So you have decided to adopt a dog, opting to adopt one from the shelter (good choice, #adoptdontshop folks) but when you walk into the shelter, it seems that kennel after kennel is some deviation of a bully breed. Each flier reads "pit bull terrier mix," "bulldog mix," etc. That can be overwhelming if you thought you would walk in, find a lab mix that reminded you of your old family dog, and walk right out.
Do a double take. Don't let the myths and stereotypes of the bully breeds prevent you from getting the best friend of your life.
Five years ago, I went to my local shelter with the intention of adopting a certain dog I had found online. However, after meeting, I realized this wasn't my dog — we simply didn't match. I remember spotting this dog that practically smiled at every person that walked by its kennel, but was continuously ignore due to his sheet reading "pit mix." I was unsure immediately if my family and I would be able to handle such a strong breed that seemed to rack up all the negative points possible. This pit mix had a horribly docked tail, cowered at every loud noise, and would flinch if a hand came near him too quickly. All of these were tell-tale signs that made it clear that he had been previously abused.
I walked out with this dog, now known by his fans as Captain Buddy, and he continues to prove every stereotype about the bully breeds wrong.
The term "bully breed" is used to refer to pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, Boston terriers, boxers, bulldogs, rottweilers and plenty of other breeds. Some of these breeds, like the Boston terrier and the bulldog, do not have a bad reputation whatsoever even though they are placed in the group of "bully breeds." However, Rottweilers, boxers, and the terriers that are labeled under "bully breed," have the worst reputation of all breeds when it comes to temperament, behavior, and violent tendencies.
All dogs have primal instincts and when those instincts are pushed to a certain extent (which differs for every animal), the dog will react accordingly. Dogs also react according to memories so if a dog has been abused all its life, taught to fight or act a certain way, then it will also react accordingly. It is a process to train the behaviors out of those dogs that have been raised that way, and it takes a dedicated and willing individual to do so.
However, the majority of the people that adopt the previously abused animal, are unwilling to put in the effort to train the behaviors out of the dog and as a consequence the horror stories ensue. You know the ones: "Pit Bull Bites Two-Year-Old's Face," "Old Lady Attacked By Pit Bull," and so many others. These stories do not define all bully breeds. In fact, a majority of the bull breeds — especially pit bulls — are nonviolent, but as with any breed, there are special cases in which the dog cannot recover from previous abuse or previous experiences.
Maybe I got lucky, maybe my story of adopting an abused pit bull is a special case, maybe not. All I can tell you is to not judge these dogs by their stereotypes and their myths. My boy is fiercely loyal, obnoxiously loving, and the biggest idiot that I could have ever hoped to adopt. Don't let a reputation keep you from adopting the best good boy.