APBT Myths video
The American Pit Bull Terrier
Author's note:
This page is not intended to be a full-length novel on the breed. It is merely a short fact sheet or introduction intended to give the reader an overview of these fine dogs. I will be focusing more on the breed today and not so much on his history. If you are interested in the breed, you owe it to yourself to dig as deeply as you can. There is a wealth of information (and in all fairness, misinformation) available on the Internet and in print. If you want to learn more, please see the recommended reading at the end of this page.
by Lindsay Biddle (aka bahamutt99)
Overview & Appearance
"The Pit Bull immediately strikes one as being a dog of power, passion, and undying willingness." -- Andrew De Prisco and James B. Johnson, The Mini-Atlas of Dog Breeds
The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is a medium-sized, athletic dog with preferable weight range of 30-60 pounds (as outlined by the United Kennel Club) for a mature dog in good shape. While the breed standard doesn't describe a height range, it specifies that these guys be neither massive nor rangy, but solid and smoothly-muscled. The intent is to maintain the breed as an all-around capable athlete, so exaggerations in any direction are not desireable. When you look at an APBT, you should have the impression of a finely-tuned machine which is capable of any task set before him. The ears may be cropped or left natural, with rose or half-prick being preferable for the latter. The coat is smooth and glossy, and is acceptable in any color except for merle.
It is important to note that there is a wide range in the breed today. Many believe that these dogs are simply a mongrel, which would account for the varied appearance. However, the reason behind the variety is that these dogs were not bred to conform, but to perform. The original perpetuators of the breed cared little for what it looked like, only that it had the right stuff to get the job done. The breed that developed tended towards traits that would work to the benefit of a dog that pushed himself very hard in the pursuits that he was used for. They were never specifically bred to show a certain color, ear set, eye shape, etc.
History
There is a certain amount of controversy with regard to the history of this breed, but that can be said of most dog breeds in existence today. As such, you will hear different interpretations from different sources. As the truth is lost in the sands of time, we can only do our best to study what has been passed down to us, and from that draw our own conclusions.
The root stock of these dogs originated in Europe a long time ago. Its believed they used to be closely linked with the mastiff types, but later split into their own distinct variety. These gripping dogs found use as a hunting companion that could be sent in to catch and hold the prey, much the same as you see modern "catch" dogs doing with feral pigs. From there, as man settled the land, these dogs were employed as "bulldogs," a term which is reported to have first been seen in print in 1631. The bulldog's history as a gripping hunter made it singularly well-suited for the task of holding and controlling unruly cattle for the farmer and the butcher. From that work emerged the sport of bull-baiting, which ran the gamut from being required for all cattle prior to butchering, to being outlawed in 1835. Some also used the dogs to bait bears and other animals.
When baiting sports were outlawed, the bulldogs started to see action in the dog pits against other canine competitors. Some say this is because it was easier to secretly hold a bout between two dogs than it was to hold a match between a dog and a bull or bear. While some historians contend that the original bulldog was simply bred down in size during this time period, there are writings referring to crosses between the bulldogs and hunting terriers. Whichever is the truth, the trend during these days favored the smaller dog, who was cheaper to feed, easier to house, and fought just as tenaciously as its larger cousins. Also, since the lower-class were barred from keeping certain types of dogs -- namely hounds, to discourage poaching -- a smaller dog could be passed off as a terrier, which commoners were allowed to keep since they helped control the rodent population.
Shortly before the civil war, the bull-and-terrier found its way to America, where it was employed in a variety of jobs. Some used the dogs in their original capacity as a bulldog and farmhand, while others refined their efforts to produce the ultimate fighting dog. Others were undoubtedly rough-and-tumble family pets, protectors of the homestead, and so on. At any rate, C.Z. Bennett started the first registry for the bull-and-terrier -- the United Kennel Club -- in 1898, and gave the breed its official name: the American (Pit) Bull Terrier. (The UKC started off as a Pit Bulls-only registry, and later expanded to include other working breeds such as coonhounds.) In 1909, the American Dog Breeders Association was developed by fanciers who felt that the breed needed a registry more closely committed to preserving the gamebred dog. Then in 1936, the American Kennel Club recognized the breed under the name Staffordshire Terrier, later to become the American Staffordshire Terrier. Meanwhile, the dogs who stayed in England developed to be the dog we know as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier today.
