Our Big Bad Pit Bull

I meet a lot of dogs in my travels. While I am meeting dogs talk invariably turns to, well, dogs. When I tell people we have a Pit Bull and something else mix, it pretty much drops an anchor on the conversation. This is because many people aren't sure what to do with the words "Pit Bull," but they know some people have strong opinions about those words, so they generally do nothing.

This is Nico. More precisely, this is Nico licking his chops because he knows that when I let him back in the house it's time for breakfast.

Nico is part Pit Bull and part something else. That something else is some kind of Pointer or some kind of Hound (check out those big floppy ears). As far as our local municipality is concerned, it doesn't matter what the something else in him is. It could be Beagle or Poodle or Wildebeest. He is a "Pit Mix." This means that (and this is the case in most municipalities with some kind of breed-specific legislation on the books) he is subject to the same rules and regulations that impact Pit Bulls, because much of this legalese is written to say "Pit Bulls and/or Pit Mixes."

Anyway, Nico is a Pit Mix. This means that we should keep him away from other dogs,

especially other male dogs.

And certainly we should not let him near children, either outside

or inside.

Pits are fearless, and are not startled or easily scared off by loud noises (like an electric blender).

When we have guests over, we should tell them not to get too close to him,

tease him

or invade his personal space.

Because Pits are

as Pits do.

I'm not saying you have to love my dog because he is part Pit Bull. I am asking you not to hate him because he is part Pit Bull.

The Real Pit Bull

Pit Bull Rescue Central

Bad Rap

For Pits' Sake

Out of the Pits

The Animal Farm Foundation