In the the 1700's there were two primary bull baiting dogs that had developed. This was the Blue Poll of Scotland and the Alunt from Ireland both of which were referred to as bulldogs. The Alunt of the time resembled something closer to a Great Dane but is presumed to have later developed into the Alono of Spain.
They were used to accompanied farmers into the fields to assist with bringing bulls in for
breeding, castration, or slaughter. The dogs, known generally as bulldogs, protected the
farmer by subduing the bull if it attempted to gore him. Typically a dog would do this
by biting the bull on the nose and holding on to the violently struggling bull despite
injury.
breeding, castration, or slaughter. The dogs, known generally as bulldogs, protected the
farmer by subduing the bull if it attempted to gore him. Typically a dog would do this
by biting the bull on the nose and holding on to the violently struggling bull despite
injury.
By this time in history it was thought that the use of the dog on a bull had a tenderizing effect on the meat. In reality this was a myth perpetuated by dog men and gamblers in order to encourage participation and thus draw the profits off gambling.
In 1835 bull baiting was officially banned. This forced people especially of the lower classes to find alternative work for their dogs. Unlike today's life of privilege the Pit Bull often leads the dog of that time had to earn its dinner along with every other capable member of the family. Dogs of this time were integral to survival and were worth their weight in gold for their abilities to hunt, herd and guard.
The sport known as ratting soon emerged. This involved placing a number of rats in a literal pit for a specified period of time with the dog. The larger the number of rats killed by the dog the better the dog placed in the match. A good ratting dog on the farm to control rodent populations in many cases was paramount to survival.
Due to the constraints of space and the agility of the Black & Tan and now extinct White terriers of England these terriers were often being mixed with the old bull baiting dogs to achieve dogs which were premium at a full range of working purposes for their intelligent and level-headedness during fights to remain non-aggressive toward their handlers.
It is believed that this practice of mixing bulldog's and terriers had its most official beginning in the town of Staffordshire England and became known as the Staffordshire Bull and Terrier.
It is believed that this practice of mixing bulldog's and terriers had its most official beginning in the town of Staffordshire England and became known as the Staffordshire Bull and Terrier.
Due to the agility and gameness being developed in the breed many owners began to also compete their dogs in other activities including matches against each other. Some did this to develop a most dominant model of this already dominant breed some did it for even less noble purposes. Soon competitions became so popular that practically all Inns and Pubs were equipped with a sporting pit.
Part of the standard for organized dog-fighting required that the match referee who is unacquainted with the dog be able to enter the ring, pick up a dog while it was engaged in a fight, and get the respective owner to carry it out of the ring without being bitten. Dogs that bit the referee were culled.
As time progressed a gentleman by the name Chauncy Bennett founded the UKC in 1898 with the American Pit Bull Terrier as its foundation dog breed. This is in fact when the officialization of the American Pit Bull Terrier ( APBT ) as a breed is recorded.
By the time of WWI the American Pit Bull Terrier had became a well loved and desired dog breed of choice. In fact the Pit Bull was used as America's canine military mascot of the time as seen in such posters as these during war time.
In 1917 a Pit Bull by the name of Sgt. Stubby became a war hero for saving several soldiers lives and even capturing a German Spy while in the trenches of France with the 26th Yankee Division. A bust of Sgt. Stuby was even donated to the Smithsonian for historical purposes.
In 1917 a Pit Bull by the name of Sgt. Stubby became a war hero for saving several soldiers lives and even capturing a German Spy while in the trenches of France with the 26th Yankee Division. A bust of Sgt. Stuby was even donated to the Smithsonian for historical purposes.
Later the Pit Bull breed was used to signify sturdiness, dependability, and loyalty by such organizations as RCA, Buster Brown shoes, and even the loveable Pete of the Little Rascals. In fact the first dog to travel across America in a car was a Pit Bull ( Bud ) and did so also with the first persons ( Horatio Jackson and his assistant and "bicycle" mechanic Sewall Crocker ) to cross America in a car ( a Winton named the Vermont).
In America, one dog breed historically became known as the dog for people who are afraid of dogs. One dog breed achieved such a rock solid reputation with children that for 150 years it was known as America's "Nanny Dog." One dog breed became so trusted that despite the fact that no Kennel Club or Association recognized it, despite the fact that it could be found on the poorest farms and bleakest city neighborhoods with kids who didn't know where their next meal was coming from, the super-wealthy acquired them in droves because they were simply the safest, most tolerant breed to have around their progeny. Rich, poor, and everything in between, until recently, Americans agreed that there were only a certain type of people who owned a Pit Bull...PEOPLE WHO LOVED THEIR CHILDREN!!!