Whether you’re a devoted fan of this tenacious group of dogs or a firm detractor, one can not deny their overwhelming presence in our society today. The media portrays them as vicious threats to the welfare of many while those who own them are some of the most outspoken and dedicated of pet owners.
The term ‘bully breed’ covers a vast range of dogs that share similar characteristics and temperaments. American Pit Bull Terriers (APBT) and their larger cousins, the American Bulldog, as well as American Staffordshire Terriers, Dogue de Bordeaux’s and Boxers are all occasionally lumped together as ‘pit bulls’. The negative media coverage as well as the confusion over breed has developed into an overall distaste by many for any dog that has bully characteristics.
On Petfinder.com alone, the countries largest animal adoption collective, there are 170,000 homeless dogs with a whopping 9,000 of them under the ‘pit bull’ umbrella. They account for the largest group of homeless dogs in America today, second only to the Labrador family. The rise in popularity and notoriety for bully breeds is now in direct correlation with their massive influx into shelters across America.
Jeff Brown, an avid bully breed enthusiast and resident of Hendersonville, NC, is the proud owner of two American Bulldogs, but cites their difficulty to maintain as a prime reason that new owners give them up to shelters. “They’re a tough breed to have. They require a lot of attention and a lot of physical and mental stimulation. A lot of people who buy these dogs aren’t ready for that type of commitment”, says Brown.
If this type of ignorance continues, Brown said, we will surely see this trend continue as well. “People need to know what they’re getting into before they buy one of these dogs. And, ultimately, they need to pick out a dog for all the right reasons, not the wrong ones”.
