On the very day I was brought home as a newborn, I was introduced to Cassidy.

Cassidy, a 120 pound German Shepherd, was pure muscle, with a bark so loud it could be heard across the Rocky Mountains. But what most people didn't understand was he also had a heart of gold-- a heart of gold that was backed by an instinct of protection. While I was growing up, from the time I was an infant to the moment Cassidy passed at the age of 12, he was always on guard and protecting against any harm that may have been directed towards our family. While I was an infant Cassidy would panic and alert any adult while I was crying or upset, and this transitioned into my toddler and childhood years as he was always on watch while I was playing outside. There was always a sense of trust and safety that came with him. Sure he did chase after the mailman and bark at any new stranger, but he would never hurt a soul unless of course his family was in trouble.

Just because he was a German Shepherd, it didn't mean he was labeled as “aggressive”, “dangerous”, or even worse as a “bully breed” that needed to be banned. To my family Cassidy was just our family dog, a dog we loved very much and a dog that gave us even more love back.

The dog breeds under attack of labeling and stereotyping include Dobermans, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Husky-types, Pitbulls and several other breeds. By carrying this stereotype on them, it is not merely a matter of discrimination due to certain opinions toward certain breeds, but has extended and progressed to bans, the belief that they are unadoptable, and even the inability to receive some insurances.

So what happened in these past few years?

Why did we let headlines and rumors shape our whole understanding of these breeds and in return deny them of ever giving them a chance? A chance to prove to us that they are just as loyal and loving as any breed of dog. Why are our shelters still filled with these “bully breeds” or “dangerous breeds” and our cities and neighborhoods still rejecting them? Above all though there is the idea that we as humans, are majorly contradicting ourselves. Between us humans we have been striving for equality including loving each other regardless of our ethnicity, looks or background.

But how can this idea of equality exist when we are discriminating against our own dogs? Sure the past will always remain, with past headlines of another dog attack inflicted on a person or another animal resting in the back of societies' mind. The truth however, is that it’s not the dog itself developing these harmful behaviors, but in reality it is the human bullying the dog. As research shows, these dogs are not aggressive or dangerous by nature, but instead have been trained to develop those qualities or have developed them through a series of abuse or even more simply, poor socialization. In truth, they are well capable of the same love and loyalty that could be given to you by a labrador or any other breed known for their friendly demeanor.

So lets not bully our dogs and instead, strive to be as loving and good-hearted as our dogs like to think we are. We can not pride ourselves on an idea of equality when we are still discriminating against these breeds, but instead we should recognize by now that they deserve the same equality as us. There is plenty of puppy love to go around for those who are willing to give these breeds a chance.

Give these 'bully breeds' a chance and who knows what can happen? Your next loving partner could be a 120 pound German Shepherd with a heart of pure gold. I hope you are as lucky as I was.