Pit Bull Facts

What is a “pit bull”?

Pit bull is not a breed of dog, it’s a term typically used to group 3 breeds:

·         American Pit Bull Terrier (ABPT)

·         American Staffordshire Terrier (AMSTAFF)

·         Staffordshire Bull Terrier (STAFFIE)

·         There are also over 20 additional breeds which show characteristics of these breeds and are often wrongly identified as pit bulls

Do pit bulls have “locking” jaws?

No-the power of the bite is proportional to the size of the jaws and the jaw muscles. There is no anatomical structure that could be a locking mechanism in any dog.

Do pit bulls have 1600 pounds of bite pressure?

No- Domestic dogs have 320 pounds of pressure on avg.  A German Shepherd, American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) and Rottweiler were tested using a bite sleeve equipped with a specialized computer instrument.  The APBT had the least amount of pressure of the 3 dogs tested.  Dr. Brady Barr of National Geographic (Dangerous Encounters: Bite Force)

What are pit bulls good for?

Many hold the following positions…

• Therapy Dogs

• Search and Rescue Dogs

• Drug Detection Dogs

• Assistance Dogs

And…last but not least pit bulls marched side by side with the soldier’s of the Civil War and WWI.

The dog that was once a poster dog for our country, wrapped in the American flag, has become one of the most misunderstood dogs of our time.  Bans do NOT work!  Support responsible ownership!