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| Three different stereotypes, three different problems |
Before I rescued pit bulls, I rescued poodles. The question I heard time and time again was issued with a incredulous chuckle: "What do poodles need rescuing from, too much pampering??" Media portrayals of poodles show dogs covered in jewels and gems, immaculately groomed, and perfectly content to sit around on velvet cushions being pampered. But poodles are sporting dogs, originally bred to hunt. The Standard Poodle remains a canine athlete, with incredible levels of intelligence and an astute sensitivity that I fully appreciate.
Time and time again, I rescued poodles from owners who did not realize that a Standard Poodle is a large, active dog who will run a household if given the opportunity. Dylan routinely outperforms my pit bull fosters on hikes, bike rides, and runs. He can leap to heights over my head. Do not underestimate the athleticism of a poodle!
I have had pit bull people scoff at my boy Dylan and suggest that owning and managing a pit bull is on a totally different level than owning and managing a poodle. I do not like the suggestion and poodles are not "real dogs" and do not present challenges or require exercise or training. Because they do. I train my foster pit bulls the same way I trained and rehabilitated Dylan: through positive reinforcement methods.
While it would not be fair to say that poodles - or any other breed - are proportionately poisoned by cruel, violent owners or suffer abuse at a level that truly is epidemic like pit bull type dogs, they are abused and neglected and treated with indifference and they do suffer. I have seen poodles come in emaciated, so matted their gender cannot be determined, with teeth rotting from their faces. It happens, and it should not be forgotten.
My other resident dog is Ted, a dog unfortunate enough to be born big and black. Black dogs are the last dogs to be adopted at shelters. They do not photograph well. There are certain negative stereotypes associated with black. And, for some reason, black bores people.
We live in a culture where physical appearance is often valued first and above other more important traits. This is a significant part of why we perpetuate dog breeds. Most of us don't need a dog designed for a purpose -- we just need to fellow couch surfer or foot warmer. But we are drawn to a specific look. Very often dogs end up in rescue because that specific look came with a specific set of personality traits and behaviors very unsuited to the surrendering family.
I urge pit bull advocates in particular to stay away from glorifying pit bulls by defaming other breeds. This is unnecessary and hypocritical. I know it is done with good intentions and because breed seems very relevant when the pit bull "breed" is singled out. But what advocates want is equality.
All dogs have value. If we want pit bulls to be treated as equals, then we need to consistently advocate for them as equals -- by embracing and loving all dogs and shutting down all stereotypes and overgeneralized remarks. They are never acceptable, even if they don't seem overtly harmful.
