Pit Bulls have gotten a bum rap as overly aggressive and violent, and dog whisperer Cesar Millan is attempting to stand up for the much-maligned, misunderstood breed with a new TV special. Millan is starring in a Nat Geo WILD special titled Cesar Millan: Love My Pit Bull airing on Friday, April 18, 2014 at 9pm ET/PT.

According to Millan, Pit Bulls and the other ‘bully breeds’ aren’t bad dogs at all and they – along with the humans who own them – just need to be trained.

“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,” said Millan.

Details on Love My Pit Bull:

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.