If you’ve been following the infamous Hulk on Instagram, YouTube, or via the news, the first thing you’ll have noticed is that he’s ginormous, weighing in at 180 pounds. You’ve also likely wondered what breed he is. This gigantic yet sweet family dog is a Pit Bull.
“Pit Bull” is not a breed in itself, but an umbrella term for certain dog breeds like the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier. In Hulk’s case, he was born to an English Bulldog and another Pit Bull breed, though the exact Pit Bull breed in question is not known. In this post, we’ll tell Hulk’s story, why he’s famous, and share more about Pit Bull breeds.
Who Is Hulk?
Hulk—one of the world’s largest Pit Bulls— is a Dark Dynasty K9 dog. If you’re unfamiliar with Dark Dynasty K9s, it’s a New Hampshire-based Pit Bull training organization founded by Marlon Grennan in 2004. The organization trains extra-large Pit Bulls as protection dogs for a wide range of clients, including vets, celebrities, the police, and families.
Founder Marlon Grennan has stated that Dark Dynasty K9s’ goal is to produce fearless, disciplined, and stable dogs—not ungovernable dogs that attack or maul. The organization also advocates for Pit Bull welfare and promotes proper training practices and the building of healthy relationships between Pit Bulls and their humans.
How Did Hulk Get Famous?
Hulk first came to the public’s attention in 2015, when, at just 18 months old, he was reported to weigh in at 175 pounds. He won people’s hearts around the world when a YouTube video showed him snuggled up on the couch with his family, happily accepting belly rubs, and giving pony rides to Grennan’s toddler. To date, the video has more than 78 million views.
In addition to arousing curiosity about Dark Dynasty K9s and the work it does, Hulk being in the public eye helped to quell misconceptions about the Pit Bull breed—a breed often considered to be uncontrollable, unpredictable, and aggressive.
Is It True That Pit Bulls Are Dangerous?
Pit Bull breeds tend to get a bad rep, but many would argue that they’re greatly misunderstood dogs. Any dog—whether Pit Bull or Golden Retriever—has the potential to be dangerous if they’re not properly socialized, are taught aggressive tendencies, or fall victim to abuse and neglect. In the case of Pit Bulls specifically, they tend to be victims of their image.
Due to the misconception that Pit Bulls are naturally aggressive, they’re sometimes acquired by irresponsible owners with plans to use them for protection, as fighting dogs, or as a status symbol. Some of these dogs are also abused and neglected. These factors, in turn, increase the chances of dangerous incidents taking place and exacerbate the image of Pit Bulls that the media puts out there.
The truth is that well-socialized Pit Bulls, as we see with Hulk, can make wonderful family dogs and companions for responsible owners. This is supported by the American Kennel Club, which opposes Breed Specific Legislation, as do several other organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Final Thoughts
A quick recap before you click away—Hulk is a Pit Bull and is one of Dark Dynasty K9’s dogs—and one of the largest dogs in the world. He’s famous for being an example of the work that Dark Dynasty K9s do with Pit Bulls, while at the same time showing the world how sweet and loving Pit Bulls can be when raised properly.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading all about this gentle giant—head on over to YouTube and do a search for “Hulk the Pit Bull” if you’d like to see him in action.
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Featured Image Credit: The Hulk of Dark Dynasty K9s. All rights reserved to the copyright owners.
