The American Pit
Bull Terrier (American Pit Bull Terrier) is a breed of dog, originating in the
United States, that arose from the breed of bull-and-terriers, imported from
the United Kingdom in the 19th century. like fighting dogs until these events
were banned in 1976; They are currently raised as pets and athletes in legal
sports (although it is still the breed of choice in dogfights, now held
clandestinely).
Not to be
confused with other physically similar breeds: Staffordshire Bull Terrier,
American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, American bully, American Bulldog,
and even breeds such as the Dogo Argentino.
General
Name
The name
confusion began when, in the early 1930s, the American Kennel Club decided to
separate the breed as the American Staffordshire Terrier, in order to
differentiate it from the American Pit Bull Terrier, which was the breed that
was used as a fighting dog. The American Pit Bull Terrier has not been
recognized by the American Kennel Club, while the slightly heavier and more
robust American Staffordshire Terrier has been recognized.
Recognition
The American Pit
Bull Terrier is a pure breed of dog and internationally recognized by various
organizations, such as the Alianz Canine Worldwide, International Canine Kennel
Club and World Kennel Union. And it is nationally recognized in its homeland by
the UKC (United Kennel Club), ADBA (American Dog Breeders Association), NKC
(National Kennel Club), APDR (American Preservation Dog Registry) and AADRI
(All American Dog Registry International).
It is not
recognized by the FCI and some other similar organizations, as the creators of
this breed see it as a functional breed, and they mostly believe that
recognition by organizations that promote only aesthetics could harm its
functionality. Therefore, there is no effort for the Pit Bull to be recognized
by organizations that only appreciate beauty.
Pit bull features
The APBT
(American Pit Bull Terrier) is a medium-sized dog, males usually weigh 16 to 27
kg and females 13 to 25 kg. They are of athletic build and their breeding is
primarily focused on the character and performance of the functional dog.
The bad
reputation of this breed is mainly due to the fact that in the United States
they were used as fighting dogs, although it is currently a crime. These
animals continue to suffer violence and mistreatment from some breeders, who
train them to fight. Currently, in more than 200 counties in the United States,
it is a prohibited race, its possession is a crime. It is advisable to
socialize with other dogs from puppies so that at adulthood the aggressiveness
towards other animals is less.
Temperament
The UKC gives
this description of the American Pit Bull Terrier character
«The essential
characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier are strength, confidence and
joy of life. This breed overflows with enthusiasm. APBT are excellent family
partners. Because most APBTs present some level of aggression towards other
dogs and because of their powerful physique, they require an owner to socialize
and train them in obedience. The breed's natural agility makes it a very
capable canine climber, so a good fence will be necessary. The APBT is not the
best option for a guard dog, as they are extremely friendly, even with
strangers. Aggressive behavior towards humans is not characteristic of the
breed and is highly undesirable. This breed handles very well in performance
events or sports, due to the good level of intelligence and its willingness to
work. ”
In the U.S., of
41 dog deaths in 2016, 22 were the work of pit bulls.
Legislation
In many countries
there is special legislation for potentially dangerous dog breeds. For example,
some governments, such as Australia, have banned the importation of specific
breeds, including the pit bull, and require the castration of all existing dogs
of those breeds in an attempt to slowly eliminate the population.
In Malta it is illegal
to have a Pit Bull Terrier, and if those dogs are brought into Malta, the
responsible person is tried and the dogs caught and killed. In Spain, Colombia
and Chile they must use muzzle and strap when walking; if it does not meet
these requirements the owner is fined.
In Venezuela,
from 2010, each copy must be registered with the municipal authorities.
However, these animals must remain permanently in captive conditions.
In Bogotá
(Colombia) they are on the "dangerous dogs" list, along with other
breeds such as Tosa Inu and the Fila Brasilero. This decree obliges them to be
registered with a local mayor's office, to buy insurance, and only to walk
around with their muzzles and ties. Your commercial breeding is prohibited.
In Spain it is
considered as a potentially dangerous breed of dog by Royal Decree, so for its
possession the License for possession of potentially dangerous dogs must be
obtained and registered in the corresponding Municipal Registry of potentially
dangerous animals. One of the things required to obtain this license is to have
third party liability insurance.
