AP-Petside Poll: Training, Not Nature, Makes Bully
The results of this AP-Petside poll show that the majority of U.S. companion animal owners believe that any breed of dog can be safe if the dog is well trained, even if it comes from a traditional “bully breed.”
Certain types of dog breeds including pit bulls and Rottweilers are considered to be dangerous by about 28% of American companion animal owners. However, these research findings also show that nearly three-fourths (71%) of American companion animal owners believe that any breed of dog can be safe so long as the dog is well-trained. Of the companion animal owners surveyed who support breed bans, 85% would ban pit bulls. Respondents also consider Rottweilers, Dobermans, German shepherds, and chow chows to be dangerous as well.
In addition, these findings show that about 7% believe that any violent or vicious fighting dog should be banned, while 2% were even more extreme in their views, stating that all large dogs should be outlawed.
The age of a respondent was a significant factor in the respondent’s view of a pit bull; 76% of respondents under 30 years old considered pit bulls to be safe, while only 37% of seniors felt similarly. These older companion animal owners were also more likely to support a breed ban than younger companion animal owners; slightly more than half (56%) of seniors thought that some dogs should be outlawed, while fewer than half this amount (22%) under the age of 30 felt the same way.