No matter what a person's opinion is, he or she won't understand the APBT breed until they study or research dogfighting first and why this breed did so well at it. Here is some insight on our breed's history. The following excerpt was taken from Richard F. Stratton's Book: The World of the APBT:
"First, we must distinguish between truth and myth. The APBT was originally bred solely to fight other dogs. Before 1976, dogfighting was only a misdemeanor! It became a felony after the Animal Rights Act. In the early days of bull baiting and dogfighting, fighting pit dogs was a way of life for some people. They had to get some kind of relief from their depressing everyday life. Usually many fights were stopped when the eventual outcome was evident. Magazines published fight results and posters advertised for upcoming fights. The audience at dog fights mainly consisted of the dog owners, breeders, gamblers, prostitutes, thieves, loan sharks, the morbidly curious, thrill-seekers, and community low-lifes. The selection process for a pit fighting dog and/ or breeding stock had only two main factors. The winning fighting dog got to breed and the losing dog was a victim of culling ( disposing of those dogs that didn't win the fights). Also, when selecting pit dogs, specific characteristics were left out, such as dogs' coat color, hair length, appearance or size of the dog. The breeder was only concerned with gameness and fighting. Gameness was the dog's unwillingness to quit fighting. If the pit dog did not contribute to success in the pit, they were killed and thus, eliminated from consideration as future breeding stock. When dogs were bred for fighting, the only way they could really be tested was by fighting them. Even though some law enforcement people were paid to look the other way, the fines and penalties for dog fighting grew. It then became harder to openly fight dogs and follow pit fighting because people became more selective in their acquaintances and those who were allowed to attend pit fights. There is no doubt about it, the APBT was definitely bred and refined for its gameness! {Today, GAMENESS is used in a different way. It is the animal's endurance and unwillingness to quit anything, like tug-o-war and playing on the spring pole}. Prey drive is often confused with gameness. A prey driven dog was used in bull baiting and bear baiting."
***Many still do not know the APBT's oroginal purpose and that is the reason we included this brief history on our site.***
"The purebred American pit bull terrier is America's greatest working dog. Mainland Europe has several noted working breeds - sheep dogs - whose main reason for being in the past 100 years has been "man work" or the ability and desire to attack humans. America's working dog - a bull dog - has its roots in "Olde England", where butchers specifically bred "gripping dogs" for use in controlling bulls and cattle. No other breed had (or has) the courage, grit and determination to stick to the dangerous task of controlling a mad bull. The dog's gameness, or desire to complete the task of holding the bull often saved his master and other humans. In the middle ages, there were no guns or easy means to control a bull - these dogs were highly prized and carefully bred heroes.
These bull dogs (not to be confused with the modern AKC show version "bulldog" who is a recently created show ring breed) were used in exhibition contests against bulls called "bull baiting". When bull baiting was outlawed in the 1800's, bulldogs were contested against each other, to determine which dog had the determination and drive to keep at the task in the face of pain, fatigue and even death.
Because two handlers and a referee were in the pit with the dogs, the breed was selected for amazing stability; a calm, friendly manner with people - even under extreme pressure. Dogs which lashed out at humans, even strangers, while fighting or in pain were not tolerated. Amicability is the well bred American pit bull's heritage.
The pit bulldog's athletic build and legendary determination to get the job done makes him the perfect working dog and candidate for detection work. Nothing deters him - not heat or cold, not fatigue, not the things that make lesser dogs quit. Drugs, explosives, or a missing child- if they are there, the pit bull will find them. It is his nature." http://www.forpitssake.org/american.html
Todays American Pit Bull
In America, the pit bulldog of the British Isles has been perfected into a medium sized, athletic and physically tough animal possessing a very compliant nature (they are not "handler hard") endless energy, extreme toy drive and, when bred correctly, a boundlessly friendly nature with all people.
The pit bull enjoyed wide popularity during the period of 1840 - 1950 as a family pet and farm dog. At the turn of the last century, the pit bull was one of the most popular of dogs. A trusted "nanny dog", favorite with soldiers, and common mascot. Pete the Pup on the Little Rascals Our Gang comedies was a purebred, registered American pit bull terrier.
Like the German shepherd in the 1950's - 1960's and the Doberman in the 1970's, the pit bull is currently taking its turn as the "fad breed" with macho, high risk owners. Like the shepherd and the Doberman, the pit bull is being exploited by back yard breeders, criminals, dog fighters and others who abuse the breed's amazing strengths for their own selfish gain. The press encourages fear and hysteria - fear sells.
Independent thinkers who don't fall for "media hysteria", people whose mind set does not include prejudicial tendencies, professional dog trainers and those who know the breed, understand that the true American pit bull terrier is one of the sweetest of dogs with people - though most will not back down from a challenge from another dog.
Today's American pit bull terrier, when properly bred and raised,
possesses heart, drive and a work ethic unlike ANY other breed. The
true American Pit Bull Terrier loves people and is a silly, happy dog.
Each person is a "new bestfriend"!
The American Pit Bull Terrier's story is mired in sad reality. Some fanciers, many who call themselves "dogmen", claim that in order to produce the real APBT, the dogs must be fought so they can prove their gameness (i.e. willingness to keep going despite pain and exhaustion). In their opinion, only the candidates that don't quit a fight are true representatives of the breed and should be bred - The others are called "curs" and eliminated.
Those
people firmly believe that the abolishment of "Gametesting"
would destroy the APBT breed. They therefore feel completely justified
to continue exploiting dogs by forcing them into the worse possible
form of abuse.