Meet Brutus, a 4-year-old pit bull mix currently up for adoption at the Yavapai Humane Society. Brutus is already neutered and housetrained, and he loves people and other dogs. Come see Brutus today at the YHS shelter at Prescott Lakes Parkway and Sundog Ranch Road. See photos of all our available dogs and cats at www.yavapaihumane.org.
By DR. GREG LEWIS Yavapai Humane Society
Webster's definition of the term myth is "a legendary narrative of an imaginary belief or phenomenon." We are inundated daily with a myriad of myths. As a veterinarian, the biggest myths I deal with daily relate to dog breeds and their respective behavioral traits. I'm not sure if Mr. Webster actually owned an American pit bull terrier. Maybe he was a cat man. But he would have captured a very appropriate Kodak moment if he'd put a picture of a pit bull next to that definition!
In all fairness to the pit bulls across the country and throughout the world, I'm here to dispel some of the more bizarre and farfetched of these proclaimed myths about pit bulls and their behavior. If I had taken these myths to heart for the past 36 years in my work as a small animal veterinarian, you can bet your last $1,000 winning scratcher ticket that I'd have been in a cat-only practice in a New York minute! But before I start dispelling, please note it is true that pit bulls generally do not like cats, so don't expect to see a cat and pit bull starring together in a Disney movie coming soon to a theater near you. That part is not a myth.
We'll start with one of my favorites. Myth #1: "Pit bulls have locking jaws." It has been scientifically and anatomically proven, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that the jaws of the pit bull are functionally the same as the jaws of any and all other breeds of dogs. You might disagree if one of your extremities accidentally, or on purpose, was caught within the confines of that oral cavity surrounded by sharp teeth. Yes, the pain is real, but, no, the jaws are not locked in place to remain there until fatigue or TMJ syndrome sets in. The jaws can and will release if the dog wants them to or is encouraged by an outside force to do so. Plain and simple. Just like any other dog.
Myth #2: "The only thing pit bulls are good for is fighting." Well, unfortunately, publicity in our society is often sensational and, for whatever reason, violent acts generate tons of ink and camera action. Bite cases involving pit bulls and humans, and pit bulls and other dogs, are no exception. Yes, it is a reality that pit bulls can fight. Pit bulls are bred to excel at any task their owner teaches him. Ironically, when considering the bad press the breed often gets, no one ever hears in the media that they are routinely used for obedience training, conformation showing, weight pulling, tracking and protection competition, agility, and even rescue work. Nope, none of these activities seems to make it to the general public informational stream.
It is the greedy, cruel, unscrupulous human owner who assigns and trains a dog of any breed to be aggressive and dangerous. It is a fact that people who fancy and know the breed will profusely defend and profess them to be loyal and loving companions.
Myth #3: "Pit bulls will turn on their owners." Aggression is a behavioral expression in thought and action. Dogs, as a species, do not perform behavior patterns simply from out of the blue. Behavior patterns develop for reasons, and those reasons are cultivated and manifested as a result of the interactions and directions from humans and sometimes other animals that directly interact with them on a regular basis. This aggressive behavior can be a result of many reasons, such as improper handling, lack of socialization and training, misreading of dog behavior, and sometimes even disease. Usually aggressive patterns in pet dogs follow a specific trail of "red flags." These red flags begin to subtly accumulate without the owner acknowledging or responding accordingly with manual and /or verbal admonishments, until the dog lashes out with teeth and body slams. The owner's response is typically, "Whoa, where did that come from? He's never done that before!" This phenomenon is true of all dogs, not just the pit bull. No dog will just turn on his owner for no reason. The reason may not be obvious, but there is a reason, and usually it is the fault of a human somewhere along that dog's lifetime.
So the next time you hear disparaging and incredible accusations with regard to behavior aberrations by pit bulls or any other dog breed, you won't need a dictionary to sort out the realities of the situation. Try not to react emotionally but instead passionately respond by asking yourself the question, "Could there be an underlying set of circumstances or reasons that led to this unfortunate action?" Some things, including pit bulls, are truly not always as they seem.
