Status-seeking dog owners who choose the pit bull for a macho image would, most likely, pick another breed if these dogs still carried the reputation of ‘nanny dog’ that they held a generation ago. Remember Petey of the popular classic children’s show called Our Gang, and later Little Rascals?
In the early days of dog fighting, handlers stayed in the pit with their dogs and were required to separate them several times by hand, during the fight. It’s understandable why any pit dog showing human aggression was quickly excluded from breeding lines.
Pit Bull Breeds
In actuality, pit bull is not a breed but a term that includes any of the following breeds or mixes that resemble these breeds.
The American Pit Bull Terrier is recognized by the American Dog Breeders Association and the United Kennel Club. These are the pit bulls who sometimes have red noses. They are usually bred with a focus on performance such as obedience competition, therapy work, weight-pulling, protection, and for some, fighting. This breed is considered by the UKC to be the same breed as the American Staffordshire Terrier.
The American Staffordshire Terrier, or Am Staff, is recognized by the AKC who considers it separate from the American Pit Bull Terrier. Some may be a bit stockier than the APBT and breed standards do not allow red noses. Petey was a registered Am Staff.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, sometimes smaller than the other breeds, is recognized by both the AKC and the UKC.
Can You Trust a Pit Bull?
Socialization and training go a long way toward controlling any dog but they can’t completely erase deeply-ingrained instincts. All pit bull breeds share the same ancestors who were bred for bull baiting or pit fighting, and for their courage and determination. Buried somewhere deep inside, however subdued, lurks the urge to fight another animal. A bird dog who has never seen a bird before may show an interest in feathered creatures and a Collie who has never been around sheep may display the urge to herd. Most pit bull advocates advise to never trust a pit bull not to fight with another animal. Even pit bulls raised together and living peacefully together can get into a fight, especially after maturity, which may not occur until the age of 2 or 3. Never leave a pit bull unsupervised with another animal.
Most pit bulls have a reliable temperament and are quite loving toward all humans. In fact, 83.3% of American Staffordshire Terriers and 83.5% of American Pit Bull Terriers passed the American Temperament Test, surpassing the Dalmation at 81.6% and the Cocker Spaniel at 81.7%. Unfortunately, in the past few years, bloodlines have been tampered with. Some pit bulls are the result of irresponsible breeders looking to make easy money, who have little regard for temperament and may have also abused the dogs, isolated them from socialization, or trained them to be aggressive toward humans. Because of their courage and determination, an attack by a pit bull can be much more serious than a bite from a Dalmation. Never leave a pit bull unsupervised with a child.
Pit bulls are not for inexperienced dog owners. If you are interested in the breed, read everything you can on these noble dogs and talk to handlers at shows before you get one. There are no bad dogs, only bad dog owners.
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Joy Butler - Writer, retired lab tech, mom, and animal lover with over 20 years' experience rescuing, kenneling, training and showing dogs.
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