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 Not experienced or familiar with the American Pit Bull Terrier? Think all the media hype is true about this wonderful breed? If you think that Pit Bulls are unpredictable with kids, are human aggressive, turn on their owners, cannot live with other animals, or that it's always better to adopt/buy a puppy than an adult, then think again: You're just one of MANY individuals in the human population who have been suckered into believing the opposite of the truth about a breed that EVOLVED from being human friendly [did you know that in the early 1900s, the Pit Bull was the most popular and most highly regarded family dog?]. Check out BadRap.org for the REAL scoop on Pit Bull Terriers. BEFORE you stereotype them: give 'em a chance. The Pit Bull's high threshold of pain allows them to endure more of a child's "rough and tumble" play than ANY other breed. THIS is what makes this breed SO wonderful with kids. |
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 Curious to know why you hear about so many "Pit Bull" attacks? Here's why: statistics are no where near remotely accurate for the number of "Pit Bull" attacks. "Why?" you ask? The answer is simple: people don't know what a Pit Bull truly is. Don't believe us? Take this test to see if YOU know Pit Bulls. Our guess is that it took you several tries to find the REAL Pit Bull. Still took you several tries, right? Now you see why statistics are not accurate: people, in general, do not know what a Pit Bull really is, and since there are about 13 different dog breeds that resemble the Pit Bull in appearance, it's easy to see why you hear, all too often, about a Pit Bull attack. If Golden Retrievers and Labs looked like Poodles, then obviously the Poodle would have a higher bite rating since there are other breeds being confused as the Poodle: this is what happens to the Pit Bull. Pit Bulls are blamed for incidents that involve other dog breeds, most of the attacks that are blamed on Pit Bulls do NOT actually involve Pit Bulls. So, spread the word and help restore the reputation of the world's most abused, neglected, and manipulated dog breed. |
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Still don't believe us that Pit Bulls aren't what the media makes them out to be? Then check out The American Temperament Testing Society and see that the American Pit Bull Terrier scored a higher passing rate than most of the popular "family dogs".
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The Real American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT)
 The American "Pit Bull" Terrier was bred for game purposes; both bull baiting and hog hunting, as well as the more widely known pit fighting. In mentioning the gameness of the breed, it is not meant to tag him as a fighting machine, nor is it the intent to praise this trait. The origin of the gameness is important in understanding the breed, the requirements for owning the breed, and why it is crucial that the Pit Bull be placed into homes that will not abuse the origin of the breed. The Pit Bull has an unprecedented origin of being game. However, these dogs were NEVER bred to be human aggressive, and quite contrary to many beliefs, they make excellent family pets for the right individuals. As to character, the Pit Bull is an unsurpassable companion, one of undeniable loyalty and intelligence. These dogs are docile, and with a little training are even tractable around other dogs. They are intelligent and make excellent guardians, though the Pit Bull is much too people-friendly to be considered a guard dog. They are territorial with regards to other dogs, and favor a dominant position in the home. They easily discriminate between strangers who mean well and those who do not, a unique and useful trait.
The real Pit Bull obtains its characteristics, such as indomitable courage, high intelligence, and loyalty, from the past history of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. This is a breed that is willing to please by any means possible, which is undoubtedly the reason they have been used for centuries in the pits. The Pit Bull is a breed that will easily accept and adjust to changes, resulting from their love of people. These dogs are docile, agile, independent, and strong-minded. These qualities, coupled with its affection for humans, and children in particular, its off-duty quietness and trustworthy stability, makes it a foremost all-purpose family dog if researched properly and your lifestyle allows it. Pit Bulls adore attention, and are suited for indoor homes. Outdoor homes are not recommended with this breed, as they have come to be the number one target! for [dog] theft. As with any breed, consideration needs to be taken to make sure that this breed is one that will fit your lifestyle, and that you can offer what this breed needs in a responsible family.
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| The Rottweiler: History, personality, and what type of home is imperative.
