American Pitt Bull Terrier Essay -- Animal Research

If you were told a story about a woman who was mauled so viciously by a dog that she had to undergo the worlds first face transplant. What breed would initially come to your mind? If you said a Pit papal bull, you argon among the majority, but you would be wrong. It was a Labrador retriever. Why do you think so many people would assume it was a Pit misrepresent? In the 1900s, the American Pit Bull Terrier was commonly portrayed on American war propaganda posters to represent the countrys strength, determination, and dignity. The loyal and loving breed has been a companion to people such as Helen Keller, President Theodore Roosevelt, President Woodrow Wilson, Thomas Edison, and familiar George Patton. Today, the American Pit Bull Terrier is inaccurately identified as a violent, aggressive and an unpredictable breed of dog. What is the truth about the American Pit Bull Terrier? Are they truly the monsters described by Oklahoma State Representative Paul Wesselhoft as gargoyle appeari ng animal with claws and fangs the size of a tigers (Bellamy 10A) or are they simply misunderstood? How has this breeds image gone from one extreme to the other over the past years? The American Pit Bull Terrier can be traced back to England in the 19th century where initially the breed was created to combine the gameness, speed, and agility of a Terrier with the strength and athleticism of a bulldog (Bolhafner 39). According to Stahlkuppe, gameness is the willingness of a dog to continue fighting, or hunting, or pulling a cart, or defending its owner, through great stress, intense pain, and eve until death (61). Stahlkuppe goes on to describe the Pit Bulls gameness as Awe inspiring (61). Once in America the breed was initially utilized in bear and bull baiti... ...t is to be a loving family pet, household protector, competitor, or fighter. It is up to the owner to properly train and socialize their dog, convey them what they want and the Pitt Bull will be sure to meet whatever d emands we place in front of them. Works CitedAmerican Pit Bull Terrier ukcdogs.com. revise 1 Nov 2008 Web. 22 May 2012.Bellamy, Louise. Pit bulls are loyal, loving dogs The Oaklahoman 18 July. 2005 pg.10A. PrintBolhanfner, Stephen. Meet the American Staffordshire/ pit bull terrier St. Louis Post dispatch 7 May. 2005 pg 39. Print. Devlin, Mike. Top 10 banned dog breeds Listverse.com. 24 Aug 2011. Web. 23 May 2012. Dorsey, Jannie. Pit bull earns top dog rank in bites Tampa Tribune 28 July. 2009 pg 4. Print.Stahlkuppe, Joe. The American Pitt Bull Terrier Handbook. Hauppauge, New York Barrons, 2000. Print.