Who's to blame?
Growing up, I was terrified of pit bulls. Every time I would see one, I would immediately think it was dangerous and aggressive and out to bite my head off. I never had a personal attack, but the fear came from stories and news headlines and the way people around me talked about the breed. As I grew, I started to notice something different: the pit bulls that seemed the most aggressive were usually the ones chained up outside, neglected, or trained to intimidate others. It wasn't just pit bulls; it was countless other dog breeds that were neglected, chained up, or pushed to be aggressive, and these are usually the ones that often act out. In contrast, dogs raised in a loving and structured environment were calm and friendly, even if the breed was labeled as “dangerous.” This sort of shift in perspective made me question whether dog bites are caused by breed genetics or if human behavior plays a much larger role. This debate does raise an important question: are we blaming the dog when the real responsibility lies with the owner? Blaming the dog or the human? Rethinking Dog Bite Causes.
One side of this debate argues that dog bites are more influenced by owner behavior and environmental factors rather than breed genetics. An article from A-Z Animals, titled “Why One Dog Bites and Another Doesn’t: Key Factors Explained,” explains that aggression is usually learned rather than inherited. The article goes into detail about the lack of socialization, neglect, abuse, and inconsistent training, increasing the likelihood of biting and aggressive behavior. Dogs that are not exposed to people or other animals early in life can become fearful, and fear-based reactions are usually one of the most common causes of dog bites. According to the article, even dogs from the same breed or the same litter can behave very differently depending on how they are raised, suggesting that their environment plays an important role.
However, the opposing viewpoint argues that genetics cannot be ignored when discussing dog aggression. A Science News article titled “Dog breed genetics may affect traits like aggression and fearfulness” explains that selective breeding has shaped certain behavioral traits over time. The article explains that some breeds were historically developed for guarding, hunting, or protection, which may make them more prone to traits like territorial behavior or heightened alertness. Researchers cited in the article suggest that genetics determines some behavior on its own. They can influence tendencies such as fearfulness or reactivity, which can contribute to aggression in certain situations. Together, these sources present two competing explanations for dog bite behavior: one emphasizing the powerful influence of human responsibility and environment, and the other highlighting the role of inherited traits that are based on genetics. Understanding how these factors play roles in determining whether blame should be placed on the dog or the human behind it.
When examining dog behavior, it becomes clear that multiple factors influence how dogs act, including both genetic makeup and environmental experiences. While some people believe that breed alone determines traits such as aggression or trainability, research shows that behavior is more complex. The two sources considered here provide complementary perspectives: one values genetics, and the other highlights environmental influences and upbringing. Comparing these sources allows for a balanced understanding of why some dogs are more aggressive or obedient than others.
The science news article, “Dog Breed Behavior and Genetics,” explains how genetic factors influence behavior across dog breeds. Researchers have identified that certain traits, such as aggression toward strangers, fear, and trainability, have measurable genetic traits. By studying the DNA of many dog breeds and correlating it with behavioral surveys, scientists can identify patterns that make some breeds more aggressive and have problems with certain behaviors. However, the article also notes that genetics does not act alone, and individual differences within a breed can still be significant.
The A‑Z Animals article, “Why Are Some Dogs Aggressive and Others Are Not?” values the importance of environment, early socialization, and training in shaping a dog's behavior. While understanding that genetics play a role, the article focuses on how experiences, health, trauma, and human interaction play a role. It explains that even dogs of breeds typically labeled as aggressive can become well-behaved with proper care and guidance.
I feel that both sources agree that dog behavior is influenced by multiple factors, not just breed alone. Genetics and environment both play a role in traits such as aggression, fearfulness, and trainability. Additionally, both articles acknowledge that individual differences within a breed are significant, meaning that two dogs of the same breed may behave very differently. Both sources highlight the importance of responsible ownership and training in helping dogs develop nicely.
A point of disagreement would be the power they give to genetic agents in the environment. The Science News article talked about how the genetic basis for behavioral traits suggests that genes have stronger tendencies like aggression or trainability. In contrast, the A-Z Animals article talked about how the environment and experiences play a large role in making a dog that is rather aggressive or nice. To continue on, source 1 leads toward nature, and source 2 explains nature as the key influence.
A strength and weakness from source 1 would be that the new article uses scientific research and has real studies. Which provides strong evidence for the influence of breed and heredity on behavior. Something else it presents is data from multiple breeds, making the conclusions more generalizable. But there is a weakness, which is that the owner reported the behavioral survey may have some bias, and the article does not fully explain how environmental factors may interact with genetics, which limits the full picture of behavior development.
Image by Ricky james
The A-Z animals article is strong because it explains multiple real-world factors affecting the behavior, including socialization and trauma. It is practical for dog owners and highlights that the breed alone does not determine temperament. Its weakness is that it relies more on the general explanation rather than scientific evidence. Which just means that some claims are less rigorously supported by research.
After reviewing both of the sources, it is clear that both genetics and environment are important in shaping dog behavior. Something that should be understood is that breed and genetic dose have influence, but proper upbringing and car is important for creating a well-trained dog who is not aggressive. By combining the information of both sources, it becomes evident that responsible ownership, attention to early experiences, and awareness of breed tendencies are all essential to understanding and guiding dog behavior.
In conclusion, after going over the sources, the most convincing conclusion is that dog behavior is shaped by an interaction between genetics and environment, not one or the other. Genetics may establish the behavioral tendencies, but the environment determines how those tendencies might develop and manifest. I believe a reasonable outcome between the two perspectives might be recognizing that, yes, breed does have DNA influence towards behavior, but responsible ownership and training are the deciding factors in whether a dog becomes aggressive or well-adjusted. Ultimately, understanding dog behavior requires acknowledging the behavior of a dog. When you can come to terms with promoting a safer and healthier relationship between our dogs.
Works cited
Croft, August. “Why One Dog Bites and Another Doesn’t.” A- ZanimalsKey, 6 Dec, 2025, a-z-animals.com/articles/why-are-some-dogs-aggressive-and-others-are-not/.
Lambert, Jonathan. “Dog Behaviors Like Aggression and Fearfulness Are Linked To Breed Genetics.” SciencNews, 1 Oct, 2019, https://www.sciencenews.org/article/dog-breed-behavior-genetics
I like the topic you chose for your review. I, too, have grown up fearing pitbulls because of the stigma that has been placed on them. I appreciated how you cited other articles to further your argument and gave both sides of the argument to allow the reader to understand both viewpoints.
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