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etherealtruth

(22,165 posts)

65. This may help you with your facts (from the ASPCA)

Sat Dec 27, 2014, 02:17 PM

Dec 2014

Dispelling Common Myths About Pit Bull Terriers

MYTH:
The pit bull terrier is the breed most likely to bite.

TRUTH:
NO! According to the American Temperament Test Society, in 2012, 86.8% of American Pit Bull Terriers passed society tests that measure stability, aggressiveness, friendliness, and protectiveness. 85.2% of golden retrievers and 80.1% of collies passed these tests.

MYTH:
Pit bull terriers bite or attack more than any other breed of dog.

TRUTH:
NO! Despite all the studies on dog bites, the American Veterinary Medical Association has found that no single breed is more dangerous than another. Rather, studies show the most popular breeds at any given time tend to top the list because there are more of those dogs in the general population.
Source

MYTH:
Pit bull terriers have locking jaws.

TRUTH:
NO! According to Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, Ph.D., senior research scientist at the University of Georgia and an expert in training, handling, behavior, and the anatomy of bull dog breeds, “The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the skulls, mandibles, and teeth of [American Pit Bull Terriers] show that, in proportion to their size, their jaw structure and thus its inferred functional morphology, is no different than that of any [other] breed of dog. There is absolutely no evidence for the existence of any kind of ‘locking mechanism’ unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier.”
Source: American Dog Breeders Association

MYTH:
Pit bull terriers have more bite pressure than any other breed.

TRUTH:
NO! According to Dr. Brisbin (referenced above), “To the best of our knowledge, there are no published scientific studies that would allow any meaningful comparison to be made of the biting power of various breeds of dogs. All figures describing biting power in such terms can be traced to unfounded rumor.”
http://www.yourspca.org/pages/bred-to-love/dispelling-common-myths-about-pit-bull-terriers

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Indiana Man Mauled to Death by Pet Dog on Christmas [View all] XemaSab Dec 2014 OP

The article says he raised them from puppies. roody Dec 2014 #1

It also said that the dog that attacked has always been aggressive justiceischeap Dec 2014 #4

I'm sure they did try to modify its behavior. Mariana Dec 2014 #92

Totally agree, and I love ALL dogs. roody Dec 2014 #108

The dogs were abused or they would not be aggressive tabasco Dec 2014 #9

Your post is incorrect. SamKnause Dec 2014 #20

that is so sad, I am so sorry that happened to you, multiple sadnesses hollysmom Dec 2014 #28

Thank you for your concern. SamKnause Dec 2014 #31

I'm sorry but dogs are bred UglyGreed Dec 2014 #33

Dogs are not robots and breeds are not platonic ideals Scootaloo Dec 2014 #86

Try to get a American Staffordshire Terrier UglyGreed Dec 2014 #124

That is NOT always true. I had a neighbor who rescued dogs for many years. Democrat 4 Ever Dec 2014 #54

Strange how all the non-"killers" vastly outweigh the ones who are. Scootaloo Dec 2014 #79

what were the dogs doing loose in the front yard? Sunlei Dec 2014 #102

Gun owners and Pit Bull owners 951-Riverside Dec 2014 #2

30,000 vs 3 baldguy Dec 2014 #41

They're called "pit bulls" for a reason. True Blue Door Dec 2014 #3

There is no such thing as a Pit Bull. Hassin Bin Sober Dec 2014 #6

Sure, there's never any question as to a dog's breed. baldguy Dec 2014 #35

08 CentralMass Dec 2014 #77

How do you come to that conclusion? Scootaloo Dec 2014 #81

Experience. Was my pick correct ? CentralMass Dec 2014 #84

Evidently not. I want to know what criteria you fell on to make that call, though Scootaloo Dec 2014 #87

Nope. baldguy Dec 2014 #85

I'm guessing 111 dflprincess Dec 2014 #99

As much as a I love dogs there are some which needs to be extinct and the pit bull Thinkingabout Dec 2014 #5

Yes, some bloodlines need to be watered down to something manageable through out-breeding. True Blue Door Dec 2014 #7

Purebreed dogs are artificial tabasco Dec 2014 #10

But if they're allowed to breed with others, their offspring wouldn't be "pubrebred" anyway. True Blue Door Dec 2014 #11

