Understanding the Pitbull Dog Story: A Guide to the Breed

The Pitbull dog story is often shrouded in controversy, but at its core, it's a tale of a breed that's been misunderstood for far too long.

The term "pitbull" is actually a generic term that encompasses several breeds, including the American Pitbull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Pitbulls were originally bred in England in the 19th century as a companion animal and were known for their gentle and affectionate nature.

Their popularity soared in the United States in the early 20th century, where they were often used as family pets and show dogs.

Pit bulls tend to be misunderstood, and it's essential to separate fact from fiction.

Pit bulls are often associated with aggression, but dog behaviorists and vets say this is a misconception.

Many people believe that pit bulls are inherently aggressive, but this is not supported by scientific evidence.

Pit bulls are a breed of dog that is often misunderstood due to false information about them.

In reality, pit bulls are a loyal and loving breed that makes great family pets.

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The American Pit Bull Terrier has a rich and complex history that spans centuries.

These dogs originated from the breeding of Old English Terriers and Old English Bulldogs in England, resulting in a dog that combined gameness with strength and athleticism.

Bull and terriers were used in bloodsports like bull baiting and bear baiting, but these practices were banned in 1835 when animal welfare laws were introduced.

Dog fighting became a popular alternative, and these dogs arrived in America around 1845 to 1860.

The breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) on February 10, 1898, and was named the American Pit Bull Terrier.

For a short time, the UKC registered the breed name with the word "pit" in parentheses to facilitate public acceptance.

In the early 20th century, pit bulls were used as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, and as family companions.

The breed's reputation as fighting dogs has led to efforts to rebrand them, such as renaming them "St. Francis Terriers" in 1996 or "New Yorkies" in 2004, but these attempts were met with public opposition.

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The American Pit Bull Terrier is known for its strength, confidence, and zest for life. This breed is eager to please and brimming over with enthusiasm.

Their natural agility makes them one of the most capable canine climbers, so good fencing is a must for this breed. They do very well in performance events due to their high level of intelligence and willingness to work.

The breed standard considers human aggression a disqualification factor, and a study by the CDC found that Pit Bull-type dogs accounted for 67% of human fatalities due to dog bites between 1979 and 1998. Media portrayal has significantly impacted how the American public views the temperament of APBT, exaggerating and exacerbating any real or potential problems.

The breed tends to be hardy, with an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years, longer than many breeds of a similar size. However, they can be prone to bone diseases such as hip dysplasia and kneecap dislocation.

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The American Pit Bull Terrier is a breed known for its strength, confidence, and zest for life. They are eager to please and brimming over with enthusiasm.

Their natural agility makes them one of the most capable canine climbers, which is why good fencing is a must for this breed.

The breed's temperament is described by the UKC as having a high level of intelligence and a willingness to work, making them do well in performance events.

However, the standard imposed by the ADBA and OFRNR considers human aggression a disqualification factor, emphasizing the importance of a reliable temperament with people.

The CDC study found that Pit Bull-type dogs accounted for 67% of human DBRF in the United States between 1979 and 1998. This has led to a breed-specific problem with fatalities.

Media portrayal has significantly impacted how the American public views the temperament of APBT, exaggerating and exacerbating any real or potential problems that exist with Pit Bulls.

Pitbulls are generally hardy dogs with an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years.

However, they can be prone to certain health issues due to their breeding background and genetics.

Hip dysplasia, canine degenerative myelopathy, and kneecap dislocation are some of the bone diseases that can affect Pitbulls.

Their short coat can also lead to skin problems like mange and skin allergies.

Other health issues seen in Pitbulls include thyroid and congenital heart defects.

Culling for performance has helped reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia and other problems like patella issues, thyroid dysfunction, and congenital heart defects.

Vaccination is crucial for Pitbulls, especially as puppies, to protect against parvovirus.

They are more susceptible to parvovirus if not vaccinated, so it's essential to follow the recommended vaccination schedule.

Demodex mange is another health issue that can affect Pitbulls due to their breeding history.

There are two types of demodex mange: localized and generalized, with the latter being more severe and hereditary.

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Pitbulls are highly social dogs that can thrive in households with multiple pets, including cats. In fact, Megan Stanley's late pitbull, Duke, lived harmoniously with two other dogs and a cat.

Each dog is an individual, and their response to other animals will be dependent on their development and things such as their individual disposition, socialization, and previous experiences.

With proper socialization and training, pitbulls can become wonderful mentor dogs, helping fearful dogs gain confidence and exposing puppies to large dogs.

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Pit bulls are a highly trainable breed. They excel in obedience, agility, and dock diving due to their intelligence and desire to please.

