Busting Myths About Why There Are So Many “Pit Bulls” In Shelters
Welcome to another installment of Myth-Busting Monday, where we break down myths and stereotypes about the fascinating, misunderstood creatures that are pit bull-type dogs. 🧐
Myth: There are so many pit bulls in shelters because they are bad dogs.
Fact: There are many, many factors that cause dogs who look like “pit bulls” to be overrepresented in shelters. Here are a few.
Inaccurate breed identification. Many, many shelter dogs are a mix of multiple breeds. As we demonstrated in our first Myth Busting Monday post, it is near impossible to know what is in a dog’s DNA just by looking at them, and often when you mix very different breeds together, you end up with a dog with floppy ears and a blocky head — aka one that looks like a “pit bull.” So when you go to a shelter, that’s what you see, even though plenty of those dogs may not have primarily pittie DNA. Animal Farm Foundation has lots of great resources and research on this topic.
2. Pitties are popular! Pit bull type dogs are one of the most popular and common breeds in the US, so they do make up a large portion of the dog population to begin with (Pitbullhero.org estimates about 20%!). Unfortunately, their popularity can also be a motivation for people to want to breed them for profit.
3. Lack of accessible vet care, especially spay/neuter. Vet care, even basic prevention, has consistently become more expensive in this country, making it inaccessible for many families. Larger dog spays and neuters tend to be more expensive, and unaltered dogs lead to more unwanted puppies. Families often have to surrender their pets when they cannot afford medical care. All types of dogs are prone to different health issues. Pitties can be particularly prone to allergies and skin issues that may require special treatment or medication. Orthopedic surgeries for large dogs can cost thousands and thousands of dollars. These are all factors that may cause a family who loves their dog to be unable to support them.
4. Discrimination is rampant. Bias impacts pit bulls and the shelter crisis from all angles. Breed specific-legislation and breed/weight restrictions in housing can force people to choose between keeping their housing and keeping their pet. We see so many dogs surrendered to shelters because landlords will not allow families to keep them. Bias against pit bulls is often connected to — or even a mask for — bias against humans. Breed restrictions in housing stem from racism and classism, so communities that are already struggling because of unequal systems are hit especially hard. Once in the shelter system, misconceptions and bias against dogs that look like pits — as well as the same housing restrictions that may have gotten them there in the first place — can make it more challenging for them to get adopted.
5. They’re big dogs. Well, pitties can come in all shapes and sizes, but they’re often large and strong. Small dogs are generally adopted more quickly in shelters, and size plays into all of the factors above. A large dog can have more expensive medical care and require a larger crate and more food, meaning more expenses. Residential buildings may have pet weight restrictions. Plus, being in a shelter is stressful, and can bring out stress behaviors in any dog that they wouldn’t exhibit in a comfortable home with space to rest and play. Those behaviors (like reactivity and anxiety) may seem more intimidating in a large dog than a small dog, even though they are completely understandable and can often be addressed with positive reinforcement training and time to decompress in a loving home. At The Hansel Foundation, we have supported many dogs who were completely different in the shelter than they were once they landed in a foster or forever home that allowed them to blossom and feel safe.
These are just a few of the many factors at play when it comes to pit bull-type dogs and the shelter crisis. Nuance is always key — the truth is never as simple as stereotypes will have you believe.
