Pit bulls have a bad reputation, but is it deserved? A group of pit bull owners and advocates in Vancouver, Canada, says the breed has been misrepresented.

HugABull Advocacy & Rescue Society works to help not only individual dogs, but the entire breed’s image. It also strives to build a community of responsible owners for dogs who often attract the wrong kind.

Many of us have the idea that pit bulls have been bred to be aggressive – and, though they can’t help it, they’re not the kind of dog you’d want to have around. News reports and breed-specific legislation, like Ontario’s restrictions on bull breeds, certainly reinforce that.

It’s true that pit bulls were originally bred to fight bulls, bears, and other dogs as a spectator sport. However, to work with their handlers, they had to be free of aggression toward humans. This resulted in dogs that need close association with their owners. HugABull’s website says:

. . . they are not a good choice if you want a very independent dog. Your pit bull can snooze away the day while you’re at work, but will definitely claim your attention – and your lap – the minute you get home.

Unfortunately, as it also says:

The pit bull’s tough reputation often draws the “wrong” kind of owners. Not surprisingly, these are the same individuals who beat, starve and neglect their animals, eventually abandoning them altogether.

Homeless pit bulls often have trouble getting adopted, not only because of their reputation, but because they’re not at their best in a shelter. Without an owner, a pit bull can grow depressed – or hyperactive.

HugABull helps out by placing pit bulls in foster homes and helping them find permanent homes. It also works to spread accurate information about the breed. To find out more, visit HugABull.com.

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