15 Adorable Photos of Pit Bulls That Prove They Don't Deserve Their Bad Rep

Pit Bulls don't have the best reputation, due in large part to their history, According to the ASPCA, Pit Bulls, along with the similar purebred American Staffordshire Terrier, were often used in illegal dog fighting rings and trained to bait and hold large animals like bears and bulls. With this historic reputation of being trained for aggression, the larger “Pit Bull” or “Bully” class of dog are regulated in some parts of the United States and even banned entirely as pets in New Zealand and the UK. But any photo of a Pit Bull shows that they are true softies that are worthy of anyone's love.

Pit bulls are one of the most common breeds found abandoned in shelters, according to Pet Central and are in need of a loving home. If you’ve always been afraid of the Pit Bulls or skeptical of adopting one, check out the pictures ahead to see that these big lovable mutts can be loving family pets.