Saturday, October 27 is National Pit Bull Awareness Day. Why does this breed need its own awareness day? Because too many people associate pit bulls with the adjectives “vicious,” “aggressive” and “dangerous.”

To be fair, there have been pit bulls that have acted viciously, aggressively and dangerously. Some have even been in the news. However, if you look at statistics, many other breeds have acted dangerously as well.

Some 4.7 million people suffer dog bites each year, with about 800,000 requiring medical treatment. One study from the National Institutes of Health pointed out that cats also bite people. Been there, had that injury, too.

Not all dog bites come from pit bulls. I grew up with a 10-pound Silky Terrier who bit me. My grandparents’ toy poodle bit me when I was in college.

n fact, when it comes to homeowner’s insurance companies, these are the 14 breeds companies are likely to ask if you own and possibly deny you insurance, says Psychology Today:

Pit Bull Terriers Staffordshire Terriers Rottweilers German Shepherds Presa Canarios Chows Chows Doberman Pinschers Akitas Wolf-hybrids Mastiffs Cane Corsos Great Danes Alaskan Malamutes Siberian Huskies

Interestingly, research shows how outdated this notion of aggressive breeds really is.

An article on the Allstate website cites a study in the Applied Animal Behaviour Science journal that says these larger dog breeds aren’t any more likely to bite than small breeds. This fits with my own aforementioned experience with small dogs biting me. In fact, here is how that journal article ranks certain breeds:

“Siberian Huskies and Greyhounds, to name a couple, scored as very calm dogs, and even pit bulls and Rottweilers registered average or below-average aggression. The tiny Dachshund, meanwhile, ranked as the journal’s most-aggressive breed, with Chihuahuas coming in second.”

Some insurance companies won’t provide you homeowners or renters coverage if you own one of those larger breeds. Nerdwallet recently covered how to get insurance if you own a pit bull or another so-called dangerous breed. It also listed companies that won’t deny you cover overall based on your dog’s breed. Kudos to State Farm that includes this information, right on its web page entitled “It’s not the breed. It’s the bite”:

“State Farm does not ask what breed of dog is owned when writing homeowner or renters insurance. Under the right circumstances, any dog might bite, regardless of breed.”

So why do pit bulls need their own day of awareness? The ASPCA says that too often, sweet and lovable animals are labeled unfairly, just because of how they look. That’s especially true for pit bulls.

It’s one of the reasons that my company Pawsome Doggie designed and manufacturers a cake pan based on a pit bull’s profile. We know that there are many pittie moms and pibble lovers out there that want to be able to celebrate their dog’s birthday, adoption anniversary or dogaversary with a cake that resembles them. Artist Dean Russo, whom I profiled in 2017, also shows pitties some love with the dog-themed art he makes. As one of his pit bull works says, “Happiness is a pit bull smile.”

When not covering pets or money-saving topics for Parade, you can find writer Leah Ingram hanging out with her two rescue pups Oscar and Sadie or working on her profitable online store called Pawsome Doggie. It sells dog-shaped cake pans and bakeware, dog theme birthday party supplies, and unique gifts and housewares for dog lovers who want to celebrate a dogaversary™. Use code PARADE to save 10 percent. Also, be sure to check out her recent Parade Picks piece with 11 pawsome pet products?