OMG you are the funniest DUer. Quantess Dec 2014 #15

So you are against spaying & neutering, then? Quantess Dec 2014 #13

OMG, you got the mailer! flvegan Dec 2014 #23

So, let me get this straight: some asshole abuses his dogs & suffers the consequences baldguy Dec 2014 #37

Where in my post did you read anything close to what you have replied? Thinkingabout Dec 2014 #50

What do you think "extinct" means? baldguy Dec 2014 #51

You are not even close, Thinkingabout Dec 2014 #55

And just how do you think one of the most popular types of dog would *become* extict? baldguy Dec 2014 #75

There is a big difference in slaughtering the animals and ceasing the breeding of more. Thinkingabout Dec 2014 #78

You're like a burger lover who doesn't want to know where meat comes from baldguy Dec 2014 #95

Can you point to one sentence where I have advocated slaughtering pitt bulls, you need to get a Thinkingabout Dec 2014 #101

You're a dog hater that wants to slaughter dogs. Period. End of story. baldguy Dec 2014 #103

You are the one who wants to slaughter dogs, you keep saying it over and over. Thinkingabout Dec 2014 #104

You want to exterminate an entire class of dogs, and you claim *I* support their slaughter? baldguy Dec 2014 #116

You continue the slaughter of the breed, putting you down on the side of advocating for the Thinkingabout Dec 2014 #118

The pit bull ranks jen63 Dec 2014 #53

This may help you with your facts (from the ASPCA) etherealtruth Dec 2014 #65

Just so you know, that Temperament Test is a bunch of bunk Drahthaardogs Dec 2014 #69

And I'm sure you can provide peer-reviewed documentary evidence that the ATTS is "bunk". baldguy Dec 2014 #91

As I noted below Drahthaardogs Dec 2014 #106

Where do you get that idea? baldguy Dec 2014 #117

I get THAT idea from responsible breedrs Drahthaardogs Dec 2014 #119

just for your information, shyness is also bad temperament, a fail.. Sunlei Dec 2014 #100

They fire 4 over my dogs head Drahthaardogs Dec 2014 #105

I guess we have differences about dogs. personally, I can't stand the dogs with furry muzzles, Sunlei Dec 2014 #107

The proper temperament varies from breed to breed. Drahthaardogs Dec 2014 #121

sure I understand what you mean but, a labs marking ability or a hounds Superior tracking ability Sunlei Dec 2014 #122

Of course it is Drahthaardogs Dec 2014 #123

There are studies jen63 Dec 2014 #96

What are the next five on the list? Scootaloo Dec 2014 #89

His Karma caught up with him. pscot Dec 2014 #8

And his dogma killed him. benz380 Dec 2014 #43

A sad but completely preventable death: _Blue_ Dec 2014 #12

Wrong Dwayne Hicks Dec 2014 #14

Sure.. _Blue_ Dec 2014 #16

A Border Collie Go Vols Dec 2014 #66

My dearest friend who was a dog rescuer/ lover .... etherealtruth Dec 2014 #67

A nine month old Akita jen63 Dec 2014 #109

My ass. I've been attacked by one for simply walking by it. And I knew the owner. kysrsoze Dec 2014 #19

A truly bizarre comment. ronnie624 Dec 2014 #25

You are wrong melman Dec 2014 #63

I owned an American Pit Bull Terrier JonLP24 Jan 2015 #130

The myth "It's all how you raise them" is costing lives. Boudica the Lyoness Dec 2014 #26

I don't believe there is a ban on Pit bulls unless they define them better than we do. hollysmom Dec 2014 #29

Dangerous Dog Act 1991 DrDan Dec 2014 #32

I see it exempted the Staffordshire Bull Terrier which is what I consider a "pit bull". hollysmom Dec 2014 #56

the law has been in effect since 1991 - 23 years ago . . . they must consider it to be effective DrDan Dec 2014 #59

no, I mentioned my dog because a lot of times dogs are judged by what people hear. hollysmom Dec 2014 #61

It's illegal to own pit bulls and some other dangerous breeds in the UK Boudica the Lyoness Dec 2014 #88

I don't think it is illegal as a whole hollysmom Dec 2014 #110

Like I told you before Boudica the Lyoness Dec 2014 #114

Sad that the dog was put down for the only crime of being the wrong dog JonLP24 Jan 2015 #131

