Countries and Regions Where Pitbulls Are Allowed and Banned

The term "Pitbull" has always been surrounded by controversy. Some argue that these dogs are gentle and affectionate by nature and can make great pets when with adequate training. Others insist that these dogs are inherently aggressive and prone to violence, regardless of training or environment. 

We see the same level of controversy in government policies. You'll find countries such as Australia, the U.K. and Italy banning ownership altogether. Many parts of the U.S. and the Netherlands have no restriction, while countries like Japan have implimented laws restricting the ownership of these breeds. We will take a global look at the countries where Pitbulls are allowed and banned, and where there are restrictions.

A Global Look at Breed-Specific Legislation

Let's start by clearing one misconception - There's no single dog breed called "Pitbull." Pitbull is a broad term that describes dogs initially bred for bull baiting, a sport long since banned throughout the Americas. Dogs were pitted against bulls, rats and various animals as a bloodsport. The term "pit" came from the dogs being put into sunken pitted arenas, and the additional "terrier" additive came from dogs being bred with terriers to increase their hunting drive for ratting. 

Thankfully, this sport is now banned in the Canada, the European Union, the UK, and most South American countries and is already a felony offense in all 50 US states. The descendants of these dogs have morphed into several different breeds that have their own purposes and classifications. 

For the dog to be successful in this sport, it had to be muscular, agile, and determined. That's why all dogs in the "Pit Bull" category look alike. They are muscular with deep chests and broad heads. These dogs are known for their drive, energy levels, dedication to their owner and ease of training. 

Temperament and slight physical characteristics of the dogs that form the Pitbull category do vary slightly. That's why breed enthusiasts are also divided on the topic of their inherent aggression - because these breeds possess their own characteristics that are different from each other. These breeds contain the following:

• American Bulldog
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• American Bully (Standard, Classic, XL, Pocket)
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier

Many of these of these breeds are not considered to be pure bred dogs, and that's why the American Kennel Club doesn't recognize any dog as a Pitbull.  However, breeds like the American Pit Bull Terrier are recognized by the American Dog Breeders Association and the United Kennel Club. Now, from the above names, you see only the American Pit Bull Terrier has the classification in their name, but all of these breeds are often/ almost always considered to be "Pit Bulls."

Many people use Pitbull as a short name for the American Pit Bull Terrier. This brings a whole lot of confusion; when the government bans or restricts Pit Bulls, does it ban the American Pit Bull Terrier or all the breeds under the Pitbull umbrella? That's what we'll be looking at next.

Breed-Specific Legislation

Dogs as a whole are bred for purpose, and because of that purpose they have traits that carry on into their daily life, even as pets. A Bullmastiff won't outrun a greyhound. A Heeler will inevitably nip an ankle or two - they are bred to herd and nip to get the result they are otherwise rewarded for. For many of the breeds on the list above, dog/ animal aggression/ prey drive are lifelong traits that need to be monitored and maintained. Without the knowledge of the dog you have and without being able to fulfill their needs, you'll have a dog who turns to other forms of activity to release that outlet. Combine this with bad/ backyard bred dogs who are not being health or temperament tested, not being socialized and being put into the hands of anyone with the money to take them - and you have a problem dog. Because these dogs appear intimidating, they are used to intimidate - and can often be used for the wrong reasons by people who don't know how to control the weapon they've created. 

On the flip side of this, we have owners who don't create boundaries, outlets or limitations for their dogs and feel that just loving their dog and spoiling them with affection is all they need. They allow their dogs to operate freely without rules or guidance, and these dogs end up off-leash in encounters with other dogs without the training to do so. We see the stigma of the "Pit Bull" rise because they have become used for all of the above reasons; we fail to blame the other end of the leash for their behavours despite them ultimately controlling the outcome of their dog. 

 

Pitbull Attack Statistics

On average, there are more than 4.5 million dog bites per year in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 45.3 percent of these bites are on the hands and arms. Things are not different for Canada. There are over 500,000 dog bites per year in Canada.

