Pitbulls have inherited a bad reputation for being overly aggressive and temperamental dogs, but saying that all Pitbulls are like this is far from the truth. When secure in a comfortable environment, Pitbulls are docile canines that love to play and socialize with humans and other dogs. It’s no wonder that they’re so popular, accounting for 20% of the country’s dog population.1
That said, most parents are uncomfortable with leaving their children alone with their pet Pitbulls. This apprehension can seem justified, as the media is full of numerous tales of Pitbulls attacking people across the U.S.
So, should you leave a Pitbull alone with your children? Do these pups get along with toddlers, for example? Keep reading to find out.
About Pitbulls
The Pitbull is a medium-sized, muscular dog that traces their roots to 19th-century Scotland, England, and Ireland. They were first bred in England and Scotland as entertainment animals for bull baiting, hence the name Pitbull. Bull baiting is a sport that involves tying a bull to an iron stake, allowing it a 30-meter radius of movement.
A handler would then enrage the bull by blowing pepper at its nose. After this, they would free the Pitbulls to kill or maim the bull.
Unsurprisingly, bull baiting was eventually outlawed, which saw Pitbulls become farm dogs that later moved into homes and became household pets. Fast forward to today, and there are about 4.5 million Pitbulls in the U.S.,2 with figures showing an upward trajectory. This includes more than 20 unique breeds and even more mixed breeds that qualify as Pitbulls.
We use the American Pit Bull Terrier as our reference standard in this article.
Does the AKC Recognize All Pitbulls?
Contrary to popular thought, the Pitbull isn’t a single breed but multiple breeds and is thus not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Pitbull refers to any dog with a muscular build and broad head and is typically a mix of different breeds. Aside from the American Pit Bull Terrier, other dog breeds recognized as Pitbulls include:
The AKC only recognizes the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier.
Are Pitbulls Dangerous?
For many years, Pitbulls served as gentle and obedient farm dogs that helped with herding, guarding homes, and participating in hunting. However, some people found that keeping these canines as farm dogs wasn’t making the most of their large and powerful build. These people trained Pitbulls to be violent and aggressive, forever tainting their reputation.
So, are Pitbulls really dangerous?
Yes and no; it depends on how the dog in question was raised. Pitbulls are typically calm, gentle dogs that wouldn’t put their paws on a grown person, let alone a child. However, Pitbulls raised in violent and harsh environments may show aggression when provoked. This isn’t different from any other dog, though. Even Golden Retrievers can turn violent when brought up in a violent environment.
Pitbulls raised in happy families surrounded by loving and caring people grow up to be gentle and loving animals. However, they might still act aggressively toward anything or anyone they perceive as threatening the family’s safety.
Pitbulls and Kids
Pitbulls are loving and affectionate to kids but only if you socialize them early enough. Start socializing your Pittie the moment you adopt them. Introduce them to the kids so they can learn to be comfortable around each other and eventually play with each other.
Socializing your Pitbull means allowing short periods of interaction between the kids and the dog. Allow them to play with the kids, but always be on the lookout for any rough play or signs of aggression. Discourage any aggression or rough play before it gets out of hand. Also, teach your children the right way to play with animals. Don’t allow any rough tugging, pinching, or hitting that may provoke the dog.
Most importantly, always supervise play for the first few months. Think of this as a training period where you train your kids and Pitbull on how to play appropriately. You’ll be more comfortable letting your dog play with the kids after this period elapses.
Pitbulls and Babies
While Pitbulls are great with kids, how well do they fare with babies? Do they even recognize babies, or are they indifferent to them?
Pitbulls aren’t inherently dangerous to babies and will never intentionally hurt them. However, like with kids, it’s vital to socialize your dog early enough to understand how they should interact with babies. That way, you’ll be more comfortable having them around your child.
Can Pitbulls Get Jealous of Babies?
As ridiculous as it sounds, some Pitbulls get jealous of babies, but not all of them. All dogs can get possessive, as it doesn’t sit well with them when you spend too much time with your baby instead of them.
- Signs of aggression like snarling, growling, or barking when close to the baby
- Avoidance when you carry the baby close to them
- Change in appetite, characterized by overeating or only eating a small amount of food
- Excessive grooming and licking when the baby is around
- Signs of depression, like a sudden loss of interest and sleeping all the time
Noticing signs of jealousy in your dog doesn’t mean they are threatening your baby’s safety or that Pitbulls are not a good fit for families with babies. It just means you must be more innovative in managing the time between your baby and your pup. Play with your dog whenever your baby naps to show that you still care for them.
Why Are People Scared of Pitbulls?
If this breed is so friendly and gentle, why are so many people scared of them? A few reasons explain the general fear of Pitbulls.
Pitbull Attack Incidences
Pitbull bites account for 22.5% of all dog bites in the country,3 making them the dog type with the most attack incidence. The frequency of Pitbull attacks and bites has made them synonymous with danger and dog aggression.
It’s no wonder that people often associate these gentle beasts with violence.
Strong Bite Force
Pitbulls have a bite force of about 235 PSI. To put it into perspective, this is enough to puncture your skin and leave a large wound. This strong bite is another reason that these canines are often considered dangerous and vicious (even though they don’t have the strongest bite force, even among other dogs).
Dog Fights
Pitbulls were originally bred to “bait” bulls, meaning they were often abused and starved to make them aggressive. They also have muscular bodies, making them quite powerful. Their proficiency at dog fights and other violent sports made them animals to reckon with. Unfortunately, this also permanently damaged their reputation.
Conclusion
Pitbulls are good with kids, but only if you raise them to be friendly and amicable. Remember to socialize your dog the moment that they set paw inside your home.
Also, teach your dog to read your children’s cues and vice versa to ensure that everyone’s always on the same page. If your Pitbull proves stubborn, you might want to keep them away from the kids until they learn the ropes. An animal behaviorist can also be helpful.
See also:
Featured Image Credit: SeventyFour, Shutterstock
About Pitbulls
