>>1. Pit Bull: Sadly, this breed has taken on more criticism and warnings than most other breeds in recent years. Often labeled as vicious, untrustworthy, and in possession of locking jaws, the Pit Bull tops our list as receiving a bad rap. According to the American Temperament Test Society, Pit Bulls ranked second in reliability overall. In other words: This original “nanny breed” is not the problem, but the way he is trained may be the issue.<<
Chet99, this one’s for you!
The ATT basically tests stability (nerve - or rather, lack of nerve) in a situation, not necessarily whether the dog will go off without warning or continue mauling where most dogs stop when they get their point across. It tends to point out cowards, more than vicious animals. Failures are generally just cowards. http://thetruthaboutpitbulls.blogspot.com/search/label/ATTS
The “nanny” thing is apparently nonsense, too. Created as late as the ‘70s and repeated like wildfire to make it seem true. Pictures don’t make it so either. http://thetruthaboutpitbulls.blogspot.com/2010/08/nanny-dog-myth-revealed.html
I have a shelter mutt I adopted, and people who know dogs say she’s got a good bit of pit bull in her.
I have never known a gentler, more sweet-natured animal in all my life.
>Pit Bulls ranked second in reliability overall. In other words: This original “nanny breed” is not the problem, but the way he is trained may be the issue.<
The “pit bull” is NOT the nanny breed, especially since in this country the term “pit bull” may be used to denote a given type of canine. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier holds that distinction and the 2 names are in no way interchangeable. The American Pit Bull Terrier, a UKC recognized breed, is a newer dog, while the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is an older dog breed which has its origins in Great Britain. The SBT is comparatively rare in this country and is far smaller than are most of the bull-and-terrier type dogs in the US.