FIAPBT Standard
Head: an
exaggerated head will simply make you carry an excessive weight that will
reduce its functionality when carrying out any type of work. An APBT, to all intents
and purposes provided on the head, should appear two-thirds the width of the
shoulders and be 25% wider on the cheeks than on the neck at the base of the
skull. From the back of the skull to the stop, it should be the same distance
as from the stop to the tip of the nose. The snout will be straight and square.
The depth from the highest part of the head to the lowest part of the jaw is
important. The jaw is closed by the temporal fossa muscle, exerting the
pressure that the animal needs on the mandibular coronoid process. The head
will have a wedge shape seen from above or from the side, and when viewed from
the front it is round. Dogs with long lips are not accepted.
Eyes: The eyes
are round, separated from each other and located in a low position.
Denture: Scissor
closure (preferred), pincer and slight prognathism are allowed. The most
important thing in the teeth of an APBT, which also, the official judges of
this breed of dog is what they take into account in an examination of the
standard, are the fangs, which the upper ones must slide behind the lower ones.
Nose: Black or
red.
Neck: The neck
should be strongly muscled to the base of the skull.
Rear Train: This
is the powertrain of any four-legged animal. 80% of an APBT's work is done on
their hips and hind legs. A long and inclined hip is extremely important, as it
will give more support to the femur, and this should be shorter than the tibia.
The hip should be wide. As it is in this way it will carry with it a wide
lumbar area, thus allowing a large surface area for the insertion of the
gluteal and biceps femoris muscles, which are the largest motors of the
powertrain.
Front: The dog
must have deep ribs. They are wide top, narrowing towards the bottom. The ribs
house the lungs, which are not deposits, but pumps. The ribs act like a
bellows. Its effectiveness is related to the difference between the volume of
contraction and expansion. The depth of the ribs gives more room for larger
lungs. The shoulders should be slightly wider than the ribs at the eighth rib.
Too narrow
shoulders will not support adequate muscle structure, but also too broad a
shoulder structure slows the animal down and adds too much unnecessary weight.
The scapula should be 45 degrees or slightly less angle to the ground, and it
will be wide and flat. The elbows should sit flat, with the humerus almost
parallel to the spine.
The elbow has to
go below the ribs. The forearm should be only slightly longer than the humerus
and it should be thick and solid, almost twice the thickness of the metatarsals
at hock height. The front legs and shoulders must be able to withstand a lot of
work and their thickness here can be a virtue. The feet should be small and
inserted high in the frogs or loops.
Tail: The tail
will be inserted low; It should be long until a little before reaching the
hocks.
Although we are used to visualizing a Pit Bull as an American
Pit Bull Terrier, the truth is that there are many breeding lines with the same
genetics, but with different physical and behavioral characteristics.
The American Pit-bull terrier is the base specimen, obtained
from multiple selections during breeding work to obtain the strongest, most
homogeneous and resistant specimens. Let's see how many breeds share the Pit-bull
genes and which one may be the most suitable for you.
TYPES OF PITBULL
These are the breeds that currently share Pit-bull genetics,
their physical characteristics and personality are highly variable, and so it
is highly recommended to study them thoroughly before deciding to adopt one.
Remember that no dog is bad in origin; just some breeds are
stronger and energetic, so they need more intense training and exercise on a
daily basis. Many of these Pit-bull types are not recommended for inexperienced
people.
American pit bull terrier
Possibly the best known and widespread breed for being
considered the original, among all types of Pit-bull dogs today. Its physical
appearance is that of a medium-sized dog of about thirty kilos in weight.
Forty centimeters tall and a fairly athletic body, his hair
is short and brown, mottled, white or black. Being an important characteristic
of the breed the famous white spot that they present on the chest.
This breed is very active and energetic, making it mandatory
to exercise daily to eliminate excess energy, which can cause stress. His
temperament is affectionate at the family level, although very territorial and
dominant with other dogs and unknown people.
It is not a breed for people with little experience in the
canine field, or for people with a lazy personality. Since it requires strong
discipline and training.
Pit-bull puppies are commonly known as little gladiators,
for their way of playing against each other, always in the form of a fight
(although without damage).
On the other hand we can also find an important variant that
is officially recognized by the ADBA, the Pit-bull terrier Red Nose, which is
characterized by having the brown truffle (nose), as well as its hair.
