Here at Pampered Pets, we don’t breed discriminate. We believe every dog should be treated with respect and proper care, regardless of their size, their breed, whether they’re purebred or a mix, rescued from a shelter or purchased from a breeder. We’ve talked about pit bulls in the past (read here and here), and we were touched by a recent article in the New York Times entitled “Pit Bull gets a rebrand.”
According to Katy Brink, executive director of the renowned internet website the Dodo dedicated solely to the cute things animals do, pit bull nicknames have started to trend as pit bull owners band together to defend the often misunderstood breed. Pibble, pittopotamous, potato, and hippo are all names that have stuck, all with the connotation that the breed is in fact silly, sweet, and lovable.
Even with awareness growing around the unjust treatment towards the breed, including a book that made some buzz a few years ago and many online videos highlighting pit bulls in their true nature; lounging on the couch, lovingly tending to a baby, and being no different than any other dog, there are many people who continue to believe that the dogs are vicious, unpredictable, and bred to bite. Our resident blogger, Joy, dog owner of pit bull mix, Juniper, experiences this on a daily basis, from people choosing not to take the elevator with them, to the fellow dog owners that cross the street.
But how did pit bulls become the country’s most feared furry canine? According to Dr. Pamela Reid, vice president of the ASPCA anti-cruelty team, the term pit bull is an umbrella term to describe any dog that fits the bill of having a blocky head and muscular body, and can include “American pit bull terriers, Staffordshire terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, and American bulldogs,” both purebreds and mixes. Breed discrimination didn’t start with pit bulls, either. Over time, America has gone through phases of fearing rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds, and other big dogs.
One thing is clear: what is less celebrated is the remarkable resiliency and forgiveness these dogs have shown humans on countless occasions, and how their spirits shine through despite maltreatment and abuse. With their fair share of quirks and preferences (we like a recent video trend of pit bulls eating spinach, and find great delight in watching this video of two pit bulls playing a game of bop-the-balloon, we will do what it takes to support the breed, even if that means something as simple as calling them pibbles!
To read more about breed discrimination click here.