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In its native land ( Germany ) this breed is still referred to as the Rottweiler Metzgerhund (Rottweil Butcher's Dog), because of its history delivering meat as a draught dog. The Rottweiler has also been used as a hunter of wild boar and a trusted cattle dog. During the First World War, the Rottweiler proved itself to be an intelligent police dog and guard. Throughout the years, the Rottweiler has proven to be a wonderful family dog as well. What most endears them to those who love the breed is their devoted, docile natures and their keen and all but human intelligence and understanding. Rotties require a considerable amount of time for training and exercise each day. The breed is known to be intensely confidant, loyal, affectionate, and responsive to their owner. It is the Rottweiler's nature to obey, willingly and naturally, with gentle, but firm, and consistent training. They tend to respond best to short, frequent training sessions from puppy-hood through adulthood. Rotties are excellent family pets for those seeking a courageous companion and guard dog, as well as an intelligent, faithful, and affectionate dog. This is a breed which has a propensity for being destructive when bored, therefore plenty of exercise is needed; this is not a breed for a family who cannot provide sufficient attention and exercise. Indoors is the best living arrangement for a Rottie, due to their love for attention and interaction with the family. Rottweilers generally do well with other dogs, if they are properly trained and socialized as puppies and young adults. Because of the Rottie's history and size, it is inevitable that the breed is capable of destruction, which is why it is crucial that the breed be introduced to constant human interaction and socialization. This breed should always have regular interaction with people, never left alone in a yard chained up, as an unsocialized Rottweiler is a dangerous Rottweiler
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Other Breeds
The Presa Canario, Cane Corso, Neapolitan Mastiff, and Tosa; Gladiators of the canine world
The following breeds, though rare in rescues, do occasionally need the assistance of a rescue organization. If you are considering adopting one of the following breeds, please consider the information listed below, as these breeds are certainly not for everyone. Uniquely structured both mentally and physically, the mentioned breeds need excessive socialization and training, as well as constant human interaction. All of the breeds mentioned are well suited for indoor homes, as they are typically quiet and calm natured dogs. These are athletic breeds that require exercise and training, and are not suitable for homes that cannot provide for these needs and attention.
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Presa Canario
The Presa Canario (Perro de Presa Canario) is a fearless, forceful breed by nature. The breed originated in the Canary Islands as a fighting dog, and has an inheritance as a catch or gripping dog. The Presa Canario is a true gladiator dog, having athleticism, determination, and a defensive, territorial nature. This breed has proven to be a great family dog if properly trained. The Presa should receive extensive obedience training and socialization, and should be allowed to interact with the family on a daily basis.
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Cane Corso
The Cane Corso originated in Italy as a game hunter, fighting bears, bulls, and large felines in the Renaissance courts. They were also used to move animals to the markets or slaughterhouses, and used to protect livestock, which serves as an explanation for their protective instincts. The Cane Corso is a faithful, loyal, quiet, and extremely reliable breed. This is a very protective and dominant breed, and is not one that will easily adjust to an inexperienced owner. They are known for taking advantage of submissive humans, and are very likely to challenge their humans to determine who is really in charge; a terrifying thing to happen to someone who is easily intimidated by the size and appearance of an adult Cane Corso. This breed also requires extensive training and socialization throughout the lifetime of the dog, as they tend to have animal aggression and can be overly protective towards humans.
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Neapolitan Mastiff
The Neapolitan Mastiff originated in Italy and has since been used as a guard dog. The Neo tends to be severely courageous, loyal, and incorruptible. It has been said that the Neo is "the intruder's worst nightmare." Due to the history as a guard dog, they have highly protective instincts, and can be rather territorial; excessive training and socialization are needed throughout the dog's life. This breed is best kept as a family dog where it can interact with the family regularly. Again, this breed is not one for inexperienced owners and will easily challenge a timid human.
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Tosa-Inu
The Tosa-Inu (referred to as the Tosa-Token in Japan ) was bred on the Island or Shikoku, Kochi Japan as a fighting dog and is rarely found outside of Japan . Males are the only Tosas allowed to fight; females are used for breeding purposes only and are never allowed to fight. This breed is said to be the sumo wrestler of the dog world. The Tosa is a result of breeding between Japan 's native Nihon-Inu (a boar hunter), and the Saint Bernard, Mastiff, Great Dane, Bloodhound, English Pointer, Bulldog, and Bull Terrier. They have been bred to be quiet, bold, confident (sometimes even arrogant), and courageous, as well as impressive, strong, and athletic. They are also known to be animal aggressive, typically more males than females, and should be socialized starting at a young age to suppress the aggression as much as possible. Tosas have shown to be good with children, though they do need to be supervised with small children; their history as fighting dogs has left them quick, and they can easily knock over small children, accidentally hurting them. The Tosa is a natural born guard dog, so early socialization is imperative for the breed to remain people friendly. They are well suited to live indoors with the family, and require extensive daily attention.
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"Bully Breeds" commonly referred to as Pit Bulls
click on image to enlarge
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In addition to the Breeds listed above, the following are often mistaken for Pit Bulls |
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