Not true. roody Dec 2014 #17

Show your work. flvegan Dec 2014 #22

How about some opinions from a Top 5 Vet school proffessor and national renown canine behaviorist? Drahthaardogs Dec 2014 #71

The AVMA opposes breed specific legislation: baldguy Dec 2014 #76

Which counters anything I said how? Drahthaardogs Dec 2014 #80

Just that the overwhelming majority of the people baldguy Dec 2014 #94

say, weren't you defending killer cops a few threads ago? Scootaloo Dec 2014 #82

That wasn't me. _Blue_ Dec 2014 #83

That's why I have a terrier. If he goes nuts, I'll survive NightWatcher Dec 2014 #18

Pit Bulls are terriers. baldguy Dec 2014 #38

Our's terrier isn't a pitt, he's a norwich mix...slight difference NightWatcher Dec 2014 #46

Terriers are terriers. baldguy Dec 2014 #48

Ten bucks says... Scootaloo Dec 2014 #93

And Poodles would get banned, because they sort of look like Airedales. baldguy Dec 2014 #97

And schanuzers would be the underground airedale knock-off breed Scootaloo Dec 2014 #98

Poodles can be vicious. haele Jan 2015 #135

one thing I've always said about my little Jack Russel terriers, Sunlei Dec 2014 #111

Ignorance to suit an agenda on DU: Film at 11. flvegan Dec 2014 #21

You're obviously quite emotional over 'pit bulls', for some reason. ronnie624 Dec 2014 #27

He runs a pit bull rescue jmowreader Dec 2014 #72

What of it? flvegan Dec 2014 #113

Nothing of it, except the poster above me felt you were too emotional about pit bulls jmowreader Dec 2014 #115

Not really. Show your work. flvegan Dec 2014 #112

It's never a golden retriever, is it? (nt) Nye Bevan Dec 2014 #24

don't say never. hollysmom Dec 2014 #30

so much human failure in these stories JI7 Dec 2014 #34

. baldguy Dec 2014 #39

+1 pscot Dec 2014 #49

They don't shoot dogs, do they? Guess what would have happened to a black boy acting "aggressively? kelliekat44 Dec 2014 #36

Pit Bulls are naturally vicious & aggressive. baldguy Dec 2014 #40

Tragic circumstances do bring out the arrogantly ignorant bloodthirsty ghouls, don't they? baldguy Dec 2014 #42

The ignorance and hysteria jen63 Dec 2014 #44

I was just going to post about how many of Eldad's rescues have been pit bulls. mnhtnbb Dec 2014 #45

He is a wonderful human being. jen63 Dec 2014 #47

Very sad gwheezie Dec 2014 #52

Other news accounts of this story indicate .... etherealtruth Dec 2014 #58

I agree gwheezie Dec 2014 #73

This dog had bitten people twice before. Mariana Dec 2014 #90

Yeah. I remember Rottweilers, Dobermans and German Shepherds being demonized. alphafemale Dec 2014 #57

It seemed in the past those were the only "dog bite or maul" reported etherealtruth Dec 2014 #60

I have had two Rottweilers and one Pit Bull Terrier, RebelOne Dec 2014 #64

I got car-jacked at the Olive Garden by a breast feeding pit bull. alphafemale Dec 2014 #62

Does this thread signify the return of the Pit Bull Wars for 2015? LordGlenconner Dec 2014 #68

And this is why we own a Shih tzu. Blue_In_AK Dec 2014 #70

This incident involves a pit bull but that is not always the case. AtomicKitten Dec 2014 #74

Knew the breed of the dog before even clicking LittleBlue Dec 2014 #120

Ironic, since it was a Boxer-Shepherd mix (nt) Recursion Jan 2015 #126

Oh yes, they've always got the breed wrong LittleBlue Jan 2015 #127

Well, they got it wrong this time, at least (nt) Recursion Jan 2015 #128

Before you start simmering the Crow, you should check back in the new thread. Hassin Bin Sober Jan 2015 #129

baldguy had something to add, but chose to start a new thread instead. Link here: Electric Monk Jan 2015 #125

That's a different story from a couple years ago. greyl Jan 2015 #132

Then why did he link to this thread? nt Electric Monk Jan 2015 #133

Then why did he delete his thread? nt JTFrog Jan 2015 #134