The American Kennel Club notes that the breed's intelligence makes training a fun and easy process. This is evident in the many pit bulls that have risen to fame due to their obedience and skill.

Sergeant Stubby, a pit bull that served in World War I, is a prime example of the breed's trainability. He participated in four offensives and 17 battles, making him one of the bravest dogs in history.

Darby, the hero pit bull who saved his owner from a shark attack, is another testament to the breed's ability to learn and perform complex tasks.

Just like humans, dogs can have people they are more comfortable and social with—and it’s not breed specific. Every dog is different, and their response to other animals will be dependent on their development and things such as their individual disposition, socialization and previous experiences.

Each dog is an individual, and their ability to get along with other pets is not determined by breed. At home, Duke, a pit bull, lived in harmony with two other dogs and a cat.

Dogs can have people they are more comfortable and social with, and it's not breed specific. With proper socialization and training, even fearful dogs can gain confidence and integrate back with their human companions.

Duke, the pit bull, was a wonderful mentor dog for helping fearful dogs gain confidence, exposing puppies to large dogs, and helping dogs gain social skills.

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Over 700 U.S. cities have enacted breed-specific legislation (BSL) on pit bull-type dogs, but there's no evidence these laws work.

Restrictions on pit bull-type dogs have been declining globally, with at least 120 repeals since 2018.

In the United Kingdom, it's against the law to own, sell, abandon, give away, or breed a Pit Bull Terrier.

The province of Ontario, Canada, had a province-wide ban on "pit bulls", which resulted in a significant decrease in dog bites involving pit bull types.

However, Toronto's reported dog bites have been rising since 2012, and several other dog breeds have contributed to the rise.

The ASPCA states that breed-specific laws do not reduce dog bites and serious bite injuries, citing soaring shelter euthanasia rates among pit bulls and other banned breeds.

Over 120 jurisdictions have repealed their breed-specific legislation (BSL) since 2018, indicating a shift away from this approach.

The United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, and other countries have enacted some form of BSL on pit bull-type dogs, including American Pit Bull Terriers.

Restrictions on the breed range from outright bans to conditions on ownership, such as mandatory sterilization in New South Wales, Australia.

In the United States, certain cities and the province of Ontario, Canada, have banned ownership of the American Pit Bull Terrier.

In Ontario, Canada, dog bites involving pit bull types decreased after the ban was implemented, but other breeds contributed to the rise in dog bites.

There's no evidence that BSL reduces dog attacks, according to the ASPCA, which has studied eight countries with breed bans.

The ASPCA cites soaring shelter euthanasia rates among pit bulls and other banned breeds as a major flaw in the BSL approach.

In some jurisdictions, BSL has led to a diversion of animal control funds and resources, which could be better spent on safety, education, and animal welfare efforts.

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The Pitbull, a breed often misunderstood and feared by many. In fact, the Pitbull is the most common dog breed involved in fatal attacks on humans in the United States, according to a study cited in our article.

The American Temperament Test Society has found that Pitbulls have a passing rate of 86.8%, which is higher than many popular breeds, including the Beagle and the Cocker Spaniel. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that Pitbulls are inherently aggressive.

A Pitbull's muscular build and athletic ability make it a popular choice for dog fighting, which has contributed to its notorious reputation. The breed's short, smooth coat and distinctive appearance also make it easily recognizable.

In some cities, Pitbulls are banned or restricted due to concerns about public safety. For example, the city of Miami-Dade County has a ban on Pitbulls, which has been in place since 1989.

Pit bull attacks are not as common as you might think, but there is no nationwide reporting system to track dog bites, so we can't know for sure.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stopped collecting breed data on dog-bite-related fatalities in 1998.

A recent study found that injuries from pit bulls and mixed-breed dogs were both more frequent and more severe, but the data set was small and only includes injuries that required medical treatment.

There are countless unreported dog bites from just as many breeds, sizes, and shapes of dogs.

The absence of owner supervision, unneutered dogs, and dogs that were isolated with little positive human interaction are all factors related to lethal dog bites.

Owner history of mismanagement, abuse, and/or neglect is also a significant factor in dog bites.

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Pit bull-type dogs make up more than a quarter of the total dogs cared for at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, with 747 pit bull-type dogs cared for in 2022 alone.

Educating yourself is a great place to start making a difference. Best Friends Animal Society and the ASPCA offer robust resources from reputable studies and outlets with everything you need to know about pit bull-type dogs.

Adopting, fostering, or volunteering at the shelter are ways you can directly impact the lives of pit bull-type dogs at the shelter.

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The Colby bloodline is a significant part of the APBT breed's history, started by John Pritchard Colby in 1889 with the best fighting dogs imported from Ireland and England.

