But here’s a few things that I do know about dogs and pit bulls more specifically.
Dog behavior is controlled both by what they’ve learned and what they were born with. Instincts are strong in some breeds, less in others. Pointers point. Retrievers retrieve. My dog (an Akita, which, by the way is probably a breed you do not want) will not retrieve. He will chase a ball and sniff it. And never bring it back. Dachshunds will dig (and probably be the alpha dog in any multi-dog household). Aussies will herd. In some breeds those instincts are quite noticeable in their behavior, in others not so much.
At up to 50 generations a century, undesirable instincts can be bred out pretty quickly with conscientious breeding. They can also be bred in. Most, though not all, pit bill breeders have been conscientious. Specially when compared to, for example, beagle breeders.
The breeding history of pit bulls is diverse. It is not an AKC recognized breed. It’s history includes bull dogs, bull terriers, staffordshire terriers, and probably a handful of others. The Am Staff is the closest there is to a pure bred. And many, if not most, Am Staff owners would never call their dogs pit bulls.
When it comes to most objectionable behavior, like biting, temperment is more important than obedience training. Temperment is individual to each dog, but breeding does have a strong influence. Dogs bite for two reasons. Fear and agression. Pit bulls breed (and i use that term loosely), based on their source stock, is one of no fear. They are almost always fearless dogs. Agression, however is not so common. (Not never. But anecdotal evidence does not prove much of anything about rate of occurence. Nobody publishes or tells stories of dogs NOT biting.)
The only published comprehensive breed temperment testing that’s been done in this country is done by the American Temperment Test Society. As of the most recent test data available, pit bulls test at above average, with over 85% pass rate compared to around 82% based on the testing of almost 30,000 dogs. (As compared with Shetland Sheepdogs which have a pass rate below 70%) They test slightly better (though probably insignificantly so) than American Staffordshire Terriers.[/quote]
flaw(s) of testing criteria:
18 + months old a dog can be taught to handle the stimuli faced within the test. There are no restrictions on group, hence I pay and bring dog, test is performed. Dog can range from mixed to an intentionally bred dog. Therefore its safe to assume, as you point out, a ‘pit bull’ is any dog labeled such by owner and ‘maybe’ agreed to by test provider. The largest kennel clubs, UKC & AKC, both operate toeing–very loosely–the line of respectability. A dog registered with, could provide no more an insight into genetic past, as a dog picked up from an area shelter. Thus the aforementioned temperament test does not prove much, because we know a ‘temperament’ test is not a full pathway of genetic makeup. What it does provide, for those who enter is, a good indication of behaviors an owner of a particular dog must either work to change or understand and avoid such situations.
I dont discredit the organization completely, but largely anti pit bull groups will not back down from the stance that this group is funded by breeders and the AKC, among others. This point is difficult to argue.
Your experience and insight are welcomed though.
If you would, please post information regarding “…breeding of up to 50 generations a century…”
Would enjoy a more thorough read.
