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Information - Pit Bulls
Written by Dog Training Ireland on 10/04/2008.

At Dog Training Ireland we get many queries regarding dogs listed on the "Restricted Breeds List", but the breed that causes most concern is the American Pit Bull Terrier. We have added some statistics and videos below to help you understand the Pit Bull Terrier and Breed Specific Legislation.

Breed Specific Legislation

What is Breed specific legislation? As per Diane Jessup "BSL is best defined as discriminative restrictions placed on innocent animals and owners based on the appearance or breed of the animal. No matter how friendly, well trained or useful a dog is, if the animal fits a specific description of a "banned" breed it will face cruel restrictions, banishment or even death in jurisdictions with BSL"

In Ireland the following breeds are listed on the "Restricted Breeds List"

Control of Dogs Regulations 1991 - Section 4:

American Pit Bull Terrier
Bull Mastiff
Doberman pinscher
English Bull Terrier
German Shepard (Alsation)
Japanese Akita
Japanese Tosa
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
and to every dog of the "type" commonly known as the Ban Dog (or Bandog) and to every other strain or cross of every breed or type of dog described in this article.

This means that dogs matching the above breeds or cross breeds of these breeds must be:

Muzzled in a public place

Be led by a person over 16 years of age, who is capable of controlling the said dog, on a lead or strong chain not exceeding 2 meters.

If Breed Specific Legislation is introduced in Ireland there is a strong possibility that there will be an outright ban on the breeds listed above. The Pit Bull would most certainly be top of the list.

Should we allow this to happen? Ask yourself should a dog with sound temperament, loving, kind and loyal be destroyed because he was born a Pit Bull or a Rottweiller? We believe not.

Breed Temperament Scores

The American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS) is a national not-for-profit organization for the promotion of uniform temperament evaluation of purebred and spayed/neutered mixed-breed dogs.

American Pit Bull Terrier PASS RATE 84.3%
Mini Poodle PASS RATE 76.6%
Afghan Hound PASS RATE 72.0%
Belgian Sheepdog PASS RATE 79.7%
Shihtzu PASS RATE 77.5%
Shiba Inu PASS RATE 65.2%

Interesting reading!

Aggression and Dog Bites

At Dog Training Ireland we hold information on each dog that attends our classes or is visited at home. Our data shows that topping the list of breeds suffering from aggression or dog breeds that have bitten are as follows: