America's Mascot is Being Banned

Oh no, it's a pit bull! Run! Hide! Lock up your children! It's here to rape our churches and burn our women... wait I think that's the other way around... either way you get the point. This tends to be the typical reaction to a pit bull by uneducated people... people who believe the nonsense that the media spoon feeds us to make money. Nothing sells like fear.

If you haven't realized it yet, I'm pro pit bull. Mainly because I have such a small penis that I need a macho dog to make up for it, and so all the girlies will think I'm tuff... sarcasm... well at least the macho dog/ girlies part was...

Like most things that are misunderstood the pit bull has a reputation for being dangerous. Much like guns, rock and roll, minorities, God, and free thinking. Which means people in their ignorance and fear are trying to take away someone's right to own a dog of their choice. A dog that embodies the very spirit of America... or at least what America use to be. I hope I can educate a few people with this post.

To understand the amazing breed that is the American Pit Bull Terrier, you have to understand the history behind it. Around the 19th century dog enthusiasts in England, Scotland, and Ireland were looking for an agile, gamey(defined by a high working and prey drive), strong, courageous dog for baiting bears and bulls. So they combined terriers (agile and gamey) with the bull dog of old. (Strong and courageous.) Wa-la! The pit bull terrier of old was born. A dog that was not only capable of killing a bear or bull (or fighting another dog after bull and bear baiting were out-lawed), but a dog that was capable of returning to his master's home and playing with young children after the bloody ordeal was over.

A Boy and His Pit Bull

Pit bulls were never bred to be the human aggressive killers the media makes them out to be. As a matter of fact, all through their fighting years, a dog that showed any human aggression during the fight was culled (killed) on  the spot or never allowed to breed and was retired. That's pretty amazing considering that before dog fights the opposing owners would wash their rival's dogs. During the fight both owners would be in the ring while their dogs battled, and after the fight the dog's injuries were treated ringside -often by a stranger and without the dog being on any pain killers or anesthesia. If they so much as growled at anyone during this process they were killed or never allowed to pass their seed to the next generation. A few hundred years of this and the pit bulls of today would be more likely to drown a burglar, much less children, in the spit from their kisses. (Unless said burglar threatens the pit's family, then there is a high probability of a severe face mauling for the burglar.)

While pit bulls weren't bred to be human aggressive they were bred to be highly intelligent, loving, athletic, adaptable dogs with an insanely high pain tolerance. (Which not only helped them fight, but let them keep their cool while infants / toddlers molested them.) People of the 19th century realized this and many immigrants that came to America brought their beloved pit bulls. While they were also used for dog fighting in America that was by far the minority of the dogs.  Most of these dogs filled multi-purpose roles. During the day they would be out with their masters driving cattle, catching wild hogs, or hunting. At night they'd come home and play with the kids whose well-being they were often entrusted with, giving them the nickname "nanny" dog.

As time went on the American pit bull terrier became America's mascot. Americans grew to love the scrappy multi-role dog that they believed embodied the qualities of the American people - loving, courageous, loyal, and capable of finishing any fight.  They were featured in advertisements and served in America's wars. In world war one Sgt. Stuby became the most highly decorated dog in U.S. history. Pit bulls were owned by many famous Americans such as Teddy Roosevelt and Helen Keller. After World War 2 pit bulls fell out of the lime light. They were put on the back burner of America's mind and while many many families still loved and raised pit bulls, they really didn't receive any media attention.

WWI propaganda 

The pit bull fell back into the media's gaze during the 80's. As the drug culture was on the rise so was dog fighting. After centuries of being America's best friend the pit bull's image was gradually tarnished by the media and irresponsible owners into what it is today - a four legged killing machine... which is bullshit.

In closing... I think it's startlingly sad how we can turn our backs on such an American icon. Pit bulls still do make wonderful family pets, (I love mine, she's amazing with my son) though they are not for every one. It takes someone who is willing to follow the steps to become a responsible owner, because even though pit bulls only make up .86% of all dog attacks, (with miniature poodles being the highest) in this time of persecution even the tiniest mishap from a pit bull will be turned against the whole breed.

River - my pit mix

I've always been fascinated with pit bulls. Before I adopted my pit bull(mix) for my son (she is his dog) I made sure to read as much as I could about the breed... all the pros and the cons. Feel free to talk to me if you ever think about getting one. Remember rescues too, every good dog deserves a home.