Dr. Greg Lewis, DVM, is a veterinarian performing spay/neuter surgery at the Yavapai Humane Society's Spay, Neuter and Wellness Clinic. He can be reached at glewis@yavapaihumane.org or at the clinic at 771-0547.
Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, February 26, 2010
Article comment by:
Maxx Rocks
If you are referring to me and my lab, Maxx survived, and I am a woman.
Your comment is ignorant, first of all people kill, all types of people. People are not dogs, and the comparison is wrong.
We are failing men and animals. I do not have anger, rather I would like to work with pit bull owners to find a solution. Stricter regulations, fines, breeding restrictions, etc.
The agencies who place dogs, without ensuring they have the right handler, are negligent. I would not trust a pit bull. Period. This is my choice, but you can own a pit bull. Anger solves nothing.
Posted: Thursday, February 25, 2010
Article comment by:
PLEASE READ! READ THIS POST
Thugs, crackheads, hardened criminals etc, will almost always choose to own a pitt bull over any other breed. It is not the dogs fault that bad owners like to pick them. If you cant walk your dog atleast once a day, bring your dog with you wherever you can, socialize him, don't get a pitt. A pitt that hasn't grown up with a responsible owner is gonna be a mean dog. The owners that keep them stuck in a confined yard, or tethered to a stake will create a monster. If I was stuck chained up in one little spot most of my life, and finally got loose, I'd probably maul the first person I saw. It's the owners that are responsible for how the dog turns out. I guarantee anyone who doesn't like pitts would be amazed by how disciplined mine is. I trust my pitt around my three year old son more than any other dogg ever. But thats only with my pitt. I am not an unresponsible parent, I know that my pitt would give his life to protect my son (who does bug him to no end). If you think pitts should be destroyed because of how many attacks they have, well black people have killed more than all dogs combined, should they be destroyed? I am not racist, I am making a point that hating pitts is racist. To the man whos lab was mauled and killed by a pitt, my heart goes out to you, however your anger should be at the owner that allowed his dog to become aggressive. It's his owner that is to blame .... Dogs are the nicest, happiest, bestest creatures in the whole wide world, anyone who changes that is not on my side. BLAME PEOPLE, NOT DOGGS!!!
Posted: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Article comment by:
Maxx Rocks
There is a problem in society with the numerous pit bull attacks on people and pets. This is a fact. I do not believe in banning any breed, but I do believe there need to be restrictions. The facts are clear, just look at them. It's fine to love your dog, and it's great when a pit bull has a "special handler". The problem is there are dogs bred and raised for a purpose other than to be "man's best friend". My life changed when I protected my 5 year old son from a pit bull attack. My dog whom I love, was torn from his leash, the leash I was holding. There was nothing I could do to get the dog (confirmed pit bull) to release my big dumb 11 year old black lab. The story is long and painful. My teenage sons were part of the rescue. Maxx survived, albeit one less leg, one less shoulder, two metal plates in his jaw, a reattached ear and numerous puncture wounds. We were walking in the road and singing on this perfect spring day. The dog (who was adopted one week prior) was let out of the house, when he saw us walking. Trauma is real, I lost my mind, my job and Maxx incurred $19,000 in vet bills. Dogs are considered personal property, so the $1,000 offered to us by the insurance company was refused. Maxx consumes my heart and soul. Please do not tell me there is not a problem. Oh by the way the agency was going to place the dog for the fourth time, until I contacted the Attorney General in Connecticut. God Bless You, and please be a part of effective change.
