07.16.08
Posted in Pit Bull Blog at 1:56 pm by Jason Mann
All these years with the breed and being outspoken for the breed, and you know what, maybe I’m wrong about the “pit bull problem.” Maybe, we are facing a rash epidemic of Pit Bull attacks and maybe, it is because these dogs are born killers ready to unleash their fury on any unsuspecting person/animal that has the unfortunate day of crossing their path.
Or Maybe…
I am not in anyway serious about that. I do not believe Pit Bulls are a problem, and it will take a lot more than some Fox news report to convince me otherwise.
Why do you see so many Pit Bull attacks reported? Simple, media bias and sensational fear based media sells. Look at the news, how many “feel good” stories are on there? How many “scare the hell out of you” stories are on there? You don’t need anymore proof. The proof is right there.
The media will run 10-15 “killer strikes again”, “child abducted”, “bus crash kills 9″, “flood kills 30″ stories and then they’ll throw in one or two feel good stories. Just to keep you watching.
Reports on dog bites are not any different. A few examples…
A girl is bitten in the face by her Labrador Retriever and her injuries are extensive. She goes to the hospital. Only four reports on this story were ever published and they were all in local media.
A woman is attacked by a German Shepherd, her dog is severely injured and she receives to bites to the face. It took bystanders involvement to get the Shepherd under control. The Sheltie mix died as a result of the Shepherds attack and the woman required hospitalization. This incident was reported in one local paper.
Two Pit bulls bite a girl on the leg in California. She has to have stitches but the wounds are not life threatening. She does require hospitalization. This incident was reported in 99 national and international news sources. Forbes, Fox, L.A. times, Chicago Tribune, and dozens of other newspapers with the headline, “Pit Bull Attack.”
If you are so naive as to think these stories receive so much attention because Pit Bulls are roaming the streets lurking in wait to harm innocent people and dogs then you need to have your head checked.
The media drives the “pit bull problem” preception because they are biased.
So yes, you will see so many more Pit Bull “attacks” in the newspapers and on T.V. because they sell! It’s that simple.
To this day, I still maintain we do not have a “pit bull problem” and this is a made up story to frighten you. I really believe that and the proof is right there.
How many “pit bulls” do you think there are in the US? In the world? How many people do you think are in the US? IN the world?
How many attacks, that are PROVEN to involve American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or Staffordshire Terrer (the only breeds referred to as pit bulls), are there?
Do the math. Even if you only include “pit bulls” the total number of attacks, fatal or otherwise, is less than 000000.2%. Of course this number is not completely accurate since I am going on the “estimated” number of Pit bulls that are “estimated” to have attacked that are based on the “estimated” number of reported bites.
Pit Bull Problem? Not by a long shot. We have a stupid people problem. We have a “create hysteria to make money” problem. We have “well it’s true, I saw it on T.V.!” ignorant person problem
This Pit Bull owner is tired. Tired and weary. But it is when we are at a weakest, just when we think we can’t take another step, that we find ourselves. I applaud the strength of pit bull advocates. I applaud your courage and I applaud your efforts.
We may not see eye to eye on everything, but we do see eye to eye on the one thing that matters, no matter what we do not give up fighting those who would have our dogs exterminated.
Until Next Time,
Jason, Angel, Honey and Patch
PitBullLovers.com
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07.15.08
Posted in Pit Bull Blog at 2:59 pm by Jason Mann
I am not a fan of many “pit bull” breeders these days but there are a few folks out there still doing it right and to them I say, keep doing what your doing. However, the alarming state the American Pit Bull Terrier (the real Pit Bull) is in right now has me concerned. I won’t go into all the reasons but breeding is at the top of my “rut ro!” list of things to pay attention to.
Read the following quote carefully…
“My main “warning-cry” concerns itself with the direction of the breed, which many breeders – many novices – still subscribe to, a direction that would lead us off the beaten path, far off of our breed goal; toward breed ruin.
In all my articles, lectures, and judges reports of the last few years, I have desperately tried to point out that we must cling to the breed standard of the working dog, and I gave reasons why we must do so – as it was once laid down, as a model of the breed’s design. I have emphasized over and over again that we should not get overly engrossed in details of outward characteristics, even if they are ever so attractive, when, for the breeding value of the dog, he must be based entirely and decisively upon the totality of hard constitution, good health, endurance, authentic working structure and stable temperament.
The vision, the understanding of this standard, is thus sometimes lost. Many young fanciers have unfortunately hardly ever seen correct conformation in respect to these dogs. They become intoxicated with appearance which so often has so little in common with the working dog as he is supposed to be. In this case, the only thing that helps is trusted faith in the system, until one’s pondering leads to eventual understanding. The belief in what is well meant – the thoughtful suggestions and guiding principles – are for the welfare of the breed’s future.”
