Is it true that Pit Bulls can lock their jaw?

Question

The infamous locking jaw is a myth. The American Pit Bull Terrier and related breeds are physiologically no different from any other breed of dog. All dogs are from the same species and none have locking jaws. Dr. I Lehr Brisbin of the University of Georgia states, "To the best of our knowledge, there are no published scientific studies that would allow any meaningful comparison to be made of the biting power of various breeds of dogs. There are, moreover, compelling technical reasons why such data describing biting power in terms of 'pounds per square inch' can never be collected in a meaningful way. All figures describing biting power in such terms can be traced to either unfounded rumor or, in some cases, to newspaper articles with no foundation in factual data." Furthermore, Dr. Brisbin states, "The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the skulls, mandibles and teeth of pit bulls show that, in proportion to their size, their jaw structure and thus its inferred functional morphology, is no different than that of any breed of dog. There is absolutely no evidence for the existence of any kind of 'locking mechanism' unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier

Answer 1

I am so glad there are some people that do their very best to educate those that only listen to the horror stories told about pitbulls. If just one person is reached you are a success and hopefully in time those figures will reach great numbers and the fear and prejudice that follows pitbulls will be gone.

Answer 2

Pit bull types do not have locking jaws, as you already stated, but they do have a quality that no other canine posses... Gameness. It is the gameness of a dog that keeps them holding on to something.
Their jaw structure is no different than any other breed of dog.

For those that don't know... "game" is the never quit, never give in trait that only the American Pit Bull Terriers possess, and not all of them have it.

Answer 3

No they cant lock there jaw im still not sure why so many people think they can.... but again people think my shar-peis have lock jaw too which is 100% false... i wish people would learn more about a breed before giving addvice they dont really know anything about!!

Answer 4

Asking and answering your own question? Watch out.

Anyway, "locking jaws" does sound ridiculous. But Pit Bulls are the strongest dogs I have ever encountered. You really don't want to be anywhere near a badly trained or mean one!

Answer 5

nope there jaw structure is the same as every other dogs. Plus you already answered your own question so why did you ask in the first place?

Answer 6

They cannot lock their jaws, but they're jaws are very powerful. Hence all the controversey with owning one. But the nature of a pitbull is all dependent on its owner. I had a red nose, pure white. And that dog had the nature of a golden retriever. He was more scared of you than you were of him. My boyfriend had the same colored dog, from the same litter, and he trained that dog to protect. That dog stayed outside and chained up. He was mean as all hell.

Answer 7

I don't think it was answer their own question but more to put the fact out there for all of us that clicked on to see what everyone else had to say.

Answer 8

no, pit bulls cannot lock their jaw. it's just a myth.

Answer 9

you already knew the answer, but u probably just needed someone else to say so, so i will say it, "NO", and pls the formula is simple here, you ask, others answer

Answer 10

No they can not lock their jaws