Pit bull

"Pitbull" redirects here. For the Cuban-American rapper and entertainer, see Pitbull (rapper). For other uses, see Pitbull (disambiguation).

The term pit bull is often used loosely to describe dogs with similar physical characteristics, and the morphological (physical) variation amongst "bully breed" dogs makes it difficult for anyone, even experts, to visually identify them as distinct from "non-pit bulls".^[5][6][7] While mixed breed dogs are often labeled as "pit bulls" if they have certain physical characteristics such as a square shaped head or bulky body type,^[8] visual identification of mixed breed dogs is not recommended by the scholarly community

Pit bulls were created by breeding bulldogs and terriers together to produce a dog that combined the gameness and agility of the terrier with the strength of the bulldog.^[2] In the United Kingdom, these dogs were used in blood sports such as bull-baiting, bear-baiting andcock fighting. These blood sports were officially eliminated in 1835 as Britain began to introduce animal welfare laws. Since dogfights were cheaper to organize and far easier to conceal from the law than bull or bear baits, blood sport proponents turned to pitting their dogs against each other instead. Dog fighting was used as both a blood sport (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 and America. In the early 20th century pit bulls were used as catch dogs in America for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, and drive livestock, and as family companions.^[2] Some have been selectively bred for their fighting prowess.^[3][4]

Pit bulls successfully fill the role of companion dogs, police dogs,^[9][10] and therapy dogs.^[11] Pit bulls also constitute the majority of dogs used for illegal dog fighting in America.^[12] In addition, law enforcement organisations report these dogs are used for other nefarious purposes, such as guarding illegal narcotics operations,^[13][14] use against police,^[15] and as attack dogs.^[16]

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 Animalsrenamed pit bull terriers to "St. Francis Terriers", so that people might be more likely to adopt them.^[17] 60 temperament-screened dogs were adopted until the program was halted, after several of the newly adopted pit bulls killed cats.^[18] 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.^[19][20]

Socialization[edit]

A pit bull's genetic make up was developed so it would be a good fighting dog. However, this genetic disposition does not mean that all pit bulls are aggressive or that they are likely to attack other animals. Pit bulls require the same amount of socialization training as other dogs during puppy-hood, possibly more. Like any dog, a pit bull that is well socialized is less likely to attack when it feels threatened. The pit bull breed is known to be more “rough-and-tumble” during play time, but frequent socialization with other dogs can mean that a pit bull pet goes into adulthood with a positive feeling towards other dogs. Without proper socialization, they are more likely to act aggressivel

Pit bull breeds have become famous for their roles as soldiers, police dogs, search and rescue dogs, actors, television personalities, seeing eye dogs, and celebrity pets. Historically, the Bull Terrier mix Nipper and the American Staffordshire Terrier, Pete the Pup from the Little Rascals are the most well known. Lesser known, but still historically notable pit bulls include Billie Holiday's companion "Mister",^[90] Helen Keller's dog "Sir Thomas",^[91] Buster Brown's dog "Tige",^[92] Horatio Jackson's dog "Bud",^[93][94] PresidentTheodore Roosevelt's Pit Bull terrier "Pete", "Jack Brutus" who served for Company K, the First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry during the civil war,^[95] Sergeant Stubby who served for the 102nd Infantry, 26th (Yankee) Division during World War I, and Sir Walter Scott's "Wasp".^[96]

Contemporary significant pit bulls are: Weela, who helped save 32 people, 29 dogs, 3 horses, and 1 cat;^[97] Popsicle, a five-month-old puppy originally found nearly dead in a freezer, who grew to become one of the nation's most important police dogs;^[98] Norton, who was placed in the Purina Animal Hall of Fame after he rescued his owner from a severe reaction to a spider bite;^[99] Titan, who rescued his owner's wife, who would have died from an aneurysm, D-Boy, who took three bullets to save his family from an intruder with a gun,^[100] and Lilly, who lost a leg after being struck by a freight train while pulling her unconscious owner from the train tracks