4 Awesome Things You Probably Didn't Know about Pit Bulls

Without a doubt, pit bulls are one of the most misunderstood dog breeds today. They are viewed as vicious fighters, ready to attack at any moment; unfortunately, this bad reputation was given to them because they suffer at the hands of irresponsible ownership -- and they get all of the heat for it.  

Throughout history and in recent years, pit bulls have proven themselves to be friendly, loving and loyal friends. In fact, below are four awesome things you probably didn't know about this breed.

1. They did their duty…in war
When people say these dogs are fighters -- you bet they are. For hundreds of years, pit bulls have served in the armed forces with our brave men and women. If they weren't defending on the front, they were stirring up encouragement at home. During World War I, the American pit bull was a military mascot and featured on army recruitment posters. Their commitment to protect, defend and stand by our side makes these dogs some of the best around.

2. They were once the #1 American family dog
In the early 20^th century, pit bulls were the most popular breed of dog among families. Loyal, obedient and eager to play, these dogs were perfect, especially for families with children. In fact, they were commonly referred to as "The Nanny Dog." Families relied on pit bulls to babysit and keep their children safe. Just think about the beloved black-eyed patch pup, Petey from the classic movie, The Little Rascals.

3. They were and are owned by some pretty famous people
Many notable and famous people have been proud owners of pit bulls. Historical figures including President Woodrow Wilson, President Theodore Roosevelt, Helen Keller and Thomas Edison owned pit bulls. Today, TV personality Rachael Ray, actress Jessica Biel and John Stewart of The Daily Show are proud owners of pit bulls.

4. They are less aggressive than other dogs
While some deem these dogs as one of the most aggressive, a study confirms just the opposite: pit bulls are much less aggressive than other breeds towards their owners and when encountering strangers. As with all dogs, the best way to prevent any type of aggressive behavior is to start socializing your dog early. If you own American pit bull puppies, introduce them to other dog breeds immediately and make sure that they are well-trained.

Pit Bull Awareness Month: An Infographic

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Choosing the Best Dog Breed for Your Lifestyle

Deciding to take home any kind of pet is a huge responsibility. This animal will depend on you for food, shelter, affection, and, depending on the pet, a varying degree of attention and socialization. Each type of pet has its own merits, and like most other things, the pet that is right for one person may not be right for another. That being said, dogs are an extremely popular pet all across the world, and may have been domesticated as early as 32,000 years ago. There's a reason dogs are characterized as "Man's Best Friend," but if you decide to become a dog owner, there are a number of things you should take into consideration. 

Small Children

If you are looking for a family dog, specifically a breed that is known to get along well with children and other pets, you will want dog that has high energy, is easy to train, and is not very aggressive. It is ignorant to assume that every individual dog of a certain breed has the same characteristics across the board, but there are a number of breeds that tend to carry these desirable traits. A Bull Terrier, for example, has high energy and doesn't mind being rough-housed by little ones a bit. The Newfoundland is a very sweet a nurturing breed, and will keep a close watch over children. 

Living Space

The biggest mistake irresponsible dog owners make is selecting a breed that they do not have the space to accommodate. A high energy dog needs to be walked frequently and get plenty of exercise outdoors, so if you live in an apartment and do not have the time to take the dog out a few times a day, you are simply doing this animal a disservice by keeping it in your house. Border Collies, Vizslas and Greyhounds, for example, might have a great temperament, but will act up if they do not get the chance to expend some energy and run around outdoors. 

Grooming

This is not usually a huge issue, but certain breeds tend to shed much more than others, or require frequent bathing and brushing. If you are concerned about hair getting all over your house or do not have the patience or time to take proper care of grooming needs, dogs like retrievers and sheepdogs have very minimal shedding and don't require a ton of maintenance. 

Reputation

As previously stated, it is unwise to assume an entire breed carries the same traits. Some breeds, like the Rottweiler, the Pitbull, and the German Shepherd have gotten a bad reputation because of sensationalized stories or isolated incidents that were more often than not brought on by poor ownership and training. Blue Pitbulls have many of the traits that dog owners look for: they are easy to groom, protective and playful with children, and often adapt well to city environments or smaller living spaces if they are walked enough. Because of their toughness and reputations, breeds like these are associated with violence and disobedience, which often leads to dogs winding up in shelters where it is difficult for them to find homes. For this reason and many others, adopting or raising one of these breeds is often a very rewarding experience.

Why Are People Afraid of Pitbulls?

It goes without saying that the pitbulls are the number one most feared dogs in the eyes of the public.  There are countless stories in the media regarding pitbull attacks, various maulings, their use in dog fighting rings, and so on.  The problem is that in our modern society, people don't like to dig any deeper than they have to, and take everything at face value.  Insurance companies often refuse to offer cover homeowners who own these types of dogs because of the "risks" associated with owning one.  What they don't realize is that the pitbull is a normal dog breed just like any other; a breed is akin to a human wearing a particular type of clothing, it tells nothing about the animal within.  Dogs that attack other creatures are created and perpetuated by their owners, not the breed itself.

To explain the history of the pitbull, you have to look first at their origin.  There are two theories on how the breed originated.  One theory is that they came from an extinct breed called the Molossus, which was a type of dog used by the Greeks to herd sheep.  It is said that it eventually made its way over to England, and became the mastiff. Their use was primarily as war dogs, and they were undoubtedly the forefathers of the modern pitbull. 

The other theory is that the dog came into being around the time of the Norman Conquest, where they were used as "bull biters".  The dog would latch on to the nose of angry or enraged bulls and held on until the bull would calm down or be subdued.  In fact, this led to bull-baiting, where the dogs were placed in a pit and bets were laid down to see which could hold on the longest.  This was the origin of the term "pitbull".

As they moved throughout the centuries, the pitbull gained the reputation of being a "killing machine", mostly due to how humans utilized them. Again, the point needs to be stressed that the way humans shaped and grew the pitbull was to inflict violence on other creatures, and to serve as attack dogs in the early part of their history. In fact, because of their history in regards to fighting, the American Kennel Club would not recognize the breed until the year 1936.

This is just a short glimpse as to why pitbulls are viewed negatively in the eye of the public.  The reality is that they are a sweet and gentle, yet strong and courageous breed that can be shaped into the ultimate companion.  If you are considering bully pitbull puppies for sale, rest assured that they will make wonderful pets for you and your family.    

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