Origin and History of American Pit Bull Terriers:

The ancestors of American Pit Bull Terrier came to the US in the mid-1800s with some Irish-Boston immigrants. Like the Staffie, they were originally bred from bulldogs and terriers. Since  American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is a forerunner to the Staffie, it was also molded to be a fighting dog. However, the Americans made their variety some pounds heavier and trained them to have a more powerful head.

Bull baiting and dog baiting were prohibited in England so bull terriers were no longer bred for bouts. It is in America where the pit bull also gained its popularity for many uses and reasons like:

1. It was used to embody the country in one WW1 artwork.

2. Well-known companies like the Buster Brown Shoe Company and even RCA used the breed as mascots.

3. Petie, a pitbull, was one of the stars in, "Our Gang", a well sought children's TV series.

4. A mix breed called Stubby was transformed into a popular and decorated WW1 hero.

5. Pits became good companies of pioneer families on their journeys.

6. Jack, a working pit bulldog was owned by Laura Wilder of lines of books called "Little House".

7. Popular people like Helen Keller and US President Theodore Roosevelt owned the variety.

Here is some history about the cause of dilemma regarding the registries of  American Pit Bull Terrier.

In 1898, the United Kennel Club or UKC was structured to provide fighting guidelines and registration for APBT as fighting dogs. Later, there were breeders who shun away from dog fighting so they asked the AKC to recognize their pits so they would be fit for performance events like dog shows.

In 1935, the AKC approved of their petitions but the dogs were registered as Staffordshire Terriers, naming them after the little province in England that the breed was known to have originated from. Thus, many breeders have dogs that have dual-registry.

It is interesting to note that Petie, which was one of the stars in the, "Our Gang" TV series was the first breed that was dual-registered to be Staffordshire Terrier/Pit Bull. However, the UKC later started registering other performing-type varieties and they also began holding dog shows comparable to those of the American Kennel Club.

The AKC soon sealed its studbooks to APBTs. They allocated registration to those pit breeds with lineages that are listed as Staffies. For a little time during the 1970s, the AKC disclosed the American pits to their studbooks.

In 1973, the American KC decided to add the word "American" with the pit's name to discriminate it from a Staffie. At present, those dogs with mixed APTB-StaffIe parents are recognized by UKC and even the American Dog Breeders' Association as "American pits or American pit bull terriers".

Nowadays, the pit has employed as search and rescuers, police and armed service dogs, livestock workers, and even as therapy animals because they are good as companions and working dogs.

Moreover, the variety can even compete in dog sports such as herding, obedience, and conformation, French Ring, and Schutzhund. Breeds of this type can be very loving as pets for everyone. The physical demands and harshness of various activities developed a healthy, strong, and stable animal. If you want to have an American Pit Bull Terrier as a pet, be sure that the puppy is handled well and properly socialized. A solid and good training will surely produce an obedient, tranquil, and good companion or even a working dog! The American Pit Bull Terrier is very fond of humans but needs training to properly show the love it feels. Its training needs discipline and love and only that would breed respect between the owner and the dog.

 Impressions of American Bull Dog Terriers   *  Pit Bull Temperament  * American Staffordshire Terrier