In recent history pit bulls have been associated with violence and aggression. For Cesar Millan (@cesarmillan), however, pit bulls and other dogs classified among the so-called "bully breeds" aren't bullies at all. In Cesar Millan: Love My Pit Bull, a compelling one-hour special premiering tonight, April 18, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Nat Geo WILD, Millan and his current pit bull companion, Junior, make the case that it's not just pit bulls - but also humans - that need to be trained. The special will air internationally later this year. For more information, visit www.natgeowild.com and www.cesarsway.com, and follow us on Twitter (@NGC_PR).
There was a time when the pit bull was one of the most popular family pets in the country. President Theodore Roosevelt, Gen. George Patton and Helen Keller all owned pits. But today, the breeds are more closely associated with gangs and violent dogfighting. Pit bulls have recently been responsible for more fatal attacks on humans than any other type of dog, making them among the most vilified - and unwanted - dogs in America. But are they really more dangerous or naturally aggressive than other breeds? Or should humans and bad training share more of the blame?
In the revealing special, viewers will learn about the history of pit bulls, dating back to the 1800s, in which pit bulls were commonly used on farms and cattle ranches to herd animals. They were even trusted to watch the children while the adults worked the field. In England, for example, the Staffordshire bull terrier was so good with kids, it became known as "The Nanny Dog." It's a quality Millan often saw in his own pit bull, Daddy.
Often abused or abandoned, today pit bulls are euthanized at a far higher rate than any other dog. Overbreeding, improper training and neglect force about 1 million pit bulls to be put down each year - more than 2,000 a day. For Millan, rescuing the pit bull from near extermination is a cause worthy of his time and attention.
If anything, Millan's years with his former co-star and best pit bull pal, Daddy, taught the internationally acclaimed dog expert that pit bulls are not the aggressive monsters that their detractors claim they are. In fact, they are highly intelligent and, with proper training, can be loyal and loving companions. Inspired by his personal experiences with Daddy, the special showcases Millan meeting with pit bull trainers, advocates and dog owners to gain a greater knowledge and understanding of these unique and misunderstood breeds and seeks to share that message with the world.
"It's not the breed that makes a good companion. All dogs are great companions. Communication creates a partnership and dogs have the simplest communication on the planet. For them, everything is about trust, respect and love," shared Millan.
Cesar Millan: Love My Pit Bull is produced for
NAT GEO WILD by Prometheus Entertainment. For Prometheus Entertainment, executive producer is Kevin Burns and co-executive producers are Kim Sheerin and Max Thompson. For Nat Geo WILD, executive producer is Jenny Apostol, senior
Vice president of development and production is Janet Han Vissering and executive
Vice president and general manager is Geoff Daniels.
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About Cesar Millan
New York Times best-selling author and twice Emmy-nominated television personality Cesar Millan has earned a trusted reputation as the preeminent authority in the field of dog rehabilitation. With more than 25 years of experience working with canines, Millan uses a philosophy of trust, respect and love to rehabilitate aggressive, frightened and neurotic dogs, while educating owners on how their own behavior affects their pets. Millan extends his reputation in dog training and care through retail and home entertainment products, books, a bimonthly magazine and a website that have become top resources for dog help and advice and the ongoing work of the Cesar Millan Foundation, in addition to connecting with TV audiences through his new series, Cesar 911, which premiered March 7 on Nat Geo WILD. For more information, visit www.cesarsway.com. Follow Cesar on Facebook (cesar.millan), Twitter (@cesarmillan) and
Youtube (CesarMillan).
Nat Geo WILD
For more than 30 years, National Geographic has been the leader in wildlife programming. The networks
NAT GEO WILD and
NAT GEO WILD HD, launched in 2010, offer intimate encounters with nature's ferocious fighters and gentle creatures of land, sea and air that draw upon the cutting-edge work of the many explorers, filmmakers and scientists of the National Geographic Society. Part of the National Geographic Channels US, based in Washington, D.C., the networks are a joint venture between National Geographic and
FOX Cable Networks. In 2001,
National Geographic Channel (NGC) debuted, and 10 years later, Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled. The Channels have carriage with all of the nation's major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with
NAT GEO WILD currently available in over 58 million U.S. homes. Globally,
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