04/11/2021
The illusion of help: How rescues and the general public are detrimental to the breed.
Are rescuers, adopters, etc really advocates of the breed? Are you astonished to find that the answer is no? While their intentions may be good and they are saving lives, are they actually helping or saving Pit Bull's when adopting?
There are hundreds of thousands of people that say they love Pit Bulls and are helping them by getting one or more of them from shelters. The only problem is, Pit Bulls aren't found in shelters. In fact, the majority (95%) of dogs found in shelters are not even pure bred dogs, they're mixed breeds.
http://www.naiaonline.org/articles/article/naia-study-confirms-fewer-dogs-scarce-purebreds-in-us-animal-shelters .EfH6RjyV.dpbs
If these people aren't buying purebred dogs, supporting local clubs, attending shows etc, how are they supporting the breed?
The answer unfortunately is, they're not!
So who or what are these people supporting when buying a mixed breed dog they think is a Pit Bull? That answer is simple, yet unsettling. They're supporting shelters, the spreading of misinformation, and quite possibly even BSL and other anti Pit Bull legislators.
Many times when you acquire a rescue dog you are acquiring someone else's problem, and are unaware of that until it's too late. Most "experts" that evaluate dogs for adoption do so in a controlled time limited environment, which is their first mistake and that's why accidents happen post adoption. There are more dogs biting humans after rescues became popular than there ever was before. The real American Pit Bull Terriers are the one getting the blame with both dogs, and owners suffering the backlash for something a mixed breed dog from the pound did.
http://safetybeforebulldogs.blogspot.com/2014/03/collection-of-home-invasion-pit-bull.html?m=1
When purchasing a mixed breed dog you assume to be a Pit Bull, you're supporting a lie. A lie that any block headed, muscular dog is a Pit. That's the same lie dogbite.org, BSL and other anti Pit groups use to take your dogs and murder them.
So what can people do to insure they're supporting the breed and truly making a difference?
The answer is a little complicated but, nothing's ever really easy, it's going to take a little work!
Properly educating yourself on the breed (structure, temperament etc) is a little difficult because there's so much misinformation out there that people don't know where to go for the truth. I would suggest maybe start at a Pit Bull registry (ADBA website https://adbadog.com/, UKC website http://www.ukcdogs.com/Web.nsf/WebPages/Home) or reading some books (Richard Stratton has written several wonderful books about the APBT) to get a better understanding of the breed.
Purchasing an American Pit Bull Terrier, once educated about the breed (if you still decide it's the breed for you) will be a little bit simpler when you actually know what you are looking for and where to look. You can then look at the different reputable breeders and decide which one you want to go with based on bloodline/strain, the work you plan on doing with the dog (there are working and show lines) and price you can afford.
Support your local clubs! I mean this is the way to preserve history and the dogs we love. Get out there meet real people, be willing to learn. You really never know who you may meet at a show. A lot of the time local groups help fight bsl and other legislation that could be detrimental to the breed. If you dont have a state club join 3 other states then start one in yours.
We need to help insure their future by speaking up for these wonderful dogs because they can't do it for themselves, they're dogs, they bark!
J Dean Schlosser
