Pets: A Paws-Itive Experience

Are Pit Bulls Bad to the Bone?

A 20-year study conducted by the American Veterinary Association from 1979 to 1998 confirmed the negative stereotype people have of pit bulls. The breed was responsible for 66 human fatalities, compared to 39 for Rottweilers and 17 for German shepherds.

For pit bull haters, these numbers offer the necessary evidence that the breed is aggressive and dangerous. Of course, pit bull defenders could counter that with a study published in the journal “Applied Animal Behavior,” which concluded that the dog breeds most likely to bite are dachshunds, Chihuahuas, and Jack Russell terriers. The difference is a pit bull attack makes national headlines, while a Chihuahua attack goes largely unnoticed.

Jaime Terrell of Eustis has owned two pit bulls, Leo and Chico. She said neither of them exhibited aggressive behavior toward humans or other dogs. However, just as she would be with any other animal, Jaime stays alert when Chico is around her two children—Anthony, 10, and Alexa, 7.

How a pit bull is raised, she said, will determine whether or not it becomes aggressive. Some people purposefully mistreat pit bulls to prepare them for dog-fighting contests, while others want to make the claim of having “the toughest dog on the block.”

Jaime had neither of those intentions. “I am a cuddler, and I always cuddled Chico when he was a puppy. No doubt, animals behave the way humans teach them to behave.”

Chico often accompanies the family to Wekiva Falls RV Resort, where he splashes around in the springs with other children nearby. He never shows aggressive tendencies even when kids pull his tail.

“He has never tried to bite or hurt anyone,” Jaime said.

In conclusion, a pit bull in the hands of an irresponsible owner with devious intentions often leads to trouble. Give a pit bull the kindness and care it deserves, and you’ll have a loyal pet with a loving soul.

Owning a pet is one of life’s greatest joys. Pets provide companionship, help everyday worries melt away, and serve as instant mood-boosters. While they depend on us for basic needs, we depend on them to fill our hearts with warmth.

If you’re a pet owner, you may want to take time to read about the interesting tidbits we’ve accumulated about pets.

Doggone popular

According to the American Pet Products Association, approximately 37 to 47 percent of all households in the United States own a dog. Because of the unconditional love dogs provide owners, it’s hardly surprising that canines top the list of most popular pets in America. But which breeds are the most popular?

The most popular dog breeds are:

• Labrador Retriever
• German Shepherd
• Golden Retriever
• Bulldog
• Beagle
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Poodle
• Boxer
• French Bulldog
• Rottweiler

Source: American Kennel Club

The purr-fect feline

The most popular cat breeds are:

• Persian
• Maine Coon
• Exotic
• Siamese
• Abyssinian
• Ragdoll
• Birman
• American Shorthair
• Oriental
• Sphynx

Source: catster.com/cat-breeds/most-popular-cat-breeds

What to Look for in a Vet

Most of us consider pets part of the family. And much like our children, we won’t entrust their care to just anyone. The ideal veterinarian will be calm, competent, courteous, and knowledgeable. But how do we go about finding such a veterinarian? Here are some things to consider.

• How many veterinarians are in the practice?
• Is the facility clean?
• Does the practice require appointments?
• Does the staff communi- cate well?
• Does the office operate efficiently?
• Are dogs and cats cage in separate areas?
• Are tests such as x-rays and blood work performed in-house or referred to a specialist?
• Does the veterinarian stay abreast of the latest medicine and procedures?
• What are other people saying about this veterinarian?

Source: The Humane Society of the United States  —Tiffany Collins-Copenw