There always seems to be a debate around pit bulls, especially on the internet. Some people worry that pit bulls are ‘dangerous.’ Others feel that these dogs are ‘misunderstood’ and that they’re actually the perfect ‘nanny dog’ for children.
One video that’s drawn a lot of opinions from both camps features a baby napping with a pit bull.
The one-year-old baby in the video is the son of Jarad Derochey, who is a pit bull breeder who runs MVP Kennels.
Jarad posts pictures of pit bulls on the @mvp_bullies Instagram. Many of the photos include his children cuddled up with the large breed dog.
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A pit bull is a sort of catchall for several breeds including the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
According to the American Kennel Club. the breed is known as:
“Smart, confident, good-natured companions. Their courage is proverbial. A responsibly bred, well-socialized AmStaff is a loyal, trustworthy friend to the end.”
So back to the question at hand. The author of “Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon,” Bronwen Dickey, writes:
“You say the words ‘pit bull’ and people lose their minds scrambling to one side or the other.”
Bronwen researched the breed for seven years, interviewing countless sources, and she concludes:
“Pit bulls are just dogs. All too often, they serve as a proxy for our own prejudices.”
The mythology about the pit bull is thick on both camps.
And both sides get many things wrong; the dog’s jaw does not lock, and there is no evidence of the breed being a “nanny” for children. And if a pit bull shows up at a shelter with injuries and scars, it is most likely they were in an accident than abused by their owner.
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Bronwen argues that banning the breed does nothing to quell the instances of dogs biting people.
She explains how leash laws help and how one county in Oregon is ahead of the curve with their policy:
“In Multnomah County, Oregon, they have a Potentially Dangerous Dog program that has been very successful. If a dog becomes a nuisance or menaces people, Animal Control intervenes, checks in with the dog’s owner, and recommends training. They keep in contact with the owner, and that drastically reduces bites because it doesn’t allow things to escalate.”
Some YouTubers also joined in on the debate, with one saying:
“Pit bulls aren’t an aggressive dog unless they’re taught to be. So tired of hearing negative things about them when they’re an amazing pet to have. So lovable and cute!”
Clearly, there are a lot of different opinions about this topic.
However, one thing to keep in mind is that it’s always a good idea to keep a close eye on a baby and a dog — no matter the breed. That way, you can ensure that your baby and dog are getting along and that everything is okay.
Check out the video below to hear more from Jarad about why he feels his children are safe around his pit bulls.
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