Man's best friend is a term that has been associated with dogs for hundreds of years. They're a truly domesticated species of animal who have been bred for countless purposes by humans. The dogs of yesterday tended to be heralded for their strength and utility. Ancient dogs were more often than not protectors, guardians, or fighters. Meanwhile today dogs are honored for their positions as companions and sources of beauty.
However there is one set of dog breeds which has been associated with its past far more than others. Bully breeds, known for their stocky, athletic build, have become quite controversial as of late. Bullies were initially bred to help with bull-baiting, hence their name, but quickly exploded in popularity. Suddenly bully breeds were being used for police work, for hunting, and for protection.
In these roles, bully breeds were undeniably effective. However, this role also led to suspicions arising around bully breeds. Questions around their role in public safety, their temperament, and their aggression were rising. Some advocates were confident that the dogs could be trained or even bred to be perfectly safe. Others were convinced their nature itself wasn't conducive to modern society.
Today, it is clear which side has won. Bully breeds are not only one of the most popular dog breeds in America, but one of the most common. 20% of the U.S dog population consists of bully breeds. 21 of 50 states host a bully breed or pit bull mix as their most popular dog. If there was ever a question of if bullies would find a place in modern society, it has been answered.
This is all possible because many bully breeds are, in reality, quite docile. The American Bully ranks as one of the best-tempered dog breeds in existence. Other popular breeds like the Bull Terrier and Boxer don't fall far behind either. Of course, pit bulls take up the bulk of the modern conversation on dog aggression. However, most people don't even realize that there is no one dog that can be considered a pit bull.
Instead, pit bulls are actually any mixed breed with several bully breeds. They can have more or less docile temperaments, but it really will depend on the exact breed. Bully breeds at large are also very receptive to training. They're renowned today for their intelligence, strength, and agility. While they can take on roles of aggression or protection, they can also be perfectly calm or even lazy dogs.
Bully breeds have grown so much in popularity that new breeds are popping up constantly. The Cane Corso, for instance, registered in Italy in 2010. It's a dog breed which came from the Mastiff and is typically used as a guardian or livestock herder. Yet at the same time, it is one of the most searched for dogs around today. Its protective nature accompanied with its big size make it a model dog for many prospective owners.
The Dogo Argentino, registered in 2020, is yet another massive bully breed. It was initially bred to hunt big game, things like boar and puma. Considering this very recent purpose, it is a dog which has seen controversy within several countries. However it goes to show the relevancy of every type of bully breed. Their initial role of hunters and protectors is still valuable to people, even if they're not perfect pets.
Bully breeds, above all else, have range. The American Staffordshire Terrier is a model dog, one of the most popular in the United States. It's pretty, it's receptive to training, it competes in dog shows, it's a very classic dog to own. Great Danes, known for their massive yet lanky build, are known as one of the most gentle dogs around. They are also a bully breed.
It's dogs like these that give bully breeds the ability to rise above the controversy. It's undeniable that some bully breeds need to be trained and treated carefully. A dog which was bred to hunt will, unsurprisingly, have good hunting instincts. However even these breeds aren't always meant to be bullies. The real evolution of thought has come in the progression of training and socialization. Dog owners are more equipped now than ever to properly train their dog.
A model pit bull, for example, can be incredibly strong, with enough strength to rip someone's arm off. This same pit bull can even be trained to do so, acting as a guardian for its owner and family. However when properly trained, the pit bull can act as a protector and companion. A dog that is properly socialized to all stimuli won't react to anything besides what it has been trained to.
The reality of many dogs today is that they could seriously hurt a full grown human. Even for the dogs that can't, they could easily hurt a child or smaller pet. The difference with bully breeds is that they have more potential, but that's potential to do good or bad. Understanding this is how bully breeds were able to overcome controversy and become one of the most popular around.
