Breed Profile: American Pit Bull Terrier

The American pit bull terrier (APBT) is a relatively recent breed, though it’s descended from ancient times. It’s been only in the last 60 years that the APBT has been bred separately from theAmerican Staffordshire Terrier. Both breeds descend from early Greek mastiff-type dogs called Molossians who found their way into fighting arenas throughout the Roman Empire and battled side by side with professional warriors in combat.

APBTs in America can be traced to the late 17th century, when English and Irish working-class immigrants came to the United States with bulldog-terrier mixes. Americans bred their own terriers, but the breed’s fighting history made the road to recognition difficult in the United States. The American Kennel Club’s lack of willingness to recognize any breed with the word “pit” in its name resulted in the breed being recognized in 1936 under the name Staffordshire terrier. However, both the United Kennel Club and the American Dog Breeders Association recognize the breed as an American pit bull terrier.

The following description is of an “ideal” APBT. Not all APBTs fit the description exactly, but that’s not an issue unless you want one who can participate in dog shows.

Contrary to the stigma attached to the “pit bull” name, the APBT is typically an affectionate, anxious-to-please dog. He is a natural guardian, able to display anger in one direction and love in another, without misdirecting the aggression.

Here are some traits to consider when determining how well an APBT is going to fit in with you and your family.

The APBT makes for a loving, trusting, pet and doesn’t like being isolated from you. APBTs are ready, willing, and able to join you in just about any game and continually entice you into play by fetching a ball, a shoe, or anything handy to get your attention. APBTs get along well with children, provided that the children know the proper way to interact with the dog and that they are carefully supervised.

APBTs do best when they spend most of their time with you in the house and have a safe, securely fenced yard to play in. APBTs are born with a strong prey drive—the urge to chase and kill small animals. Try not to bring an APBT into a home that already has pets, or get other pets once you have an APBT. If you do get other pets, supervise all your pets closely or keep the APBT separate from the other animals.

APBTs are high-energy and require an outlet for their enthusiasm. Vigorous exercise for both the APBT and his owner should be scheduled as a daily activity, which means that an APBT is not an ideal pet for the elderly or for a family whose schedule doesn’t allow for quality time with the dog. Almost any form of exercise benefits an APBT, such as outdoor games, organized canine sports, or just leash walking, provided you’re strong enough to control the dog if he starts to pull.

Training is imperative for any APBT owner: an untrained APBT is a potential menace who may live up to the breed’s unsavory notoriety. With all dogs, but especially APBTs, obedience is best achieved with the practice of positive reinforcement. APBTs resent unfair, harsh behavior correction and show it by refusing to move or fighting back. But APBTs are anxious to please their owners and will readily do your bidding if rewarded with praise, affection, or treats.