The American Pit Bull Terrier

 

 

Because of the Pit Bull Terrier’s reputation, I am often asked to help owners sort through the fact and
fiction about this breed. Abused and mistreated Pit Bulls that have “gone wrong” tend to paint the
entire breed with one brush. I have taken this opportunity to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the breed in general.
Does the American Pit Bull Terrier Have Locking Jaws?
No, the Pit Bull’s jaws do not lock.
The American Pit Bull Terrier’s jaw is anatomically identical to that of any other type of dog. There are
no structural differences. Comparison’s between the Pit Bull’s bite and that of other animals (such as the shark or tiger) are a myth. However, it should be noted that the Pit Bull is endowed with a very
muscular jaw. This gives them the capability to hold with their jaws for longer periods. This
tenaciousness is often misconstrued as a locking jaw. It is not. It is sometimes also interpreted as a
mental trait – meaning that the reason the Pit Bull is able to hang on is because of his mental attitude.
This is also not correct. Any dog wishes to hang on to an object or toy, but might have less physical
capability. Just because a Golden Retriever or Labrador gives up his toy more easily or is unable to
hang onto an object for long periods of time has nothing to do with his “courage” or tenacious attitude.
They simply lack the physical capability (large muscles) to do so. A German Shepherd can out distance
most breeds in running, but that is not because of their mindset but rather their physical design and
capabilities.
But what about the “bite tests” that measured the Pit Bull’s bite at over 320 psi?
The strength at which a dog bites depends less on breed than on the situation that the dog is in. As a
protection training specialist, I can tell you that a confident and dominant bite is often weaker than a
bite delivered in fear. A confident dog won’t have the need to give his strongest bite as he does not feel
challenged. When a dog bites in fear or defense his life depends on it – and he will give it all he’s got.
Perhaps this is due to an adrenaline rush that increases the bite strength when in a threatening situation.
PSI ratings are an inaccurate measure for bite strength. “Pounds Per Square Inch” measures the
pressure divided by area. The dimensions of the bite would have to be measured in comparison with the size and weight of the dog doing the biting to get an accurate reading. The size and design of the animal will have a lot to do with how hard it can bite. For example, the pounds per square inch of a flea or ant bite is probably a lot more than that a larger animal if you consider the relative size.
Factoring in the above, a recent test was done to measure the comparative bite force between popular
large breeds. The American Pit Bull’s bite force came in weakest in comparison to that of the
Rottweiler and German Shepherd. In fact, the highest bite force recorded from the Pit Bull (235 psi),
was considerably lower than the average domestic dog bite force of 320 psi.
Are Pit Bulls unpredictable? Don’t they turn on their owners?
It is an unfortunate fact that many dog owners lack an understanding of their pets. Why does my dog
look at me that way? Why does he do the things he does? Is this normal behavior? These are the
questions asked of me throughout the day, everyday.
Reports of dog bites often describe the attack as being unprovoked. News reports are often short on
facts and the reason why a dog attacks – a dog of any breed – is never accurately shown. This leaves
the general public with a feeling of uncomfortable uncertainty and is the fertile soil from which myths
and misinformation grow.
Animal aggression always has a cause, and all animals give signals before acting in defense. The signs
may be slight but to the uneducated or negligent eye, an attack will appear to be something “out of the
blue”. Those owners who have really studied their animals know the short and long-term signs that are
leading up to an attack.
A dog of any breed that has been abused or neglected can be expected to behave in a defensive or
aggressive manner. Aggression in this case would be self-preservation. Abuse and neglect could be
defined as physical or mental mistreatment, lack of exercise, teasing, and even lack of exposure to
people or the outside world. An inconsistent lifestyle is confusing and stressful for a dog and is a very
common cause of aggressive behavior. A dog that is poorly cared for is a likely candidate to attack.
Such attacks are not only predictable, but preventable.
Are Pit Bulls more likely to attack their owners than other dog breeds?

No. The American Temperament Testing Society gives the Pit Bull an 86.6% stability rating. Higher than most breeds tested. The best guarantee of a well-behaved dog of any breed is a conscientious, well-behaved owner.

