American Pit Bull Terriers

APBT lovers love their breed almost as much as their dogs love them. They describe them as ideal pets for people of all ages, and lament the bad rap their breed has acquired amongst many. In fact, this feeling of unjust discrimination further unites APBT owners as they stand up for their breed. They dress them up in tiaras and flower necklaces, photograph them with babies and toddlers, and emphasize that their dogs’ biggest threat is that they might “lick you to death.” Note that some local regulations may prohibit APBTs in some communities, and insurance rates may be higher for owners. APBTs are strong dogs that may not always know their own strength, so may not be ideal for the elderly or young children who may not be able to control them. But for those wanting a robust companion to roughhouse with, they are always up for a game or adventure. Given sufficient exercise, they are calm and well behaved in the house. Pit Bulls were bred for "gameness," meaning the ability to keep trying no matter what. You can see that attitude when Pit Bulls face a challenge even today. The APBT’s physique appeals to those who appreciate rippling muscles and athleticism.

The APBT is a medium-sized, powerfully built dog with defined musculature. The body is slightly longer than tall, and the distance from ground to elbow is about the same as from elbow to withers. Although the body should be muscular it should never be overly massive to the degree it would impede free movement and working ability. The APBT should be both powerful and agile. The head is large and broad, with prominent cheek muscles. The muzzle is broad and deep, about ⅔ the length of the back skull. The eyes are round and set well apart. The ears are set on high and may be natural or cropped. When natural, they stand erect at the base with a crease so that they are more rose in shape, flaring out to the sides. The coat is short, glossy, and close. Any color or pattern but merle or albinism is acceptable.

APBTs are gregarious, fun-loving, dogs that seem to wear a perpetual grin. They make wonderful playmates for people of all ages, but may be too rowdy or strong for children or the elderly. At their best, APBTs are great family pets. They love to play, snuggle, and love, and by far the majority are perfectly safe around family members, strangers, and to a lesser extent, other dogs. That said, statistically dogs generically called “Pit Bulls” (which encompasses APBTs and others in this family) are responsible for more human and canine fatalities than all other breeds combined, whether they are raised correctly or incorrectly. The best APBT owners are those who love their dogs for their great points but do not ignore the fact that they were bred to fight and kill. APBTs give their all in any endeavor, and if they begin to act aggressively, it’s not that they are “mean,” but that this is what they were bred to do. Dogs consider anything they were bred to do to be a great game. And with APBTs, as with any game, they give their all. What seems to the APBT as a fun time in which they are excelling can be deadly for the victim. Good APBT owners don’t ignore this possibility, even though the majority of APBTs will never exhibit dangerous behavior. Never leave vulnerable children or elderly unsupervised around even the most trusted APBT; always have control when around strange dogs; and never put your dog in situations where the excitement or prey drive level gets ramped up if there is a potential victim around. Keep your dog in a securely fenced yard and do not allow it to roam free–just as no dog should be allowed to do so. And no matter how wonderful you think your APBT is, avoid dog parks. Other dogs could start a fracas that your dog may gladly finish–and get the blame for. Note that the “Nanny dog” story has been shown to be a myth concocted in the late 1900s with no basis in fact. Back to the good stuff: APBTs are smart and willing to please. Although they can be stubborn, most are easily trained. In good hands, with people who acknowledge and take precautions against inherent tendencies to win at a dangerous game, they are fun-loving and family-loving companions.

APBTs were bred to be game; that is, to continue in the face of adversity. Trying to force them into compliance will only result in a demonstration of gameness, as they are stronger and more determined than you are. You will always lose, and end up creating a dog that is especially resistant. Instead of force training, convince your APBT that following your cues will pay off in terms of rewards, whether food, games, or praise. APBTs are very smart dogs that can achieve the highest levels of training. They are willing to please and love praise and tug games as rewards. It’s imperative that your APBT be socialized extensively with proper training so they form a good opinion of other people. They should also meet other puppies, but never be allowed to bully them. A puppy socialization class is a very good idea for any APBT youngster.

These dogs' descendents later used the same gameness to control cattle for butchers. Contests to see which dogs were most game evolved into marathon bull-baiting events. When bull baiting was outlawed in England around 1835, dog fighting, which favored a smaller, more agile dog, took its place. To create this dog the bulldogs were crossed with terriers to create the Bull and Terrier. Because they fought in pits, they eventually became known as Pit Bulldogs, then Pit Bulls. When they came to the United States of America in the mid-1800s, they continued as fighting dogs as well as where they were used for fighting as well as all-purpose farm dogs. The American Kennel Club (AKC) would not register Pit Bulls because they refused to endorse dog fighting, so the United Kennel Club was formed in 1898 to register Pit Bulls, eventually renaming them American Pit Bull Terriers. The American Pit Bull Terrier remains the most popular UKC breed. It is in the UKC Terrier group. The AKC finally registered them years later as the American Staffordshire Terrier. The American Dog Breeder's Association was formed in 1909 to register fighting Pit Bulls. It no longer endorses fighting, but remains as a Pit Bull only registry. In the early 1900s, Pit Bulls became a symbol of American spirit. Famous Pit Bulls include Pete, or Tige, who starred in the Our Gang and Little Rascals movies. Pit Bull owners have included Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Thomas Edison; and entertainers Cesar Milan, Humphrey Bogart, Usher, Alicia Silverstone, Adam Brody, Jamie Foxx, Pink, Madonna, and Kevin Federline.