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There are a lot of misconceptions about Pitbulls. Some people think they are vicious, aggressive dogs that are unsuitable for families. Others believe they are great family dogs and make excellent pets for kids.
There seems to be a lot of controversy and mixed opinions surrounding Pitbulls. So in this post, we will summarize everything you should know about Pitbulls and them living with kids. That way you can decide for yourself.
So, are Pitbulls good with kids? Are Pitbulls good family dogs?
When raised in a loving environment with proper training, Pitbulls can make great dogs for families with kids. They are loyal, caring, and protective of their family. However, while most are not aggressive by nature, they do have a bad reputation and history of attacking people to consider.
We will dive deeper into their history, temperament, terrible reputation and the truth behind it, and what you need to consider before having a pitbull around kids.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Pitbull Characteristics & Temperament
Four breeds characterize the Pit bull:
- The American Pit Bull Terrier
- The American Staffordshire Terrier
- The Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- The American Bully
Some people have talked about them as “nanny dogs” due to their loyalty and protective nature. However, there seems to be a debate about the truth of this statement.
Truth be told, no dog should be a “nanny dog” and be left with children unattended. However, it should be mentioned that just because a Pitbull might not be considered a nanny dog does not mean they are bad around children.
Pitbulls are very gentle and loving dogs known for being loyal, affectionate, and good-natured. Pitbulls are also very intelligent, easily trained, and well-tempered.
In fact, If you look at the American Pit Bull Terrier temperament test results, out of 931 Pitbulls tested, they had an 87.4% pass rate. This is rather impressive when comparing results from other breeds.
There are 5 main categories for this temperament test; behavior toward strangers, reaction to sound, visual stimulus, tactile stimuli, and self-protective/aggressive behavior.
A dog immediately fails if they show unprovoked aggression, panic without recovery, or strong avoidance.
In addition, some other benefits to having Pitbulls are they are a healthy breed, very cuddly, low maintenance, athletic, and a great guard dog.
Are Pitbulls Naturally Aggressive?
Pitbulls are not an aggressive breed. In fact, the ASPCA lists them as one of the most loving dog breeds. However, they are a very powerful breed. They can become aggressive, like any dog, if not properly trained or socialized.
One of the reasons that Pitbulls have gotten such a bad rap is because they have often been used in dog fighting. This, combined with their powerful build and reputation for biting humans, has led many people to believe that Pitbulls are dangerous dogs.
It’s important to note that while they have had a bad history, most of this comes down to how they were raised.
While a dog’s genetics can make them carry certain behavior traits, there is an extreme variation of behaviors between individual dogs of the same breed.
A dog’s behavior is not simply defined by its breed or genes. Instead, behavior develops from an interaction between genetics and factors such as environment, early nutrition, the stress of the mother while pregnant, housing conditions, social interaction, etc.
A study on more than 18,000 canines showed that a dog breed does not predict behavior. Breed explained only around 9% of the variation in how a dog behaved. And what was particularly low was the connection between breed and how likely a dog was to display aggressive behavior.
Each dog is an individual and should be treated as such. Not labeled as aggressive just because of their breed and how they look.
When raised in a loving home with proper socialization and training, Pitbulls are gentle, loving, and the furthest thing from aggressive.
Are Pitbulls Good With Kids?
Pitbulls are considered excellent for families with kids. They are gentle, loving, and protective of their family. When raised together, they can form strong bonds with children.
However, because they are a powerful breed, it is important to supervise them around small children and teach them how to interact properly. Like with any dog, there is always a risk of bites, so it is important to be cautious.
In addition, if you have adopted a Pitbull from a shelter or rescue, it is crucial to have them evaluated by a professional trainer or behaviorist. This can ensure they will be good with kids.
When a dog has a history of aggression or biting, they are not a good choice to have around your kids. However, if you can watch and raise a Pitbull properly from a young age, you will have a great dog with kids.
It’s important to note that not all shelter or rescue dogs will be bad with kids, but it’s added extra risk. Their environment, socialization, and training received early on in life are crucial to their development.
Shelters are often overcrowded, and dogs may not have received the best care or socialization. As a result, some rescue Pitbulls may not be good around kids. If you raised the Pitbull from a pup, you would have a better idea of their temperament and whether or not they are good with kids.
Are Pitbulls Good With Babies?
Pitbulls are often great with babies. They understand that babies are vulnerable and need to be protected. They are gentle and loving with them.
When it comes to rescuing or adopting Pitbulls, this is where you need to use caution. Suppose you are not sure of the Pitbull’s history. In that case, it is best to have them evaluated by a professional behaviorist before bringing them around your baby.
In some cases, if you have no idea their history, it can be dangerous to bring them around your baby. It’s best if you have raised the Pitbull from a young age and fully know their history and the dog’s parents.
It’s also important to note that Pitbulls are not babysitters. Your baby should never be left alone in a room with any dog. It doesn’t matter how sweet or loving the dog is; accidents can happen.
As members of your family, Pitbulls will be sensitive, fun, and pretty easy-going. Pitbulls generally like children and are incredibly tolerant and patient with them.
Are Pitbulls Good Family Dogs?
Pitbulls are great family dogs. They are calm, affectionate, loyal, and protective of their family. When raised together, they can form strong bonds with all members of their pack.