Posted: Monday, February 22, 2010
Article comment by:
Dog Lover
As a dog lover and owner of a pit-bull/coon hound mix, these animals have received bad publicity in being portrayed as vicious animals. My dog has endured young children pulling on his ears, riding him like he is a horse all under the supervision of my wife and I, and he has never, even once, acted aggressive towards anyone in our family or extended family. He is the most domicile dog I have ever had. He has been raised in a loving family and trained and the worst he will do is lick you to death because he loves attention. Those who believe that pit bulls and their mixes are the most dangerous dog out there, please educate yourself on these breeds and not just what the media has portrayed to you.
Posted: Monday, February 22, 2010
Article comment by:
Charlene Dutka
Please be serious. The only literature available from the above mentioned site is in support of pit bulls. There is a problem, stricter requirements are needed before another life is ruined or lost.
Posted: Monday, February 22, 2010
Article comment by:
Eden Springs
Thank you for providing a factual article written by an expert. Quite the refreshing change!
Trained dogs my entire life, and the most aggressive are the smallest breeds. Those attacks are under-reported because nobody wants to admit they were mauled by a Chihuahua.
Many of the dog attacks currently reported in the media are wrongly attributed to Pit Bulls or PB-mixes. The truth is, ANY DOG CAN BITE!
The problem is irresponsible owners. If you wouldn't let your 3-yr old wander the streets unsupervised, why do you consider it's okay for your dog to do so? This sets your dog up to always be on the alert, ready to protect itself. And, guess what happens?
Old dog trainers have a saying: "The prerequisite to teaching a dog is that YOU have to be smarter than the dog."
'Nuff said. Punish the deed, not the breed!
Posted: Monday, February 22, 2010
Article comment by:
Kathie Kat
Hey Doc,
Good article, although it sounds you may have ruffled some feathers. Still slice-n-dicin I see!!!!!
Posted: Monday, February 22, 2010
Article comment by:
pibble friend
Great article, but ignorance by the dogsbite lobbyist crew abounds.
a good intellient well researched book to read is "The Pit Bull Placebo" by the National Canine Research Council. educate yourselves please and stop your predjudices.
pit bull is not a breed a dog but a term that encompasses about 4 breeds. additionally, there are about 25 breeds of dog that get confused as "Pit Bulls". the average person and even trained professionals have a difficult time id'ing. the media is incorrect in its id'ing many times but corrections and retractions aren't newsworthly.
all dogs bite. face transplant lady had her face torn off by her lab!! another by a greyhound. you don't hear about other attacks as its been proven a pit attack is published nationwide in about 300 outlets, any other breed attack may make the back page of a paper. pomeranians, jack russels and cockerspaniels have all killed kids. to a child, dog size is irrelevant isn't it?
year after year pit bull breed and staffordshires pass the American Temperment Test on average 6% higher than most breeds, including favorites. they've also had human aggression bred out of them over the centuries, but can have animal aggression if not socialized properly. they have never been bred for guarding, and make awful guard dogs because of their love for humans. of course, like any dog, they can be trained by the wrong hands.
dogs are wild animals which we people have domesticated. as a dog owner we owe it to society to ensure that are dog is well mannered and trained. its unfortunate that with the pit bull breed, the media has made them the current "demon dog" which gang members love to use and can train to be aggressive (pits are highly loyal and intelligent).
i know many many breeds (none of which are pits) that have killed neighborhood animals. when its not a pit its chalked up to a dog being a dog. i know even more breeds that have bitten and brutally attacked on more than one occassion. they are given many chances for redemption, whereas a pit defends itself, or reacts when abused, its asked to be put down.
btw, i hold 2 degrees, and live in a affluant beach communty and work in a nationwide corporation.
Posted: Monday, February 22, 2010
Article comment by:
TheTruth IsOutThere
To PitsR 4Fools:
Do you always believe everything you read on the internet? Those sites you posted are based on opinions and media reports and not based on scientific research. Try going here for some valid information:
Posted: Saturday, February 20, 2010
Article comment by:
Do Your Own Research
Most statistics people put up are inaccurate: http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dog-bites/
From the same article:
Virtually all of the claims about the "unique damage that Pit bulls inflict" are made by individuals or special interest groups with no knowledge or experience in analyzing fatal dog bite injuries. For this reason, the NCRC feels compelled to address these tactics and claims.