Although its origins are not very clear, there is a theory
that an Irish Pit Bull mix with an American one.
The Blue nose Pit-bull is also a different line and well
known for having the color of the gray truffle, as well as the color of its
hair. It is not accepted as a breed since it is a variation of the Pit-bull,
but with different characteristics.
American Staffordshire terrier
Colloquially known as American Stanford due to a
pronunciation error, and on many occasions also mistaken for the Staffordshire
bull terrier.
Among the different types of Pit-bull this is an improved
version of the well-known Pit-bull terrier, it descends directly from it, but
larger and stronger specimens were selected during the breeding work.
So at all levels, the Am staff (American Staffordshire
terrier) is a superior dog than the standard Pit-bull. It can reach forty kilos
in weight and can even measure fifty centimeters at the withers, data that
confirms its superior size.
Character is active, dominant and self-confident. He is not
as impulsive as the American Pit-bull terrier but we must not provoke him ...
he is quite a watchdog.
It requires daily exercise, discipline and a healthy diet to
keep you happy. By doing work you will feel fulfilled so it is not convenient
to have it alien to the family.
It is not advisable to adopt the BLUE variable, which is
characterized by being gray (hair) and having blue eyes. These factors are due
to a genetic defect, so it is not right to promote the breeding of the blue.
Staffordshire bull terrier
Lovingly known as Staff, the Staffordshire bull terrier has
little to do with the Amestaff mentioned above.
The Staffy's character is very cheerful and smiling, even
playful. Among all types of Pit-bull this is a very active specimen so he loves
to exercise, ideal for lovers of exercise, hiking or mountaineering.
Unlike other types of Pit-bull dogs, it is not as dominant
and therefore not as prone to being aggressive. However, it is a strong and
intelligent dog, if it sees itself in danger it will not hesitate to show its
full strength.
Its physical size
is somewhat smaller, reaching twenty kilos in weight and forty centimeters in
height at the withers. Although its muscular complexion will immediately make
us see that it is a great little dog.
Bull terrier
The Bull terrier
is also classified as one of the descendant breeds of Pitbull genetics,
although its size and physical appearance is somewhat different because other
breeds were also used in breeding work.
Colloquially
known as the face-cone dog or shark dog, due to its elongated snout, it is a
medium-sized dog that hardly weighs more than thirty kilos.
As a companion
dog he is extraordinary, very attached to his family and somewhat stubborn. But
with other dogs and / or animals it is a danger, since its territorial
instincts make it a very impulsive dog.
Although it is
not listed as a potentially dangerous dog in Spain, its strong physical
complexion makes it not a recommended breed for people with no experience in
dog education.
Chamucos
Raised in Mexico,
it is known as the Mexican Pit Bull, although in reality, it is much smaller in
size, although stronger and more muscular than the American Pit Bull Terrier.
During the
breeding work the strongest specimens were always selected, giving rise to the
Chamuco that we know today. Within the wide range of types of pit bulls this is
small but very powerful.
It is an
extremely strong breed, not even a large person could hold it if they decide to
pull on the leash to try to attack another dog or animal.
So obviously, it
is not a really recommended breed, since it is difficult to control. Today it
is used as a guard or companion dog, although always in the hands of expert
trainers.
American Bully
Obtained from the
crossing of the American Pitbull Terrier and the Staffordshire terrier, it is a
strong and muscular dog, with a physical appearance similar to Monster Blue.
Colloquially
known as Bullypit, it can reach fifty kilos in weight and have a height of up
to forty-five centimeters at the withers.
The character of
the American bully is dominant and territorial, so as a puppy he must receive
an intense and disciplined education. Being a physically very strong dog, we
should not make the mistake of training it for aggressive purposes.
At home he has a
fairly calm demeanor, although on the street it is quite an earthquake that
loves to walk, run and enjoy outdoor stays enjoying the mountains, like almost
all types of pit bulls.
Pitbull Dog Photo :
Pitbull dog video : Best of American Bully Pitbulls
Article about Pitbull Dog
Pit bull - Wikipedia
American Pit Bull Terrier Dog Breed Information, Pictures
Pit Bull Facts - Villalobos Rescue Center
Pit Bulls - Breeds & Pictures
Pit Bull Dog Breed Information | LoveToKnow