Pit bulls

The most tenacious idea: that dogs, basketball players, or people are easily categorized.

BY HENRY ABBOTT

Everyone loves the idea that dogs act certain ways because of their breed. We’ve had one rescue pit bull or another for the last few decades. If you have a dog you know: people walk up to say that whatever kind of dog you have is fantastic, right? Other times they cross the street. But of course, even every pit bull is different. One will yank over your pregnant wife chasing a squirrel. Another will gently position her body to keep your infant nephew from plunging down a flight of stairs. Some come with hangovers of abuse, others just want to snuggle. You put it all together and I don’t know if the world is really as simple as having kinds of dogs that act certain ways. 

The same is true of people.