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For all you dog lovers out there, this is a video you won’t want to miss. It’s an extremely informative but still very poignant look at the history of pit bulls.
Origins of Pit Bulls
Did you know that pit bulls were originally bred to fight bulls? Fighting bulls – a gruesome “sporting event” in which the dogs were pitted against full-grown bulls and timed to see how long it took the dog to bring the bull down.
Pit Bull Fighting
After pit bull fighting (pitting the dog against a bull) was finally banned as the vicious, cruel “sport” that it is, people (the unscrupulous ones) began pitting dog against dog instead. Though the bull was no longer part of the equation, the cruelty and torture lived on. And, unfortunately still does to this day!
Rescued from Michael Vick and His Dog Fighting Ring
Center stage in the video is Hector, one of the pit bulls that was rescued from Michael Vick. I’m sure that most of you remember that NFL star Michael Vick was convicted of crimes involving pit bull fighting. All of the dogs taken from Vick’s “ranch” were eventually placed in homes. Hector has since earned his Canine Good Citizenship award and is now working toward becoming a therapy dog. What a remarkable achievement for a dog that suffered the type of abuse that Hector has!
Breed Specific Legislation
Pit bulls were once a popular and beloved breed, so much so that they were known at one time as the “nanny dog” because they were so good with children. Unfortunately, today that stereotype has changed and the pit bull is now often feared. In fact, the negative reputation associated with pit bulls in current times has attracted the eyes of law makers.
Known as breed-specific legislation, or BSL, ownership of pit bulls and pit bull type dogs is increasingly being discouraged or outright prohibited. In many communities, pit bulls are outlawed altogether. In others, pit bull owners are required to fulfill strict conditions that often place unnecessary financial strain on them in order to keep their pets.
Is BSL Fair?
Is breed-specific legislation fair? Are pit bulls dangerous dogs that the public needs to be protected from? In my opinion, definitely not! In the twenty plus years of my career as a veterinarian, I’ve worked with a lot of dogs. A fair number of them have been pit bulls of one type or another. By the way, all of you know that the term “pit bull” refers to a group of breeds and not to one specific breed of dog, right? Well, you do now, if you didn’t before.
I can’t say that all of the pit bulls that I’ve met have been exemplary citizens. You won’t find that in any breed. But the majority of the pit bulls that I’ve met have been wonderful dogs. In fact, in temperament tests, pit bulls often outscore other more popular breeds of dogs. Are some of them fearful or aggressive? Yes, some of them are. But that is true of any other breed as well.
Need more convincing that pit bulls are great dogs? Watch the video. It’s pretty convincing.
About Lorie Huston, DVM
Lorie Huston is a veterinarian, pet health and pet care expert, professional writer, blogger, social media and blogging consultant, and SEO strategist.
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I am looking for information regarding the origin of the phrase/title “Nanny Dog” for a college essay. I need very factual information and reliable sources –like historical documents or governmental agencies. I need to know, for example, where was the phrase first used? What breed(s) was it referring to in particular (ex. American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, etc.)?
If you could help me out, I’d be so greatful!
-Jennifer
I don’t know the answers to your questions, Jennifer. I’m sorry. You might try contacting The American Pit Bull Foundation. The founder of the organization, Sarah Enos, did an interview with me for the Pet Health Care Gazette recently. The article is The American Pit Bull Foundation: Dedicated to Saving Pit Bull Dogs. Sarah’s contact information and the website address is there. Good luck!
Pit bulls have not been and will never be suitable “Nanny dogs”. First of all, they have only been popular household pets for the last 20 years. Breeding pits for the aggressive trait of fighting other dogs have created a breed with an unstable temprament and an unhealthy genetic linage. This is why you find so many pit breeds in shelters.
Please see my response to this comment here: Pit Bulls as Nanny Dogs?
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