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Ilonna MacGregor
Kelly Turnbeaugh
EN 1010
April 5th, 2015
Annotated Bibliography: The Curse of a Breed
Before I ended up with my Boxer/Pit bull mix puppy, I believed all the negative
stereotypes and rumors that came along with the name “Pit bull”. What is in a name? Shouldn’t
we have learned something from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet? Nothing can end well when
stereotypes and hatred for something just by its name. In English 1010 I chose to research the
truth behind Pit Bulls and why they are seen as a “dangerous” breed. In order to focus on my
topic, I must look deeper into scientific research on the breed.
Delise, Karen. “Chapter 12”. “The Pit Bull Placebo The Media, Myths and Politics of Canine
Aggression”. Aunbis: Ramsey. Print. 2007
Summary. (Delise,130) quotes William Shakespeare, 1564 – 1616 (King John, Act IV, Scene I)
“And, like a dog is compell’d to fight snatch at his master that doth tarre him on.” (Karen states)
“William Shakespeare wrote this verse nearly three hundred years before the existence of any of
the breeds recognized today as the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire terrier,
Bull Terrier or Staffordshire Bull Terrier, all of which were not established until the 19th and
early 20th century.” (Karen’s point) about William Shakespeare was that though William was
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hardly an expert on dogs, he understood the relationship between dog and man. When we
encourage our dogs, we should not be surprised when they obey, just like if we encourage our
dogs to behave badly, it isn’t a surprise they follow the command. This is true about breeding
dogs, some humans have created and continued to select traits that will increase fight in a dog or
at least inflict injuries for “entertainment”. To claim that the dog is dangerous because a select
few seek out, and encourage the fighting trait in a dog just shows we as humans transfer cruelty
to our dogs behavior.
Evaluation. I looked up some of the news reports that Karen had listed within Chapter 12 of her
book and I found the claims to be credible and the research to be heartbreaking. I have come to a
conclusion that this research I have found is evidence that Pit Bulls are not the problem, nor are
they originally dangerous, it is the owner behind them that is the true curse of the breed.
Reflection. This research provided me with good evidence about the true intentions behind Pit
Bulls and whether or not they are dangerous or if it the owner who creates the danger. I think
some of my readers may feel this evidence is not scientific or really doesn’t prove much about
Pit Bulls, with this research, I can find more evidence that supports the facts of Pit Bulls and the
scientific study.
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Delise, Karen. “Chapter 15”. “The Pit Bull Placebo The Media, Myths and Politics of Canine
Aggression”. Ambis: Ramsey. Print. 2007
Summary. In Chapter 15 Conclusions on Canine Aggression (Karen States) “Recently, in North
Carolina, police responded to a Pit Bull and a Golden Retriever fighting”. “One of the dogs was
found tied to a tree with his front legs broken and deep gashes to his muzzle from bites of the
other dog.” “There can be little doubt to which dog was injured and how this attack came to be”.
(Karen summarizes) that even though we know what type of marks are left from a Pit Bull, even
if it doesn’t match an attack, no matter what breed is involved the “dangerous breed” is blamed.
Due to “Breed of dog = degree of dangerousness”.
Evaluation. A weakness of this research is the lack of evidence Karen uses, however as a owner
of a Pit Bull, I know firsthand that this is usually the case, even if my dog doesn’t commit any
“dangerous acts” people still give you a look as if your dog started the confutation. The strength
of the research is warranted with experience.
Reflection. It was understandable of what point Karen was making, as a Pit Bull owner, I have
experienced this sinario way too often, When a yappy little breed gets scared and runs, or any
other breed starts a fight, as the owner of the Pit Bull all eyes are on me and my dog, when the
truth is that my dog only wanted to get out of the confutation.
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Rock, Robin. “Petfinder.com”. “Myths and Facts about Pit Bulls”. ND. Web. 10 April 2015.
Summary. (Robin Bock summarizes) “Myth: Pit Bulls have locking Jaws.” “Fact: Pit Bulls do
not have special physical mechanism or enzyme that allows them to “lock” their jaws”. Their
skulls are just like any other breed and can be seen by the naked eye. The truth is that Pit Bulls
are just very determined and will bite down onto something because of that determination.
Evaluation. The tone of this piece is of annoyance, I feel that the author is tired of the rumors of
Pit Bulls. I agree with this source, as a Pit Bull owner I cannot express how much the stereotype
of all Pit Bulls is false advertising, I have researched more into the jaws of a Pit Bull, they were
bred for bull fighting and bred hold down bears and other large animals.
Reflection. This argument helped me understand that the problem may the false advertising that
all pit Bulls should be banned. The truth of the matter is that all Pit Bulls should be given a
home, not to someone who wants to make a Pit Bull’s determination to fight for someone to earn
a little unearned cash.
Rock, Robin. “Petfinder.com”. “Myths and Facts about Pit Bulls”. ND. Web. 10 April 2015.
Summary. (Robin states) “Myth: A Pit Bull that is aggressive toward other dogs will also be
aggressive towards humans”. “Fact: Dog-aggression and human aggression are two completely
different traits and should not be confused”. The truth is that unless a Pit Bull has been poorly
bred or trained to attack humans, they are the most loving, loyal and dedicated companion a man
could have.
