National Pit Bull Awareness Month

National Pit Bull Awareness Day was created by Jodi Preis of Bless the Bullys in 2007 to honor her first Pit Bull Tiffin. She wanted a day where people could learn about the true nature of Pit Bulls in hopes of erasing years of unfair negative stereotypes.

Tagged to be one of the most dangerous dog breeds in the world, Pit Bulls are banned in many places not only in the US but around the world, as they are portrayed as aggressive, killer dogs. But how true can this be? Or is it even true at all? Here, we've come up with a list of why Pit Bulls are amazing and some great ways you can celebrate National Pitbull Awareness Month (even if you don't own a Pit Bull type dog).

What Makes Pit Bulls Amazing Dogs: Facts

One Big Family. Pit Bull is a term commonly used to refer to dogs with boxy heads and muscular bodies, but a "Pit Bull" is not actually a breed. Some common dogs that might be labeled a Pit Bull are the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Japanese Tosa, Bulldog. Although these dogs may look similar, there are some strong differences between the breeds.

Not so great guard dogs. Despite their reputation as "aggressive dogs", many "Pit Bull" breeds do not make great guard dogs since they trust people too easily and may consider an intruder a friend. American Staffordshire Terriers, for example, are known to be very loving towards their family. Awwwwww!

People-pleaser. Many pit bull breeds love to please people, especially their pet parents. They are enthusiastic to do anything in exchange for praise. They are also attention-seekers and are very faithful to people they fully trust.

Mental health advocate. Pit Bulls have a bubbly personality and an infectious, beautiful smile and just by looking at them, they can be great stress-relievers and will definitely make you smile, too!

Some Misconceptions About Pit Bulls

Nanny Dogs. Many have heard that Pit Bulls were historically recognized to be "nanny dogs." According to AnimalWised, there is very little evidence to suggest this is true. However, that does not necessarily mean that they are bad with children! Keep in mind that the generic term of Pit Bull leads to multiple breeds, each with a different purpose and temperament. And no matter the breed, children should be supervised around dogs. 

Pit Bulls Are Not a Breed. One of the biggest misconceptions about pit bulls is the breed (or lack of breed) itself. As mentioned, many dogs are identified as "pit bulls" by looks. Pit Bulls are not a breed recognized by the American Kennel Club.

No Fighting Instincts. As unfortunate as it is, some pit bull breeds were indeed bred for fighting, according to ASPCA. Because of this, some can be prone to aggression or reactivity towards other animals. Now, this is not to say that every "pit bull" will be aggressive. Not at all! While a dog's genetics can make them predisposed to behavior, it does not guarantee it! Both genetics and environment are known to contribute to temperaments and behavior.

Celebrating National Pit Bull Awareness Month

Here are some of the best ways you can celebrate:

Post it. Use your social media accounts to post true information and facts about Pit Bull types of dogs. It's a good idea to tear down negative stereotypes and let other people know how amazing these dogs can be.

Play with a Pit Bull. Pit Bulls are everywhere–your local shelter, rescue organizations, or maybe even your friend’s house! Play with them and form your own opinions of their nature.

Teach. Educate your family, friends, and fellow pet parents on how to treat Pit Bulls with wariness and kindness. Make sure they know to always ask before approaching, a dog's boundaries and what triggers his anxiety and sudden mood changes. Some bully breeds are known to have a tendency to be reactive. This does not necessarily mean they are aggressive or mean dogs, but sometimes they will not want to encounter new pets or people on walks. 

So that future Pit Bull interactions will be something to look forward to and not be an episode of avoidance and fear.

Volunteer at a Pit Bull Rescue Shelter. One of the noblest and most beautiful things you can do to celebrate National Pit Bull Awareness Month is volunteering at a rescue shelter, particularly of Pit Bulls. If you are not able to volunteer, you can foster a Pit Bull while the dog waits for his forever home or even donate pet supplies like toys, dog food, crates, Gnawtlers®, Pawtect® Pads, and things that your local shelter asks for.

Be open-minded. A person with an open mind does not judge so easily. This is how you should be with Pit Bulls. Because of the negative things shown about Pit Bulls, people have generalized Pit Bulls to be bad, dangerous dogs. Help promote open-mindedness by being an example yourself. Part of this is being understanding of people's fear and being a positive example.

Keep calm and hug a Pit Bull. Pit Bulls are one of the most misunderstood dogs in the world, potentially because they are multiple breeds lumped together. Know the specific characteristics of the real breed before judging. Of course, always ask the pet parent before hugging any dog.

Before bringing any dog into you home, it is extremely important to do the proper breed research. Because there are so many breeds under the "Pit Bull" term, you may find a drastic difference in energy levels, prey drive, motivation, and even size based on the "pit bull" breed you are choosing. If you are rescuing a dog from the shelter, you will have the opportunity to get to know them on a personal level from the staff.