Temperament
Because of its extensive use in combat with other animals, this breed has developed a unique temperament. They were designed to be able to differentiate between animal opponent and human handler. A well-bred APBT today will have a temperament that is entirely stable towards people. They should be outgoing and confident in any situation, affectionate towards the handler, and ideally should not know any strangers. With its high pain threshold and stoicism, this breed is a favorite of veterinarians. They have the good nature to tolerate the abuses of children and ask for more. They are generally high-energy dogs, and appreciate being given training and work to do.
Taking the breed's heritage into account, it is unwise to expect these dogs to make nice with other dogs. Some will be "hot" (dog-aggressive) from a young age, while others may never "turn on" at all. To their credit, they do respond favorably to early training and socialization, and can generally be trained to at least ignore other dogs in a controlled situation. However, even a well-trained dog will respond to their genetic promptings in the right situation, so it is important to know your dog's limits. Despite the claims of some trainers, dog aggression cannot be "trained out," but it can be controlled to an extent. How the APBT responds to other non-dog animals depends on a variety of factors, including early experiences and the individual level of prey drive.
Obtaining an APBT
There are many different options available to a potential owner of this breed, including breeders, rescues and your local animal shelter. For the owner not seeking a dog for showing or breeding purposes, rescue is a handy resource. Rescues pull adoptable dogs from the animal shelter and other places, get them veterinary care, give them some basic training, and get them ready to be adopted into homes. The cost is almost always lower than buying from a breeder, and there are usually a variety of types/sizes/ages available. With regard to adopting from an animal shelter, many success stories come from situations like that. However, in the author's opinion, you should only attempt it if you are experienced with the breed, know how to judge temperament, and are prepared to deal with special needs on your own. While with a breed rescue, you can usually get "tech support" after the adoption, not all shelters have the means to provide services like that.
With regard to purchasing a dog from a breeder, there are things that a potential buyer should know. It is important to be able to differentiate between a reputable breeder and a backyard breeder (or BYB). While many good dogs have come from BYBs, these kinds of breeding programs are not as scrupulous or attentive as those of a breeder who has dedicated his/her life to improving the APBT. Other breeders fall into a grey area somewhere in between, where they are not necessarily on par with reputable breeders, but they are better than your average BYB. If you are going to buy from a non-reputable breeder, you should be aware that you are likely going to be on your own if any problems should arise with the new puppy. That is why I recommend doing your research and waiting for a pup from a reputable breeder, rather than buying from the first breeder you come across.
A word of caution: Don't buy a dog out of the newspaper. Don't buy a dog off a flyer, or from someone who advertises on the many puppy "clearinghouse" websites that are designed solely to increase exposure for profit-oriented breeders. Do your research! Learn the pertinent questions to ask a breeder, and don't settle for evasive answers. Just because something is more accessible doesn't make it higher quality. The best breeders have litters infrequently, and aren't looking to get everybody to buy their puppies. A reputable breeder also will not be selling their pups based on "rare" colors, massive heads, oversized bodies, super-short builds, or other exaggerated physical traits engineered solely to be attractive to amateurs.
If you are interested in more detailed information on reputable breeders versus BYBs, check out the Pit Bull blog. For a point-by-point breakdown, check out this link.
Thoughts on Dog-on-Dog Aggression
This breed is both similar to and remarkably different from other dogs. If you are inclined towards dog ownership in general, and you have the patience to work extensively with your dog, the APBT can be fine in a pet home. The downfall comes when owners get these dogs on a whim and don't even know what they have, just that the dog has suddenly "turned" and beat the tar out of the neighbor's Labrador! Now the owner is thrust into a situation where he must either learn and adapt, or get rid of the dog and never look back.
Do your research! I cannot stress that enough. All dog breeds were bred for certain things and have certain drives deeply ingrained in them. If you are going to live with an APBT, it is important to understand what motivates these dogs. Firstly, if you cannot deal with a dog who has the potential issue of not being able to be around other animals, don't get an APBT. Don't feel as though you need to get one dog as a playmate to the other, because many APBTs don't require canine playmates, or their version of "play" is not what the owner has in mind. Many people keep these dogs successfully around other animals. However, just as you would put on your seat belt and bring your insurance card when you drive a car, it makes equal sense to take the following precautions:
1. Socialize your dog from a young age. That includes training proper responses to a situation.
2. No matter how much you trust your dog, do not leave him unattended with another dog. Accidents happen faster than you can react, and an accident that happens while you are away from the home can quickly turn into a tragedy. The time and expense of crate-training, or even just seperating the dogs in different rooms is well worth the peace of mind.
