PitbullHero - Key Facts About Pit Bulls

While the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is a formally recognized breed, the broader label of "pitbull" is a generic and informal term used to loosely describe dogs solely based on their physical resemblance to various bully-type or bulldog-type breeds.
By DNA, there are four unique breeds that are commonly included in the modern pitbull-type category - the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the American Bully.
PitbullHero uses the term "pitbull" as an all-inclusive term to describe dogs that are members of the four unique breeds in the pitbull-type category, a large variety of pitbull-type mixes, and many other breeds and mixes that can be labeled as "pitbulls" due to their appearance. We intentionally use the term "pitbull" (as one lowercase word) in this manner because in contemporary usage, it no longer represents a specific or formal breed. Instead, the term "pitbull" has evolved into a generic term used to describe many different dogs solely based on their physical appearance, irrespective of their lineage or DNA.

In controlled studies, no differences in aggression were observed between pitbull-type dogs and control groups that included other breeds such as Golden Retrievers.
Pitbulls do not have "locking jaws" or the strongest bite - these misconceptions have been thoroughly debunked by scientific studies and veterinary experts.
The severity of bites by pitbulls is fully in-line with other strong breeds of similar sizes and strengths such as Dobermans, German Shepherds, Huskies, Mastiffs, Rottweilers, and many more.

While all dogs are individuals, as a group the unique breeds that are commonly included in the modern pitbull-type category continue to achieve excellent temperament scores - scoring in the top 23% of all breeds tested. Generally, pitbulls are smart, energetic dogs that are eager to please and respond well to training, no different than many other breeds.
Pitbulls are successful as service dogs, therapy dogs, K9 police dogs, and are loved as family members in millions of U.S. households.
For many reasons including their positive temperament, pitbulls are the most popular dogs in the U.S. - more popular than Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Boxers, Huskies, Rottweilers, and many others.

At least 65 different breeds have been involved in fatal dog attacks in the U.S. since only 2016 - confirming that serious dog bite-related incidents are not a breed-specific issue.
The majority of dogs visually identified as pitbulls (by shelters, owners, and the media) do not have DNA signatures from any of the breeds commonly included in the modern pitbull-type category - leading to exceedingly inaccurate breed information in media reports and in unreliable statistics about dog bites.
When taking into account the evidence and conclusions from comprehensive studies on canine DNA, unreliable dog bite statistics that make inaccurate or misleading claims about pitbulls quickly fall apart.

Contrary to unreliable information about breed-specific risk related to certain breeds, the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and multiple scientific studies have concluded that a dog's breed does not determine aggression, bite strength, or risk.
Multiple scientific studies have determined that the strength of an individual dog's bite is directly related to its overall size and strength - not to its breed.
No studies have concluded that any specific breeds are inherently more dangerous than other breeds.

BSL (breed-specific legislation) is typically a local ordinance that bans dogs based on their appearance or breed. BSL is not supported by science and is not effective in practice as it fails to reduce dog bites or improve public safety. As a result, BSL is rejected by virtually all reliable research organizations and by public safety experts including the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), NACA (National Animal Control Association), and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Multiple scientific studies have concluded BSL is ineffective and has no impact on public safety. By contrast, comprehensive breed-neutral regulations are more effective because they address all potentially dangerous dogs, all irresponsible owners, and all unsafe dog-related situations - regardless of a dog's appearance or assumed breed.
Since 2018, over 100 cities and towns have repealed BSL while almost no municipalities are enacting new BSL. In 2020, voters in Denver, CO repealed the city's 31-year-old ban against pitbulls by a wide 66% majority.

Key Facts