Saving the American Pit Bull Terrier

What if Poodles were banned worldwide? What if everyone walked in the other direction when your Labrador was out for a stroll? What if you weren%u2019t able to get insurance because you owned a Yorkie? This is what American Pit Bull Terrier owners are going through. Is it really fair for some dog owners to have to go through discrimination because they own certain breeds of dogs? Once the American Pit Bull Terrier was an American icon, a breed that was honored by many. President Theodore Roosevelt owned one, as did Helen Keller. Petey from Our Gang (The Little Rascals) was an American Pit Bull Terrier. This breed has a reputation that it most definitely does not deserve. Most people look upon American Pit Bull Terrier owners with disgust, automatically naming them as thugs and drug dealers. The dogs do not fair well either, being looked upon as vicious man-eaters and killers.

Does the APBT or their owners deserve this reputation? No. Once, not too long ago, the APBT was the #1 family dog, known by its nickname: %u201CThe Nanny Dog%u201D for its great love of children. It was featured on World War II posters representing the United States of America. It was looked upon as an icon of loyalty, love and honesty. The real American Pit Bull Terrier%u2019s only desire is to love and please its owner. So what went wrong? Why is the APBT not looked upon in the same way it was less that fifty years ago? When dog enthusiasts wanted to stop the cruelty of dog fighting, they attracted the media. The media did not aim their camera%u2019s at the horrible thugs fighting the dogs, but at the mangled dogs who were just doing what their owners wanted them to. Soon, various people of not-so-good backgrounds wanted these dogs, but when realizing that they were not aggressive towards humans began to cross breed them with aggressive dogs, purebreds or mixed breeds%u2026creating the dog that they wanted, with the strong appearance of the APBT. Now, these mutts are ruining the name of the real American Pit Bull Terrier, which breed enthusiasts have continued to preserve through these hard times for the breed. Also, the media has realized that the word %u201CPit Bull%u201D attracts attention, and thus are using it for all dog attacks, whether or not the dog that was the source of the attack was an American Pit Bull Terrier. American Bulldogs, Am Staffs, Labradors and even breeds that do not look like APBTs, such as Toy Fox Terrier attacks are classified as %u201CPit Bull Attacks.%u201D

Many American Pit Bull Terriers are working as Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, even Police Dogs, helping make our world a better place, but does the media ever pick up on these stories? Of course, not! Why would the media ever put goodie-good stories on the news? They never would because people don%u2019t want that, people want gossip, people want shocking stories, people most definitely do not want to see this %u201CVicious Killer Breed of Dog%u201D doing what it does best%u2026LOVE! Over the years, thanks to American Pit Bull Terrier breed enthusiasts, we have seen more people understanding this breed%u2026but sadly, it is not enough. Education of the public is essential, but this is not something that can be done alone. Having this American Icon, the APBT, banned is just the same as banning the Bald Eagle, a symbol of America. It is unfair and unjust to ban any breed of dog%u2026whether it be APBT, Rottweiler, Akita, or even Labrador, it is not fair that an entire breed should perish for the act of an irresponsible dog owner, or bad breeding. Aggression is not something that is naturally present in a dog, a dog is not aggressive genetically, aggression is something that is learned over time, either by bad experiences or lack of socialization, which would both be through the faults of the owner or breeder.

American Pit Bull Terriers are going through terrible circumstances because of their unearned reputation. Many shelters immediately euthanize American Pit Bull Terriers, whether or not they have an owner. APBT owners have their dogs seized from them because they are going through a state or city were American Pit Bull Terriers are banned, without the knowledge of the owner. This amazing breed needs out help, and we are their only voice!