The subject of aggression is never far from any discussions involving Pit Bulls.
Many people think of aggression as being singular in nature, in other words if a dog is aggressive towards other
dogs it will be aggressive towards people. This is not the case with many dogs especially pit bulls.
Human aggression is a completely separate trait from aggression toward other dogs or other animals. Dog
aggression is a very common trait in Pit Bulls. In contrast human aggression is not. In both cases the reason is
a result of breeding.
Pit Bulls were originally bred for blood sports, like Bull and Badger bating and dog fighting. Although
aggression towards other animals would be a desirable trait for these sports, the dogs handlers needed to be
able to reach in and separate their dogs to administer some first aid so they could continue to tear each other
apart, if that makes any sense.
Because of the dog handlers need to interact with these powerful animals these fighters had to be bred to be
human friendly. This is why a Pit Bull is a poor choice for a guard dog. They instinctively like people.
Keep in mind though; animal aggression as with any inbred behavior will be present in pit bulls at different
levels of intensity on an individual basis. Pit Bulls just like any other breed of dog are capable of both animal
and human aggression.
Responsible Ownership is a must for every pit bull owner. A commitment to early training and socialization of
your dog will help insure that both of you will enjoy many years of great experiences together.
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