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​Are pitbull-type dogs different from other dogs?

10/18/2018

 
pit bull type dog
Many advocacy campaigns benefiting "pitbull-type" dogs take place in October and while most call them "awareness" campaigns, we like to call them "education" campaigns. Below, we answer the question: "Are pitbull-type dogs different from other dogs?" and debunk a number of myths, misconceptions, and stereotypes with facts and science. So for this year's "National Pitbull Education Month" please like and share this post and/or our www.pitbullinfo.org website to help educate others, debunk myths, and to spread the word about how wonderful pitbull-type dogs (and all dogs) really are.

What is a "pit bull"?

​Pitbull-type dogs were originally bred in England in the early 19th century as crossbreed between a bulldog and a terrier (then called "Bull and Terriers") to be working dogs on farms to herd, protect, and manage livestock. Today, there are 4+ distinct breeds that are commonly considered "pitbull-type" breeds including the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. However, there are also over 20 other unique breeds plus a variety of mixed breed dogs that share the same or similar physical characteristics that are typically found in pitbull-type dogs such as a "blocky" head. Furthermore, the term "pit bull" is not a breed - historically, it was an informal and slang term that was used to describe any dog that was used for the cruel sport of "bull baiting" (using dogs to seize tethered animals such as bulls within an enclosed area called a "pit"). While many different breeds were used for this sport, dogs that resemble today's bully breeds were commonly used - it was not an activity limited to today's pitbull-type breeds. More recently, the term "pit bull" has become a generic term that is used to describe dogs that fall into the broad "pitbull-type" category which includes many different breeds and mixes based on their appearance.

Sources/references:
  • Pitbull-type dogs - breeds and pictures
  • The term "pit bull" is not a breed
  • Looks really don't matter

Are "pitbull-type" dogs more dangerous than other strong breed dogs?

​Scientific studies and expert information have made this answer relatively straightforward - No. Data sourced from a CDC study identifies 30+ breeds associated with fatal dog attacks over a 20 year period and since only 2016, at least 24 different breeds have been involved in fatal dog attacks - confirming that serious dog bite-related incidents are not a breed-specific issue but instead, an issue associated with most large or strong breed dogs (regardless of breed). Additionally, the data from the CDC study reveals that the risk rates of pitbull-type dogs are fully in-line with other strong breeds. Other peer-reviewed studies have reached similar conclusions such as breed does not determine risk. This is of course not comparing pitbull-type dogs to smaller dogs like Chihuahuas or French Bulldogs but instead, to other strong breed dogs such as Dogo-Argentinos, Cane-Corsos, Bullmastiffs, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds (and many other strong breeds) which are all associated with some risk - not because of their breed or any "inherent risk", but simply because of their size and strength. Furthermore, the myth that pitbull-type dogs have locking jaws and a more severe bite than other strong breeds is also completely false.

Sources/references:
  • Multiple peer-reviewed studies
  • Risk rates of "pitbull-type" dogs are fully in-line with other strong breeds
  • Over 30 breeds associated with fatal dog attacks in a 20 year CDC study
  • Since 2016, at least 24 different breeds have been involved in fatal dog attacks
  • Pitbull-type dogs do not have a more severe bite than other strong breeds

What about temperament, are "pitbull-type" dogs more aggressive than other dogs?

​Again, no. According to the latest ATTS breed temperament test data, the unique breeds commonly assigned to the broad "pitbull-type" category continue to achieve excellent temperament scores - scoring in the top 23% of all breeds tested. Furthermore, pitbull-type dogs are consistently successful as service dogs, as therapy dogs, as K9 police dogs, and as family pets. Because of their excellent temperament, they have become increasingly popular dogs and we estimate that up to 20% (18 million) of dogs in the U.S. can be classified as "pitbull-type" dogs and their mixes based on the fact that pitbull-type dogs are the 3rd most popular dog type adopted from shelters and the 5th most popular dog type registered by veterinarians. Furthermore, the shelter and veterinary data confirms that "pitbull-type" dogs are growing in popularity in U.S. households which wouldn't be the case if they had a questionable or negative temperament.

Sources/references:
  • Multiple peer-reviewed studies
  • ATTS breed temperament scores
  • ASPCA dog population data

​What about public sentiment, isn’t the public hesitant about "pitbull-type" dogs?

A lot of progress has been made in debunking misinformation, myths, and stereotypes about pitbull-type dogs in the last 5-10 years which has been slowly but surely transforming public sentiment from negative to positive when it comes to pitbull-type dogs. While there is still a lot of advocacy and work to be done, the tide has noticeably changed and is improving for our pitbull-type family members as evidenced by the number of towns and cities that have repealed ineffective and discriminatory breed-specific legislation (BSL) in 2018 alone and by voters in Springfield, MO that recently rejected a proposed breed-specific ban by a wide margin. More and more, pitbull-type dogs are being recognized for what they truly are - great dogs with excellent temperaments that deserve a loving and happy life like all other dogs do.

Sources/references:
  • Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) - facts and information
  • In 2018 alone, over 10 cities in the U.S. have repealed BSL
  • Voters in Springfield, MO rejected a ban against pitbull-type dogs by a landslide

What about those other "statistics" and media reports about incidents involving "pitbull-type" dogs?

