golden retrievers will play fetch all day every day if given half a chance while German shepherds are intelligent and make loyal watchdogs. One breed that has an undeserved reputation is the Pitbull, often thought of as aggressive and unpredictable. If you wonder why are Pitbulls so dangerous, the answer is actually really simple.

The word 'Pitbull' doesn't refer to one dog breed. Instead, it refers to two or five different breeds, depending on how you look at it. Two breeds that are always classified as Pitbulls are the American Pitbull and Staffordshire terriers. However, you may also include the Staffordshire bull terrier, the bull terrier and the American bulldog.

A short-coated dog, the Pitbull tends to have a muscular and stocky build. It can be as big as 80 pounds or as small as 25 pounds. The most identifiable physical traits are the strong jaws and the wide skull.

The animals tend to be strong and tough and can stand their ground in any fight. This is because they were popular for use in the blood sports of baiting and dog fighting that kept immigrants to the new country of the United States entertained. A strong dog that would go all out during a fight obviously stood a bigger chance of winning, so breeders looked for these characteristics in bloodlines.

The Pitbull's athleticism and energy means that the animal can get frustrated and aggressive if it doesn't get enough exercise. You'll also need to give it plenty of bones and chew toys or it will exercise its jaws on your shoes or furniture. Just like with any other dog breed, good training and careful socialization will teach it how to act towards other dogs, cats and people.

In some places there are strict laws regulating Pitbull ownership. Some places have even placed an outright ban on anybody owning one of these dogs. This is because Pitbulls have been involved in some serious attacks and some people think that they're inherently dangerous.

The real problem isn't the breed, however. A dog is only as good as its owner and because Pitbulls tend to look fierce and intimidating, they're often the breed of choice for people who want to appear macho. These owners don't train their animals well and may even encourage them to fight. Taunting any breed of dog is asking for trouble and it becomes even more risky when that dog is frustrated because its needs aren't being met.

A responsible owner will find that the Pitbull can be a wonderful, gentle dog that's even a great friend to children. Originally dogs that were good with humans were preferred and you should look at the animal's bloodline to see whether this characteristic has been kept through breeding. Then, instead of asking why are Pitbulls so dangerous, it may be better to ask why are some Pitbull owners so irresponsible.




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