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AN ABSTRACT of the THESIS of Mallary A AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Mallary A. Paoli for the degree of Honors Baccalaureate of Science in Animal Science presented on May 30, 2012. Title: Perceptions of Pit Bulls and Other Canine Breeds. Abstract approved: ________________________________________ Linda Blythe The purpose of this study is to research people’s attitudes towards pit bull breeds compared to other dog breeds. The term “pit bull” refers to a type of dog with certain physical features including a muscular and stocky build, short coats, and a large skull with a square jaw. Over 20 different breeds can be classified as pit bulls and many people (including legislation) do not recognize this. Breed specific legislation often targets pit bull breed dogs, leading to breed stereotyping and an increase of pit bulls in animal shelters. In order to better understand peoples’ views about behaviors of pit bull breed dogs, this survey asked questions about eight different dog breeds – four pit bull breeds and four non-pit bull breeds. The survey found significant differences in the way that people view dog breeds and their behaviors. Overall, the majority of pit bull breeds (except Boxers) were rated lower in behavior characteristics than non-pit bull breeds (with the exception of the Rottweiler). Respondents were 80% accurate at categorizing breeds as pit bulls or non-pit bulls. There were no correlation between any human factor (age, gender, etc) and a person’s perceptions of dog breeds. Keywords: breed specific legislation, dog, pit bull Corresponding e-mail address: [email protected] ©Copyright by Mallary A. Paoli May 30, 2012 All Rights Reserved Perceptions of Pit Bulls and Other Canine Breeds by Mallary A. Paoli A PROJECT submitted to Oregon State University University Honors College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Honors Baccalaureate of Science in Animal Sciences (Honors Scholar) Presented May 30, 2012 Commencement June 2012 Honors Baccalaureate of Science in Animal Sciences project of Mallary A. Paoli presented on May 30, 2012. APPROVED: ______________________________________________________________________________ Mentor, representing Animal Sciences ______________________________________________________________________________ Committee Member, representing Animal Sciences ______________________________________________________________________________ Committee Member, representing Animal Sciences ______________________________________________________________________________ Chair, Department of Animal Sciences ______________________________________________________________________________ Dean, University Honors College I understand that my project will become part of the permanent collection of Oregon State University, University Honors College. My signature below authorizes release of my project to any reader upon request. ______________________________________________________________________________ Mallary A. Paoli, Author ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Dr. Blythe – Thank you so much for taking a chance on a crazy student who showed up at your office and wanted your help to study pit bulls! You have been behind this project since the beginning and I really appreciate your help and support over the last three years. Dr. Menino – Thank you for all of your help with this project! I would have been in a lot of trouble without your statistics expertise and sense of humor to help me finish! Mom – You have listened to me ramble on and on and on about pit bulls for almost five years now and you still manage to smile and let me keep going! You’ve always helped me dream bigger than I thought was possible. Thank you for believing in me no matter what! Dad and Gus – Whenever I need some motivation, you guys were always a phone call away with a ready supply of sarcasm and puns. Thank you for supporting me as I chase one crazy dream after another! Suzanne and Marisa – You guys put up with my pit bull obsession for more than two years. The two of you kept me sane and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you! TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………. 1 What is a pit bull…………………………………………………… 1 History of the pit bull breeds……………………………………..... 2 Dog bit reports…………………………………………………..…. 5 Media influence……………………………………………............. 9 Breed specific legislation…………………………………………... 12 MATERIALS AND METHODS…………………………………………... 17 Survey design………………………………………………………. 17 Survey population………………………………………………….. 18 Data analysis…………………………………………………..…… 18 RESULTS…………………….……………………………………...……...20 Questions by breed………………………………………..………... 20 Other analysis by question.…………………………………….…... 38 Analysis by respondent factors…………………………………….. 38 DISCUSSION……………………………………………………………… 34 BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………….. 37 LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Figure Page 1 Sports Illustrated cover from 1987………………………………… 10 2 Sports Illustrated cover from 2007………………………………… 10 3 Trainability by breed………………………………………………. 21 4 Friendliness by breed……………………………………………… 21 5 Appropriateness as a family pet by breed…………………………. 22 6 Likelihood to attack a human by breed……………………………. 24 7 Likelihood to attack an animal by breed…………………………… 24 8 Comfort level if approached by an off leash dog by breed………… 26 9 Identification as a pit bull breed…………………………………… 27 10 Total mean response by breed………………………………………29 11 Likelihood to attack a human versus an animal……………………. 30 12 Likelihood to attack a human versus friendliness………………….. 30 13 Mean response of dog owners and non-dog owners……………….. 32 14 Mean response of pit bull owners and non-pit bull owners………... 32 Table 1 Mean response by respondents’ college…………………………… 33 LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix Page 1 Survey…………………………………………………………… 40 2 OSU IRB Approval….……………...…………………………... 55 INTRODUCTION What is a pit bull The term “pit bull” is defined many different ways by many different people. Depending on who is using the term, pit bull may refer to between one and 20 breeds of dogs. In the narrowest interpretation, the term pit bull refers to the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are commonly considered to be pit bulls as well. Bull Terriers, Boxers, and American Bulldogs are often listed in the pit bull category as well (Lockwood and Rindy, 1986; Collier, 2006). Often in legislation or contracts, such as apartment rentals, there will be a list of prohibited breeds and a clause including “any dog displaying the majority of physical traits for any one of these breeds” (Denver Code of Ordinances, 2012). According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the following breeds are sometimes labeled as pit bulls as well because they have similar physical characteristics: Presa Canario, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino, Tosa Inu, Bullmastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux, Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog, Old English Bulldog, Japanese Tosa, and Filo Brasiliero (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 2012). Experts and veterinarians have a general summary of the physical characteristics of a pit bull. These dogs are short-coated muscular dogs. They have a wide skull, large square jaws, and are stocky in stature. Aside from these characteristics, the dogs can range in weight from 30-75 pounds and have a variety of heights (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 2012). For the purposes of this paper, the term “pit bull” is used to refer to the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Bull Terrier. 2 History of the pit bull breeds Pit bulls originated in Europe, particularly in England. Terriers were crossed with bulldogs in order to produce a dog with game abilities as well as athleticism and strength. These dogs (and many types of bulldogs) were used by butchers to control livestock waiting for slaughter. This led to dogs that were bred smaller so that they could be used for baiting – a sport of dogs fighting bulls, bears, and other animals. When baiting was made illegal, pit fighting (or dog fighting) became more popular. Aside from fighting, pit bulls were used for hunting, herding, and companionship. Historically, pit bulls are often called “nanny dogs” because they were companions and protectors of the family’s children. The American Pit Bull Terrier was recognized as a breed by the United Kennel Club in 1898. Their definition of an American Pit Bull Terrier states that: “The essential characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) are strength, confidence, and zest for life. This breed is eager to please and brimming over with enthusiasm. APBTs make excellent family companions and have always been noted for their love of children. Because most APBTs exhibit some level of dog aggression and because of its powerful physique, the APBT requires an owner who will carefully socialize and obedience train the dog. The APBT is not the best choice for a guard dog since they are extremely friendly, even with strangers. Aggressive behavior toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and highly undesirable. This breed does very well in performance events because of its high level of intelligence and its willingness to work” (United Kennel Club, 2008). 3 This description is a good generalization of most pit bull dogs’ temperaments. Fighting dogs were bred to fight animals, not humans. The fighting history of pit bull breeds means that these types of dogs need extra training and socialization as puppies and continued reinforcement throughout their life. Pit bulls are not fighting dogs purely
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