That might sound like a small number compared to 4.5 million. Let's do simple math. The U.S. has a population of around 333 million. Canada has a population of around 39 million. When we divide the population by dog bites, we get 74 and 78, respectively. So, we can conclude that dog bites in Canada are as high as our American counterparts.

According to the Animal Health Foundation, 60 percent of these attacks are from Pit Bulls.even though they make up only 6% of the dog population. This highlights a significant overrepresentation in dog attack fatalities. While these incidents are relatively rare compared to the overall number of dog bites, each fatality underscores the importance of responsible pet ownership and awareness of potential risks. In this case, the Animal Health Foundation refers to the Pit Bull as an umbrella. That means we're talking about Bulldogs, Staffordshire Terriers, American Pitbull Terriers and American Bullies - and anyone who identifies the breed they encountered as a Pit Bull. This now loops in Dogo Argentinos, Cane Corsos, and many mastiff breeds who in actuality have little to no lineage to the group of dogs in question, but may look similar to one. Because the general public doesn't know what a "true" American Pit Bull Terrier looks like, the media and public use the term to overrepresent this category of dog. 

The problem is the level of severity in many reported attacks. Minor bites and attacks that don't result in severe injury are less likely to be reported; ruling out the levels of reporting for various smaller dog breeds and dog bites from non-stigmatized breeds are less likely to get media attention. 

History of Breed-Specific Legislation

Breed-specific legislation (or BSL) is term to reference law for regulating certain dog breeds. Many governments have come up with laws governing how these dogs interact with the public. BSL was introduced in the late 1970's to earl 80's when dog attacks became more common and gained more media coverage.

One of the cases is when a 3-year-old child was mauled to death by a Pit Bull-type dog in 1986. The incident triggered a public outcry. Then, in 1989, Rev. Wilbur Billingsley was attacked and suffered two broken legs and 70 bites. He was rescued by a neighbor who fired at the dog.

The cases gained national attention, and the media reported a narrative of these breeds being aggressive and unpredictable. In turn, Denver's City Council introduced a strict breed-specific law targeting Pit Bulls. The law was one of the strictest in the country and outright banned the ownership, breeding, and harboring of Pit Bull-type dogs within city limits.

Researchers weren't left behind in this also. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collaborated with the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Humane Society of the United States to look at dog bite-related fatalities in the U.S. from 1979 through 1998.

The study reviewed 238 fatalities caused by dog bites over the nearly 20-year period. In the review, the frequently mentioned breeds for causing fatal attacks were Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds. Many of these breeds were placed on a Dangerous Dogs list, limiting owners from having their dogs altogether or being able to access various public facilities or insurance plans while owning these dogs. 

The study concluded that these breeds were more likely to cause fatal injuries due to their strength and the severity of their bites. At that time, the CDC research findings helped lawmakers and advocates put pressure on the creation of banned breed lists.

BSL Controversies

The primary method for identifying the breed of a dog involved in an attack is visual characteristics. That means the report relies on witnesses, animal control officers, or victims. Mixed-breed dogs often exhibit physical traits from multiple breeds, and this makes it difficult to definitively categorize them as a specific breed based on appearance alone. The judgment is even more flawed when witnesses and victims are traumatized or unfamiliar with dog breeds. So, this undermines the reliability of the study.

Even animal welfare organizations and legal bodies have turned against BSL. The American Veterinary Medical Association, American Bar Association, Humane Society of the United States, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals say that BSL is based on misinformation and flawed data.

On the other hand, some insurance companies use these breed lists when issuing liability policies. The Insurance Information Institute reports show that dog bites account for more than one-third of all homeowners' insurance liability claims. In 2022, these claims resulted in nearly $1.1 billion in payouts.

That's why the American Property & Casualty Insurance Association doesn't want the practice to end. The lists make it hard for Pitbull owners to get sufficient insurance coverage. An alternative is for the insurer to provide coverage but charge higher premiums.

