When you mention "bully breeds" and "fame" in the same breath, many people's thoughts go immediately to Michael Vick. The NFL superstar received a prison sentence in 2007 for his part in an illegal dog-fighting ring involving pit bulls -- a situation that only perpetuated the inaccurate stereotypes about these dogs' supposedly aggressive natures. But bully breeds have had some other, more positive, brushes with fame as well: Talk-show host Jon Stewart, actor Jamie Foxx and actress Jessica Biel are all celebrity bully owners. And that's not all. Over the years, many bully breed dogs -- from American pit bull terriers to bulldogs -- have earned some notoriety of their own, simply by being themselves. Keep reading to learn about just a few of the traits and actions that make bullies so special. What you find out may surprise you.
5: Bully Breeds Work in the Community
Bully breeds are no strangers to community service; it's common to find them working with police, customs agents, drug-enforcement officers and rescue operations. One of the most famous public service dogs was Popsicle, an abandoned bully breed pup who was discovered by a Buffalo, New York officer and subsequently trained to work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. According to U.S. Customs Today magazine, Popsicle once intercepted 140 million dollars worth of cocaine, which was the dog's biggest bust until his retirement in 2002.
Bully breeds also serve in therapy roles. For example, some of the bullies who were part of Vick's infamous dog-fighting ring have been rehabilitated to work with patients at a cancer treatment facility in Mountain View, Calif. These dogs work under the guidance of Marthina McClay, a certified dog trainer and founder of the bully breed advocacy group, Our Pack.
4: Bully Breeds Are Heroes
Several bully breed dogs have served their owners -- and their countries -- in times of need. For example, in addition to appearing on war propaganda posters, military-trained American pit bull terriers delivered tactical messages to soldiers on the field during World War I and World War II.
Bullies such as Thor, a pit bull living near South Bend, Ind., have pulled off some more recent heroic acts. In July 2010, Thor barked to alert his sleeping owners to a fire that had broken out in their mobile home during the middle of the night. Though the fire consumed most of their material things, Thor's actions saved both his owners, as well as their 3-month-old baby girl, whose bassinet he pulled to the front door to facilitate her escape.
3: Bully Breed Are Athletes
If there were such a thing as the Canine Olympics, bully breeds might be the ones to beat. Their strong, muscular frames make them natural athletes, and as such, they excel in agility activities, including weight-pulling. Competitions usually take place on snow, dirt or train-tracklike rail systems, which are for pulls of more than 6,000 pounds. The bully breed weight-pulling record is about 8,000 pounds.
Bully breeds like the American pit bull terrier and the Boston terrier are also great candidates for the dog show circuit, because they're highly intelligent and quick learners. Also, Staffordshire bull terriers are popular entries in the terrier group of the U.S. National Dog Show held annually in Philadelphia and have won top honors there.
2: Bully Breeds Are Celebrities
The paparazzi should be hot on the trails of several bully breed dogs that have become international celebrities and icons. Some of the most famous bullies include Petey, an American Staffordshire terrier who appeared in the television series "Our Gang" and "The Little Rascals." Bull terriers are also quite familiar with the canine red carpet, having been featured in movies such as "Toy Story" and "Babe: Pig in the City." Advertising darling Spuds McKenzie, the face of past Budweiser beer campaigns, was also a bull terrier. Bully breed dogs make great mascots too; the American bulldog, for example, has motivated fans at Ivy League schools, such as Georgetown and Yale, for years.
1: Bully Breeds Are Great with Kids
When raised and socialized properly, bullies have proven to be loyal and loving family pets, and they're particularly affectionate with children. In fact, according to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of America, canines of this specific breed earned the nicknames "The Nanny Dog" and "The Children's Nursemaid" because of their maternal interactions with and tolerance for kids. English bulldogs, which have gentle yet protective temperaments, are also known for forming strong bonds with children. While bully breed dogs can't actually take the place of babysitters or nannies, this nurturing attitude toward kids is just another surprising quality that defies the stereotypes about these unique pets.
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