Collection: Pit Bull Awareness Month

The term 'pit bull' is a catch-all, encompassing a wide variety of breeds and mixes. While the term itself isn't necessarily negative or used with ill intent, the generalization of such a wide variety of dogs has had damaging consequences for these dogs and the people that love them.

Though often said with good intentions, the sentiment that "it's all about how they're raised" implies several untrue and damaging beliefs about pit bulls and other bully breed dogs.

All dogs are individuals. They are complex beings with feelings, emotions, and individual needs. Their past - the good and bad - absolutely plays a role in any dog’s behavior, but it shouldn't define them.

The idea that pit-type dogs learn differently than other dogs, need to be handled with force, or must be punished for their behavior because of their perceived breed makeup is misguided at best and downright detrimental to the dogs, their families, and the community at large at worst. All dogs, regardless of breed, benefit from force free, positive reinforcement training.

Visual identification - determining a dog's breed makeup based on their appearance - is commonly used in both animal welfare and law enforcement, despite ample evidence that it is highly inaccurate. Inaccurate breed labels can have a negative impact on dogs in animal shelter environments and beyond, with little to no benefit to dogs or humans.

If you've ever walked through an animal shelter, you've likely seen at least one dog with cropped ears.

It was likely a dog with a big head and solid body, a dog that most shelters would label as a 'pit bull' or 'bully breed.' The procedure may have been done for a variety of reasons - because it is the "breed standard," a misguided attempt to improve health, or perhaps simply because it makes the dog look "tough." No matter the reason, these dogs are often overlooked by adopters because of the stigma around dogs with cropped ears when, in reality, they are just like any other dog.