The limitation of this method is that is puts the blame on the breed and takes it away from the owner, without shining light on responsible dog breeding and ownership. A 2008 study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association surveyed more than 800 dog owners and concluded that “dog owners frequently had only limited knowledge of dog behavior and often were unaware of factors that increased the risk of dog bites to children.” The paper recommends further “education of dog owners regarding dog behavior, including body language, social signals, resource-guarding, and self-defense, and the risks of dog bites to infants and young children.” This applies to all breeds, as many dogs can inflict serious injury if they bite an adult ohild.

The Current State of BSL

The shift from breed-specific laws to breed-neutral laws still continues. There is growing evidence that BSL is ineffective at reducing dog bites and attacks. Over 20 states in the U.S. have passed prohibitions against breed-specific laws.

These laws prevent local governments from enacting or enforcing BSL. States like California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, and New York have moved toward breed-neutral regulations. Colorado, for instance, was a battleground for BSL due to Denver's ban on Pit Bulls since 1989.

However, in 2020, Denver voters approved a measure to repeal the ban, shifting toward breed-neutral dangerous dog laws. Another good example is Miami-Dade County. It has had a Pit Bull ban in place since 1989.

The ban prohibited residents from owning Pit Bulls, and the county enforced fines and euthanasia for Pit Bulls found in violation of this law. The ban ended in 2023, after it had been in action for over three decades.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new law that took effect in October last year. The new law allows Pit Bull adoption in the county. Some states, like Michigan and Pennsylvania, have laws that prevent insurance companies from denying homeowners insurance based on the dog breed.

A 2022 survey shows that around 70 percent of Americans are against the breed ban. But things are not the same for all counties and countries.

Countries Where Pit Bulls Are Allowed

As we said, governments are divided when it comes to allowing or banning Pitbulls. Let's first look at the countries where Pit Bulls are allowed and where there are restrictions.

USA

We have talked about BSL in the US, but we want to break down the specific state, county, or city where you can go with a Pitbull and where you cannot. In the following states, it is illegal for local governments to enact breed-specific laws. Instead, dangerous dog laws are based on an individual dog's behavior rather than breed.

1. Arizona
2. California
3. Colorado
4. Connecticut
5. Delaware
6. Florida
7. Illinois
8. Maine
9. Massachusetts
10. Michigan
11. Minnesota
12. Nevada
13. New Jersey
14. New York
15. Oklahoma
16. Pennsylvania
17. Rhode Island
18. South Carolina
19. Texas
20. Utah
21. Virginia
22. Washington

On the other hand, the following cities and counties still have BSL targeting Pit Bulls. Note that some are restrictions, not total bans.

• Denver, Colorado: After the 1989 law repeal in 2020, the new law, however, still requires Pit Bull owners to obtain a breed-restricted license. You'll need to follow regulations such as a limit of two Pit Bulls per household and undergo an evaluation process to prove the dogs pose no threat.
• Kansas City: Kansas City has a Pit Bull ban in place that prohibits the ownership, possession, or sale of Pit Bulls within the city limits. The law defines Pitbull as any dog that's considered dangerous. That means the ban includes American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
• Aurora, Colorado: Aurora passed a Pit Bull ban in 2005, similar to Denver's law, banning American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. The ban has been contentious and led to voting in 2020. However, the residents still voted to maintain it.
• Prince George's County, Maryland: Prince George's County has one of the strictest Pit Bull bans in the state of Maryland. The law has been in place since 1997, prohibiting ownership of American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. The county defines a Pit Bull based on physical characteristics and appearance rather than pure breeding. Violators of the ban are subject to fines and dog euthanasia.
• Sioux City, Iowa: Sioux City had a Pit Bull ban in place for more than a decade. But in 2020, the city council voted to repeal the breed-specific ban. The city now enforces a breed-neutral dangerous dog ordinance focused on behavior rather than breed.
• Council Bluffs, Iowa: Pit Bulls have been banned in Council Bluffs since 2004. The city bans American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. For violators, the dogs may be seized and euthanized. However, there's an exception if you maintain an insurance cover of at least $100,0000.

