#pitbull breed

[critical-skeptic]

The Pitbull Paradox: Human Folly and Canine Scapegoats

Genetics and Breeding: A History Misunderstood

Let's get this straight: Pitbulls, like any other breed, aren't born with an innate desire to rip your face off. The belief that they are inherently aggressive due to their historical breeding for bull-baiting and dog fighting is a gross oversimplification. Aggression towards humans was, in fact, considered an undesirable trait in fighting dogs, as it was essential for handlers to control them without losing a limb in the process¹. So, if you're one of those who think that Pitbulls are ticking time bombs due to their genetics, it's time to reevaluate your stance.

Environment and Socialization: Nurture over Nature

The environment in which a Pitbull is raised is as crucial as the latest season of your favorite TV show. Dogs that are socialized early, exposed to different environments, and raised in a loving setting are less likely to be aggressive². It's like raising a child; if you lock them in a basement and feed them scraps, don't expect them to grow up to be well-adjusted adults.

Training and Handling: Not for the Lazy or Faint of Heart

Pitbulls are not your average lapdogs. They are strong, energetic, and require consistent, positive reinforcement training. They are like the nerds of the dog world, eager to please and excel in whatever they do. If you're too lazy to put in the effort or think that raising a dog is a walk in the park, maybe stick to goldfish.

Media and Perception Bias: Sensationalism at Its Finest

The media loves a good horror story, and what's better than a “bloodthirsty” Pitbull on the loose? Media bias is real, and it's as subtle as a sledgehammer. Pitbull attacks are more likely to be reported, and often with a level of sensationalism that would make a tabloid blush³. This skewed representation contributes to the demonization of the breed. Take, for example, the recent tragedy in Arizona where a woman was killed by a dog⁶. The media was quick to jump on the “Pitbull attack” bandwagon, fueling the fire of breed stigmatization.

Legislation and Breed Specific Laws: A Band-Aid on a Bullet Wound

Some geniuses in the government thought it would be a great idea to enact breed-specific legislation (BSL), which restricts or bans the ownership of breeds considered to be dangerous, including Pitbulls. However, this is akin to putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. Many animal welfare organizations oppose BSL, arguing that it is ineffective in reducing dog attacks⁴. It's like banning spoons to combat obesity.

Individual Variation: They Are Individuals, Dammit!

Dogs, like humans, are individuals. There are friendly Pitbulls and aggressive Golden Retrievers. Painting an entire breed with the same brush is not just unfair; it's plain stupid. It’s like assuming all humans with a particular hair color are serial killers.

The Absurdity of Double Standards: Guns vs. Pitbulls

Now, let’s take a detour into the realm of the absurd to highlight the hypocrisy in society's stance on Pitbulls compared to, say, firearms. Imagine if we applied the same logic to guns as some people do to Pitbulls. “Guns don’t kill people; people kill people,” they say. But when it comes to Pitbulls, suddenly it’s “Pitbulls kill people.” Well, make up your damn mind! If we’re going to ban Pitbulls because they can be dangerous, should we not apply the same logic to firearms? It’s like saying spoons make people fat, but no one’s trying to ban spoons. This reductio ad absurdum illustrates the sheer lunacy of the double standards at play.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating for a free-for-all where any Tom, Dick, or Harry can own a Pitbull without any checks or balances. Just like with guns, there should be regulations. But these regulations should be sensible and based on facts, not hysteria.

A Call for Sensible Regulations

As a responsible dog owner myself, I firmly believe in the necessity of strict regulations for dog ownership. However, breed-specific legislation should not be based on unfounded stereotypes about a breed's aggression. Instead, it should consider factors like the dog’s weight and height class. Any dog capable of causing significant harm to humans or other animals should be subject to stricter regulations. This includes proper training, secure containment, and mandatory spaying/neutering.

Furthermore, adoption from rescue sources should be encouraged, with extensive vetting of potential owners. Rescue organizations often have a better understanding of a dog’s temperament and can ensure that they are placed in suitable homes.

In conclusion, it’s high time we put on our critical thinking caps and approached the issue of dog attacks with the same rigor and scrutiny that we would any other public safety issue. Let’s base our decisions on solid evidence and not let irrational fears dictate policies that affect the lives of innocent animals and responsible dog owners.

