As you’ll see, from the richest to the poorest and all the pieces in between, in America the Pit Bull was the canine for youths.
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Regardless of their (unfair) status for being harmful, Pit Bulls have been as soon as thought of a number of the most beloved canines in the US and England. Throughout the first a part of the twentieth century, households in search of canines to maintain them protected most well-liked Pit Bulls as a result of they have been thought of extremely reliable, protecting, and dependable.
However whereas Pit Bulls have been known as “nanny canines,” they weren’t initially bred to care for youngsters or ever formally categorized as such. Like many working canines, Pit Bulls have been initially bred and educated for looking. So, the place did the nanny canine nickname come from?
What’s a Nanny Canine?
A nanny canine is a canine that’s nice with youngsters — light, forgiving, affectionate, and watchful. Though there is no such thing as a official “nanny canine” designation, sure canine breeds are sometimes called such due to their temperament round youngsters. When correctly educated and socialized from a younger age, Pit Bulls make glorious “nanny canines” or “babysitter canines.” Pit Bulls love their individuals, irrespective of their age, and have a zest for all times and play that youngsters particularly can respect.
In fact, no canine (of any breed) ought to truly be left fully alone to care for a kid. Youngsters underneath 5 are the prime sufferer of canine bites, often not out of aggression however resulting from canines exhibiting their boundaries (canine mothers chunk their puppies to right their habits).
Pit Bulls’ Historical past
Pit Bulls weren’t initially bred for nanny canines. Many Pit Bull breeds have been bred for looking in nineteenth century England, Scotland, and Eire or, within the case of American Pit Bull Terriers within the late nineteenth century, for preventing (which, although nonetheless abusive, wasn’t practically as brutal on the time as it’s now).
What does “Pit Bull” truly imply?
It’s essential to make clear what the time period “Pit Bull” truly means. A “Pit Bull” just isn’t truly a definite breed however quite an umbrella time period that refers to various completely different breeds, together with the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bully Canine, and plenty of different combined breeds.
Pit Bulls as Nanny Canines
All through the nineteenth century, Pit Bulls have been more and more bred as pets — predominately for households within the working class. This was the time round which Pit Bulls started to be acknowledged for his or her “nanny canine” qualities which made them very best in houses with youngsters. Within the first a part of the twentieth century, Pit Bulls have been so fashionable that they have been usually featured within the media, together with within the “Our Gang/Little Rascals” movies and the Buster Brown comedian strips. Well-known figures — together with Theodore Roosevelt, Helen Keller, Thomas Edison, and Fred Astaire — have been Pit Bull homeowners and supporters throughout that point. Throughout WWI and WWII, Pit Bulls have been even utilized in ads as patriotic symbols. And within the 70s, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Membership described the breed’s love of youngsters referring to them as ‘nursemaid canines.’
Vilifying Canine Breeds
However Pit Bulls started to be vilified within the second half of the twentieth century in no small half resulting from their unlucky surge in canine preventing rings, which led irresponsible breeders to mistreat them to induce vicious qualities.
The media typically additionally has a protracted historical past of vilifying sure canine breeds to foment concern and promote sensationalized tales. It’s a phenomenon hardly restricted to Pit Bulls; earlier than Pit Bulls, Rottweilers have been demonized, and earlier than Rottweilers, Dobermans have been focused. Earlier than Dobermans, German Shepherds have been villainized. Sure breeds — breeds that we now rightfully contemplate protected — have lengthy been deemed too vicious and unpredictable to be round individuals.
Are Pit Bulls protected round youngsters?
Like another breed, Pit Bulls are protected round youngsters so long as an grownup is observing them. Pit Bulls could behave aggressively when pressured — once more, like another canine — particularly in the event that they haven’t had the correct of coaching or care. Babies ought to by no means be left alone and unsupervised with any canine. Correct coaching and socialization are essential for any breed.
What made Pit Bulls appropriate for the position of babysitters?
Whereas there may be no proof that youngsters have been ever left fully alone within the care of Pit Bulls, what made them appropriate in houses with youngsters is due to their adaptable nature. Pit Bulls have an extremely protecting intuition, which makes them good for taking care of youngsters of their households. These breeds are additionally referred to as “velcro canines” as a result of they all the time need to be round their individuals. They’re additionally empathetic and capable of detect misery and provide consolation — an excellent trait in any babysitter — within the type of snuggling or licking their people.
What are the myths surrounding Pit Bulls as nanny canines?
Maybe the most important fantasy surrounding Pit Bulls is that they incessantly assault people. In actuality, Pit Bull assaults on people are uncommon. Based on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, out of the roughly 4.5 million canine bites that happen in the US annually, Pit Bulls trigger solely a small proportion.
Although Pit Bulls aren’t naturally human or animal aggressive, there are myths on the market that they’re. In truth, in 2012, 86.8% of American Pit Bull Terriers handed exams that measured their stability, aggressiveness, friendliness, and protectiveness. As some extent of comparability, 85.2% of Golden Retrievers and 80.1% of Collies — two breeds largely thought of extremely pleasant — handed these exams.
Some individuals even imagine that Pit Bulls have dangerously locking jaws, however in actuality, Pit Bulls’ jaws don’t lock, and they don’t even have probably the most highly effective chunk amongst canines (German Shepherds have that honor). There are additionally myths that Pit Bulls don’t really feel ache, however, in fact, Pit Bulls really feel as a lot ache as another breed.
It’s ironic that one of the crucial tolerant, affected person, light sorts of canine is now portrayed as probably the most harmful. And but, an estimated a million Pit Bulls are euthanized annually; they account for 40 p.c of all canines euthanized by shelters yearly.
Pit Bulls as “Babysitters” with Footage
Though these classic pictures of youngsters with their Pit Bull canines are cute, it’s essential to notice that there is no such thing as a proof that Pit Bulls have been ever used as babysitters. Nonetheless, there may be loads of proof that Pit Bulls adore their individuals and may be nice with children — information to nobody who’s ever met one. These pictures function a useful reminder that these pups have been (and nonetheless may be) trusted household pets.
This assortment of fantastic historic pictures of Pit Bulls as “nanny canines” with youngsters was created by Yonah Ward Grossman. Posted with permission.
Pit Bull Nanny Canine FAQ
Had been Pit Bulls bred to babysit?
Although good with youngsters, Pit Bulls have been bred to hunt, to not babysit youngsters. All canines ought to be supervised with youngsters, no matter breed.
The place can I be taught extra in regards to the historical past of Pit Bulls as babysitters?
Pit Bulls have been referred to as “babysitters” as a result of they’re light round youngsters. To learn extra in regards to the historical past of Pit Bulls, you need to learn Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon by Bronwen Dickey.
What made Pit Bulls appropriate for the position of babysitters?
Pit Bulls are extremely loyal and can go to any size to defend their people, which makes them appropriate round youngsters.
Are Pit Bulls little one pleasant?
Sure, Pit Bulls are pleasant with youngsters. Like another breed, Pit Bulls are protected round youngsters so long as an grownup is observing them.
Why are Pit Bulls referred to as nanny canines?
Pit Bulls have been referred to as “nanny canines” as a result of they’re light round youngsters and may be very protecting of them.
What’s the fantasy of a Pit Bull as a nanny canine?
Pit Bulls have been by no means bred to be “nanny canines” and no little one ought to ever be left fully alone and unsupervised with a canine of any breed.
Why do individuals say Pit Bulls are imply?
The media has unfold this false impression and Pit Bulls have additionally been mistreated by people and compelled into unlawful canine preventing, which has perpetuated this stereotype.