Colby's Pincher, a famous dog from this bloodline, was widely used as a stud dog and is present in the pedigree of the vast majority of APBT specimens.

The Colby dogs' bloodline remains preserved by the family of John P. Colby, ensuring their legacy lives on.

Pit bulls like those from the Colby bloodline have a violent past, but that doesn't define them today - their upbringing determines their temperament far better than their breed.

Many experts, including veterinarians and animal behaviorists, have gone to bat to protect these pups, and some cities have even reversed their pit-bull bans.

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In your community, you can make a difference in the lives of pit bull-type dogs.

Educate yourself with robust resources from reputable organizations like Best Friends Animal Society and the ASPCA.

Advocate for pet inclusive housing legislation by checking if your city, county, and state's laws prohibit breed restrictions.

You can directly impact the lives of pit bull-type dogs by adopting, fostering, or volunteering at your local shelter.

In 2022, the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County cared for 747 pit bull-type dogs, making up over a quarter of the total dogs they cared for that year.

Your love, care, and companionship can make a world of difference for these dogs, whether for a few hours, a few days, or a lifetime.

American Pit Bull Terriers are incredibly versatile dogs that excel in many dog sports, including weight pulling, dog agility, flyball, lure coursing, and advanced obedience competition.

They've even earned a reputation as one of the top breeds in the UKC "superdog" status, with 34 American Pit Bull Terriers and 13 American Staffordshire Terriers among the 115 dogs who have achieved this prestigious title.

Their high energy and endurance make them a great fit for working disciplines, and they've been used as search and rescue dogs, police dogs, and Border Patrol dogs.

In the United States, they've also been used as hearing dogs to provide services to the deaf and as general service dogs, including therapy dogs.

Some people even use them for hunting feral pigs, but the Australian Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals warns that this practice can be hazardous for the dogs, with risks including severe injuries, heat exhaustion, and poisoning.

Their ancestors were later mixed with smaller terriers to produce a fighting breed, but it's essential to remember that not all pitbulls were bred for fighting. Many were bred for companionship and are known to be gentle, affectionate, and loyal.

In fact, the ASPCA's Position Statement on Pit Bulls highlights that while some pitbulls may have been bred to fight, "it doesn’t mean that they can’t be around other dogs or that they’re unpredictably aggressive."

The American Pit Bull Terrier has a rich history with multiple bloodlines, many of which originated in professional dog fighting throughout the 20th century.

The breed's development can be attributed to various factors, including its acceptance and registration as a purebred breed by The Kennel Club in England in 1935, where it was recognized as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

In the United States, the American Kennel Club (AKC) noted the growing popularity of the breed and eventually accepted it for registration, renaming it to the American Pit Bull Terrier with a commitment to prevent dog fighting.

The AKC's decision to recognize the breed was a significant milestone in its development, but it's essential to prioritize responsible breeding practices and the well-being of individual dogs.

The breed's history and ancestry can provide valuable context and insight into its development, but it's crucial to remember that the breed's purpose is to be a loving companion, not a fighting machine.

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The breed's bloodlines can be categorized into various groups, including bull-type terriers and working terriers, which are some of the types of breeds that have influenced the American Pit Bull Terrier's development.

The Castillo bloodline is a notable lineage of American Pit Bull Terriers known for its unique combination of different breeding lines.

Founded by Tekla Castillo in the early 1980s, her program focused on conformation standards within the UKC. The bloodline's foundation includes dogs such as "PR" Nelson's Hazard Joe, born from breeding between Camarano's Buster Jo and Coonie's Bonnie.

The Castillo bloodline features a mix of other well-known bloodlines, with connections to influential dog breeders like Earl Tudor, Joe Corvino, J.P. Colby, and others.

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a breed that has a rich history. It was originally considered to be called the American Bull Terrier, but the name was quickly dismissed due to protests by English Bull Terrier breeders.

The breed was eventually named Staffordshire Terrier, with the claim that it originated from Staffordshire in England. This name was used until 1972, when the AKC changed it to American Staffordshire Terrier.

The American Staffordshire Terrier was founded by Wilfred Truman Brandon, who established the AKC Staffordshire Terrier Club of America (STCA). The Colby dog named Colby's Primo was one of the first to be regarded as an ideal model of the breed standard in the AKC.

The AKC stud book was opened several times, with the breed being recognized as a separate breed from the British Staffordshire Bull Terrier. However, the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier are still considered by some to be the same breed.

In fact, the UKC is the only kennel club to still register American Staffordshire Terriers as American Pit Bull Terriers. This is due to past breeders who decided to keep the two pedigree registers parallel.