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My favorite old photos from family albums are those of Pit Bull Terriers that were pets. There is “Bingo” pulling my Dad’s sled after a snowstorm when he was a toddler. “Rascal”, my parent’s first dog, is shown with my three brothers on the front steps. My Dad loved “Bully” breeds and trusted them with his children.
Later photos show our AKC Champion English Bull Dogs that my Dad raised and showed throughout New England. Every one of these was first a family pet.
The Pit Bull Terrier came to this country from England in the mid 1800s. The breed originated from breeding Bulldogs with Terriers. In England, their job was baiting bulls for butchers. When this later became sport and was deemed inhumane, the “sport” of dog fighting in pits became popular. Traits for aggression towards other dogs were selectively bred into their genetic makeup. Any hint of human aggressiveness was bred out of their lines. The breed became well known for its loving devotion and trustworthy nature with humans.
Early colonists brought them to America with their families. After breeding in America they became the “American” Pit Bull Terrier. These dogs were entrusted to protect homesteads from predators. “Pit Bulls” became constant companions to children who were in their care. The community valued their friendly, brave and hardworking nature. Archives of old photos show instances of Pit Bulls as trusted family pets. They are shown with babies and toddlers, riding in the family wagon, sitting by Grandma’s rocker, lying by the Holiday tree, and in numerous other family gatherings.
During WWI ABPTs were adopted as a symbol for America. Posters depicted them as proud mascots.
An interesting poster was titled “Victory”. It included the American Bull Terrier in the center with a French Bull Dog on one side and an English Bull Dog on the other. All were wearing patriotic scarves symbolic of each country.
The most decorated war dog of WWI was “Sgt. Stubby,” a loyal and brave bull terrier. Stubby served with the 102nd Infantry, in the trenches in France for 18 months and participated in four offensives and 17 battles.
Sgt. Stubby learned to warn his unit of poison gas attacks, locate wounded soldiers in no-man’s-land, and hearing the whine of incoming artillery shells, became very adept at letting his unit know when to duck for cover.
The APBT has been a favorite dog among politicians, scholars and celebrities. Helen Keller and the "Our Gang" Little Rascals all had APBTS. They were pets of such people as Gen. George S. Patton, WWII hero, John L. Sullivan, an American pugilist and President "Teddy" Roosevelt. Today, this tradition continues with tens of thousands of Americans who love and cherish their family pit bulls.
The Pit Bull Terrier was the most popular family dog in the beginning of the 20th century. What happened?
How did this breed become so maligned and misunderstood? In the last 20 years the fighting ability of the breed has been exploited. Incidents by a small number of poorly socialized and badly bred bull terriers have been sensationalized and the mis-informed public has panicked and become fearful of this breed.
Pit Bulls can be delightful, clownish, loving and loyal family pets. A future article will discuss the wonderful qualities of the breed and attempt to dispel the many myths and misconceptions held by the public.
Anne Divine is a long time member of LAWS and has volunteered at Animal Control for 18 years. She can be reached at: adivine@kc.rr.com.
My favorite old photos from family albums are those of Pit Bull Terriers that were pets. There is “Bingo” pulling my Dad’s sled after a snowstorm when he was a toddler. “Rascal”, my parent’s first dog, is shown with my three brothers on the front steps. My Dad loved “Bully” breeds and trusted them with his children.
Later photos show our AKC Champion English Bull Dogs that my Dad raised and showed throughout New England. Every one of these was first a family pet.
The Pit Bull Terrier came to this country from England in the mid 1800s. The breed originated from breeding Bulldogs with Terriers. In England, their job was baiting bulls for butchers. When this later became sport and was deemed inhumane, the “sport” of dog fighting in pits became popular. Traits for aggression towards other dogs were selectively bred into their genetic makeup. Any hint of human aggressiveness was bred out of their lines. The breed became well known for its loving devotion and trustworthy nature with humans.
Early colonists brought them to America with their families. After breeding in America they became the “American” Pit Bull Terrier. These dogs were entrusted to protect homesteads from predators. “Pit Bulls” became constant companions to children who were in their care. The community valued their friendly, brave and hardworking nature. Archives of old photos show instances of Pit Bulls as trusted family pets. They are shown with babies and toddlers, riding in the family wagon, sitting by Grandma’s rocker, lying by the Holiday tree, and in numerous other family gatherings.
During WWI ABPTs were adopted as a symbol for America. Posters depicted them as proud mascots.
An interesting poster was titled “Victory”. It included the American Bull Terrier in the center with a French Bull Dog on one side and an English Bull Dog on the other. All were wearing patriotic scarves symbolic of each country.
The most decorated war dog of WWI was “Sgt. Stubby,” a loyal and brave bull terrier. Stubby served with the 102nd Infantry, in the trenches in France for 18 months and participated in four offensives and 17 battles.
Sgt. Stubby learned to warn his unit of poison gas attacks, locate wounded soldiers in no-man’s-land, and hearing the whine of incoming artillery shells, became very adept at letting his unit know when to duck for cover.
The APBT has been a favorite dog among politicians, scholars and celebrities. Helen Keller and the "Our Gang" Little Rascals all had APBTS. They were pets of such people as Gen. George S. Patton, WWII hero, John L. Sullivan, an American pugilist and President "Teddy" Roosevelt. Today, this tradition continues with tens of thousands of Americans who love and cherish their family pit bulls.
The Pit Bull Terrier was the most popular family dog in the beginning of the 20th century. What happened?
How did this breed become so maligned and misunderstood? In the last 20 years the fighting ability of the breed has been exploited. Incidents by a small number of poorly socialized and badly bred bull terriers have been sensationalized and the mis-informed public has panicked and become fearful of this breed.
Pit Bulls can be delightful, clownish, loving and loyal family pets. A future article will discuss the wonderful qualities of the breed and attempt to dispel the many myths and misconceptions held by the public.
Anne Divine is a long time member of LAWS and has volunteered at Animal Control for 18 years. She can be reached at: adivine@kc.rr.com.