3. Don't force the issue. If your dog has clearly shown you that he is dog-aggressive, don't push him to "be friends" with another dog. He is telling you his limits, and a dog pushed past his limits may react violently. Among housemates, once a serious fight has broken out, it is more likely to happen again, so you should take steps to limit the contact between the once and future combatants.
4. No dog parks! There are other options for these dogs than the free-for-all that an off-leash dog park represents. Set your dog up for success by keeping him out of situations like that where he is more likely to become stressed or over-stimulated.
5. Learn how to break up a dog fight. I personally recommend a breaking stick, but owners should be aware that posessing one can sometimes qualify as owning dog fighting paraphernalia. They are, however, one of the most efficient means to break a Pit Bull's grip. There are other methods that can be more appropriate in certain situations, such as choking off. (The breaking stick is primarily intended to separate two APBTs that are going at it, and is most effective if there are two handlers and two sticks.) Be aware that doing things like hitting, screaming, kicking, throwing water, are not usually effective, and can be counter-productive.
6. Pay attention to triggers. Even placid dogs have certain stimuli that will ignite combat. I have seen dogs that will guard food bowls, even when no food is present. There are also dogs who resent being approached when they have a toy. Or dogs who will wind themselves up over a squirrel on the other side of the fence, and will in turn and attack their yardmate out of frustration. Beware that sometimes triggers can seem very minor -- like tiny pieces of a chewed up tennis ball, or a preferred spot in the sun -- but to the dog, they are everything.
7. Prevention is key. Respect your local leash laws, and take steps to stop a fight before it starts. Know what these dogs are capable of, and you will be better prepared than the owner who refuses to acknowledge his dog's heritage.
Housing, Exercise, Training
There are other things to take into consideration if you are thinking about adding an APBT to your home. It is very important during the decision-making process to be honest with yourself. Thinking that you will "work through" whatever issues you may have with owning one of these dogs could well work out, or it could end in a sad situation. These are not hands-off, stick-in-the-back-yard-and-forget-them dogs. Some questions to ask yourself:
Do you have the time to provide adequate exercise for a strong, energetic dog? Do you have a securely-fenced yard? (Many times, a 4-foot chain link deal wont cut it.) Do you generally come home from work and want to crash in front of the TV, or will you be refreshed enough to take your dog for a run? Do you understand the correlation between proper exercise and good behavior? Do you want a dog to live in the home with you, and if not, why do you really want a dog? Are you an effective leader, or are you content to simply let the dog have his own way? What kind of experience do you have training dogs?
I am unabashedly biased against these dogs living full-time as a yard ornament. Ideally, an owner would be in a situation where the dog can be trained to behave in the house, but also have plenty of time in the yard. That said, if you have multiple dogs, or if you have an escape artist on your hands, you will need to take extra steps to secure your premises. Some owners use carefully-planned chain spots, set up so the dog always has access to shade, shelter and water, and yet will not tangle his chain on any obstacles. Others use a locked kennel with a top. Some are in a position to give the dog run of a securely-fenced yard. The method of containment you use will vary based on the needs of the dog as well as your own situation. No matter how you set up your yard, be vigilant. People have been known to steal these dogs, or to throw poison or other dogs over the fence. Even if you use alternate means of confinement such as a kennel or chain, I strongly recommend a solid privacy fence to help keep the dog contained, block outside stimulants from its field of vision, and to help keep it safe from prying eyes and busy bodies.
The amount of exercise you give will also vary based on the needs of the dog. Some APBTs are mellow and happy to just hang out. Others are so high-energy that they will jump and hang from tree branches for lack of something better to do. A good idea would be to take at least one walk per day with your dog, with more or longer walks for the dogs who require them. You should also make available a toy of some sort -- the stronger the better with this breed -- for them to vent their pent-up energy on. Many owners opt to build a springpole for their dogs to play solo tug-of-war. Or a flirtpole for a more interactive game of chase and tug. Others invest in treadmills for those days when getting out and hitting the road just isn't happening. (Note: Some of the equipment I listed can be considered dog fighting paraphernalia in some locales.) Some owners have access to a lake or swimming pool where the dog can get a good, low-impact workout. Whatever you have available to you, use it.
