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<\/a><\/p>\nSeveral breeds of dogs are commonly referred to as pit-bull types or bully breeds. \u00a0Primarily, these are the\u00a0American Pit Bull Terrier\u00a0(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. \u00a0All six share common ancestors and some history.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Molosser is a category of solidly-built, large dog breeds that all descend from the same common ancestor from ancient Greece<\/p><\/div>\n
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. \u00a0Molossers were originally bred to protect livestock and property, but with time some breeders started using them for other, unsavory purposes, such as Bull Baiting. \u00a0During 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0\u00a0 During this time in history the term \u201cBull Dogs\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 As immigrants brought their dogs across the ocean along with their families and prized possessions, they soon became a fixture in a developing nation.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
Bully Breeds – The Dark Side<\/strong> Even horrendous mistreatment of these dogs can rarely squelch their inherent goofy and happy nature or their desire to <\/p>\n Know your breed’s strengths\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0weaknesses. 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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n \u2665<\/span><\/strong> I want to give a major shout out to two amazing organizations that are local to me, Baltimore Bully Crew<\/a>, \u00a0and BARCS<\/a> (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!!!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Remember\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00b7 It\u2019s easy to mistake one bully for another.<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0An adult dog is not fully mature until approximately age 3. If this is your first bully breed dog, an adult dog might be \u00a0 the \u00a0best choice because its temperament and personality are fully developed by this time.<\/p>\n \u00b7 Keep your bully breed under control at all times, whether on a leash or in an escape proof enclosure. They are \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 smart and can figure out how to buck the system.<\/p>\n \u00b7 Never trust a bully breed not to fight. They may not start the fight but they may not back down either.<\/p>\n \u00b7 Bully breeds desperately want to please you. Obedience training will give them boundaries and you will know how \u00a0 \u00a0 they respond to you. This will help make your relationship harmonious and establish you as the Alpha, or “top dog”.<\/p>\n \u00b7 Bully breeds can co-habitate with other dogs (if those other dogs are dog friendly). The best situation is to have a \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 neutered male and a spayed female. Having two same-sex dogs, or two un-neutered dogs, increases chances of \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 dominance and territoriality problems.<\/p>\n \u00b7Regarding small animals, many bully breed dogs have a high prey drive and may chase small animals or livestock. \u00a0How well a bully does in a home with a cat or small animal depends on the temperament of the individual dog and \u00a0the \u00a0supervision of its owner.<\/p>\n \u00b7 Dogs are pack animals. Strange dogs interacting with one another are not a pack and as a result scuffles can \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 occur. You can socialize your bully by having regular play dates with his\/her own pack. Develop a small group of \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 playmates for supervised fun in a safe and contained, private area.<\/p>\n \u00b7 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 \u00a0dog is a bully breed, one of two things will happen – he\/she will walk away or it will defend itself. If your bully breed \u00a0dog \u00a0 is involved in a fight at a dog park, whether or not it started the fight, the situation can feed the stereotype of \u00a0bully breeds and further tarnish their image. While dog parks can be fun with its many different breeds and \u00a0temperaments, the odds of your dog getting into an unfavorable situation is increased. Taking your dog to a dog \u00a0park is not worth the risk.<\/p>\n Socialize your Dog<\/span> Obedience Training is Paramount<\/span> Spay or Neuter<\/span> Supervision<\/span> \u00b7 Never leave your dog unsupervised with young children.<\/p>\n \u00b7 Microchip<\/em> your dog. Please see my article on Microchipping Your Pet<\/a>, dated\u00a0March 7, 2016.<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0Make sure he is up to date on vaccinations.<\/p>\n \u00b7 Always have an ID tag<\/a>, rabies tag and dog license on your dog\u2019s collar.<\/p>\n \u00b7 Your dog should always wear a strong, snugly fitted collar. Good choices are leather or heavy-duty nylon collars. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Safety collars<\/a> are highly recommended. Please see my article on Safety Collars<\/a>, dated\u00a0April 18, 2016.<\/p>\n \u00b7 Never play tug of war or rough house with your bully as it encourages aggression and makes the dog think it is OK \u00a0 \u00a0to compete with you.<\/p>\n \u00b7 Join a dog club or forum to stay informed and to develop a support system of people dedicated to the same breed.<\/p>\n \u00b7 Potential bully breed owners must realize their dog’s need for human companionship and the importance of \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 obedience training to prevent dominant behavior. If a dog exhibits dog aggression, the owner must be vigilant in \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 preventing fights with other dogs and maintain control of the dog at all times.<\/p>\n Baltimore Ravens Wide Receiver Torrey Smith with Prince and Mama<\/p><\/div>\n Helen Keller<\/p>\n Fred Astaire<\/p>\n Humphrey Bogart<\/p>\n Thomas Edison<\/p>\n General George Patton<\/p>\n President Woodrow Wilson<\/p>\n Mel Brooks<\/p>\n John Steinbeck<\/p>\n Mary Tyler Moore<\/p>\n Jessica Alba and Bowie, a 5 yr old American Bulldog rescue<\/p><\/div>\n Barbara Eden<\/p>\n Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith<\/p>\n Jon Stewart (from the Daily Show)<\/p>\n Bernadette Peters<\/p>\n Jessica Alba<\/p>\n Michael J. Fox<\/p>\n Brad Pitt<\/p>\n Rachel Ray<\/p>\n Cesar Milan, the Dog Whispererer (owns several)<\/p>\n 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.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 In order to keep your bully breed happy and healthy, you will need to keep your dog physically and mentally exercised.<\/p>\n Bullies are very sociable animals and generally love being around people. They enjoy making new friends and are typically trusting of strangers.<\/p>\n If you’re ready to adopt a loving and active dog, you will have a faithful companion for life in a bully breed.<\/p>\n
\nDogs 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.\u00a0 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 \u2013 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 <\/a>for information on dog fighting and state and federal laws relating to animal fighting crimes: \u00a0\u00a0http:\/\/aldf.org\/resources\/laws-cases\/animal-fighting-facts\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>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\u2026. and do, bounce back. For prime examples, read about the dogs rescued from Michael Vick’s dog fighting compound.\u00a0 \u00a0http:\/\/www.pblnn.com\/news\/features\/324-the-michael-vick-dogs-from-bad-newz-to-good-life.html<\/a><\/p>\nKnowing the Bully Breed<\/strong><\/h6>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nWhy You Should Never Take a Bully Breed Dog to a Dog Park<\/strong>
\n\u00b7 Dog parks can be chaotic and not everyone is knowledgeable about proper dog etiquette.<\/h6>\nResponsibilities of Bully Breed Owners<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n Being responsible applies to all dog owners. However, it is more imperative when your dog of choice and its behavior are under public scrutiny.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h6>\n
\nBefore your pup is 16 weeks old, he should have encountered hundreds of people, places and things. His attitude should be: “been there, done that”.<\/p>\n
\nTraining 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 \u2013 and a good dog has happy owners.<\/p>\n<\/a>Leash ’em<\/span>
\nWalk 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.<\/p>\n
\nAn\u00a0altered\u00a0dog 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<\/a>, dated Feb. 22, 2016.<\/p>\n
\nBully 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.<\/p>\nMore Advice:<\/strong><\/h6>\n
Being a responsible bully breed owner is extremely important for the sake of the breed<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n
Some Famous Bully Breed Owners Past and Present:<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
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