Pit Bulls have been a part of American families since early colonists brought them over to America. They were so beloved for their courageous spirit, tenacious loyalty and die-hard devotion to their owners that they were used in early advertisements, posters and magazines as the All American Dog. Buster Brown's companion was an American Pit Bull Terrier. World War I posters displayed them as mascots of bravery. The most decorated war dog of the time was a pit bull named Stubby. Friendly, brave and hardworking, they were the dog of choice among politicians, scholars and celebrities. Helen Keller and Theodore Roosevelt were both proud pit bull owners. The Little Rascals also had Petey, their American Pit Bull Terrier. Many of our grandparents and great grandparents had them as pets. Today, tens of thousands of Americans consider pit bulls a cherished family member.

American Pit Bull Terriers are known for their gushing affection for humans. This makes them great therapy dogs and many work in hospitals and nursing homes. Parents seek them out as their dog of choice because of their steady temperament with children. Human friendliness is a hallmark of this breed. Their outgoing personalities, even with strangers, do not make them good guard dogs. American Pit Bull Terriers put their heart and soul into everything they do. For this reason they make great Search and Rescue dogs and excel at Obedience Trials, Agility Trials, Weight Pulling and Frisbee Competitions. Pit Bulls are natural clowns. Their fun loving nature is just another trait that people have come to love about this breed. They have an incredible sense of humor and know how to make people laugh. Most owners will tell you that to know this breed is to love them.

So how has this fabulous breed known for its steady temperament, outgoing personality and love of people ended up so feared? Irresponsible owners and the media have helped to malign the American Pit Bull Terrier in the last twenty years. The media has grossly misrepresented dogs involved in attacks in an effort to sensationalize their stories. This can be seen most frequently in the use of the term "family dog." It is imperative to note that no neutered family pit bull has ever been involved in a fatal attack. For this reason, it is important to distinguish between the two terms, "family dog" and "resident dog." A "family dog" lives inside the house as a loved member of the family. The "resident dog" lives outside, in the basement or on a chain. They have not interacted with people or been properly socialized by their irresponsible owners. "Resident dogs" are usually acquired for guarding, fighting or breeding for financial gain. These dogs cannot be expected to react the same way a family pet would under similar circumstances. Unfortunately, the media does not distinguish between "family pet" and "resident dog". Headlines are far more shocking if they exclude the facts of the attack. It sounds far more exciting to hear that the family pit bull raised from birth has attacked a member of the family than the true case of the chained, intact male only used for breeding attacking the 15 month old cousin who was allowed to wander into the backyard without parental supervision. Human aggression, shyness and fearfulness are not characteristic of American Pit Bull Terriers. They are undesirable traits in any dog. Pit bulls are people-loving dogs. Their favorite place is in a lap or by the side of their human. They make excellent family pets in a committed and loving home. For more information about this fabulous breed, visit www.badrap.org, www.animalfarmfoundation.org or read "The Pitbull Placebo" by Karen Delise.

Exercise:
Dogs that live outdoors on a farm get their mental stimulation and exercise in a variety of ways. They have wildlife to chase, scents to track and other animals to herd/protect. The average dog today has little of these things to stimulate him. They spend their time in a small, confined yard. Everything exciting is happening on the other side of the fence. It is a myth that dogs with yards get exercise. Outdoor dogs spend the majority of their time at the backdoor waiting for the owners to pay attention to them. No matter where a dog spends its time, a happy dog is one that gets daily exercise whether it's a walk around the neighborhood or a fun game of fetch.

Protection:
Some people get dogs for protection. A dog that spends time indoors with his family bonds with them and is more likely to be protective. If your dog is never allowed to come indoors, it may not know the difference between a burglar and Aunt Susana who drops by to say hello. Also, outdoor dogs tend to bark excessively whether someone is in their backyard or not. Like a car alarm, your dog barking isn't going to alert anyone that something is wrong because you and your neighbors have learned to ignore it. Once the burglar is inside your home, there is nothing your outdoor dog can do about it, nor does he really want to. Dogs are protective of the areas they are kept in. As long as they aren't stealing his lawn furniture, pool or grass, he's fine with what happens inside your house. However, if the dog is allowed to spend time in the house, your things become his things. He will not tolerate a stranger coming inside and stealing your stuff. Installing a dog door is a simple way to allow your dog to spend his time where he chooses.

Climate:
Although California has a mild climate, we still experience our share of inclement weather. The average dog feels the heat and cold as we do, but some breeds are even more susceptible to climate change. Small dogs and short-coated breeds such as Chihuahuas and Pit Bulls don't tolerate cold weather very well even with an insulated shelter. Dogs with thick coats such as Akitas, Huskies, Malamutes and Chows as well as short-nosed breeds such as pugs and bulldogs can easily overheat even in mild temperatures. It is imperative that they have shade and cold, fresh water in the summer if they are going to be outdoors for even a short length of time. Some people feel that the garage provides adequate shelter. A garage becomes very hot during the summer and extremely cold during the winter. Pets can suffer and die from both heat exhaustion and exposure to the cold after being left in the garage. Garages often harbor other dangers as well. Sharp tools and poisonous chemicals are stored in the garage. A bored dog looking to fill his time may get injured investigating these things. Your dog could get loose when you open the garage door or you might accidentally run over him while parking your car.

Chaining:
You should never chain a dog in your backyard. It is against the law in the state of California to tether a dog for more than 3 hours in a 24 hour period. If you do so, you could end up with a hefty fine. The law also requires you to provide food, water and adequate shelter for your pet at all times. Chaining your dog creates insecurity and severely increases the likelihood of stress and boredom. It can also increase aggression. If the dog can't retreat from what it perceives to be a threatening situation, it becomes fearful and is more likely to bite to protect itself.

Most dogs do enjoy spending some time outdoors. It is essential that time alone outdoors be balanced with time indoors with their "pack." They are happier, healthier and safer when they are indoor pets. The more time a dog spends outdoors, the less control you have over his behavior. It only takes a little time and training to teach your dog how to behave in the house. Then you will be able to enjoy your new companion and treat him as a member of the family.