Misconceptions are a very human thing. Animals won’t ever judge us based on skin color, background, sex, religion – all things that are, ultimately, so trivial when running for your life from the sharp claws of a lion. People, on the other hand, are less reluctant to open their ears and listen to rumors that will have the targeted carry a stamp of prejudice for the rest of their life. The positive part? We are equally responsible for putting an end to them. I’m assuming many of us are aware of the stigma around the pit bull breed. For years, they’ve amassed a reputation as one of the most dangerous and ferocious dogs out there, often because, ironically, it was people who raised them that way, only to pit them against other dogs. And since we can and we should do what we can in order to speak up for those who are voiceless, Sophie Gamand came up with an interesting initiative meant to change people’s perceptions towards pit bulls. She started a project called “Flower Power, Pit Bulls Of The Revolution,” where she visited various shelters and took photos of various pit bulls wearing flower crowns. The results are below, as well as 8 Reasons To Have A Pit Bull, and finally shatter those misconceptions.
1. Low Maintenance
A dog with short hair means that there will be no grooming expenses piling up at the end of the month. Pit bulls don’t require hair cuts or having their fur brushed, and bathing them is as easy as wash, shampoo and rinse.
2. Healthy
No dog is perfect, which is why every breed has its specific health problems. Pit bulls, too, can encounter some, however they are not fatal and they can easily be lived with. What’s especially noteworthy is that this isn’t a must – not all pits suffer from health problems. More than that, they’re sturdy and long lived, so you can look forward to spending many happy years with your pooch.
3. Social And Easy To Train
Pit bulls are very social creatures, as well as eager to please and put a smile on our faces. This is precisely what makes them excellent, friendly companions, as well as ideal for training, due to their wits and ability to learn quickly. Their very desire to appease to us is what brought such a dark spot on their reputation, since it often is malevolently exploited in order to train and turn them into ferocious beasts.
4. Athletic
Pit bulls are some of the biggest athletes of the dog world! They’re very resistant and muscular, and can excel at many different kinds of dog sports, such as agility or weight pulling. Owning a pit can definitely give you the necessary boost to keep a consistent exercise routine, since they make ideal jogging partners. You’re not a very active person? No need to worry, since, unlike other breeds, pit bulls aren’t genetically engineered to need exercise, so you can easily find a pooch that can make an ideal late Sunday night Netflix partner.
5. Loyal And Loving
Contrary to popular belief, pit bulls aren’t designed to carry hatred for the human race in their DNA. By nature, they are happy dogs, who are very devoted and loyal to their owners. Their general friendliness towards us is what makes them lousy guard dogs, actually, since they tend to wag their tails at most strangers. That doesn’t mean they can’t sense danger, though. They can, and they will do everything in their power to defend their owners.
6. Cuddle Partners & Great With Children
Since we’ve already established that pit bulls love us, let us go into even deeper detail about it. They’re a very physical breed, and love to be petted and cuddled with. Adopt a pit and you’ll always have someone to stay warm with in bed and have lazy, rainy mornings with. Since they’re so affectionate and playful, they’re also great around children and can brighten anyone’s day with their tendency to goof around.
7. Discriminated
It was people with ill intentions who are the source of the stained reputations that pit bulls have today. Many people found an ideal match in the mix between the pits’ athletic and strong build, and their eagerness to please us and learn new things. This is how they came to be manipulated into being used for dog fights or be used against other people. Because of this, the ones who suffer the most are the pooches themselves. Many shelters in the USA have outlawed the breed, and they euthanize pit bulls without ever giving them a chance at adoption. I’m pretty sure that as far as discrimination goes, this is a perfect example of it, and it has no relevance whatsoever that it’s an animal we are talking about. Fortunately, any of us can help by adopting pit bulls, raising them the way they are supposed to be and then slowly contributing to the erasure of the bad reputation attached to their name.
8. In Need Of Homes
The same abhorrent individuals who are behind their bad reputation, are also behind an overpopulation of pit bulls. Because of irresponsible industrial mass breeding, there are too many pits and not enough shelters to host them. Many people see the dogs as nothing more than fighting machines, which is why, the moment they don’t need them anymore, they abandon them. A lot of pits are malnourished, abused and left alone to face the harsh conditions of the world, when all they want is a warm bed and an owner to make happy.
The French photographer behind this movement is bravely trying to make a change against a matter that pit bulls have been struggling with for decades. Pretty much every dog is built to be a loyal and loving companion for us, with pits being no exception. However, because of cold hearted people, society tells us to turn against those dogs, who are nothing but victims of their own loyalty. These were 8 Reasons To Have A Pit Bull, that I’m certain many owners can attest to, because animal or not, discrimination is a concept we need to put an end to.
Leave a Reply