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American Pit Bull Terrier
Description:
Known for their intelligence and loyalty American Pit Bull Terriers make
excellent, loving and protective companion despite the unfair press they
receive. Some American Pit Bull Terriers are dual-registered as an American
Pit Bull Terrier with the UKC and as an American Staffordshire Terrier with
the AKC; however, this draws criticism from many who point out that the
bloodlines have been separate for too long for these to be considered the
same breed. Choose from a responsible breeder and make sure the puppy is
properly socialized and handled. A minimum of training will produce a
tranquil, good, obedient, companion dog.
Height: 18 - 22 inches
Weight: 30 - 80 lbs.
Colors:
Any color
Coat:
Thick, short, shiny hair
Temperament:
Courageous, loyal, full of energy; Should be socialized early on with
children and other animals.
Care and Exercise:
Regular brushing with a bristle brush or rubbing down his coat with a
chamois will keep the coat shiny and clean. Bath only when necessary. Needs
a substantial amount of vigorous exercise which needs to be on-leash. Enjoys
running along side a bicycle.
Health Issues:
Mange and heart murmurs. Breeders should be concerned with doing health
testing on the sire or dam such as OFA, PENN HIP
History/Origin:
His ancestors were brought to the Unites States in the mid - 1800's by
Boston-Irish immigrants. Originally bred from a variety of bulldogs and
terriers, American breeders increased his weight and gave him a more
powerful head. A forbearer to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, they were
originally bred to be a fighting dog. Bull baiting was banned in England in
1835 and these dogs are no longer been bred to fights. There is some
complication in registries of this breed. The AKC considers the American
Staffordshire Terrier as separate and distinct from the American Pit Bull
Terrier, yet the UKC will register both as American Pit Bull Terriers (APBTs).
In America, the Pit Bull flourished. It was one of the most popular breeds,
highly prized by a wide variety of people. The Pit Bull was used to
represent the US in WW1 artwork; popular companies like RCA and the Buster
Brown Shoe Company used the breed as their mascots. A Pit Bull named Petie
starred in the popular children's television series, Our Gang; a Pit Bull
mix named Stubby became a decorated WW1 hero. Pit Bulls accompanied pioneer
familes on their explorations. Laura Ingalls Wilder of the popular Little
House books owned a working Pit Bulldog named Jack. Famous individuals like
Theodore Roosevelt and Helen Keller owned the breed. It was during this time
that the Pit Bull truly became America?s sweetheart breed, admired,
respected and loved.
In 1898 the United Kennel Club was formed with the express intent of
providing registration and fighting guidelines for the now officially-named
American Pit Bull Terrier. Later, those who wished to distance themselves
from the fighting aspect of the breed petitioned the American Kennel Club
for recognition of the Pit Bull so that it would be eligible for dog shows
and other performance events. The AKC conceded in 1936 but only under the
stipulation that the dogs registered with them be called "Staffordshire
Terriers", the name of the province in England the breed supposedly
originated in. Upon acceptance of the breed, many people dual-registered
their dogs with both the AKC and the UKC. Lucenay's Peter (the dog that
starred in the Our Gang series) was the first dual-registered Pit
Bull/Staffordshire Terrier. The UKC evolved, eventually beginning to
register other working-type breeds, and later holding shows similar to those
of the AKC. Currently, the UKC is the second largest purebred dog registry
in the United States, complete with strict bylaws that ban anyone who is
convicted of dog fighting. The American Dog Breeders Association was formed
in 1909 because of certain fanciers' opinions that the UKC was not doing
it's job protecting and preserving the Pit Bull breed as they felt it should
be preserved. The ADBA's goal is the same now is at was then: to register,
promote and preserve the original American Pit Bull Terrier fighting-type
dog.
The AKC eventually closed it's studbooks to American Pit Bull Terriers. They
allowed registration only to those dogs with parents registered as
Staffordshire Terriers. For a short period in the 1970's, the AKC reopened
its studbooks to American Pit Bull Terriers. In 1973 the AKC added the
prefix "American" to the breed's name in an effort to distinguish it from
the newly recognized Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Today, only those dogs with
AmStaff parents are eligible for registration. Both the UKC and the ADBA
allow registration of AmStaffs, but in these organizations the dogs carry
the original name, "American Pit Bull Terrier."
Today the Pit Bull has evolved into a marvelous working and companion dog,
used for purposes as varied as those it originally performed. Pit Bulls are
employed as police/armed services dogs, search and rescuers, therapy
animals, and livestock workers. They compete in all manner of organized dog
sports, from herding to agility to conformation to obedience and the bite
sports like Schutzhund and French Ring. They make loving pets for children
and seniors, and everyone in between. The are indeed one of the most
versatile breeds on the planet. Much of this is owed to the activities it
once performed. The harshness and physical demands of the activities molded
a strong, healthy, stable animal, one anyone should be proud to own.
Category: Terrier
Registries: UKC, ADBA, CKC, APBR
Living Environment: Either Indoor or Outdoor
information provided by:
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