Pit Bull; these two words have invoked a wide range of human emotion, everything from fear to love.  These animals have come to be highly misunderstood.  They do come from a background of bull bating and dog fighting, however that does not make them killing machines.  Lost among the myths and bloody lies is the truth about a wonderful breed of dog.  While the Pit Bull can be very dog aggressive if trained to fight, a true Pit Bull has no human aggression.  Originally if a pit bull showed any signs of human aggression the dog was put down and never breed from.  Their actual temperament is very kind and loving.  These dogs were once know as the “nanny dogs” or “nurse maids dogs” - doesn't sound like what I would call an evil monster.  Pit Bulls, when owned by a responsible owner, make wonderful family pets.  Despite what people think they are actually good with children because of their lack of human aggression and ability to tolerate pain.  They can endure a child’s ‘not so gentle’ ways of playing.

Many people argue that the Pit Bull is not an actual breed, but in reality they are one of the oldest and purest breeds known today.  Some even argue that the Pit Bull is the original Bulldog and that the English Bulldog we know today came after the Pit Bull.  Looking back through history you will find descriptions and pictures of dogs that almost identically resemble today’s American Pit Bull Terrier.  Little has changed in their appearance.  They were a smaller size in the beginning, weighing in between 15-30 pounds.  But their dedication to their owner, athleticism, pain tolerance and courage (which made them great at controlling bulls, boars and other large animals) still remains the same today. 

Pit Bulls were breed for their gameness and willingness to continue and excel at whatever they are doing - the same qualities that led people to use them for the blood sports of bull bating and dog fighting.  Yet, even the dogs breed for these gruesome practices still were breed to have no human aggression.  In organized dog fighting (with actual rules and turn based matches) the owners have to enter the ring and handle their animal in the midst of battle.  Also prior to the battle, the owner would wash the opposing dog assuring that no chemicals were coating the fur to give the dog and unfair advantage.  Due to the amount of human contact, human aggression was breed out and not tolerated.  However with street fighting (usually an all out fight to the death) the human aggression is not monitored as much and man biters may come from these lines.

The thing to remember about Pit Bulls is that they have an amazing desire to please their owners, thus making them nothing more than the victims.  We are the ones who push, train, abuse and neglect them from puppyhood.  We are the ones who turn them into these fighters. It is us who should be blamed, not them.  All they do is what we teach.  In the hands of someone with ill intent anything can become dangerous - whether it be dogs, weapons, medication or even knowledge.  With the proper training, guidance and leadership, pit bulls make exceptional companions and working dogs.  If properly socialized, they can even be good around other dogs and pets.  We need to stand up and take responsibility for our actions and wrong doings.  We have made Pit Bulls into something we have come to fear.  I feel we need to work on making them into what we love.  Pit Bulls were once the top breed in America and known for their true nature.  They are now being demonized.  It's time we take back the image of our Pit Bulls, time to stand up and fight for them instead of making them fight for us.