Pit Bulls receive a lot of bad press. But aggressive dogs aren't born -- they're made that way. Maybe they weren't socialized as puppies, maybe their owner abused or starved them into adulthood. Luckily, there's a good, uplifting case for each of these sad ones. And Bored Panda is ready to prove it.

To show you that any dog can be absolutely adorable -- no matter how much Pit Bull is in their genes, we compiled a list of some of the cutest mixes this breed is responsible for. From energetic pups to wise old-timers, continue scrolling and meet the gang!

#1

Pit Bull + Australian Cattle Dog

Pit Bull + Australian Cattle Dog

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Interestingly, 'Pit Bull' is an umbrella ter that includes several breeds: American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Bully.

Bronwen Dickey, author of Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon, is one of the people who attempted to show that negative views about pit bulls have often been shaped by misunderstandings. In the process, however, Dickey has unwittingly become a heroine for the pro-pit bull community and the target of threats and harassment from those who see her as an apologist for a vicious animal.

"People who have studied Pit Bull attacks, like Jeffrey Sacks at the CDC, have shown that when it comes to fatalities caused by Pit Bulls, the breed identifications are often not accurate," Dickey told National Geographic. "The title 'Pit Bull' has expanded so dramatically over the years that people are lumping any dog with a large head and short coat into that category rather than separating out each of the Pit Bull breeds."

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    Dickey also pointed out a study on fatalities between 2000-2009 in the journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association which found that in over 80 percent of those cases there were four or more significant factors related to the care and control of the dog. "These were dogs that had not been socialized; were large and sexually intact; and had no relationship to the person who was killed. In other words, perfect storm of factor upon factor."

    Moreover, even the "these dogs are bred for fighting," argument is only partially corrent."It's true that the original breed, the American Pit Bull Terrier, which originated in 1889, was developed for fighting. But the three other breeds that are lumped into this category have always been dog show conformation breeds," Dickey said. "They don't have that heritage. The fact that they get lumped in is part of the problem because we’re basing things on what they look like and not necessarily what they are."

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    #5

    Pit Bull + German Shepherd

    Pit Bull + German Shepherd

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    #6

    Pit Bull + Australian Shepherd

    Pit Bull + Australian Shepherd

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    #10

    Pit Bull + Great Dane

    Pit Bull + Great Dane

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    Catlady6000
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Would love to see just how big he really is, maybe next to his human

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    #11

    Pit Bull + Pug

    Pit Bull + Pug

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    Dragonfruit'nrollerskates
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My non-glassesed eyes thought that said pig, and failed to conprehend how a pig could make such a magnificent creature.

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    #12

    Pit Bull + Husky

    Pit Bull + Husky

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    Yayaboobo
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow pit genetics seem to allow other breeds to come through perfectly.

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    #13

    Pit Bull + Australian Shepherd

    Pit Bull + Australian Shepherd

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    #14

    Pit Bull + Bull Mastiff

    Pit Bull + Bull Mastiff

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    #19

    Pit Bull + Dachshund

    Pit Bull + Dachshund

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    #24

    Pit Bull + Dalmatian

    Pit Bull + Dalmatian

    She’s very smart, calm and gentle. And holy crap, she’s grateful to be in a home with carpet. Biiig fan of carpet. My daughters named her Pepper.

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    #25

    Pit Bull + Golden Retriever

    Pit Bull + Golden Retriever

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