All dogs should be offered basic training, and in my opinion, it is vital to see that your APBT is well-behaved and pleasant to be around. These dogs morph from unimposing puppies into incredibly strong adults, so it is crucial to establish control and proper behavior before you get there. Basic obedience class is a requirement. At the very least, an APBT should know how to walk nicely on a leash, stay on command, and come when called. However, some owners choose to go farther with their dogs. A Canine Good Citizen title is always a positive thing for these dogs to have. And there are always the various dog sports available. Really, the sky's the limit when the American Pit Bull Terrier is involved! With the right trainer, these dogs are capable of doing any number of things: obedience, agility, weight pull, Schutzhund, flyball, dock diving, flying disc competitions, freestyle dance, skijoring, drafting, hangtime, treadmill sprints, etc. I encourage any owner who is interested to investigate further if they are interested in dog sports; they are truly addictive!
A Word about Perception
One of the things that catches new owners out is the power these dogs have to affect lots of minor facets of your life. I'm sure many find themselves thinking "I didn't sign up for this!" Unfortunately, its in the small print, and its unavoidable. The only way to get out of it would be to get out of the breed. If one is going to live successfully with APBTs, they need to be prepared for the inevitable reactions, ranging from raised eybrows to death threats.
First item to take into consideration is family and friends. Even if your immediate family agrees with the addition of an APBT to the home, what about your extended family? Will parents, children, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, grandparents, grandchildren refuse to visit because there is a "vicious dog" in the home? Will you deal with it by patiently educating, or will you banish your dog to a kennel when the family reunion comes up? Will you be able to keep yourself from getting offended when somebody does play the breed card?
You also have to consider housing and insurance requirements. If you live in an area with a homeowner's association, they have the power to enact rules that govern what breeds are allowed to live there. Will you move if the APBT gets outlawed? Or will you give up your dog? Even outside of an HOA, there are cities, counties, and sometimes whole states, provinces, and countries that have Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL). BSL can range from an outright ban to extensive regulations which can require special insurance, a certain type of kennel, warning signs, muzzles, etc. Even if you are lucky enough to avoid BSL, how does your insurance comapany feel about the breed? Some carriers will raise the rates of policy holders found to be harboring a "dangerous breed," while others will simply cancel your policy. In cities where APBT owners are required to carry liability insurance (sometimes up to 1 million dollars worth), this can be a big problem.
Even walking down the street, be prepared to deal with accusing glares from neighbors as they scoop up their children and cross the street. Sometimes you can educate people -- and you should be prepared to do so -- and sometimes not. Sometimes you will get people asking you to leave a dog-friendly establishment due to your dog's breed. On the other end of the spectrum, you will likely attract the attention of people who are drawn to these dogs for the wrong reasons. You may get people begging you for puppies or offering to buy your dog, or perhaps even challenging you to an impromptu fight.
No matter what the situation, you must be prepared to handle it with poise and a cool head. Losing your temper is the worst thing you can do in these situations. Everytime that happens, you've missed a chance to pass on sensible information. It is important for every APBT owner to consider himself a breed ambassador, and for you to remember that what you do reflects upon us all. Every time an owner lets his dog get in trouble, he tips the odds against us. It may sound like paranoia, but the sad truth is that there are people watching what you do and waiting for you to screw up so they can use it as ammunition against the breed.
Final Thoughts
It may seem as if I've been incredibly negative for part of this article. My intent is not to drive anybody away who is truly interested in owning one of these magnificent dogs. However, they are not a cakewalk, and if any of the things I've mentioned give you pause, then perhaps this is not the right breed for you, or maybe its just not the right time. These are incredible animals but they require a dedicated owner who is fully confident of his ability to handle the situation.
If you wish to learn more about the breed, or if you are convinced they are the right dog for you, I still encourage you to research more. Check out the resources listed below. Better yet, find a real-life mentor in your area, or volunteer to assist at an animal shelter or rescue that works with APBTs. Even if you're just shoveling poop to start out, you will still gain valuable exposure to the breed. Get out to dog shows and weight pulls to see these dogs in action. Soak up as much information as you can. Believe me, I'm nearing 20 years of being around these dogs, and I'm still learning new things.
Best of luck to all current and future APBT owners. Be the best breed ambassador you can be!
Other Sources
Real Pit Bull Breed Info Center
Pit Bull Rescue Central Informational Page
Other online resources are available on my links page.
Hard Copy Books related to the breed
All 4 of the APBT books by Richard F. Stratton
American Pit Bull Terriers: The Truth Behind One of America's Most Popular Breeds
