“A man’s best friend” is a common phrase used to describe lovable canines, but some dogs are seen as a man’s worst fear. From fight dogs to vicious animals, the pit bull breed has an awful reputation. Simply walking a pit bull for a little exercise can lead to terrified looks, and hurried street crossings. Children have been taught to shy away from dogs that are muscular because those dogs appear aggressive. Pit bulls are not mean, attack dogs; the pit bull breed is actually loving and gentle. Pit bulls may seem rough and tough, but, in reality, these dogs are merely protective.
People are terrified that pit bulls are ruthless, attack animals, but such allegations are far from reality. Two years ago, my family rescued a pit bull named Diesel from a breeding ring. He had a broken back leg and was terrified. My family took him to the vet, fixed his leg, and welcomed him into our life. Diesel was terrified to be near humans, but with gentle and persistent training, we were able to change Diesel into the loving, energetic, friendly dog he is today. He runs up to meet newcomers with a sloppy kiss and the wagging of his tail. Diesel has never tried to attack a person; instead, he runs to meet me as I return home every night, saying hello and following me happily to the door. Diesel gets scared very easily, even running from the bounce of a basketball. My pit bull loves to play fetch and run through the sprinkler on hot, summer days. Why does society allow such negative allegations revolving pit bulls to remain?
Pit bulls are expected to turn on their owners. However, my uncle has had numerous pit bulls, and he promises that the pit breed produces the best dogs ever. One of his pit bulls lived with him since birth and stayed with him until the pup passed away. His dog was protective, yet gentle, throughout his entire lifespan. My uncle’s current pit bull, Silas, is getting older, but he still manages to protect my uncle and his family. While spending the night with my cousins, Silas decided that I should have company in the big, dark basement; he slept next to me the entire night, never once making an aggressive move. Silas has lived with my uncle and his family for his entire life and has never turned or been aggressive towards my uncle or his wife and kids. My uncle has instilled his trust in the pit bull breed and has not been let down.
There is no doubt that some pit bulls are dangerous; even so, aggressiveness is all in the manner in which each individual dog is raised. Pit bulls and any other type of dog are going to reflect what they are taught. If a dog is taught to be aggressive and barbaric, that dog will follow their owner’s lessons. Nonetheless, any breed of dog can be gentle and caring. Pit bulls can protect children and their owners for the extent of their life. Pit bulls do not have to be mean, vicious, fight dogs; instead, they must be raised in a manner that makes the breed want to be gentle, yet protective. A pit bull’s mannerism is immediately influenced by the way in which the dog is taught.
Pit bulls may seem scary and mean. However, pit bulls do not have to be given a reputation to which people fear. Today’s society needs to band together and stop this unfair stereotyping and recreate the image of the pit bull breed. As a fellow pit bull owner, I can vouch for the caring and loving side of this type of dog. Pit bulls are not vicious, mindless creatures; they are taught how to act. Do not let one bad experience determine the way in which someone views a pit bull. Set the record straight. Pit bulls are not mean, attack dogs; they can be loving and caring creatures with a little bit of love and trust.
