I Let A Pit Bull Near My Baby And This Is What Happened

Rescue Pit Bull Cuddles Baby

In recent times, Pit Bulls have developed a bad reputation. People usually associate their breed to be extremely aggressive - attacking and biting people left and right. But this is not usually the case. In fact, Pit Bulls are way more friendly than you would think.




Meet Akamara. She is a two-year-old rescue American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT).

Her owner got her at six months old. She was a victim of neglect and was in desperate need of love and affection. Her immune system was extremely deficient due to mange and allergies, and she also struggled with  secondary ear infections.

When the owners’ baby, Siegmund, was born they couldn’t help but have reservations towards having Akamara near the baby.

“We NEVER leave Siegmund alone with Akamara - after all, she’s dangerous to him.”

But to their surprise Akamara was friendly and gentle towards the baby - often snuggling with Siegmund. Since the baby is still very tiny, the owners only allow Akamara to put her head near him (to Akamara’s slight disappointment), and only with eyes on her at all times. They say Akamara can’t help but cuddle with the baby. It’s in her instinct, they say.

This trait is not unique to Akamara. The United Kennel Club (UKC), which recognizes and classifies APBTs, say that they are nanny dogs - described to make excellent family companions and have always been noted for their love of children. The American Temperment Test Society rates their affectionate trait to be higher than common family breeds such as Golden Retrievers.

But even so, their bad reputation still prevails. This may have to do with how dogfight trainers favour Pit Bulls to be their fighters. This is not due to their temperment, but rather their bite power even with their smaller built. Training Pit Bulls, or any territorial dog at a young age to bring out their aggression and defensiveness will turn them to attacking machines. It is considered illegal, but there are still some who exercise this. And dogs who are rescued from these extreme conditions usually suffer from PTSD and mental trauma which more likely increases the chance of attack, especially inexperienced owners.