Common Myths about Aggressive Dogs

There are all sorts of silly myths and stories about different breeds of dogs. Most are founded in ignorance or fear, or some combination of both, and are definitely kept alive by those means for a variety of motives.

The Doberman Pinscher has, for many decades, been the victim of a ridiculous tale. Someone, somewhere, who must have had a deep, abiding fear and loathing of the Doberman breed, came up with the notion that Dobermans will eventually turn on their owners in vicious attacks. The explanation put forth was as incredible as the notion itself. We are expected to believe that this happens, inevitably, because the brain of the Doberman Pinscher continues to grow throughout the life of the dog, but the skull, of course, does not. When the brain outgrows the available area within the dog's skull, the pressure and pain drives the poor beast insane and causes it to attack the owner. Someone certainly had an excellent imagination along with either great ignorance of anatomy and physiology or a diabolical understanding of how to appeal to some of the general public's hunger for the macabre.

Other breeds have inherited this myth, most notably the "Pit Bull" -- itself a mythical breed as there is no such breed of dog as a "Pit Bull." And that's our mythconception number two. "Pit Bull" is a type of dog characterized by a blocky head and muscular physique, a wide ranging description that can be applied to many dogs of many different breeds and mixes, used primarily to facilitate the passage of vaguely worded anti-breed laws.

And this imaginary breed is the subject of more myths than all other breeds combined. One of the most prevalent myths about the "Pit Bull," or more rightly, the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is the belief that they have locking jaws. This one may have originated in the typical Terrier tenacity and reluctance to turn loose of something once caught that these dogs exhibit. But it just ain't so! The story has been so pervasive that universities -- including the University of Georgia and Cornell -- have done comparative studies of the jaw structure that show conclusively that APBT, or "Pit Bull" jaw anatomy has no unique features that would allow it to function any differently than any other dog, from Yorkshire Terrier to Irish Wolfhound.

Another related myth is the belief that Pit Bulls exert more pounds per square inch (PSI) of pressure than any other creature. Again, the anatomy doesn't back that up and neither do cold, hard facts. Dogs in general are far down the list in jaw strength, behind beasts like the crocodiles, who register a whopping 2,500 pounds of jaw pressure, hyenas and snapping turtles, both with 1000 pounds of chomping capability, and white sharks and lions at 600 pounds. By comparison, dogs, on average, only exert 320 pounds of pressure. In practical comparisons using a bite sleeve, between the Rottweiler, German Shepherd and APBT, the APBT came last for bite strength!

Another myth much bandied by fear mongerers is that Pit Bulls are vicious dogs with aggressive temperaments. The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) data can be depended on to give as accurate a picture of general breed temperament as we have. Dogs are confronted with different stimuli and any panic without recovery, avoidance or unprovoked aggression is an automatic fail. The two most prevalent breeds that fit the pit bull type, the APBT, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier each passed with high percentages: 85.3% for the APBT, 88% for the Staffie Bull and 83.9% for the American Staffie. This compares favorably to the German Shepherd Dog at 83.7%, the Golden Retriever at 84.6%, Great Danes at 79.2%, Border Collies at 80.6%, Collies at 79% and Chihuahuas at 71.1%.

Maybe the next time someone tells you something that sounds preposterous -- it is! Especially if it's about an "aggressive" breed.

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