Canine Breed Discrimination – III

What Are Bully Breeds?

Several breeds of dogs are commonly referred to as pit-bull types or bully breeds.  Primarily, these are the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT, also called a Pit Bull), the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff), the Bull Terrier (BT), the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier and the American Bulldog.  All six share common ancestors and some history.

Molosser is a category of solidly-built, large dog breeds that all descend from the same common ancestor from ancient Greece

Bully breeds of dogs all come from the same primary root stock called Molosser, a breed that originated in ancient Greece. They were big, large-boned dogs with prominent muscles, pendant ears, and short muzzles. The bully breeds we see today are a result of the Molossers combining with other breeds.  Molossers were originally bred to protect livestock and property, but with time some breeders started using them for other, unsavory purposes, such as Bull Baiting.  During the 15th century, bull-baiting involved setting trained dogs against a bull tethered to a fence or other structure. The dogs were trained to attack the bull’s nose and hold on until it had pulled the bull to the ground, or the bull had killed the dog. Although it was an entertainment and gambling sport, bull baiting also actually had a purpose; it was thought to tenderize the bull’s meat. For many years, this practice was said to “thin” the blood of the bull and make its flesh tender after it was butchered. This belief was so strong that many areas in England had laws requiring bulls to be baited before they were slaughtered.  Bull-baiting was finally banned by the passage of the Cruelty to Animals Act in 1835, after more than three centuries of the dogs being bred for aggression.   During this time in history the term “Bull Dogs” was coined, and the dogs were bred with other types of dogs to make the dog more likely to be the best and most successful (faster, stronger, and more agile) in the bull baiting ring.

At the turn of the 20th century, British parliament established laws to outlaw blood sports and more immigrants traveled to the United States, bringing bully breeds with them.  As immigrants brought their dogs across the ocean along with their families and prized possessions, they soon became a fixture in a developing nation.  In early America, the dogs were valued for much more than their fighting abilities. They were entrusted to protect homesteads from predators and worked as vital helpers on family farms. Homesteaders depended on their abilities to aid in hunts and as hog catchers. They were constant companions to the young children who were entrusted in their care.

Bully Breeds – The Dark Side
Dogs of the bully breeds are tenacious, strong, agile, very loyal, and have a desire to please their owners. Unfortunately, these traits have attracted the worst of humanity. Unethical people have taken the positive characteristics of these breeds and have turned them into darker qualities for dog fighting.  Also, many owners of these bully breeds know little, if anything, about training and socialization of the breed, which accounts for some dog attacks. In the end, the dog pays the ultimate price – death; the uncaring owner gets a slap on the wrist. However, laws are being created to bring harsher penalties against abusers. Please visit the page of the Animal Legal Defense Fund for information on dog fighting and state and federal laws relating to animal fighting crimes:   http://aldf.org/resources/laws-cases/animal-fighting-facts/

Even horrendous mistreatment of these dogs can rarely squelch their inherent goofy and happy nature or their desire to be with people and to please them. This is proven time and time again in cases of dogs rescued from extremely abusive situations such as dog fighting. Given a good home, they can…. and do, bounce back. For prime examples, read about the dogs rescued from Michael Vick’s dog fighting compound.   http://www.pblnn.com/news/features/324-the-michael-vick-dogs-from-bad-newz-to-good-life.html

Knowing the Bully Breed

Know your breed’s strengths and weaknesses. Media hysteria and bad owners have greatly damaged this breed and every incident involving a “pit bull” makes it worse for all bully breeds and their owners, often prompting breed specific legislation or breed bans.  You could probably trace the beginning of bully bias back to the 1980s, when gangs began using pit bull breeds for protection or as status symbols. According to the ASPCA, another probable cause is the media’s mis-identification of dogs involved in attacks. One often overlooked fact is that any dog may attack if it’s neglected, abused or trained to be aggressive.

♥ I want to give a major shout out to two amazing organizations that are local to me, Baltimore Bully Crew,  and BARCS (Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter), who both do an incredible job of rescuing, healing, and finding forever homes for bully breeds, as well as other animals who have been abandoned, lost, or abused. They both rock!!!

Remember 

· It’s easy to mistake one bully for another.

·  An adult dog is not fully mature until approximately age 3. If this is your first bully breed dog, an adult dog might be   the  best choice because its temperament and personality are fully developed by this time.

· Keep your bully breed under control at all times, whether on a leash or in an escape proof enclosure. They are           smart and can figure out how to buck the system.

· Never trust a bully breed not to fight. They may not start the fight but they may not back down either.

· Bully breeds desperately want to please you. Obedience training will give them boundaries and you will know how     they respond to you. This will help make your relationship harmonious and establish you as the Alpha, or “top dog”.

· Bully breeds can co-habitate with other dogs (if those other dogs are dog friendly). The best situation is to have a       neutered male and a spayed female. Having two same-sex dogs, or two un-neutered dogs, increases chances of       dominance and territoriality problems.

·Regarding small animals, many bully breed dogs have a high prey drive and may chase small animals or livestock.  How well a bully does in a home with a cat or small animal depends on the temperament of the individual dog and  the  supervision of its owner.