We could go into a long and comprehensive discussion on this topic debunking the typical "statistics" published by fear-based tabloids and special-interest organizations - but instead, we’ll just make a few key points:
  • First, grouping together all dog bite-related incidents for 4+ unique breeds, 20+ breeds with similar physical characteristics, and the numerous different mixed breeds that comprise the generic "pitbull-type" category into one bucket and calling them all "pitbulls" will undoubtedly lead to flawed and inflated "statistics" (that are nothing more than fear-based propaganda). Furthermore, it is not mathematically or scientifically appropriate to compare the statistics of an entire generic category of dogs to other singular unique breeds (e.g. comparing statistics for the broad "pitbull-type" category to other unique breeds such as German Shepherds). This is the equivalent of comparing accident statistics for all 2-door sedans (a generic car category) to the statistics for a specific car model like a Honda Civic (the "breed" in this comparison) - of course the statistics for all "2-door sedans" will be higher than the statistics for Honda Civics, but this comparison would be scientifically invalid and statistically misleading.
  • Second, simply "counting incidents" without factoring in breed population sizes is not a valid method for determining risk. In order to assess any breed specific risk, risk must be measured using dog bite incidents relative to a breed's population size to calculate a risk rate (incidents ÷ population size). Calculating a risk rate is a universal standard and a scientifically accepted method for assessing risk. When using a scientifically valid risk rate, the risk rate of pitbull-type dogs is determined to be fully in-line with other strong breeds.
  • Third, scientific studies have concluded that media reports are a poor source for breed information with a high percentage of discrepancies (over 40%) between the breed reported in the media and the subsequent breed identification by animal control; additionally, the studies concluded that pitbull-type dogs overall have average misidentification rates of 50% (meaning that a dog is visually identified as a pitbull-type but in fact does not have any significant DNA signatures from any of the pitbull-type breeds). Therefore, approximately half of all media reports incorrectly identify the dog as a "pitbull-type" when reporting incidents and approximately half of dogs in shelters identified as "pitbull-type" are also mislabeled (leading to owners misidentifying their dog's breed as well). Breed misidentification is yet another factor contributing to inaccurate, inflated, and misleading "statistics" for pitbull-type dogs and dog attacks in general.

So, are "pitbull-type" dogs different from other dogs?

The simple answer is no, pitbull-type dogs are not different, unique, or special in any way from other dogs. As discussed above, the facts and scientific studies show that they are no different than other strong dogs and as with all strong breed dogs (such as Dogo-Argentinos, Cane-Corsos, Bullmastiffs, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, and many other strong breeds), pitbull-type dogs and their many mixes require responsible ownership for happy pets and families. While all dogs deserve responsible ownership, strong breed dogs especially require it to help ensure everyone's happiness and safety. But regardless of the science and the experts, those familiar with pitbull-type dogs already know that they are wonderful dogs that provide unconditional love, companionship, and happiness to anyone that is fortunate enough to have them in their lives.

#ItsBullAwareness

Finally, please take a moment to watch this great short video about "Pitbull Awareness Month" - a big thanks to Animal Farm Foundation for this informative and educational video. The campaign's information is also available at: itsbullawareness.org which is a great website to share.

Pitbull-Type Dogs Continue to Achieve Excellent Temperament Scores

10/5/2018

 
breed temperament scores
According to the latest ATTS breed temperament test data, the unique breeds commonly assigned to the broad "pitbull-type" category continue to achieve excellent temperament scores - scoring in the top 23% of all breeds tested. Furthermore, the average score for pitbull-type breeds was better than 100 of the 130 breeds included in this statistic - in other words, in the top 30 of 130 breeds tested (top 23%). The ATTS data reflects similar conclusions found in scientific studies and provides further evidence that the behavior, trainability, and overall disposition (all factors related to temperament) of pitbull-type dogs is excellent. The data, sources, and scores used for this statistic are all provided below.
The ATTS test focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog’s instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat. The test is designed for the betterment of all breeds of dogs and takes into consideration each breed’s inherent tendencies.
- ATTS (American Temperament Test Society, Inc.)
Temperament data, sources, and scores:
  • This statistic includes the 130 breeds that have a test size of 25 or more dogs using the latest available ATTS breed temperament test data (December, 2017).
  • Average score for 130 breeds included in this statistic: 82.7%
  • Average score for 3 individual pitbull-type breeds (listed below): 87.9%
  • Highest score for a breed (not pitbull-type): 96.2%
  • Lowest score for a breed (not pitbull-type): 56.9%
  • Number of breeds (out of 130) that scored lower than the average score for pitbull-type breeds: 100
  • Average score of 87.9% for pitbull-type breeds is higher than 100 (or 77%) of 130 breeds tested.
  • Average score of 87.9% for pitbull-type breeds is in the top 30 (top 23%) of 130 breeds tested.
  • American Pitbull Terrier score: 87.4%
  • American Staffordshire Terrier score: 85.5%
  • ​Staffordshire Bull Terrier score: 90.9%
  • Source: All ATTS breed temperament test data is publicly available at: https://atts.org/breed-statistics/
  • Note: To date, the American Bully (the 4th breed commonly assigned to the broad pitbull-type category) has not been included in ATTS testing, so this breed's score is currently unavailable. The American Bully should not be confused with the American Bulldog (ATTS score: 86.9%) which is a unique breed that is not considered a "pitbull-type" breed.
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