State Preemptions Against BSL

There are preemption laws that prevent municipalities from banning or restricting specific dog breeds like Pit Bulls. Here are some states with preemption laws.

• California: In 1989, California passed a law that prohibited local governments from enacting breed-specific bans. However, the law was appealed, and in 2005, it gave municipalities powers to impose restrictions related to the spaying or neutering of specific breeds. The result? San Francisco enacted a sterilization ordinance for Pit Bulls.
• Colorado: Despite high-profile Pit Bull bans in cities like Denver, Colorado passed a state law in 2004 that prevents cities and counties from enacting new breed-specific bans. Denver was an exception due to its long-standing ban. The good news is that the city's Pit Bull ban was repealed in 2020.
• Florida: Florida has a state preemption law prohibiting local governments from enacting BSL, with the notable exception of Miami-Dade County. Like Denver, Miami-Dade County had already implemented a Pit Bull ban before the state law was passed.
• New York: New York prohibits local governments from enacting breed-specific laws. However, cities and towns can enforce dangerous dog laws that address individual dog behavior.
• Texas: In 1991, Texas passed a preemption law banning breed-specific legislation at the local level. That means cities and counties cannot enact laws targeting specific breeds like Pit Bulls.

Canada

 

The situation in Canada is somewhat similar to that in the U.S. The Canadian federal government has no laws regulating Pit Bulls. However, there is a mix of breed bans, restrictions, and breed-neutral laws depending on the province and municipality.

The most well-known BSL comes from Ontario. It's the only province in Canada with a province-wide BSL. The legislation is in the Dog Owners' Liability Act, passed in 2005. The law bans:

• American Pit Bull Terriers
• Pit Bull Terriers
• Staffordshire Bull Terriers
• American Staffordshire Terriers

The ban includes the City of Toronto; the only difference is that Toronto allows these dog breeds to transit through the city if the agent has notified the official in advance. The ban didn't come as a surprise anyway; two Pit Bull-type dogs had attacked a 25-year-old man in October 2004, just two months before the ban. Police tried to free the man by shooting at the Pit Bulls, but still, paramedics were forced to choke the dog simply because they couldn't let the man go. The attack was so severe that the man required reconstructive surgery.  

The dogs that were already in the province before the 2005 law was passed weren't euthanized. Instead, they were sterilized. The owners also have to muzzle them and keep them on a leash when going to public places. The law extends to ban mixes that have physical characteristics similar to those of these breeds.

The law uses the standards of the United Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel Club to identify the physical characteristics. The good news is that Ontario, under the leadership of Doug Ford, eased some of the Pit Bull regulations in November of 2021.

The new regulation allows dogs that look similar to the banned Pit Bulls to be given back to their owners as the involved bodies investigate to ascertain the dog breed. This was after an American Bully was mistaken for a Pit Bull and seized by the authorities. It was later discovered that it wasn't a Pit Bull.

Apart from Ontario, the same breeds are banned in about 40 locations in Canada. Here is a breakdown of the locations where Pitbulls are banned or restricted in Canada.

Nova Scotia

• Banned in Clark's Harbor
• Restricted in Richmond County
• Described as dangerous and fierce in Guysborough
• Restricted in Antigonish County

Newfoundland & Labrador

• Banned in North West River

Manitoba

• Banned in The Pas
• Banned in MacDonald
• Banned in Swan River
• Banned in Deloraine
• Banned in Hartney
• Banned in Pipestone
• Banned in Reston
• Banned in Sinclair
• Banned in Scarth
• Banned in Cromer
• Banned in Virden
• Banned in Marchand
• Banned in Saint Jean Baptiste
• Banned in Steinbach
• Banned in Mitchell
• Banned in Kleefeld Blumenort
• Banned in Niverville
• Banned in Domain
• Banned in LaSalle
• Banned in Sanford Brunkild
• Banned in Oak Bluff
• Banned in Springstein
• Banned in Lido Plage
• Banned in Starbuck
• Banned in Dacotah
• Banned in Cartier
• Banned in Elie
• Banned in Winnipeg