Diane Jessup, author of the Working Pit Bull said of this quote, “These are words which any serious student of our breed should study, and hang on the refrigerator door! They are that important.”
I agree. But here is the kicker, this quote is not about Pit Bull Terriers. This quote is from the “father” of the German Shepherd dog and was written in 1929 by Max Von Stephanitz.
Stephanitz also wrote:
“As with so many breeds, sport and fad breeding led to more severe evidence of natural traits, and therefore to bad breeding situations that had nothing more in common with working ability. This may seem nice to the faddist, however, for the true lover of Nature, who doesn’t engage in matters based on eye appeal, it appears as a strange caricature.
Over-sized, massiveness, height, racing ability, straight front or tucked up racing dog body would be for the shepherd an adverse perception leading to the death of the breed. And actually, some of our dogs and especially those who receive applause among the novices resemble the racing dog type in his over-sized, narrowness, tucked up appearance and effemination. The Borzoi, who hunts the wolf on the Russian prairies does not look like this; he is still a correct, rugged fellow. He who looks around at dog shows, pages through dog magazines, will find often enough that there are still a few other breed’s destinies which are threatened, that is, they are about to step out of their breed type because they are not bred upon a breed goal, but rather upon an imaginary “beauty concept.”
Again, I have to agree with Diane Jessup and say, what a statement from the year 1929. How true are these statements for our breed today? I’d say, dead on the money, ding, ding, here is your cookie for hitting the proverbial nail square on the head.
We have breed standards for a reason. Unfortunately some “basement” registries and some of the more popular registries are not taking a stand against ill bred, over blown, freaks of nature, that are not in anyway correct for the American Pit Bull Terrier. I am of course referring to “bully style pit bulls.”
If the dog is over 70 lbs soaking wet, it is not of correct size. American Pit Bull Terriers are supposed to be medium dogs, females weighing not more than 60 lbs and males not more than 70 lbs. The actual standard says females should not weigh more than 55 lbs and males not weigh over 65 lbs. Yet dogs that weight over 90 lbs are easily registered as “American Pit Bull Terriers.”
Breeders who are breeding for “real American Pit Bull Terriers” will not have dogs that weigh 75lbs+ or even 70 lbs+ They will not have “hippo’s” in their breeding program. They will have medium sized dogs with high drive and a balanced athletic build.
Most responsible breeders are not breeding for the public either. They are breeding for themselves or people “in the dogs” that understand the dogs and understand the situation we are in.
Fad, or hippo dog, breeders don’t care. They want your $5,000 for the over blown, walking health problem and that is all they care about.
I pray one day we will see a division of these dogs from the real American Pit Bull Terrier and the dogs will have a different name and class. Much like the American Staffordshire Terrier divided from the American Pit Bull Terrier in the early 20th century.
Again, I am not against all breeding of the dogs I am simply not a fan of anyone breeding for “looks and fat heads or short barrel legs” or whatever it is. Temperament then conformation according to the breed standard is the first place to start. If you are not breeding for those two things first and foremost then you should ask yourself why you are breeding in the first place.
Until Next time,
Jason, Angel, Honey and Patch
PitBullLovers.com
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07.13.08
Posted in Pit Bull Blog at 1:38 pm by Jason Mann
Fly and Dive…
From time to time I get the great pleasure of seeing some of the coolest Pit Bulls around and Wallace and Rajah are two fine examples of what these dogs are capable of giving a little attention and a focused outlet for their high drive.
Wallace, a rescue Pit Bull competes in disc dog competitions and in 2007 won the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge National Finals. Way to go Wallace! Is companion, Roo (a guy, not a dog) has taken Wallace around the nation showing the prowess of the Pit Bull and entertaining crowds every where.
I recently watched a video of Roo and Wallace working together and something struck me as I heard the announcer say, “And I’ll tell you what, you will wish you had one of these dogs in your house after you
watch his performance.”
That cracked a smile on my face as wide as the Grand Canyon. Then I watched as Wallace did his thing.
I’ll share where you can see that video in a second. First I would like to introduce Rajah. Another Pit Bull making waves (literally) in the sport of Dock Dog Diving.
Rajah and his companion Jeff compete all over the nation in Dock Dog Diving competitions. This sport is amazing and shows the athletic ability of the Pit Bull in so many ways.
Rajah’s personal best so far is 22.9 feet. That is a serious jump my friends.
Rajah is also a rescue dog and a therapy dog until they got involved in dock diving. Now Jeff and Rajah spend their time breaking new ground for Pit Bulls in the sport and showing off what a Pit Bull can do.
There are some great shots of Rajah and his ability on his web site and one in particular stuck out at me. It is the first picture on the home page of Rajah in a superman cape flying off the dock. Hilarious and gripping at the same time. These dogs are indeed super dogs and that is one of the reasons I love them.
