Straight answers
Pit bull myths vs facts
Locking jaws, aggression, kids and other dogs: what's true about pit bulls and what isn't.
MYTH: Pit bulls have locking jaws.
Fact: No dog has a locking jaw. Pit bull skulls and jaws work like any other dog's; there's no special mechanism.
MYTH: "Pit bull" is one breed.
Fact: It's a label for a group: American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and many mixes. Shelter staff often guess from looks, and studies have found those guesses are often wrong.
MYTH: They're aggressive by nature.
Fact: Every dog is an individual. How a dog was raised, socialised, trained and treated matters far more than how it looks. Many pitties are goofy, people-loving couch dogs.
MYTH: They can't live with other dogs.
Fact: Some can't, many can. Like any terrier-type dog, some are selective about dog friends. A good shelter or owner will tell you how a dog does with others; meet first.
MYTH: They're bad with kids.
Fact: Many live happily with children. As with any dog, supervise young kids, and pick a dog whose history with children is known.
MYTH: Adopting one means trouble with your landlord or insurer.
Fact: Sometimes, so check first. Many landlords and insurers have no breed rules, and some states limit them. Our renter's guide shows how to find out.
The honest bottom line: judge the dog in front of you. Ask about its history, meet it more than once, and choose a dog whose energy fits your life.