Saskatchewan

• Banned in Radvile
• Banned in Lang
• Banned in Qu'Appelle
• Banned in Cupar
• Banned in Nokomis
• Banned in Burnsall
• Banned in Elrose
• Banned in Perdue
• Banned in Rose Valley
• Banned in Melville
• Banned in Saint Louis
• Banned in Hafford
• Banned in Meota
• Banned in St Walburg

Alberta

• Banned in Moosomin
• Banned in Nobleford
• Banned in Coutts
• Restricted in Kitscoty
• Restricted in the County of Vermilion River
• Restricted in Dewberry
• Restricted in Onoway
• Restricted in Milk River
• Restricted in Magrath
• Restricted in Picture Butte
• Restricted in Heisler
• Restricted in Coronation
• Restricted in Rosemary
• Restricted in Bassano
• Restricted in Stirlingville
• Restricted in Carstairs
• Restricted in Water Valley
• Restricted in Cremona
• Restricted in Elkton
• Restricted in Bearberry
• Restricted in Sundre
• Restricted in Bergen

British Columbia

• Restricted in Fort Nelson
• Restricted in Prince Rupert
• Must be on leash and muzzled while in public places
• Restricted in Stewart
• Described as vicious dogs in Dawson Creek
• Described as vicious dogs in Nelson
• Restricted in Ladysmith
• Restricted in Gold River
• Described as vicious dogs in Castlegar
• Restricted in Nanaimo
• Described as aggressive and dangerous dogs in Parksville
• Described as vicious dogs in Pitt Meadows
• Described as dangerous dogs in Richmond
• Described as vicious dogs in Burnaby
• Categorized as aggressive dogs and restricted in West Vancouver

New Brunswick

• Banned in Salisbury
• Banned in Neguac
• Banned in Alma
• Restricted in Shippagan

Quebec

• Pitbulls were almost banned in 2018, but the legislators changed their mind. So, the provincial ban on Pit Bulls is under review. If it goes through, we may have a case like that of Ontario.

Countries Where Pit Bulls Are Banned

Even if there is a shift towards breed-neutral laws, there are countries that believe that Pit Bulls are a threat to the public. Here are countries where Pit Bulls are banned:

Australia

Pit Bulls are classified as a restricted breed in all states and territories in Australia. The ban was after a series of reported attacks, including the death of a 4-year-old girl, Ayen Chol, in Melbourne.  The result? Tougher BSL in Victoria and across Australia.

Note that Australia mainly focuses on the American Pit Bull Terrier. For instance, the Staffordshire Terrier is not restricted or banned. However, because the physical appearance of the Staffordshire Terrier is almost like that of the American Pitbull Terrier, there is a chance of mixing the breeds.

That means you can have a dog that looks like a Staffordshire Terrier but has the temperament of an American Pit Bull Terrier. As a result, the law bans any Staffordshire Terrier crossed with a Pitbull, but a pure Staffordshire Terrier isn't illegal.

If the restricted dog chases, harasses, or attacks an animal or someone, you'll face a four-year jail term or a fine of $55,000. But if the dog bites someone, you'll face a fine of 5 years in jail, a permanent disqualification for walking with a dog in public, and a $77,000 fine.

United Kingdom

The issue of Pitbulls in the U.K. is somehow interesting because Pit Bulls were first bred in England. The dog was initially used for bull baiting, an English sport. However, the British Parliament came up with the Animal Act in 1835, which categorized bull baiting as animal cruelty and prohibited it.

One of the presented cases was that of Rucksana Khan. The six-year-old ended up with severe chest and head injuries from the attack. This case was one of the ten cases that were presented to Parliament in 1991. As a result, the parliament came up with the Dangerous Dogs Act. The act banned the following breeds.