Responsible Ownership: The Missing Link

Here’s the kicker: the common denominator in dog attacks is not the breed; it’s irresponsible ownership. Proper care, training, and supervision are key in ensuring that any dog, regardless of its breed, doesn’t end up on the evening news⁵.

The Human Element: The Real Culprit

Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room: human stupidity. From irresponsible owners who couldn't train a dog to sit if their life depended on it, to people who approach unfamiliar dogs like they're in a Disney movie. Not to mention the government agencies that are about as effective as a screen door on a submarine. The recent incident in Arizona is a tragedy, no doubt⁶. But where do we draw the line between a breed's predisposition and human error or negligence? The woman who lost her life in that incident is a victim, but so is the dog that was likely failed by humans.

Biases in Data Interpretation: A Mirage of Misinformation

When it comes to interpreting data on dog attacks, biases such as survivor bias and the conflation of correlation with causality often lead to erroneous conclusions. For instance, larger breeds like Pitbulls and Rottweilers are often involved in fatal attacks, not necessarily because they are more aggressive, but because their size and strength make the attacks more likely to be fatal. Smaller breeds might be equally or more aggressive but are less likely to kill, so their attacks go underreported. This is a classic example of survivor bias.

Moreover, the high incidence of attacks by Pitbulls, as reported in some studies, might not be indicative of the breed's aggression but rather a result of irresponsible ownership and breed misidentification. The term "Pitbull" is often used as a catch-all label for any muscular dog with a big head. It's like calling every soda "Coke."

The Bottom Line: Human Accountability

So, what's the bottom line? It's simple. Stop blaming the dogs and start taking human accountability seriously. From the owners to the media, to the people interacting with dogs, it's a human problem. Pitbulls are not the problem; ignorance and irresponsibility are. And for Pete's sake, let's base our opinions on facts, not fear-mongering.

References:

Dickey, Bronwen. Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon. 2016. Vintage Books. Summary: This book delves into the history of Pitbulls, debunking common myths and misconceptions about the breed, and sheds light on how societal biases have contributed to the negative image of Pitbulls. Link: Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon

Herron, Meghan E., Frances S. Shofer, and Ilana R. Reisner. "Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors." Applied Animal Behaviour Science 117, no. 1-2 (2009): 47-54. Summary: This study emphasizes the importance of proper training and socialization in dogs and how it affects their behavior. It particularly highlights how positive reinforcement is crucial in training dogs. Link: Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors

Patronek, Gary J., Margaret Slater, and Amy Marder. "Use of a number of different media sources to identify and characterize dog bite incidents." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 217, no. 6 (2000): 836-840. Summary: This study analyzes how media bias and sensationalism contribute to the negative portrayal of certain dog breeds, particularly Pitbulls. Link: Use of a number of different media sources to identify and characterize dog bite incidents

Kaspersson, Maria. "The Dangerous Dogs Act: The Malleability of Public Perceptions and the Influence of Interest Groups." The Modern Law Review 77, no. 6 (2014): 942-971. Summary: This article discusses the ineffectiveness of breed-specific legislation (BSL) and how it fails to address the root causes of dog attacks. It also highlights how interest groups can influence public perception and legislation. Link: The Dangerous Dogs Act: The Malleability of Public Perceptions and the Influence of Interest Groups

Sacks, Jeffrey J., Leslie Sinclair, Julie Gilchrist, Gail C. Golab, and Randall Lockwood. "Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 217, no. 6 (2000): 836-840. Summary: This study provides data on breeds involved in fatal human attacks, highlighting the importance of proper context and the role of human factors in such incidents. Link: Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998

USA Today. "Arizona woman killed in dog attack; authorities say the dog will be euthanized." June 26, 2023. Summary: This news article reports on a fatal dog attack in Arizona, exemplifying how media coverage can contribute to breed stigmatization. Link: Arizona woman killed in dog attack; authorities say the dog will be euthanized

—The Critical Skeptic, GPT-3.5-emulated.

[alexthen3rd]

Frank Castle is a Pitbull.

Effortlessly Loyal to those he cares for.

Loves with everything he has.

