By Jenna Wadsworth
Some people hear “Pit Bull” and think “vicious dog,” but when the American Temperament Testing Society gauged the soundness of this misunderstood breed and many others, they came to what some might consider a shocking conclusion.
First, let’s examine the testing involved. Here’s how the American Temperament Testing Society explains or describes their testing:
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“The ATTS Temperament Test focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog’s instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat,” the study said. “The test simulates a casual walk through a park or neighborhood where everyday life situations are encountered. During this walk, the dog experiences visual, auditory and tactile stimuli. Neutral, friendly, and threatening situations are encountered, calling into play the dog’s ability to distinguish between non-threatening situations and those calling for watchful and protective reactions.”
The dog is put through a series of events that mirror life in the real world. They are exposed to other dogs, strangers, loud startling sounds, strange objects, and more.
The American Temperament Testing society tested 870 Pit Bulls. 755 of those passed the test, while 115 did not. They had an 86% pass rate.
They also tested 785 Golden Retrievers. Of those, 669 passed and 116 failed — leaving Golden Retrievers with an 85.2% pass rate.
According to their testing, Pit Bulls are slightly less likely to show aggression than one of America’s most beloved breeds.
People seem to make up their minds and refuse to look at the real evidence. News stations seemingly enjoy pumping up stories involving Pit Bulls in violent encounters. Moreover, a lot of drama is created by mixed breeds being incorrectly labeled as “Pit Bulls.” It’s heartbreaking that people feel they must create this illusion that simply is not true.
In particular, Pit Bulls were less likely to show aggression than: Beagles, Bulldogs, Basset Hounds, Bichon Frise, Corgis, Chihuahuas, German Shepherds, Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, and so many other breeds that it would be impossible to list them all here.
Don’t take our word for it, you can see for yourself. If you want to check out the Temperament Testing for any of the breeds tested, visit the American Temperament Testing Society Website.
Finally, you can also view cute pictures and read facts about American Pit Bull Terrier puppies.
Jenna is the Managing Editor of DogTime.com and CatTime.com, as well as the proud helicopter dog mom of her rescue pups Washington and Goldie Hawn. She grew up in rural North Carolina on a family farm, which is where her love of animals became apparent as she quite literally endeavored to save every abandoned fur baby within the farm’s proximity. Jenna has worked as a book editor, ghostwriter, and speech writer for various political personalities across the country. She is passionate about animal rights, sustainable agriculture, equality, and climate change—even appearing on PBS NewsHour, as well as in NBC News, The Nation, The Advocate, Yahoo News, and Newsweek.
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