Pit bull bite myth

ORIGINAL: faramir

isn't there something about bull-dog type dogs, that because of their snout type, they can still breath while they are clamped down on a bite...that is why they can hold on longer?
thought i read that somewhere

No, they can hold down longer because tenacity has been bred into these dogs for hundreds of years.

i just got this from [linkhttp://www.bulldogz.com]www.bulldogz.com[/link]
 
It was recognised by the early breeders that scissor bites were really only any good for slashing and tearing at an adversary. In order to obtain a better grip they devised a curving, undershot jaw. This design allowed the dog to bite and grip to a fold of flesh. With the under jaw turning up and back, the rearward facing bottom teeth effectively prevent the loss of the grip in much the same way as some sharks teeth do
 
Having the nose set well back enabled the Bulldog to hold its grip and still be able to breathe through it#%92s nose.

and this is from:   [linkhttp://www.bulldog-dog-help.com]www.bulldog-dog-help.com[/link]
 
Since this dog was bred for baiting the facial characteristics of the dog reflects this. It has a vice like grip because of its short muzzle and undershot jaw. This dog can still breathe because its nose is placed far back, so that even if he bites the bait he can still breathe.

I hope you don't get offended by what I'm going to say, but: Have you seen an Amercian Pit Bull Terrier? Or an Amstaff, or a stafforshire terrier, or bull terrier?
They don't have short muzzles and pushed in noses.
That is great information that you posted, but it doesn't pertain to pit bulls of any kind.

chewbecca...i do not get insulted by good information...i like to learn.
 
my point was this... if this type of  jaw structure exists by the bull-dog, then it is not ridiculous to question if a similar structure exists by the pit bull...particularly when the dog encyclopedia i am holding in front of me states that the prototype of the american staffordshire terrier and staffordshire bull terrier "...originally sprang from crossing the old type of BULLDOG with some old terrier types".
 
i do not know how if there is a similar jaw type by the pitbull, since as you say, the snout is significantly different...but stories of the pit bull holding on for a long time suggest something along these lines.

original: LizzieCollie
 
Its the terrier TENACITY in them that when they choose not to let go they wont...
That same tenacity is what makes them keep on licking you and hitting you with the supernaturally strong tail until they just about kill you.

 
Exactly! They are very determined dogs, and will not quit not matter what the task!  Thats why Tyson never tires of playing ball!

If we were discussing Bulldogs what you posted would make sense...but since undershot bites are faulted severely in both PB's and Amstaff's...and they both call for scissors or level bites...???
 
Tenacity is indeed the answer, simple and to the point, just like any well trained K9 of whatever breed. They hold on because they are brave enough and stubborn enough to do so....even if they had no teeth...they'd still make a game effort.

rwbeagles:

If we were discussing Bulldogs what you posted would make sense...but since undershot bites are faulted severely in both PB's and Amstaff's...and they both call for scissors or level bites...???

the difficulty with having an intelligent conversation on a controversial topic on this forum, is that people tend not to read others posts carefully if it challenges their own ideas.

i said above that i don't know if a pitbull has the same bite as a bulldog...but since the pitbull comes from a bulldog, and the bullddog has this characteristic, therefore, it is a good QUESTION to ASK...secondly, the myth should not be poopood as if it is a ridiculous concept...since there are some dogs who have this "vise-grip" bite...the way to counter this myth is to bring an article from an independent study, that says the myth is just a myth....or at least, like you did, explain that their bite is a scissor bite...but no reason to get snotty.

also, i have not heard yet a denial with backup concerning the issue of being able to breathe while holding on to a bite...i believe most dogs can't do this...and i would strongly wonder if a pit bull has this capacity, since there are stories of them holding on a long time, especially since they come from a bulldog.