It is well known that some dog breeds have seriously bad reputations attached to them.
There are many reasons for such a universal negative reputation. It could be due to the historical reasons behind the breed, the general expected temperament of the dogs from the breed.
More commonly, it is often that the reputation the breed has garnered was through popular media and culture.
A common example is that of the pit bull. Outlawed in many cities in the United States, the pit bull is a breed that has garnered a reputation for being ferocious and highly dangerous.
It is often thought to be quick to hurt a victim should it be provoked in any way.
Professionals will often recommend against adopting them should you be considering it as a family pet, as the breed considered to be bad with small children in the house.
That all said, just about any dog will react badly and hurt other people should they be raised in a manner that facilitates this sort of behavior, including abuse and intentional encouragement of harmful behavior.
It is the sole, crucial responsibility of a dog owner to ensure that their dog gets proper training and socialization.
This, along with good care, will ensure that any dog, regardless of its breed reputation, will turn out to be a well-mannered individual.
It is incredibly rare that a dog will turn out bad despite the care and attention that went into raising it.
Because of this, many owners of the pit bull will be quick to point out that when raised properly like any other pooch, this people-loving breed is fiercely loyal and protective.
Many individuals will often turn out to have very sweet and gentle personalities and temperaments as well.
While you may have to put in more work into socializing them so they understand how to interact appropriately with other animals and humans, pit bulls can and will thrive in a family environment.
As is the case with just about any other breed, you can certainly allow this breed to interact with children as long as it is under direct and close adult supervision.
Having already adopted another pit bull beforehand, the young Daniels family were no strangers to the breed when they welcomed their second pit bull, Ember, into the family.
Seasoned pet owners, the couple had no worries about their new addition to the family, and so Ember developed a close relationship with Tre, their 10-year-old, unhindered.
This trust in their dog may have saved their son’s life. Tracy, Tre’s mother, was awoken one day by Ember’s low, worried growling.
Concerned, Tracy followed the dog to the bathroom, where she found her son having a seizure while in the bathtub, hanging over its side.
She immediately called emergency services and had her son rushed to the hospital, where he soon recovered with no further complications.
Thanks to Ember, whose superior sense of smell detected the seizure before it started, Tre didn’t have to suffer any damage or drown in the bathtub.