Pitbull Origins and the Truth Behind the Name

Pitbulls were originally bred in England in the 19th century for bull-baiting, a blood sport that involved setting dogs on a tethered bull.

The name "pitbull" comes from the fact that these dogs were often trained in pits, or enclosed areas, where they would fight other animals.

The first pitbulls were a mix of Old English Bulldogs and Old English Terriers, which were brought to America by English immigrants in the 18th century.

The term "pit bull" is often used to describe a mix of breeds that resemble the original American Pit Bull Terrier.

Pit bull-like breed mixes can come in a variety of sizes, from small to large.

Some common pit bull-like breed mixes include the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

These breeds often have similar physical characteristics to the original American Pit Bull Terrier, such as a muscular build and a short, smooth coat.

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Their temperament can vary depending on the individual dog, but many are known for being friendly, outgoing, and energetic.

Pit bull-like breed mixes can make great family pets for active families who can provide them with plenty of exercise and attention.

However, it's essential to research and understand the needs and characteristics of a specific breed mix before bringing one home.

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The media plays a significant role in shaping public perception of pitbulls. They tend to over-identify any troublemaking dog as a pitbull, often without considering the dog's actual genetic heritage or visual appearance.

This phenomenon is so widespread that it's led to the creation of the "media pit bull" definition, which is essentially a dog that "looks like" a pitbull. But what does that even mean?

According to Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant, if a dog walks, barks, bites, and wags its tail like a pitbull, it's considered a pitbull. This definition is vague and circular, and it's not based on any specific physical characteristics.

For your interest: Pitbull Dog Family Tree

Here are some examples of dogs that were misidentified as pitbulls due to their appearance:

• Oliver, a dog with thick fur and Australian Shepherd traits, was called a "pit bull mix" by his owners and city officials.

• Two dogs that looked like Boxers were reported as pitbull mixes after they bit someone, leading to calls for a pitbull ban.

• Shadow, a small dog with Boston Terrier and Basset Hound traits, was identified as a pitbull by animal control officials, despite his owner's SPCA papers identifying him as part Boston Terrier.

• Harley and Belle, two dogs that appeared to have Great Dane traits, were called "pit bull mixes" by their owner and city officials.

These examples illustrate the problem with relying on a dog's appearance to determine whether it's a pitbull. There is no clear physical characteristic that defines a pitbull, and the media's tendency to over-identify dogs as pitbulls contributes to this confusion.

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The term "pit bull" is often misunderstood, but its technical definition is quite specific.

In a technical sense, "pit bull" refers to a dog whose ancestors were Bull-and-Terrier type dogs once used for dog fighting.

The three components of the term pit bull terrier are pit, bull, and terrier. Pit acknowledges the dog's history as a fighting dog, bull highlights the dog's bulldog ancestry, and terrier describes the dog's terrier ancestry.

Not every fighting dog is a Bull-and-Terrier, and not every Bull-and-Terrier is a fighting dog. The specific breeds included in this technical definition are American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Akitas are a fighting breed, but they are not a bully breed, so they are not pit bulls.

Worth a look: American Staffordshire Terrier Origin

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a misunderstood dog with an unfair reputation. Despite popular belief, this breed is not naturally aggressive. They are actually very good with children and extremely loyal to their family.

Their loyalty and gentle nature make them a great companion for families, but unfortunately, this doesn't always match the public's perception of them. The media has often characterized them as violent and aggressive, which is far from the truth.

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The Bull Terrier is a distinct breed with a rich history. It's a bull-and-terrier cross that originated in England.

Developed in the UK, the Bull Terrier underwent significant changes from the 1850s through 1917. This transformation was largely due to breeder James Hicks, who experimented with various breeds like Dalmatian, Borzoi, Collie, Greyhound, and Foxhound.

The Bull Terrier's unique egg-shaped head, naturally upright ears, and small triangular eyes are a result of these changes. This distinctive appearance sets it apart from other breeds.

The modern Bull Terrier is significantly removed from its fighting dog roots. By 1917, Hicks had produced a dog that was vastly different from its early counterparts.

The Bull Terrier's history and evolution make it a fascinating breed to learn about.

A unique perspective: Evolution of Pit Bulls

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a misunderstood dog with an unfair reputation. They have often been characterized as violent and aggressive dogs by the media.

This breed is not naturally aggressive, despite popular belief. In fact, they are very good with children and extremely loyal to their family.

Their loyalty to their family is unmatched, making them a great companion for many families.