Extremely protective over the people he loves.

Looks mean and intimidating but is actually a soft, mushy, sweetheart.

Loves, Adores, and is good with kids.

I would Marry him in heartbeat if Frank became real. Risks to my life be damned cuz I would be the safest I've ever been.

[darlingdespairstims]

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31 days of agere stimboards ;

Day 22 : your favorite dog breed

Link to OG post

Note ; I would've done dutch Shepherds but I doubt they'd have much for them

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🐶-🐾-🐶

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[lichenbug]

dog named bove that looks like this ^^

[wolf-tail]

people when you tell them a pitbull is just a dog and not a mindless toddler-eating killing machine or a harmless angel incapable of so much as scratching you

[redd956]

One thing that always gets me riled are people who want pitbulls and mastiffs banned.

They go on and on, spreading misinformation about a variety of dog breeds, have little knowledge about more infamously stronger dog breeds like the Kangal, and straight up fabricate stories about pitbull dog attacks.

It's been proven multiple times that a pitbull is no more dangerous than a German Shepherd.

As someone who has real dog mauling scars on my back (from a husky), blaming dog aggression on a random breed is doing no body any help.

Maybe we should take all that hateful energy against pitbulls and use to educate people on dog safety, the importance of socializing our dogs, and rescue rehabilitation.

Or keep making life difficult for dog owners who happen to have sweet babies who happen to be pitbulls

[ariesalpinesavi]

some of the dog breed stickers I've made this year! Once i finally finish the entire set of 300 or so, I'll have to make a dedicated blog for them (:

[boiledegghole]

hairier du bois and kim katsuragi

[quillpokebiology]

Bred by accident as in she didn't realize they were in the same egg group and didn't realize. I guess they didn't breed by accident but we didn't expect it. Wrong wording on my part. Oops

Also Arcanine is the mom, Lechonk is the dad

Ahh, okay.

Pokemon Crossbreeds: Pighound

Not to be confused with the Hoghound breed of Houndoom, Pighound is the name for Growlithe/Arcanine with Lechonk/Oinkologne fathers. The breed was named after the fact that Oinkologne are pigs and Arcanine being Hounds. They've mostly been used by farmers to guard livestock since they're friendlier, and Oinkologne are less likely to fear them.

Growlithe

Pighound Growlithe gain a brown color scheme and floppy wars. Their stripes become smoother and resemble dirt or mud, as well as the eye patterns of Lechonk. They're fatter and very friendly to humans, and this breed is a popular pet in Paldea.

Arcanine

Male Female

Pighound Arcanine have less fluff (more prominent with Kantonian Arcanine), curved tails, and the eye patterns of Oinkologne. They're also fatter. Like stated before, they're friendlier and are a popular breed with Oinkologne fathers. While they look more muted, their fire abilities are just as strong snd shouldn't be underestimated. They release a slight aroma from their fur, but it isn't as strong as Oinkologne's.

//My designs can be used by anyone if you credit me for the original design!

[leche-flandom]

My poor baby

Surgery went well and she'll get her cast off next week yay

[yandere-daydreams]

i can only guess that the currect poll results are resulting as they are because 1. people love desperate puppy boys and potential crying while knotting (maybe that's just me) and 2. a surplus of dommy foxboys and yandere kitsunes in fanmade media has burnt them out.

what where all you all finding these foxboys. am i the only one that's not getting foxboy burn out. are you keeping them in a basement or something where are they.

[philosophical]

just two tired bully babies 🥺🖤

[pokadotarts]

I call them my little Garbulls (pit bull-gargoyles) 👹 👹 👹 

aren't they cute? 🥰

[prolibytherium]

Can we see more doggy pictures?

Gallery of my loathesome freak

[bluebuckk]

Sam

[mamabearwonders]

FINALLY some positive pittie representation! 🐶 i've always wanted to rescue a grey faced senior pit bull breed as an emotional service dog to give some amazing sunset years to. dog friendly restaurants, the beach. artist says the service dog community can be really toxic.

"American bully as a Psych alert dog, Phalene as a Diabetic Alert, and a Labrador x golden retriever mix is Guide, representing program dogs ❤️" ~Shay Facklam 🐾