I’d like to thank Roo and Wallace, Jeff and Rajah. Thank you for showing people the truth about these wonderful dogs.
Now the fun part visit their sites and show your support!
Roo and Wallace’s site - WallacethePitBull.com The video I referred to is on the home page, the first video you see.
Jeff and Rajah’s web site - Rajah the Amazing Flying Pit Bull
Again guys, thanks for what you all are doing.
Best Regards,
Jason, Angel CTD/CGC, Honey and Patch
The Most Complete Pit Bull Site Online
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Posted in Pit Bull Blog at 3:22 am by Jason Mann
I recently read an article about Pit Bull owners that was interesting. I won’t go into all the details but in a nut shell the article said that a lot of Pit Bull owners tend not to embrace the potentially aggressive nature of the breed and if an owner does talk about it other Pit bull owners come down on them.
Well, here goes, because I’m about to talk about this, in public, for the whole world to read about.
Fact - Pit Bulls can be dog aggressive. There very existence was based on this trait. They are also known to be aggressive towards larger animals like cattle and horses as well. Again, this goes back to the reason they were bred in the first place.
Myth - Dog aggression leads to human aggression. This is not true. Human aggression is a different type of aggression and one type of aggression does not lead to another. If a Pit Bull is human aggressive the dog is showing unsound and incorrect temperament and should be immediately addressed. If the aggression is in fact real aggression the dog should be put to sleep. It is not part of the American Pit Bull Terrier’s nature to be human aggressive and those dogs that are should be culled from the gene pool.
Hysteria - Dog aggression is NOT a big problem. I am a professional dog trainer and I deal with dog and human aggression. There are many breeds of dogs that do not get along with other dogs and that have the potential to do serious harm to other animals. Large dogs can really put the hurt on smaller dogs yet owners allow them to romp freely at the local dog park. Dog aggressive Great Danes or Labs are just as likely to really hurt another dog as a Pit Bull.
The ony difference between these dog aggressive dogs and our breed is, our breed has been specifically bred for this type of behavior. While that is based in their history and creation the truth is, not all Pit Bulls will turn out dog aggressive. Just as not all Labs will not turn out dog aggressive.
The major point to keep in mind is, American Pit Bull Terriers are more likely to display the trait than a Lab or a Golden or a Great Dane or a Bull Mastiff or a Yorkie. This does not make them bad dogs! It makes them dogs that were bred for high drive, hard work, and for outstanding companion dogs.
As Pit Bull owner if you do not embrace their history you are turning your back on why you love the breed in the first place. Their history is why they are what they are today.
Personally, I embrace their history and think every Pit Bull owner should do the same. I am not saying I think animal fighting is a cool idea and I am not saying I condone it. It is their HISTORY, while we should not deny it the fact is, times have changed. There is no longer a place for that kind of “sport” or “work.” Any more.
Today weight pull, agility, competition obedience, tracking, and stock work have replaced the dog fighting pit and the bull baiting ring.
These jobs the breed is well designed for and it is these types of activities that give them an outlet for their high drive, hard working, lifestyle they were original bred for.
All the Pit Bull owners living in “happy land” as I like to call it where you paint a peaches and cream picture of the breed but fail to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth because you want your beloved “pibble”, which by the way is the most ridiculous name I have ever heard these dogs called by, to look good for the public eye.
Well, if your dog has a correct temperament they should look good naturally without you making the breed out to be some foo-foo dog with muscles.
Yes they are outgoing, friendly, loving, high energy, and yes they are clowns and goof balls. But as Pit Bull owners if you are not honest with people this, along with the bad stuff, can attract the wrong kind of owner.
American Pit Bull Terriers are not for everyone. Neither are Golden Retrievers or Poodles. Be honest with people and tell them the realities of Pit Bull ownership.
I face a constant, daily, frenzy of hysterical dog owners ranting about how bad my dogs are and how I am a nut job for having “that breed.” Most people are not ready for this type of critisim. It’s hard and it does take its toll on some of us.
So be up front and honest about your Pit Bull. If they are dog friendly, great! But that doesn’t mean someone else will end up with a dog friendly example of the breed. If they are not prepared to deal with possible dog aggression and high drive they don’t need to bring a Pit Bull into their home.
I would give the same advice if the breed we were talking about was a Border Collie. I wouldn’t recommend a Border Collie to a busy family with small kids that lived in a city apartment. I would be honest about the dogs good side and not so good side. Great for people that are very active, not so good with super busy families, and small spaces are not a good idea either as they are high drive working dogs that need to, well, work.
Think about how you portray your dog. Are you completely honest or do you just tell people what they want to hear?
Until Next Time,
Jason, Angel, Honey and Patch
The Most Complete Pit Bull Site Online
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