Pit bulls have a bad reputation, and it’s easy to see why. They’re strong, durable, and tough — not traits that most people want in a dog. But there’s so much more to pit bulls than what you’ll read in the news. In fact, they’re really sweet animals who just want love and attention like any other dog! Here are 10 facts about pit bulls that might surprise you:
They’re a lot less dangerous than you think.
You may have heard that pit bulls are dangerous and unpredictable, but the truth is that they’re just as lovable and cuddly as any other dog. In fact, pit bulls are often mislabeled as dangerous simply because they look scary.
They don’t actually have an aggressive nature—they’re usually sweet, playful family pets who only want to be loved. They do make great guard dogs since they can protect their owners from intruders (this makes them perfect for families with kids), but if you treat them well they’ll never need to use their protective instincts on anyone else besides you!
They were once America’s dog.
You may have heard that pit bulls used to be America’s dog. They were bred as companions and show dogs, and they were also used in war (think Sergeant Stubby). But in the early 20th century, things started to change:
>Police departments across the country began using them as K-9 officers. In fact, when Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as police commissioner of New York City he brought his own pit bull with him.
>In the 1920s and 1930s, many families had a pit bull or two around their home because they made excellent guard dogs. However, by this time these dogs had already developed a reputation for being dangerous which caused some people to view them differently.
They’ve been around for a long time.
While the history of pit bulls is still being written, it’s clear that they’ve been around for a long time. In fact, they have existed in the U.S. since before 1870 and are one of the most popular dog breeds in the country today!
The pit bull was originally bred to be an aggressive fighting dog—a cross between an English bulldog and an English terrier—and these strong, athletic dogs were often pitted against each other in blood sports like bearbaiting and dogfighting (also known as “pits”).
They’re super athletic and strong.
One of the most important things to know about pit bulls is that they’re athletic and strong. They can run fast, jump high and swim. Their muscular build makes them great at doing tricks like playing fetch, catching balls or learning how to navigate obstacles in their path.
They don’t actually have that powerful of a bite.
You may have heard that pit bulls have a bite force of over 1000 pounds per square inch. This is not true, and it’s important to understand why.
A dog’s bite strength is measured by the amount of pressure per square inch (psi) that it can exert with its teeth. For example, a cat has about 40-50 psi, but a German Shepherd has about 250 psi—about five times stronger than your average canine! But pit bulls? They’re only about 235 psi, which puts them right in the middle when it comes to dogs who will politely ask for another biscuit or eat all your hamburger buns if you aren’t paying enough attention.
They are fearless.
Pit Bulls are fearless, loyal and protective dogs. They are not afraid of anything, including loud noises and strangers. If you have a Pit Bull, you can count on him to protect your home from intruders or other animals that may try to get inside.
Pit Bulls don’t just love their owners; they love other people as well! If you’re walking down the street with your Pit Bull (and he isn’t on leash) chances are high that someone will approach you asking if they can pet him. This is because most people aren’t afraid of them like they are with other breeds like German Shepherds or Rottweilers.
They aren’t one breed of dog.
If you thought all pit bulls were the same, think again! In fact, there are many different types of pit bulls. The term “pit bull” doesn’t refer to a single breed of dog. Instead, it’s an umbrella term used to refer to three different breeds: the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), the American Staffordshire Terrier (AST), and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (SBT).
While these three types all share similar characteristics—they’re muscular and have large heads with broad jaws—they also differ in many ways. For example, APBTs tend to be stockier than ASTs or SBTs due to their ancestry as farm dogs that would have needed strength for farm work or rescue work when they were used as fighting dogs.
They can be trained to do amazing things.
Pit bulls have a reputation for being stubborn and aggressive, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. They are extremely intelligent, loyal and trainable, with a desire to please their owner.
For example, many pit bulls can be trained to do tricks such as high-five or roll over and fetch. These abilities make them ideal candidates for therapy dogs and service dogs who help people with disabilities.
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You can often tell when they’re being aggressive.
If you’re not sure whether your dog is being aggressive or not, then don’t hesitate to ask the owner. If they do get aggressive with you and you feel threatened, wear thick gloves and carry a towel or blanket on your arm so that if they start biting, at least they won’t be able to sink their teeth into bare skin. Also remember that pit bulls are very strong animals! Even if they’re snarling at you, always treat them with respect because if things get ugly it could end up being very dangerous for both of you!
- If your dog starts barking loudly and has its ears back against its head or standing straight up (called “pricked”) then this means he’s feeling threatened.*
What people think of as aggression is really their desire to please their owner.
The truth is that while there are a few exceptions, the Pit Bull is generally not an aggressive dog. In fact, they’re one of the most loyal and affectionate breeds around. A common misconception about them is that their natural aggression makes them dangerous to humans—but it’s actually their intelligence that makes them so great!
Pit bulls have been used as guard dogs for centuries. They’ll instinctively protect you from anything they see as a threat (whether or not it actually is), but their keen intelligence means that they can be trained to detect intruders in different ways depending on your needs and preferences. For example: if you need your Pit Bull to alert you when someone has broken into your home at night, all you need to do is teach him or her how to bark when someone approaches the front door before bedtime every night for about two weeks straight; this will condition your pup into knowing when someone comes near his territory at night because he’ll be ready for action whenever someone approaches!
The bottom line here? If people knew what wonderful companions these dogs could be, there wouldn’t be such negative stereotypes surrounding them today–so spread some knowledge around by sharing this article with everyone who needs another reason why loving pit bulls should become part of everyone’s life!”
Pit bulls are often misunderstood but they are really great dogs who are similar to other breeds in many ways.
Pit bulls are often misunderstood.
Pit bulls are very similar to other breeds in many ways.
They are loyal and loving dogs, making them good with kids and other pets. They make great guard dogs, keeping the family safe when they’re home alone. And they don’t mind if you have a few friends over—they love playing with other dogs!
Conclusion
Pit bulls are misunderstood and often get a bad rap for being aggressive. In reality, they are just as good at love and loyalty as any other dog. If you are looking for an amazing companion, consider adopting one today!