• Pit Bull Terrier
• American Bully
• Dogo Argentino
• Japanese Tosa
• Fila Brasileiro

To show how BSL is strict in the U.K., around 91 Pit Bull-type dogs were put down in Battersea. That was based on the breed, not their individual history of attacks. Note that the XL Bully became illegal starting February 1, 2024. There is no certificate for exemption.

Even with the ban, over 30 people have died out of fatal dog attacks, with 21 of the cases involving dogs that aren't restricted. This makes the effectiveness of BSL questionable.

Denmark

Denmark is one of the countries that treat dog bites very seriously. For instance, if the dog bites someone, an investigation is carried out. If it's a savagery attack, the dog is euthanized. The rules cut across both dogs owned by Danish citizens and visitors.

It's also one of the countries that have banned a large number of breeds, including Pit Bull Terriers. It's illegal to import, own, or breed the banned breeds. Visitors are only allowed to travel with the dog through Denmark. However, the dog shouldn't leave the crate, apart from short feeding and exercise durations. Here is a list of the breeds banned in Denmark.

• Sarplaninac
• Tosa Inu
• Tornjak
• South Russian Shepherd Dog
• Pit Bull Terrier
• Kangal
• Dogo Argentino
• Boerboel
• Fila Brasileiro
• Central Asian Shepherd Dog
• Caucasian Shepherd Dog
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• American Bulldog

Although we're seeing a shift in BSL in countries like the US, it's not the case for Denmark. The ban was evaluated in 2013, and the Danish Parliament decided that there would be no amendments to the prohibition.

Let's clarify something here. There are transitional rules that allow people who owned the prohibited breeds before March 17, 2010, to keep them. However, this exception doesn't apply to Tosa Inu and Pit Bull Terriers, as they have been prohibited since 1991.

Germany

The situation in Germany is similar to that of Canada and the US. Pit Bulls are banned in certain regions and allowed in others. According to the National Animal Interest Alliance, the German government banned specific dog breeds after a series of deadly attacks in 2012.

One of the attacks was in April when a Rottweiler attacked and killed an old woman. Barely two months later, there was another fatal attack. A Pit Bull Terrier and an American Staffordshire Terrier mauled a six-old boy to death. The news spread and everybody called on BSL for dogs that were considered to be aggressive.

Just like in Canada, BSL in Germany varies across the 16 states.  But we want to focus on North Rhine, Lower Saxony and Hesse. In these places, the laws are classified into the following three categories.

Category III Dogs

These are dogs that stand taller than 15.75 inches and weigh over 44 pounds. Somehow, the law on these dogs focuses on their sheer size and muscle power. The judgment is based on the fact that these dogs can cause savagery attacks once provoked. These dogs are automatically placed into Category II dogs once they show signals of aggression.

Category II Dogs

These dogs are those that the government considers to be dangerous when provoked. The government restricts the ownership of these dogs, and they need to pass tests before they're allowed to own one. The first test is the temperament test.

The tests aim to show how aggressive the dog can be once provoked. It also tries to reveal how easily the dog can be provoked. The second test is to confirm that the dog hasn't been involved in any act of aggression for the last three years. If the dog passes these tests, you're free to own it, import, breed, and sell it. Here are the dogs categorized as Category II.

• Tibetan Mastiff
• Rottweiler
• Rhodesian Ridgeback
• Great Pyrenees
• Maremma
• Kuvasz
• Komondor
• Doberman
• Bullmastiff
• Beauceron
• Briard
• Akbash
• There are also over 15 more breeds restricted in Germany; only these breeds are very rare in the US.

Category I Dogs

Category I dogs are those considered to be dangerous breeds, not from their temperament but from their history. It's, therefore, illegal to import, breed, or sell them. In short, these dogs are outright banned. Here are the breeds.

• Tosa Inu
• Bandog
• Chinese Fighting Dog
• Roman Fighting Dog
• Fila Brasileiro
• Dogo Argentino
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• Spanish Mastiff
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Bull Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier

There are stories, but we weren't able to confirm that owners of the restricted dogs need to put a red banner on their home doors. It's a sign that the home hosts dangerous dogs, so the visitors and the public should be aware. The license cost for keeping a banned dog is around $600 to $1000.