Try researching before you spout off about what you think the doctor makes up.
Posted: Saturday, February 20, 2010
Article comment by:
Maxx Rocks
Although pit bulls may not have locking jaws, they are known to fight to the death. That is one of the reasons, they are the dog of choice for dog fighting. Which I will add is just plain old evil by the humans involved. Also, how many pit bulls are shot by law enforcement officers? Pit bulls guard drugs, etc., and they will protect their territory until the death.
In my opinion to many pit bulls are being bred and raised for the wrong reasons. There is a serious problem in our society with pit bulls living in family neighborhoods.
I would have preferred for Maxx to be attacked by a small dog than a pit bull. My life changed on May 17, 2008, thanks to a newly adopted pit bull living in on our street.
I am in my 50's and dogs have always been in our family, small dogs, big dogs including a German Shepard mix. The pit bull will fight to the death, that is a strong statement. Be part of the solution and admit there need to be stricter laws for dangerous dogs.
Posted: Saturday, February 20, 2010
Article comment by:
Rebecca Anonymous
Pit bulls are not a breed-it is a group of breeds. American Pit Bull Terrier is a breed and they are wonderful in general. Any dog can attack. I've been around dogs my entire life-including supposed bully breeds like Rotties, Dobies, APBT and chows. The only dogs that have attacked me have been small breeds-chihuahua, pekinese and cocker spaniel. The chihuahua also attacked his owner and she required plastic surgery.
I live next door to 2 pekinese dogs and they CONSTANTLy try to attack my dogs. One managed to get out and attack my supposedly aggressive, killer APBT mix. Did she kill him? No, she didn't even draw blood. She did pick him up with her mouth and toss him away and got plenty of slobber on him.
Any dog can be aggressive and attack. Blame owners and irresponsible people, not the APBT terrier breed or any other breed.
Posted: Saturday, February 20, 2010
Article comment by:
J. M.
"..the fact that pit-bulls have a much stronger capacity to bite than most other dogs..."
"Dr. Brisbin, as well as the other experts, testified that pit bulls do not have locking jaws. Based on actual dog dissections and measurement of their skulls, the evidence demonstrated that pit bull jaw muscles and bone structure are the same as other similarly sized dogs.
***No evidence was presented to demonstrate that a pit bull's bite is any stronger than other dogs of its size and build...."
"Dr. I. Lerh Brisbin, Ph.D. is a Senior Research Scientist with the Savanna River Ecology Laboratory University of South Carolina Professor: Expert in behavior, training, and handling of pit bull terriers and their anatomy "
For documented information visit NCRC http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/ncrc-research/
Posted: Friday, February 19, 2010
Article comment by:
Maxx Rocks
So the next time you hear disparaging and incredible accusations with regard to behavior aberrations by pit bulls or any other dog breed, you won't need a dictionary to sort out the realities of the situation. Try not to react emotionally but instead passionately respond by asking yourself the question, "Could there be an underlying set of circumstances or reasons that led to this unfortunate action?" Some things, including pit bulls, are truly not always as they seem.
So Dr. Lewis, when things do appear as they truly are, what is the answer? Who is responsible for the damage done by a pit bull or any dog? How do you not react emotionally when you suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? There are dog owners who can handle a pit bull and dog owners that can not. That statement is not emotion based.
Posted: Friday, February 19, 2010
Article comment by:
Maxx Rocks
So the next time you hear disparaging and incredible accusations with regard to behavior aberrations by pit bulls or any other dog breed, you won't need a dictionary to sort out the realities of the situation. Try not to react emotionally but instead passionately respond by asking yourself the question, "Could there be an underlying set of circumstances or reasons that led to this unfortunate action?" Some things, including pit bulls, are truly not always as they seem.
