page_title: American Pit Bull Terrier
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: American Pit Bull Terrier / History
caption_attribution_description: English: “Watchful-Waiting”. WW1 poster featuring a pit bull (American [Pit] Bull Terrier dog) as representation of the U.S. Related to the “I am Neutral. BUT Not afraid of any of them” poster. TEXT AFTER IMAGE: “Watchful-Waiting The Germans have their "Wacht am Rhein," the English play "God Save the King," The Frenchmen sing their "Marseitllaise," while Russians chant their National Hymn. Our Spirit shuns this war-like ring: peace breathes in what we proudly sing. THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER Give long may it wave, o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. By these colors we stand true. Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue”
context_page_description: The American Pit Bull Terrier is a purebred dog breed recognized by the United Kennel Club and American Dog Breeders Association, but not the American Kennel Club. It is a medium-sized, intelligent, short-haired dog, of a solid build, whose early ancestors came from the British Isles. When compared with the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier is larger by margins of 6–8 inches in height and 25–35 pounds in weight. The American Pit Bull Terrier varies in size. Males normally are about 18–21 inches in height and around 35–60 pounds in weight. Females are normally around 17–20 inches in height and 30–50 pounds in weight.
  According to the ADBA, the American Pit Bull is prescribed to be medium-sized and has a short coat and smooth well-defined muscle structure, and its eyes are to be round to almond-shaped, and its ears are to be small to medium in length, typically half prick or rose in carriage. The tail is prescribed to be slightly thick and tapering to a point. The coat is required by the ADBA to be glossy, smooth, short, and stiff to the touch.
context_section_description: Until the mid-19th century the now extinct Old English Terriers and Old English Bulldogs were bred together to produce a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the bulldog. This type of dog, which was bred in the British Isles, became known as the bull and terrier. They arrived in the United States in the late nineteenth century where they became the direct ancestors of the American Pit Bull Terrier.
  In the United Kingdom, Bull-and-terriers were used in bloodsports such as bull baiting and bear baiting. These bloodsports were officially eliminated in 1835 when Britain introduced animal welfare laws. Since dog fightings are cheaper to organize and far easier to conceal from the law than bull or bear baits, bloodsport proponents turned to pitting their dogs against each other instead. Dog fighting was used as both a bloodsport (often involving gambling) and a way to continue to test the quality of their stock. For decades afterwards, dog fighting clandestinely took place in small areas of Britain. These dogs arrived in America around 1845 to 1860, where the dog fighting practice had continuity and a new American dog breed arrived. On February 10, 1898, the breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) named as American Pit Bull Terrier.
  For some time in the early part of the 20th century the UKC began to register the breed name with the word "pit" in parentheses (American (Pit) Bull Terrier), to facilitate public acceptance as American Bull Terrier. But this lasted a short time and returned to the previous form.
  In the early 20th century, pit bulls were used as catch dogs in America for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt hogs, and drive livestock, and as family companions. But the dog fighting remained the main use of the breed until 1976 when it was outlawed in all states.
  Pit Bull Terriers successfully fill the role of companion dogs, working dogs, athletic sport dogs (Weight pulling, French Ring Sport, Top Dog), and police dogs, and therapy dog. Pit Bull Terriers also constitute the majority of dogs used for illegal dog fighting in America In addition, law enforcement organizations report these dogs are used for other nefarious purposes, such as guarding illegal narcotics operations, use against police, and as attack dogs.
  In an effort to counter the fighting reputation of pit bull–type dogs, in 1996 the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals renamed pit bull terriers "St. Francis Terriers", hoping that people would be more likely to adopt them. 60 temperament-screened dogs were adopted until the program was halted, after several of the newly adopted pit bulls killed cats. The New York City Center for Animal Care and Control tried a similar approach in 2004, relabeling their pit bulls as "New Yorkies", but dropped the idea in the face of overwhelming public opposition.
caption: "Watchful-Waiting". World War I poster featuring a pit bull as a representation of the U.S
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