The German Kennel Club usually assesses these dogs. But there's some kind of shift, just like we saw in the US. The Kennel Club of Britain wrote to the German Chancellor and the FCI to oppose the sweeping restrictions and bans.

The global community is also putting pressure on Germany. For instance, dog owners globally are protesting against the bans by displaying black and red ribbons on the Internet. Some are even advocating for boycotts of German companies and German-made products in sympathy for the banned breeds.

The Debate Over Breed-Specific Legislation

The banning of Pit Bulls is mainly based on myths and misconceptions, although there are some not-so-good statistics. This has brought a lot of confusion about whether Pit Bulls are foes or friends. Instead of taking sides about BSL banning PitBulls, let's focus on some facts about Pit Bulls. We'll also try to debunk the common myths and misconceptions.

They Have a Dark Dog Fighting Past

It is not easy to change beliefs based on history. People who watched dog fighting sports talked about how ferocious Pit Bulls are. Automatically, people think about how savagery Pitbull attacks on humans can be. In actuality, human aggression would be considered a fault to this breed as they have never been bred to cause harm to humans; they have been used relentlessly by humans due to their undying loyalty to them 

We don't refute that these dogs have a history and some generic traits of dog-to dog and animal aggression - as do many working breeds of similar or larger size and stature. Owning a dog with a high prey drive, high energy level and strong will is not for the novice dog owner, but also is not illegal. 

They Are Loyal to Their Owners

One of the most desirable traits in a dog is loyalty. That's why they are called man's best friends. Pit Bulls are one of the breeds that give their owners undivided love. These dogs on many occasions can and will die for their owner - which is why they served in the first world war.

Not many breeds can do that. Note that this forms the basis for banning them, as the perceived threat might be a humans. This comes from dogs who have been abused/ mistreated/ mistrained by their owners, and from dogs with little to no training or socialization. This includes a combination of badly bred dogs who show symptoms of neurological faults.

They Have Locked Jaws

The skull of a Pit Bull is the same as that of other dog breeds. Pit Bulls have strong jaw muscles, making their bite very strong. But even with a bite force of around 240 to 330 PSI they're no match to dogs like the Turkish Kangal with a bite force of 743 PSI or a Mastiff with a bite force of 556 PSI.

In fact, the bite force of an American Pit Bull Terrier is almost like that of the German Shepherd, which has a bite force of 238 to 291 PSI. What makes Pit Bulls appear like they have locking jaws is their determination to not release their prey.

Pitbulls Can Be Trained Like Other Dog Breeds

Pit Bull-type dogs can be socialized and trained just like other dog breeds. In fact, their intelligence level ranks above average. That means they are clever enough to learn new commands. That's why these dogs usually excel in obedience training and dog sports. The only difference is that the training curve is a little steeper; these dogs have high energy levels that you need to control during training. They are not always fond of other dogs or small animals, and that's why they aren't a breed for everyone. 

Conclusion

An often-asked question is what breed or breeds of dogs are most “dangerous.” This inquiry can be prompted by a serious attack by a specific dog, or it may be the result of media-driven portrayals of a specific breed as “dangerous.” Although this is a common concern, singling out one or two breeds for control can result in a false sense of accomplishment. Doing so ignores the true scope of the problem and will not result in a responsible approach to protecting a community’s citizens. Dog bite statistics are not really statistics, and they do not give an accurate picture of dogs that bite. Invariably the numbers will show that dogs from popular large breeds are a problem. Research has suggested that educating children — who are bitten at much higher rates than adults — may be an effective way of helping to prevent injuries; video programs have even been explored for very young children. Scholars have also investigated how best to educate parents, and a 2003 study concluded that perhaps two-thirds of child injuries might be prevented through parental education.

In short, if you are traveling with your Pit Bull, you'll need to check the destination country's laws about Pit Bulls, not only at the national level but also at local governments. It's still possible for the breed to be allowed by the federal government but banned by the local government.