So not to be confusing, I will be using the terms 'pit bull' in lower case, 'bully breed' or 'bully' to refer to a dog that looks pit-bullish and is the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT). Other breeds that can be referred to by this term, 'bully breed'; American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff or AST), Staffordshire Terrier, Miniature & Standard Bull Terrier, and American Bulldog.

For many people, the pit bull is misunderstood. The media and the general public have incorrectly labeled them; pit bulls, when produced by responsible breeders are bred for temperament. They are intelligent, courageous, agile, keenly aware, stable and human friendly. They are loyal and dedicated family companions and have always been noted for their love of children.

The pit bull is not for everyone. They naturally can have dog-aggressive tendencies and are predisposition to be more intense and less likely to back down than other dogs. They must have an owner that will socialize and obedience train them accordingly. It is uncharacteristic for them to be aggressive towards people. They also can be exceptional escape artists therefore good fencing is a must for this breed.

Will you be a good bully owner?
· Am I an experienced dog owner, or a natural leader?
· Am I firmly committed to socializing and training my puppy?
· Do I tend to be calm and quiet rather than short-fused and hyper?
· Will I train my dog with kindness, consistency and patience?
· Am I informed about the misconceptions and biases against these breeds?
· Do I understand that this dog must live in the heart of my family, never be chained in the yard or expected to live in a kennel?
· Am I a physically active person? (A tired dog is a good dog.)
· Am I eager to convince the public that bully breeds make great family pets?
· Am I up for writing letters to legislators, insurance companies and newspaper editors to oppose 'breed profiling'?
· Am I willing to be at least twice as responsible a dog owner as anyone I know?
From the magazine, 'Training Secrets for Bully Breeds' by Marion Lane, pg 9.

Popularity

The pit bull is found throughout American history. During World War I, the pit bull was used as a canine mascot, illustrating America's neutrality without fear on posters during this period. In 1917, a pit bull named Sgt. Stubby,  became a decorated war hero for saving soldiers lives in the trenches of France with the 26th Yankee Division. The Buster Brown dog, Tige, was a pit bull representing a sturdy and dependable product. Then there was the RCA pit bull, Nipper, he illustrated the quality of RCA's sound. Even Nipper could be fooled by the sound quality, thinking he heard his master's voice. Levi jeans used a pit bull for representing the toughness of the jeans. There was the first dog to travel across America, a pit bull named Bud, owned by Horatio Jackson. This dog received more press than the people themselves. Bud's goggles were donated to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. when the trip was completed. Probably the most known pit bull is Petey from the 'Little Rascals', which appeared in the film series, 'Our Gang'.

Many well known individuals have owned pit bulls, such as, Fred Astaire, Ann Bancroft, Linda Blair, Humphrey Bogart, Mel Brooks, The Crocodile Hunter, Jack Dempsy, Barbara Eden, Thomas Edison, Michael J. Fox, Billie Holiday, Helen Keller, Madonna, Mary Taylor Moore, Frankie Muniz, Judd Nelson, General George Patton, Rosie Perez, Bernadette Petters, Pink, Brad Pitt, Ginger Rodgers, President Roosevelt, Alicia Silverstone, Sinbad, Usher, Serena Williams and President Woodrow Wilson.


Breed History

The pit bull has origins to the bulldog and terrier types.

The Bulldog originally was a description of the job and not of the breed. These dogs were used for blood sports as in baiting contests such as, bull baiting and bear baiting that can be traced back to 1209.

In bull baiting, a bull was tethered and attacked by one or multiple dogs. The dogs were trained to grab onto the nose of the bull while avoiding the bull's hooves and horns. The dog that held the longest, sometimes until the bull collapsed was the best. As necessary characteristics of these dogs were identified in these baiting contests, they were breed to be better contestants for these blood sports as well as being very responsive to their master. The Bulldog developed from this period can be described by the following; great strength, high endurance, alertness, stable, kind and courageous. They were well known for their tolerance with children pulling on their tails, ears and poking them. This will be seen in a well-bred pit bull.

