Introduction to American Pit Bull Terrier

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a marvelous dog best known for its strength, intelligence and most of all loyalty. Recently this breed has received an unfair reputation as a villain and being very aggressive and often dangerous. The American Pitt Bull Terrier is a feisty and high spirited breed however, its history reveals a very complex origins of personality and temperament.

As with many other breeds, the details of the origins of the American Pit Bull Terrier are not completely known. However many pit bull lovers believe the history goes back to the Molossian family of dogs. The Molossian dogs are named from the people they were most often associated with which were the Molossi tribe that lived in ancient Greece and preferred the use of muscular, robust dogs for warfare. The term canus molossi meaning dogs of the Molossi were well known for fierceness and for the ability to easily intimidate enemies of the Molossi.

Also during the period, it is believed that Molossian dogs were used for many purposes. Phoenician traders may have used the Molossians to bargain for items during commercial transactions.

Molossian dogs were ancestors to dogs known as Mastiffs. Early Britons used a variety of Mastiffs for fighting dogs as well as guardianship and warfare. When Claudius a Roman emperor defeated Briton Chief Caractacus, the powerful Mastiffs got his interest. Chief Caractacus seized the opportunity to begin to export a certain amount of these dogs to Rome to entertain fellow citizens in the coliseums.

While in Rome, British dogs were bred with the Roman counterparts. During the years of 50 AD to 410 AD, the American Pit Bull Terrier was spread through the Roman Empire to use for fighting dogs. They were bred with various other breeds through Europe to create a genetic blend of the bulldog that may be the descendents of the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Unfortunately, Romans were not the only ones to use the pit bull for blood sports. During the time the Normans invaded England a new sport was introduced called baiting. The origins of baiting go back to butchers who had dogs called Bullenbeissers that herded bulls to bring them to market. If a bull broke away from the herd or became uncontrollable, the pit bulls would latch onto the bulls nose and hung on until a handler could gain control of the bull.

As with any dog owner, butchers were very proud of their dogs for being stubborn and tenacious when dealing with a large and dangerous bull. There were public displays showing off the dog's abilities for entertainment.

During the 16th century all towns in England had baiting rings. Baiting events became popular for bringing in all levels of society. At that time it was a common perception that long bouts of torture ensured tender meat.

In 1898 the UKC or the United Kennel Club was formed responding to the AKC's resistance to recognize pit bulls as a bonafide breed. The UKC certified breeds that were deemed ineligible by the AKC obviously the American Pit Bull Terrier was the charter member.

In 1936 the AKC deemed the pit bull as a purebred naming the dog the Staffordshire Terrier after that region in England where the crossbreeding began.

Today the pit bull is a much loved dog that is used in a variety of positive ways. Some of these include search and rescue dogs, police dogs, farm dogs and therapy dogs.

The history of the American Pit Bull Terrier clearly shows that if the dog is not trained adequately and not introduced to a social environment they will retain their strong minds and could quite possibly dominate a household.