The history and development of the American Pit Bull Terrier
Introduction
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a breed that is often misunderstood due to its past. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the history of this breed, its use in the past and present, and the efforts being made to improve its image.
Contents - Dominance in dog training
The origin of the American Pit Bull Terrier
Crossbreed of English Bulldog and Terrier breeds
The American Pit Bull Terrier was created by crossing the old English Bulldog with various terrier breeds, including the Black and Tan Terrier, the White English Terrier (now extinct) and the Fox Terrier. It is important to note that there have been many terrier breeds throughout history, some of which no longer exist or have changed significantly. These terrier breeds may also have contributed to the development of the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Bull & Terrier: The origins
By crossing the old type English Bulldog and various terriers, a breed of dog called the Bull & Terrier was created. The ancestor of the American Pi Bull Terrier, they all looked different but had similar traits: strength, courage, endurance and tenacity. Because of their strength and stamina, they were used as working dogs on farms and in industry. They helped herd livestock, pull loads and protect property. Their terrier characteristics made them excellent rat catchers and hunting dogs, used to control pests and hunt small game.
The American Pit Bull Terrier and dog fighting
Bull and bear baiting
These characteristics led to a very bloody dog sport, namely bull and bear baiting. Around 1835, bull and bear baiting was banned, and so fights against badgers, rats and other dogs took place in hidden fighting rings called "pits". This is where the name, American Pit Bull Terrier, comes from. In these pits, the dogs had to fight to the death. Due to its characteristics, the Bull & Terrier was very successful during dog fights.
Requirements for fighting dogs
In those days, fighting dogs were required to have an impeccable temperament. The owner or the referee had to be able to intervene in the pits at any time. They had to be tame, obedient and responsive to humans. If one of these dogs bit into a human, it was selected from the breed and killed.
The origin of the American Pit Bull Terrier in America
Emigration and continuation of breeding
With the end of the American Civil War around the middle of the 18th century and the ban on dog fighting in England, many Englishmen emigrated to America with their dogs. This brutal sport was continued there, as there were no bans like in England. In America, the breeding of the Bull & Terrier was continued. As they all looked different and there were no breeding standards, they also had different names such as Jenkie Terrier, Pitbull Terrier, American Pitbull Terrier or Bull Terrier.
John P. Colby and targeted breeding
1889 was an important year for the American Pitbull Terrier as we know it today. At this time, the American Pitbull Terrier was selectively bred. John P. Colby was the breeder of the American Pitbull Terrier. He began breeding his American Pitbull Terrier breed in 1889 from the best dogs from England and Ireland that were brought to the United States by immigrants. These mixes created two distinct breeds that we know very well today.
a. Der American Pitbull Terrier
The first dog breed is the American Pitbull Terrier, which was first registered by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1898 and later also by the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA) in 1909 and was bred exclusively for dog fighting.
b. Der American Staffordshire Terrier
The second dog to emerge from Colby's breeding is the American Staffordshire Terrier, which was first registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1936 and was bred exclusively as a show line.
The transformation of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the ADBA Top Dog Sports
Ralph Greenwood and the beginning of a new era
Ralph Greenwood was an important figure in the history of the American Pit Bull Terrier, heralding the beginning of a new era for the breed. In 1972, Greenwood acquired the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA), an organisation dedicated to the registration and protection of the American Pit Bull Terrier. With his passion for the breed, Greenwood strove to bring about positive change and end the use of pit bulls in dog fights.
Recognising the true potential of the American Pit Bull Terrier as an athletic, intelligent and loyal companion, Greenwood was determined to promote the abilities of these dogs in a way that respected their health and well-being. To achieve this goal, he worked closely with other breeders and animal lovers to draw attention to the breed's positive qualities and harness its abilities in other, less harmful areas.
One of the most important initiatives Greenwood launched was the introduction of ADBA Top Dog Sports, a dog sport specifically designed for American Pit Bull Terriers. By creating a sport that catered to their natural instincts and needs, Greenwood allowed these dogs to use their skills and energy in a positive way without being used in dog fights.
Greenwood's work with the ADBA has helped to change the public's perception of the American Pit Bull Terrier and present the breed for what it truly is: a loving, intelligent and capable family member capable of excelling as both a companion dog and an athlete. His dedication to the breed has helped to provide a better life for numerous American Pit Bull Terriers and has had a long-term, positive impact on people's attitudes toward this amazing breed.
ADBA Top Dog Sports: The new dog sport
And so, at the end of the 1970s, a dog sport was created that was exclusively practised by American Pit Bull Terriers: ADBA Top Dog Sports. This sport includes several competitive disciplines: 1. treadmill race, 2. wall climb, 3. lure coursing (sprint competition), 4. weight pull and 5. long jump.
These sports are carried out to fulfil the drives and needs of the American Pit Bull Terrier, so that they can live out their urges without hurting themselves or other dogs.
Vitomalias Fazit
The history of the American Pit Bull Terrier demonstrates the mutability and adaptability of dog breeds over time. Originally created from the crossbreeding of English Bulldogs and various terrier breeds, these dogs were first used as working dogs and later abused for bloody dog fights. Despite their dark past and the ongoing challenges associated with their reputation as fighting dogs, responsible breeders and animal lovers have made significant strides in improving the image of the American Pit Bull Terrier in recent decades.
The introduction of dog sports such as ADBA Top Dog Sports has provided an alternative to dog fighting that caters to the natural instincts and needs of these dogs without putting other dogs or people in danger. These sports have helped to show the true potential of the American Pit Bull Terrier as an athletic, intelligent and loyal companion.
At the same time, breeders and organisations such as the ADBA and UKC have worked hard to develop clear breeding standards and ethical guidelines that promote the health and welfare of these dogs. By selecting dogs with good temperaments and using responsible breeding practices, they have produced a new generation of American Pit Bull Terriers that are better suited to life as loving family members and companion dogs.
However, it is important to recognise that the challenges facing the American Pit Bull Terrier have not yet been fully overcome, and the continued use of these dogs in illegal dog fighting and the stigmatisation they face from the public continue to require education and engagement from breeders, animal lovers and dog experts.
Overall, the history of the American Pit Bull Terrier shows how a dog breed can undergo a remarkable transformation despite its difficult past. With continued education, responsible breeding and the dedication of animal lovers, we can hopefully continue to improve the image of the American Pit Bull Terrier and promote appreciation of this impressive breed.