However, if you have small children, it is important to supervise them and teach them how to interact properly.
In addition, you always want to know the history of your Pitbull, whether you have raised as a pit bull puppy or adopted them as an adult.
If they come from a shelter or rescue, ensure they have the temperament and patience to be a good family dog. The best way to do this is to get a professional to check them out.
When raised in a loving home, properly socialized, and with the right training, a Pitbull can be an excellent family dog.
Why Do People Think American Pit Bull Terriers Are Dangerous?
The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) has a reputation for being a vicious, aggressive, and dangerous dog.
Here are a few reasons Pit bulls have a bad reputation:
Dog Fighting & Bull Baiting
Pitbulls were originally bred in the united kingdom in the 1800s. They were bred from old English bulldogs and gained popularity in the British Isles for a sport called “bull baiting.”
Bull baiting involved tying a bull to a stake in a pit and then having dogs fight the bull. In addition to this, Pit bulls were also used for dog-fighting.
The breeding of Pit bulls for the sole purpose of using them for dog fighting rings meant raising them to be aggressive toward other animals.
This reputation and their history as fighting dogs are one of the main reasons people fear them.
Bite Force
The Pit bull has a strong bite force of 235 PSI. This is significantly higher than the human bite force of 120-140 PSI.
The high bite force, combined with their reputation as fighting dogs, makes people believe that they are more likely to attack and seriously injure a person.
However, it’s important to note that the vast majority of Pit bulls are not aggressive toward people and have never been involved in a biting incident.
Further Readings: Top 17 Dog Breeds With The Strongest Bite Force PSI
Media & News
Another reason for the Pit bull’s bad reputation is how they are often portrayed in the media.
When a dog bite or attack happens, the media is quick to label the dog as a “Pit bull” without investigating what type of dog it actually was, why it attacked, and the dog’s history.
This creates the perception that Pit bulls are more aggressive and dangerous than other dogs when in reality, they are no more likely to attack than any other breed.
Pitbulls Banned In Certain Areas
Pit bulls are often the victims of Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), which is a law that bans or restricts certain dog breeds in an effort to decrease dog bites and attacks.
Pit bulls are banned in many areas because of their reputation, even though many responsible owners have raised them to be loving and gentle family pets.
As a matter of fact, one reason this breed is involved in more incidents is because Pitbull owners want them to be protective and aggressive towards intruders.
If you have a large majority of Pitbull owners wanting their dog to be this way, it’s no wonder people blame the breed rather than the real problem, the owners.
So places ban the breed, which causes them to seem even worse as a breed.
Some places that have banned Pitbulls include Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
Pitbull Bite Statistics
A 20-year study from 1979 to 1998 by the CDC, the study found that:
- There were about 238 fatal dog attacks in the U.S during that period.
- Pit bulls accounted for about 66 of those fatalities (27%).
To follow this information further, a more recent study done from 2005 to 2017 found that with fatal dog attacks:
- 65.5% came from Pit bulls (284)
So based on 33 years of history, it appears pit bull attacks happen the most often among dog breeds. However, it’s important to note that these reports are not always accurate.
The dog breed is often misidentified, which can skew the data. It also leaves out why the attack happened and the household the dogs live in.
Not to mention a ton of dog bites are not being reported.
The truth is, any dog can be aggressive and harm people if it is not properly trained and socialized. It is up to the owner to make sure their dog is well-behaved. So this data may say Pitbull is the most dangerous breed, but in reality, the most likely dog to harm a human is one that is not adequately trained, socialized, and looked after.
Does this data suggest Pitbull may be more susceptible to aggression due to their past and how it was bred?
Possibly. But in a loving home with a responsible owner, a Pitbull can make an excellent family dog that displays no aggression whatsoever.
Why Are People Scared Of Pitbulls?
Combine a Pit bull’s history, the negative talk about them on media, the bans, and the bite reports; it’s no wonder that people are often afraid of them.
Not to mention their appearance can sometimes seem intimidating when you do not know them.
All these factors have created a stereotype of Pit bulls that makes people fear them.
Things You Should Consider With Pitbulls Around Kids
Pit bulls are great with children, as they are affectionate, loving, and loyal.
However, because of their size and strength, it is essential to ensure they are appropriately trained. So they do not accidentally knock over a child or jump on them in excitement.
It is also important to socialize Pit bulls around children from a young age, so they are used to being around them and know how to behave appropriately.
Lastly, you will want to know your Pit bull’s history and that of their parents. This will give you a good idea of what to expect regarding temperament and behavior.
Suppose they have a history of violence, neglect, aggression, or are from a fighting background. In that case, it is best to avoid putting them around children. This goes for any dog breed.
Also, suppose they have pre-existing conditions that make them more susceptible to aggression or violence. In that case, they may not be the best option as a family pet around kids.
Final Thoughts
Overall, there is definitely a split of people regarding whether Pitbulls are good with kids.
You have those who are for it and believe that with proper training, socialization, and care, a Pitbull makes an excellent family dog that is great around children.
On the other hand, those who are against it believe that Pitbulls are just too dangerous to have around kids because of their history, genes, temperament, and strength.
The truth is, like with any dog breed, it depends on the individual dog and how they are raised.
So if you are considering a Pitbull or already have one, do your research, train them well, socialize them early, and most importantly, love them.
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