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American Pit Bull Terriers excel in dog
sports.
Pit Bulls do not
have "locking" jaws. They are, however, very athletic and strong and
tend to bite and hold. While getting them to release an object
may be difficult, their jaws do not lock.
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Pit Bull Terriers have
character
The fun-loving, spunky, affectionate attitutude of the American
Pit Bull Terrier is what attracts most people to the breed.
They are extremely loyal, loving dogs, naturally clownish, alert
and very intelligent. With their high energy level and intelligence,
American Pit Bull Terriers excel in dog sports such as flyball
and frisbee, agility trials, weight-pulling competitions, search
and rescue work, and obedience trials. Their tenacious work
drive and eagerness to please their owners make them natural,
award-winning competitors. The American Pit Bull Terrier
also has a soft side. Their gushing affection for humans — a
trait that breeders continue to promote have earned them work
as Certified Therapy Dogs in hospitals and nursing homes. Allowed
to develop according to their traditional qualities, Pit Bull
Terriers are loyal, loving, comical, versatile and gentle companions.
Homes with children that know the breed continue to choose the
American Pit Bull Terrier for their family pets.
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Pit Bull Terrier visits the
aged, bringing love and lots of sloppy kisses!
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Pit Bull Terriers are loyal, loving family pets and
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The Beginning of the
Breed
The dog that we now recognize as
the American Pit Bull Terrier was originally bred in the
British Isles in the early 1800s to "bait" bulls. These bull
matches were held for the entertainment of the struggling
classes — a source of relief from the tedious and brutal way
of life suffered by many commoners durint that time. In 1835,
bull baiting was deemed inhumane and made illegal. Dog
fighting became a popular replacement.
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The best
fighters were made
heroes and the trait for aggression towards other dogs began
to be selective bred into the breed. At the same time, a
very strong inhibition to bite humans was also bred into the
Pit Bull Terrier lines so handlers could lean over into the
fighting pits and pull their dogs out when necessary, without
worrying about being bit. Partially because of this selective
breeding which culled out "man-biters," this breed is well
known for its loving devotion to humans.
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The Pit Bull
Terrier Comes to America
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Immigrants brought
their dogs across the ocean to America with the rest of their
prized possessions. In early America, Pit Bull Terriers were
valued for much more than their fighting abilities. They were
entrusted to protect homesteads from predators to work on
family farms. Homesteaders depended on their dogs' abilities
to help in the hunt and as hog catchers. This earned them the
nickname "catch dogs." Pit Bull Terriers were constant
companions and watched over the families' young children. They
earned their place as an important part of the fabric of a
developing nation.
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Famous American Pit
Bull Terriers
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As cities sprung up, American Pit Bull Terriers
remained a prominent part of the American culture. Americans
admired and respected this breed for qualities that it likened
to themselves — bravery, friendliness and hard-working. They
lost their reputation as fighters and were thought of as
family dogs. At the turn of the century, they began to show up
in family photos, surrounded by loving family members. Early
advertisements, posters, and magazines began to use the breed
to represent the All American Dog. Buster Brown chose the
American Pit Bull Terrier as a constant companion. The
American Pit Bull Terrier was displayed on World War I posters
as proud mascots of neutrality and bravery. The most decorated
war dog of that time was Stubby, an American Pit Bull
Terrier! |
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The American Pit
Bull Terrier was also a favorite dog among politicians,
scholars, and celebrities. Helen Keller, Theodore Roosevelt,
and the Little Rascals all had American Pit Bull
Terriers.
For more information on Pit Bull Terriers, see
other related
links.
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