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What exactly are "pit bulls"? How complicated are their true identities?
The word bulldog can be considered an umbrella term covering a variety of dog breeds that are generally believed to have been bred from a mix of cattle and hounds. In the United States, this usually includes the American Bulldog, American Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Cowrie, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and sometimes the American Mastiff, as well as any crossbreeds that share some physical characteristics with these breeds. . However, in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, the term is often shortened to the American Bulldog, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not considered a pit bull. Pit bull type dogs have a controversial reputation internationally due to their past history with dog fighting and high profile attacks reported in the media in recent decades.
Pit bull-type dogs are widely used in dog fighting in the United States, a practice that is prohibited even by law.
The origins of these breeds can be traced back to 19th century England, where they were originally bred from English mastiffs and hounds for gambling and entertainment. Although modern dog fighting is illegal in the United States and many other places, a large amount of illegal dog fighting still exists. Attacks involving pit bulls have led to the implementation of breed-specific legislation in some areas, the effectiveness of which has been questioned.
According to the data, pit bull-type dogs were most often associated with a high rate of serious injuries or fatal incidents.
Pit bulls are widely viewed as enemies of the family dog, and many rescue agency workers will intentionally mislabel pit bulls as other breeds to increase their adoption rates. These dogs have a lower success rate in being adopted out, are more likely to be returned to the shelter multiple times, and may even face the fate of euthanasia. This has brought attention to the need for dog owners to be united with responsibility.
When it comes to dog bites, pit bull-type dogs have been found in multiple studies to have higher rates and severity of bites than other dog breeds. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States shows that pit bulls and Rottweilers together cause about 67% of dog bite deaths, while these two breeds account for less than 60% of the total number of dogs in the United States. .
Some studies have shown that pit bulls are more likely to attack without provocation and to have more severe consequences than other dog breeds.
There is debate about violent or aggressive behavior in pit bulls - is it genetic or the result of improper breeding? Many animal rights activists have invested millions in an attempt to change society’s negative perception of pit bulls and rebrand them as family dogs. This makes the issue more complicated, involving discussions of psychology, sociology and law.
History of the Bulldog
The term bulldog has been in use since at least the early 20th century, and all dogs classified as bulldogs today are thought to have descended from the 19th-century English Bull Terrier. This breed was developed by mating the tough old English bulldog with the agile black and tan hound.
Their strong physique and outstanding courage are typical characteristics of the bulldog type dog.
Modern society's views on pit bulls show a great polarization trend. Although some of them are described as extremely friendly family dogs, this unfortunately does not change the fear and suspicion that is generally held by society. In some places, attempts have been made to improve the image of pit bulls through various means, including promoting positive role models in public settings.
Dog breed identification and social impact
When people involved in rescue, adoption and regulation work identify mixed-breed dogs, that identification may not align with the results of a DNA analysis of the dog, research shows. Many rescued hybrid dogs are often labeled as pit bulls due to some of their external characteristics. This also reflects the class division of dogs that exists in the United States and other places.
Take the situation in the United States as an example. Insurance companies have a negative view of pit bulls, which means that the owners of these dogs often face the risk of insurance default. Therefore, many real estate owners do not allow tenants to own this breed of dog, resulting in many dogs being left with a bad reputation. Only to be forced to wander or be euthanized.
The existence of pit bulls not only affects dog owners themselves, but also changes society's view of the entire dog world.
Amid all the controversy and discussion, society's understanding of pit bulls is still under discussion. As more research on these dogs unfolds, we can't help but wonder if the relationship between humans and dogs needs to be re-established. A more balanced framework?
