Misconceptions About Pitbull Bites

There are many misconceptions about dogs labeled as 'pitbulls,' especially regarding the strength and severity of their bites. Common misconceptions suggest pitbulls have 'locking' jaws, possess the most powerful bite, or are more likely to 'snap' and bite without warning than other breeds. However, these claims are entirely unfounded and contradicted by a number of scientific studies on dog bites. Below, we provide evidence from scientific research and insights from veterinary experts that effectively debunk these misconceptions, which contribute to unnecessary fear and lead to ineffective public safety policies, such as breed-specific legislation (BSL). Unfortunately, these misconceptions also negatively affect shelter adoption rates for pitbull-type dogs and other dogs or mixes labeled as 'pitbulls' based solely on their appearance.

Science-based Facts About Bites 📑

Locking Jaws

  • "Every year the media hype continues with a perpetual series of disinformation, myth, and distortions that bedevil the bull breeds. The American Pit Bull Terrier and all the related bull breeds are dogs. They are anatomically and physiologically no different from the Labrador Retriever or the Poodle." —Dr. T.E. Houston
  • "We found that the American Pit Bull Terriers did not have any unique mechanism that would allow these dogs to lock their jaws. There were no mechanical or morphological differences (between pitbull-type dogs and other dogs)." —Dr. I.L. Brisbin
  • Dogs of all breeds can exhibit 'bite and hold' and 'shaking' behaviors when biting. These behaviors have been traced back to wolves (the ancestors of domestic dogs) and can, therefore, be found in all breeds. For example, dogs of all breeds can display these behaviors when playing with toys such as ropes and stuffed animals.
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Bite Strength

  • While bite strength can vary significantly between individual dogs of the same breed, the average bite strength of pitbull-type dogs has been measured to be 235psi — 28% lower than the average bite strength of 325psi across the breeds tested and fully in line with other dogs of similar sizes and strengths. For example, the bite strengths of German Shepherds and Rottweilers were both measured to be stronger at 238psi and 328psi, respectively. In fact, the breed with the most powerful bite is the Kangal, which has been measured to be 743psi — over 3x stronger than the bite strength of pitbull-type dogs.
  • Scientific studies have determined that the strength of an individual dog's bite is directly related to its overall size and strength, not its breed. Furthermore, none of the referenced studies list breed as a relevant factor affecting bite force in their conclusions.
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Bite Severity

  • A recent study that analyzed medical records on serious dog bite-related incidents concluded that there is no difference, in the medical treatment required following a bite or in the type of bite inflicted, between bites by breeds stereotyped as 'dangerous' (breeds targeted by BSL such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and pitbull-type dogs) and other breeds of similar sizes and strengths that are not stereotyped as 'dangerous' (breeds such as Boxers, Bulldogs, and Labrador Retrievers).
  • After analyzing a comprehensive collection of scientific and expert sources, including numerous scientific studies, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) concluded: "Controlled studies have not identified this breed group (pitbull-type dogs) as disproportionately dangerous."
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Aggression & Biting Without Warning

  • Since 2016, over 80 different breeds have been reported in dog bite-related fatalities (DBRFs), confirming that serious dog-bite incidents are not a breed-specific issue. This data also confirms that many breeds can, unfortunately, have unstable individuals who can bite without warning (aka 'snapping'), causing serious incidents or DBRFs.
  • A study that analyzed canine aggression in different breeds concluded: "Comparing the results of non-legislated breeds (such as Golden Retrievers and Poodles) and breeds affected by legislation (such as pitbull-type dogs, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds), no significant difference in aggression was found — a scientific basis for breed-specific lists does not exist."
  • Another study concluded: "It would be inappropriate to make assumptions about an individual animal's risk of aggression to people based on characteristics such as breed."
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Errors in Medical Studies On Dog Bites

  • ​A selection of disputed limited-scope medical studies, commonly referenced by special-interest groups that support BSL, suggest that bites by pitbull-type dogs are more severe than bites by other dogs. To investigate the data and claims made in these studies, a recent study titled "Defaming Rover: Error-Based Latent Rhetoric in the Medical Literature on Dog Bites" conducted an in-depth qualitative review of these studies and concluded that they contain rhetoric and misinformation, including: "clear-cut factual errors, misinterpretations, omissions, emotionally loaded language, and exaggerations based on misunderstood or inaccurate statistics." Consequently, these studies are unreliable sources for breed-specific risk information as they contain errors and invalid methods. Some were even found to include cherry-picked data to support unscientific conclusions.
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characterization of Bites By Pitbulls

  • The term 'pitbull' has become an umbrella term loosely used to describe many different medium-sized, short-haired breeds and mixes with physical features typical of various bully-type breeds — with over 20 different breeds and numerous mixes sharing physical traits common to those in the pitbull-type category. Therefore, assigning any bite characteristic to 'pitbulls' in general, or even to a dog type, is a flawed and problematic proposition, given the diversity of breeds and mixes that can be labeled as 'pitbulls.'
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A Logical Conclusion 🐶

Research from multiple studies, along with insights from veterinary experts, has disproven the misconception that bites from pitbull-type dogs are inherently different or more severe than those from other breeds of similar size and strength. This is, of course, not comparing the bites of pitbull-type dogs to the bites of smaller breeds like Chihuahuas or Dachshunds, but rather to other large or strong breeds such as Akitas, Bullmastiffs, Cane Corsos, Dobermans, Dogo Argentinos, German Shepherds, Huskies, and Rottweilers, among others. Can pitbulls cause injuries? Of course, but the same is true for many other strong breeds and mixed breeds. The reality about the severity of dog bites, which is also a logical conclusion supported by a robust amount of scientific evidence, is that the severity of a dog's bite is more closely related to its overall size, strength, and energy — than to its breed.