Come closer. They won't bite

By Natalie Miller
210 west Content Editor [send email]

I became a proud dog owner last year of an adorable black-and-white bundle of energy. But my joy at finally having a dog of my own was tainted – the same week we adopted Bailey, I found out that she was a breed that was part of the “pit bull” family. And the way I found out was that Staffordshire Bull Terrier was printed on a proposed piece of legislation banning her from a nearby suburb. Even though she is not a purebred, mixes of any of those breeds are included, too. I was shocked.

I became immersed in the subject, and found that even dog lovers have their prejudices against certain breeds. The portrayal of pit bulls in movies and the news is as an unpredictable monster, ready to strike out at innocent victims with their “locking jaws.” This ideology in pop culture, accelerated by rap videos and horror movies (pit bulls are often portrayed as hounds of hell) leads to people fearing them even when they are just acting like dogs – sniffing, jumping, wagging and running.

In reality, well-bred members of the bulldog family score very high on temperament tests, on average higher than the popular retrievers. As pets, their powerful haunches and flat head are awesome and regal. I’m not sure anyone believes me when I say that. I didn’t get her to be a bad-ass, I just thought she was a great dog.

What I wish people would gain is an understanding of the canine-human relationship and our large responsibility in molding our pets into constructive, rather than destructive, beings. People who have well-socialized and well-behaved dogs understand the wonderful companionship and spontenaity that owning a dog can bring. But there are many people who fear dogs for their unpredictability, and the damage they can cause.

Whose given these dogs a bad name? Well, dog fighters, for one. Although illegal in every state, this practice continues. Dogs are often tortured to make them meaner, and are forced to fight in filthy backyard or basement pits.

One of the reasons the bulldog breeds are prized by fighters is that they were originally bred for bull-baiting, another old barbaric sport. Their muscular bodies, high tolerance for pain and particular tenacity make them excel as fighters, although it is gruesome.

But as a pet, these are these same attributes have an appeal. That same muscular body and ready-for-anything attitude are advantages for a hike in the woods, even if you get lost. And that high tolerance for pain prevents nipping when ears or tail are pulled unsuspectingly. These dogs are also extremely loyal, and even sensitive. The dogs genetics dictate their propensity for physical activity, but human conditioning dictates what that activity is.

An example of the emotional rather than logical is that opponents of bully breeds cite their genetic propensity for aggression as matter of fact, but include mixed breeds too. So following the idea that pit bulls are pure evil, even a drop of their blood mixed with an angelic breed, such as a Lab or beagle, taints that dog completely. This is ridiculous – how can that behavior be transferred by blood? It can be genetic, but with a mixed breed, how can you know what traits will be inherited or revealed?

Another group giving these dogs a bad name is state and city legislators, who often pass bans and restrictions based on public panic; not on the facts. Although highly publicized, dog attacks are rare. Dog bites are much more common, particularly among children. People who fear dogs may feel safer thinking that they can identify a dog that will bite by the shape of her head, but mixed breeds bite the most, simply because there are more of them. And the mostly likely dog to bite you is yours or your neighbor’s, simply because of the increased exposure.

And there’re the bad owners to blame for the bad publicity too. People who get a dog who looks tough, and chain it up in the back yard. Or just ignore it. A dog of any breed mistreated will inevitably be a menace. As the breed bans expand to Chows, Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers, I would like the people would see the absurdity of trying to classify “bad breeds,” rather than address the issue of biting and damage from individual mistreated dogs.

Experts know the profile of a dog who will bite, and where. The most likely dog to bite: an unneutered male who has been chained up. Where? On the owner’s property while off a leash. The least likely? While being walked on a leash off the property. It’s not about the breed, it’s about the behavior of the owner and the training of the dog. Temperament is not evenly spread across a breed, but down the line of decendents. No reputable breeder will breed a dog with a bad temperament.

Breed bans have sprung up across the nation in response to singular incidents, which is easy to do with enough gory details and emotional haranguing. But what these laws do are prevent good people with potentially good dogs from properly socializing, and these wonderful dogs from being adopted by good people. Banned dogs don’t get enough exercise, attention or medical care, which could all lead to bad behavior. I’m sure that someone will point out that a “bulldog” biting will cause more damage because of the aforementioned strength and tenacity: my response to that is that proper training becomes all the more necessary.

If laws and communities want to address the real issues of responsibility and dog violence, they should educate and legislate better treatment of animals. Animal abuse and neglect are the real culprits, and training your dog to be a killer is included in my definition of abuse. Dogs are social animals by nature who aim to please their human companions. What we want them to do for us to be pleased is our responsibility.

Meanwhile, my “pit bull” lounges calmly on the couch while my black laborador puppy bites her face and growls. She takes with the grace and patience of a well-loved dog.