[FROM SNOPES.COM]   
       
   Learn the facts on this often-misunderstood breed. We've assembled a wealth of   
   information on their traits, tendencies, and unique qualities, as well as a   
   variety of tools to test your pit bull IQ!   
       
   The Pit Bull Primer: Traits and Tendencies   
       
   Myth: Pit bulls are not good with children.   
   Fact: Pit bulls and kids can be perfect together!   
       
   Pit bulls were once renowned as "nanny dogs" for their gentleness toward   
   children, and their kid-friendly nature holds true today. Tank (right) was   
   adopted from PAWS in 2009 and now spends his time hanging out with his best   
   friend.   
       
   Pit bulls and pit bull mixes all over Philadelphia (and beyond!) have been   
   successfully adopted to families with children. Their naturally    
   eople-friendly, playful, patient nature makes them a perfect match for lively   
   kids. (If this weren't the case, then Olive and Lizzie would certainly have   
   some explaining to do!)   
       
   Some dogs enjoy a hectic household with lots of running around, and others   
   prefer just to watch cartoons together on the couch. Children should always be   
   supervised around dogs, regardless of size or breed. Children also need to be   
   taught how to safely approach and interact with dogs. Some higher-energy dogs   
   do best with older children, since smaller kids might be knocked down by an   
   enthusiastic jump or a wagging tail!   
       
       
   Myth: Pit bulls do not get along with other dogs.   
   Fact: Many pit bulls, like Emma and Dylan, live happily with their canine   
   siblings. Others are more selective with their canine friends and prefer not   
   to live with other dogs.   
       
   Every dog, regardless of breed, will have its own level of tolerance toward   
   other dogs, so it's important to set up careful introductions to avoid a clash   
   of personalities. If a dog doesn't get along with other dogs, it's not a big   
   problem; even a highly reactive dog can easily be trained to ignore other dogs   
   when they pass by on a walk.   
       
   Smart dog owners can keep their dogs happy by arranging one-on-one play   
   sessions with a few select playmates. Most dogs are so devoted to their people   
   that they are perfectly content without the company of other dogs to play with.   
       
       
   Myth: Pit bulls do not get along with cats.   
   Fact: Countless dogs of all types live in harmony with family cats. In fact,   
   many are so mild-mannered that the family cat ends up in charge! Former PAWS   
   dog Darla is so friendly with her feline housemates that they use her as a   
   pillow at night. Reggie, meanwhile, is so frightened by tiny kittens that he   
   will run and hide if they look him in the eye!   
       
       
   Myth: Pit bulls have locking jaws.   
   Fact: This is just another urban myth promoted by those who don't understand   
   that pit bulls are just like any other dogs. No dog has a locking jaw - not   
   even Molly when she's playing with her favorite toy!   
       
       
   Myth: A pit bull is more likely to bite me than another dog.   
   Fact: Pit bulls are even less likely to bite than many other types of dog!   
   Breed groups commonly identified as pit bulls have consistently scored at or   
   below average for aggression when compared to other dogs. Temperament   
   evaluations by the American Temperament Test Society give American Pit Bull   
   Terriers a very high passing rate of 82.6%, while the average passing rate for   
   the other 121 dog breeds tested was only 77%. No spayed/neutered, indoor pit   
   bull has ever killed a person.   
       
   According to studies by the CDC, a person is more likely to be killed.   
       
   - by a family member   
   - by a falling coconut   
   - in a bedroom slipper-related accident   
   - choking on a marble   
   - drowning in a 5-gallon bucket   
   - getting struck by lightning   
       
   .than by a pit bull.   
       
   NOTE: I am a dog lover, having had a female German shepherd for almost 15   
   years.  She was a once in a lifetime dog.  Anyway, this article from Snopes   
   was not a shock because my next-door neighbor has one (a female) and she is   
   the sweetest thing.  She'll come over to the fence when she sees me   
   approaching and lets me scratch her back, because I've done that from the   
   first time I saw her.  I didn't realize she was a pit bull at first.  (-:   
       
   Now I know that they get a bad rap.  Depends on the owner, I suppose.  There   
   is also a male black Lab in the yard with her, but there is no doubt in my   
   mind as to who the boss of the yard is.   
       
       
   Regards,   
       
   Roger   
      
   --- D'Bridge 3.9   
    * Origin: NCS BBS - Houma, LoUiSiAna (1:3828/7)