Bull baiting was outlawed in England, 1835. Without bull baiting, these enthusiasts turned their attention to other interests.

Another popular activity with the lower classes during this time was pit ratting. Due to the constraints of space in the pit, a smaller, terrier type dog was used. These terrier type dogs were matched on size for competition in the pits. Terriers are intelligent, lively, agile, very determined and full of fire making them popular for this activity. Into the pit, rats were tipped. Dogs were then put into the pit to kill a number of rats within a specific time. It is believed that the practice of cross breeding Bulldogs and terriers began in the town of Staffordshire England during the popularity of pit ratting.

Since bull baiting was illegal, more interest was brought to dog fighting. The larger Bulldog was not necessary in dog fighting as it was for bull baiting. Economics drove the trend to downsize the Bulldog. The same traits of the Bulldog were needed but in a smaller package which created more demand in cross breeding the smaller terrier and Bulldog. Bull terrier crosses encompassed the necessary attributes that were the foundation for a pit dog. These crossbred dogs had the combination of intelligence, stamina, bravery, a high pain threshold and unmatched affection for people.

In the late 1800's, this breed was brought to America.

Today, well-bred pit bulls are protectors of the family, intelligent and obedient companions that are even tempered and have much to offer their owners.

The National Canine Temperament Testing Association that sponsors tests for canine temperament titles tested 122 breeds. The pit bull placed 4th highest with a 95% passing rate. Compared that to the 77% average passing rate with other breeds.


Registries

In 1898, the United Kennel Club (UKC) was formed. This was the first registry to recognize the pit bull and named them American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) and the first dog registered was an APBT, Bennett's Ring. Presently, the UKC is the second largest purebred dog registry in the United States. It is also the second oldest registry in the United States. The UKC has strict bylaws that ban anyone who is convicted of dog fighting.

In 1910, the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA) was formed. This association is strictly for American Pit Bull Terriers (APBTs) and is the world's largest registry for this breed.

The oldest and largest registry for purebred dogs is the American Kennel Club (AKC). In 1936, the AKC accepted for registration in their Stud Book, the Staffordshire Terrier, named after the town which had a strong influence on the development of the breed. The breed name was revised in 1972 to American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff or AST) to distinguish the difference from England's Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffie).

Although these dogs are from the same foundation of ancestors, APBTs cannot be registered with the AKC but AmStaffs can be registered with UKC and ADBA.

Each registry has it's own set of standards for this breed(s). Some individuals have an opinion that APBTs and AmStaffs are one in the same. Others see distinctive differences that set these dogs apart and should not be considered the same breed. One will find that whichever opinion one agrees with, they can be very passionate about their point-of -view on this subject.

10 Reasons to Own a Bully Breed
1. They make great family dogs. They're sturdy enough, tolerant enough and have energy enough for the most boisterous children.
2. They're easy keeper; shedding is minimal and grooming is a snap.
3. They're versatile. They can live in any climate (indoors of course), in the country or city, and do any sport or activity you have in mind.
4. They're buff.
5. They're passive home-security systems; bad guys will choose an easier target.
6. You'll never get completely out of shape; just walking a bully is a workout.
7. A bully is as much company as you could want, and never more.
8. Bully breeds are quiet. Your neighbors will thank you.
9. They're thick skinned and stoic.
10. You can love a bully as hard as you like; they can take it.
From the magazine, 'Training Secrets for Bully Breeds' by Marion Lane, pg 10.

References

'The History of the American Pit Bull Terrier', by Scot E. Dowd, Ph.D.

Popular Dog Series, Bully Breeds, All About America's Favorite Dogs, volume 21.

Popular Dog Series, Training Secrets for Bully Breeds, volume 9.

American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA) www.adba.cc

American Kennel Club (AKC) www.akc.org

United Kennel Club (UKC) www.ukcdogs.com