Why You Should Never Take a Bully Breed Dog to a Dog Park
· Dog parks can be chaotic and not everyone is knowledgeable about proper dog etiquette.

· Dogs are pack animals. Strange dogs interacting with one another are not a pack and as a result scuffles can             occur. You can socialize your bully by having regular play dates with his/her own pack. Develop a small group of         playmates for supervised fun in a safe and contained, private area.

· At some point in every dog owner’s life, their dog will either initiate or be subject to an attack by another dog. If your  dog is a bully breed, one of two things will happen – he/she will walk away or it will defend itself. If your bully breed  dog   is involved in a fight at a dog park, whether or not it started the fight, the situation can feed the stereotype of  bully breeds and further tarnish their image. While dog parks can be fun with its many different breeds and  temperaments, the odds of your dog getting into an unfavorable situation is increased. Taking your dog to a dog  park is not worth the risk.

Responsibilities of Bully Breed Owners
Being responsible applies to all dog owners. However, it is more imperative when your dog of choice and its behavior are under public scrutiny.

Socialize your Dog
Before your pup is 16 weeks old, he should have encountered hundreds of people, places and things. His attitude should be: “been there, done that”.

Obedience Training is Paramount
Training enforces the human-animal bond. Dogs love having a job to perform. A well-behaved bully is a source of pride for their owners. People do take notice and it’s a great feeling. Also, exercise your bully, as a tired dog is a good dog – and a good dog has happy owners.

Leash ’em
Walk your dog on a leash and keep him under control in public. Don’t allow your dog, no matter its breed, to infringe upon other people’s space. Bully breed owners should never use an extendable leash. These dogs are strong and can snap this type of leash in seconds. Never allow your bully breed to run loose in an unfenced area.

Spay or Neuter
An altered dog is less likely to roam and is typically more even-tempered than an intact male or females. Please see my article on Spaying and Neutering Your Pets, dated Feb. 22, 2016.

Supervision
Bully breeds are natural diggers and climbers. Never, under any circumstances, for any amount of time, leave your dog unattended in a yard or tied up outside a store or in a car. Dog theft is rampant and a bully breed dog is particularly desirable to thieves due to the popularity of dog fighting. Bully breeds (and all dogs) should live inside of the home with the family. This is so important for the dog’s mental well-being, as they desire human companionship above all else.

More Advice:

· Never leave your dog unsupervised with young children.

· Microchip your dog. Please see my article on Microchipping Your Pet, dated March 7, 2016.

·  Make sure he is up to date on vaccinations.

· Always have an ID tag, rabies tag and dog license on your dog’s collar.

· Your dog should always wear a strong, snugly fitted collar. Good choices are leather or heavy-duty nylon collars.        Safety collars are highly recommended. Please see my article on Safety Collars, dated April 18, 2016.

· Never play tug of war or rough house with your bully as it encourages aggression and makes the dog think it is OK    to compete with you.

· Join a dog club or forum to stay informed and to develop a support system of people dedicated to the same breed.

· Potential bully breed owners must realize their dog’s need for human companionship and the importance of               obedience training to prevent dominant behavior. If a dog exhibits dog aggression, the owner must be vigilant in         preventing fights with other dogs and maintain control of the dog at all times.

Being a responsible bully breed owner is extremely important for the sake of the breed

Some Famous Bully Breed Owners Past and Present:

Baltimore Ravens Wide Receiver Torrey Smith with Prince and Mama

Helen Keller

Fred Astaire

Humphrey Bogart

Thomas Edison

General George Patton

President Woodrow Wilson

Mel Brooks

John Steinbeck

Mary Tyler Moore

Jessica Alba and Bowie, a 5 yr old American Bulldog rescue

Barbara Eden

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith

Jon Stewart (from the Daily Show)

Bernadette Peters

Jessica Alba

Michael J. Fox

Brad Pitt

Rachel Ray

Cesar Milan, the Dog Whispererer (owns several)

Sgt Stubby, WWI hero and the most decorated dog in American military history. He was a stray that wandered into the102nd Infantry in France; he won the Purple Heart, a New Haven WWI Veterans Medal, 3 Services Stripes and many more medals.

Remember that every breed has certain traits, and while each dog is an individual, each breed has certain general characteristics. Bully breeds of correct temperament are gregarious, friendly, athletic, and intelligent. They love people and they love to be engaged in activities with their people.  Bully breeds are not suited to be left alone in a yard; they want to be inside and part of the family. They are not suited to be guarding or protection dogs and they need daily exercise. They are very trainable and generally enjoy learning new things whether it be tricks, obedience, or sports. Walking, jogging, hiking, playing fetch, and swimming are also activities that many of these wonderful dogs enjoy.  In order to keep your bully breed happy and healthy, you will need to keep your dog physically and mentally exercised.

Bullies are very sociable animals and generally love being around people. They enjoy making new friends and are typically trusting of strangers.

If you’re ready to adopt a loving and active dog, you will have a faithful companion for life in a bully breed.