Pit bulls: Fact vs. Fiction

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I recently adopted a rescue dog. We've named him Remington, Remy for short. He is a giant love bug. He is convinced that he's a lap dog, though he's over 80lbs. If I sit on the floor, he comes every time and sits on my lap, like he really fits there. He is sweet and friendly with every animal he comes in contact with. In fact, a small dog actually growled and lunged at him on a leash trying to attack his face. My Remy wagged his tail and walked away. Zero aggression. He will play rough with my 15 year old, and then go through the same motions but in a completely gentle manor with my 5 year old. He never knocks her down and he is always ready with kisses when she puckers up right in his face.
Remy is a complete love and he's also a Pit bull.
This breed is met with so much apprehension. They are the most likely to be euthanized in shelters, and in most places cannot be adopted out to the general public without a rescue group to pull them. Countless cities have breed specific legislation, holding pities to a different standard than any other breed. People who truly mean no harm, spread the incorrect "facts" they've been taught, perpetuating the cycle of fear.
In reality, chances are, everything you've heard over the years about Pit bulls is untrue. The first myth I think should be addressed because it's the one I hear most often, is that Pitt bulls have locking jaws. That is just not true. Pitt bulls' jaws are not built any different from any other dogs' jaws. Think about it, physiologically what kind of mechanism would have to be in their mouths to allow their jaws to lock and unlock at will? How exactly would that work? Exactly. It wouldn't. Pitt bulls are strong dogs. If they are not letting go of something, it's because they don't want to. Certainly not because their jaws have locked on to it. If ANY dog has lock jaw, they need to see a vet immediately. This includes pitties.
The next myth that I think needs to be addressed is that Pitt bulls can snap at any time and turn on their owners. Statistically, this just isn't the case. Pitt bulls are dogs. That's it. They are no more likely than any other breed to turn on a person. You should always consider a dog's body language before approaching. It is incredibly rare for any dog to just attack out of no where. Generally when any dog attacks it's out of fear or pain, or in the case of female dogs, protecting their puppies. As moms, I'm sure we can all understand that maternal instinct to go all mama bear on anyone you see as a threat to your kiddos.
Next up is the idea that Pitt bulls are bred to be mean and they naturally have poor temperaments. A lot of people seem to think that Pitt bulls are basically bad dogs, and the few that are well behaved just had exceptional training. In reality, Pitt bulls consistently pass temperament testing with flying colors. They are not just naturally mean, they love people more often than not, and it's only bad owners who use their dogs' loyalty to their detriment, and those are in the minority.
Basically what it comes down to is that Pitt bulls are just dogs. They are no more dangerous than any other large breed dog. If anything, because they are so over bred and so often abandoned, they deserve our love and protection more than most breeds. These dogs are victims of the actions of human beings much more often than we are victims or theirs. These are wonderful, loyal, loving and resilient animals, worthy of our love and understanding. If you're still on the fence, do some research for yourself. Look up Pitt bull myths or Pitt bulls as therapy dogs. But whatever you do, please don't be afraid. Next time you see someone walking a Pitt bull ask their owner if you can pet them. Most owners that I've met are breed advocates and more than willing to share stories of their beloved pet.