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Evaluation. I have followed up with this research, the truth is that the Pit Bull were originally
the ideal family breed, because of their loyalty, protective tendencies and tenderness towards
children they were named the nanny dog. People who saw the good traits in Pit Bulls knew they
would be loyal and fight because the dog wants to please their human in any way possible.
Reflection. The fact is that just as bad people can manipulate a good person, a bad person can
manipulate a good dog. The breed is not the problem; people like Michael Vick, a person known
to host dog fights, are the problem.
Millan, Ceaser. “Cearsway”. “Why I Love Pit Bulls”. “The Scoop”. ND. Web. 25 March 2015.
Summary. (Ceaser states) “Go beyond the stereotype and you’ll discover a smart, calm, and
loving companion, just as you did 20 years ago a dog is a dog”. Going to your local dog park you
will see all types of breeds interacting, socializing, nothing matters to a dog but the energy that
each dog gives off. Dogs try to avoid any unbalanced animal and who acts aggressively- size
does not matter, neither does the breed. Sadly, people have come to think that Pit Bulls are mean
and aggressive; this is sadly reinforced by the media and newspapers showing Pit Bull attacks,
even when the breed isn’t a Pit Bull at all.
Evaluation. Ceaser Millan is respected within the dog-lover community because he has been
able to train, not only “red-zone” case dogs, but he teaches humans how to interact with their
dog. Ceaser owns a pack of multiple dogs he calls his “Pack” he has been around dogs all of his
life, as a child he was called the “dog boy”, he hated it, until one day, he embraced it. He came to
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America to pursue a dream, today that dream has changed many dog’s lives and have changed
the way humans train them.
Reflection. This source has been someone I respect and aspire to be, Ceaser has been a huge
influence on the way I raise my dog and I know for a fact that he knows what he is talking about
with energy and a dog’s response to it. I have seen it in pact my own Pit Bull and I believe this
source is a great tool for my essay.
Millan, Ceaser. “Cearsway”. “Why I Love Pit Bulls”. “The Scoop”. ND. Web. 25 March 2015.
Summary. Education is the key (Ceaser states) “I think it’s very hard for people to continue to
have negative feelings about pit bulls after they have actually get to know one”. Ceaser feels the
need to train owners of pit bulls because pit bulls combine the speed and determination that
causes problems if they fight, as responsible owners, we should make sure to redirect those traits
in healthy ways by giving a pit bull a job to do and he will use that same determination.
Evaluation. Ceaser Millan’s statement about people having a continuous negative attitude
towards Pit Bulls after they have met them, I have lived this and I have seen this in most every
person my dog and I encounter.
Reflection. This source has been proof within my own life, along with many others who practice
what Ceaser preaches. Pit Bulls are not the issue; owners without the right knowledge are the
problem that can be the most dangerous to others.
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Millan, Ceaser. “Cearsway”. “Why I Love Pit Bulls”. “The Scoop”. ND. Web. 25 March 2015.
Summary. Breed-specific Legislation doesn’t work. (Ceaser states): “Dogs of every breed do
good things and bad things”. “If a dog poops in your yard, do you care whether it was a pit bull
or a poodle? You just don’t want poop in your yard, and their owners should be held accountable
for their actions- for their deeds, not their breeds.” “Breed- specific Legislation doesn’t address
the problem, it just penalizes innocent dogs”.
Evaluation. This statement is true, first the ban was on Rottweilers, than German Sheppards and
Huskeys, now it is on Pit Bulls? Where does the blame game stop with stereotypes and get
directed at the source of the true problem? Irresponsible people are the real issue when it comes
to the dog, not the breed.
Reflection. This Ceaser makes a valid point, you wouldn’t blame a victim for what a criminal
did unto them, how is this any different, a dog is just as innocent as a child, there is no right or
wrong, there is fight or flight. It is time to stand up and stop knocking a breed and start educating
people on the true issues, stop banning the innocent dogs unless you are willing to ban the
owners as well.
Position Statement on Pit Bulls. Retrieved from ASPCA: https://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspcapolicy-and-position-statements/position-statement-pit-bulls (2014, 03 30).
Summary. “Dog breeds are characterized by certain physical and behavioral traits.” So in
summary, each dog breed has a certain trait, the stronger the trait in the breed, the dog was more
desirable. Pit Bulls were originally bred from the English Bull-baiting dog, a dog that was bred
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to bite bulls, bears and other large breeds in the face and neck to hold them down. When bull
baiting was banned in the 1800’s people started breeding the Pit Bull with a Terrier, with the
speed of the smaller breed and the determination of the bull dog, this created a more agile and
athletic breed, perfect for fighting each other. There are certain breeds of Pit Bulls that have the
loyalty, love and compassion that fit any family with small children, many Pit Bulls have this
trait and that is why they make a perfect pet.
Evaluation. I found this article to be credible because the ASPCA is a well known orginazation
who are fighting for animal rights.
Reflection. This is a great article that reflects the history and traits of the Pit Bull breed. It was
interesting to learn that Pit Bulls are decedents of English Bull dogs who were powerful enough
to take on a bull or even a bear. It makes me wonder how the “loophole” was okay, why was it
not okay for Pit Bulls owners to allow their dog to Bull-bait, but it was perfectly okay for two
dogs to destroy each other?