Are Pit Bulls useful in any other way than as guard dogs or for fighting?
As a personal protection trainer I have trained many breeds to use as “bodyguards” for their owners. I
consider the Pit Bull to be one of the hardest dogs to train in this respect. Although they are physically
well-built for the task, most responsible owners pay special attention to socializing their dogs with
people. This makes them super people-friendly and not good contenders for being protective. In fact, I
have heard stories of Pit Bull breeders having to use German Shepherd dogs to protect their own
kennels because the Pit Bulls would happily allow themselves to be stolen by strangers. The Pit Bull is
one of the most commonly stolen dog breeds.
The American Pit Bull Terrier scores highly in obedience and agility competitions, proving that it is a
highly intelligent and trainable dog. Its stability and friendliness towards people have made it a top
choice as a service dog for the handicapped and in nursing homes as a therapy dog.
Does the color of a Pit Bull determine its aggression?
No. The color of a dog does not determine any part of its personality.
The American Pit Bull Terrier comes in many shapes, sizes and colors. Within the breed, there are a
number of different types or “families” of dogs. An example of this is the “Red Nose” Pit Bull. This
dog is orange-red in color with a pink or red nose. They are often lanky and tall by comparison with
other Pit Bull types. Their personality is no different than that of other Pit Bulls.
More recently, the “Bully” type of Pit Bull has become popular. This style of Pit Bull is short and wide
with an exaggeratedly large head. Their personality is also no different than any other type of Pit Bull.
When a knowledgeable Pit Bull owners looks for a dog, color is the least important part of the choice.
Their choice is made based how well the dog conforms to the breed standard. The most important point is the breeder. Stay away from breeders who describe their dogs as “warriors” or “courageous” as this is a sign that the dog has ‘trained in’ aggression. Find one that genuinely loves and cares for his dogs and acts responsibly with the breed’s reputation.
At what age should a Pit Bull be bought?
The ideal age to bring a dog into your home is no younger than 6 weeks. Before this time, the dog
needs to be cared for by its mother. The social interaction with other puppies in the litter is an important part of learning how to be a dog. As soon as the puppy enters your home you should begin exposing it to all the things he’ll have to know as an adult dog. Obedience lessons such as sit and stay are important to show him that he takes his direction from humans. He should be handled by all the members of your home – children, adults, strangers and groups of people.

You can adopt a Pit Bull of a more advanced in age. Have the dog temperament tested to be sure his
background and personality is stable. Take your new dog to obedience training to build rapport and
establish your control with him.
What health issues do Pit Bulls have?
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a healthy and robust breed. They suffer from very few genetic diseases and with proper medical care and good nutrition can be expected to live well past 12 years of age.
From my personal experience with 300 or more dogs I have never heard of cases of hip displasia or
other joint or bone structure problems. I have been aware of skin and coat problems, such as sensitive
skin or dry coats, occurring in a very few number of dogs.
Because of the Pit Bull’s short coat, they easily adapt to Thailand’s hot climate. They are highly
energetic and active dogs, and so require lots of water and shade to cool down but do not normally
require air conditioning.
How can I tell if a dog is aggressive?
This is an excellent question and something I think about many times a day as I do my training rounds
in Bangkok.
It is extremely unlikely that a Pit Bull owner would be taking an unfriendly dog for a walk on the
streets of Bangkok. Unfriendly dogs don’t get walked…that’s why they’re unfriendly.
I would be much more concerned for my safety if that dog was among the supposedly “friendly” breeds. Don’t forget that prejudice works both ways: many unsuspecting people have been bitten by supposedly breeds when greeting them. Never assume a strange dog of any breed is friendly or reliable.

Here are the do’s and don’t’s of greeting a strange dog –
· Do ask permission from the owner before interacting with a dog who is not familiar with you.
· Don’t approach a strange dog. Let the dog come to you if he feels confident enough to do so.
· Once a dog approaches, don’t lean over the dog or put your face towards his. Allow him to
smell you and to relax before you move to touch him.
· Avoid staring or prolonged eye contact. From the dog’s point of view, this is a challenge which
may provoke defense or aggression.
· Do not approach a dog that is restrained in any way. If a dog is behind a fence, chained to tree
or in a car, that dog is already in a defensive frame of mind. If the owner has the dog on a tight
leash take it as a signal that he is not confident with his dog. Leave it alone no matter what the
owner says. This rule also applies to a dog that is sick, injured or sleeping or is eating or
guarding a toy or bone.
· If a dog approaches you in an aggressive manner, do not run. Stand completely still. Look off
into the distance and avoid looking at the dog. Allow him to sniff and see that you are not a
threat. Back slowly away from the dog.
Copyright © 2012 by Patrick Bundock. All rights reserved