How We Got Here: Pitbull History

In the 1800s, the British lower class had limited entertainment options. Bull-baiting, where dogs attacked large, restrained animals in a ring, was popular. When the sport was outlawed, people turned to fighting the dogs against each other. At the time, the bulldog was a taller, less wrinkled, athletic version of today’s Bulldog and was popular in fighting rings. The Brits crossed bulldogs with terriers to create a dog with the same strength but more agility. “Bull-and-terriers” were bred for their “gameness,” a trait that conveyed perseverance and innate friendliness toward humans. Any dog who bit a human who intervened in a fight was removed from the breeding stock. Eventually, dog fighting was outlawed, but the breed continued to evolve. Immigrants brought the dogs to America, where frontier families used them as herders, catch-dogs for livestock and hogs, and companions. The bloodlines diverged into three distinct breeds, which you can read about here. 

Pitbulls worked their way into American culture, serving in WWII, acting on television shows, and working as spokesdogs. They remained popular pets for years until illegal dog fighting became a problem in the 1980s, and criminals sought out Pitbulls to breed, neglect, and mistreat for profit. Their tough-looking appearance, trust in humans, and desire to please made them ideal targets, and isolation and mistreatment shaped them into excellent fighters. Instead of blaming irresponsible people for Pitbulls’ actions, the media demonized the breed, claiming they were inherently vicious and dangerous. New laws all over the country banned the breed, and the media sensationalized Pitbull-related incidents. Fear and myths spread like wildfire, and most dogs seized from illegal fight rings ended up in shelters or euthanized. Through no fault of their own, the Pitbull became America’s greatest fear.

Separating Myth from Fact

When the number of Pitbulls in shelters started increasing, veterinary professionals, rescuers, and shelter staff, who didn’t understand the disconnect between the dogs in their care and public perception, worked to set the record straight. In 2007, several groups stepped up to rehabilitate Michael Vick’s fighting dogs, who proved they could love and trust humans, despite unimaginable mistreatment. Scientific groups began performing studies to debunk myths and understand the Pitbull’s true nature.

Myth: Pitbulls are inherently dangerous.

Fact: Temperament testing reveals Pitbulls pass at a rate equal to or greater than other dogs. They don’t bite more often and are not inherently aggressive, as proven in this UK study. People believe that Pitbulls are dangerous mostly because of media reports—which are flawed. This study proved that most people cannot accurately identify a dog’s breed without a DNA test, and dogs who attacked were identified as Pitbulls when they likely were mixed breeds. The CDC studied dog bite fatalities from 2000 to 2009, identifying the 20 breeds responsible and establishing what veterinary professionals and rescuers know: all dogs, regardless of breed, are more likely to bite when isolated, poorly socialized, neglected, or mistreated.

Myth: Pitbulls are physically different from other dogs.

Fact: Pitbulls are like any other dog. They were created from other dog breeds and did not develop any superpowers in the process. Locking jaws, increased bite force, and swelling brains are urban legends spread through ignorance. Bite force is related to size, not breed, and all dogs have the same skull, jaw, and brain anatomy. 

Myth: Laws banning Pitbulls reduce bites.

Fact: After enforcing Pitbull bans for years, many cities have realized that bite rates never changed. This study in Denmark proved that breed-specific legislation failed them, and many others found the same outcome. Cities succeed in reducing dog bites through comprehensive dangerous dog laws that hold dog owners accountable for their dogs’ actions. Children are at increased risk of dog bites, so public safety campaigns teaching children and adults to interact with dogs safely and read dog body language are also successful in reducing bites. Many veterinary and rescue organizations, including the ASPCA, have published position statements establishing that all dogs deserve equal treatment to keep communities safe.

Myth: Pitbulls aren’t suitable for families.

Fact: Some Pitbulls retain their dog-aggressive fighting nature, and do best as the only dog in the home, but relationships with humans have always been their forte. Well-trained, socialized Pitbulls raised in loving homes show high affection levels, and happily welcome strangers. They enjoy children’s loud, unpredictable nature, so they are especially suited to family life. Pitbull owners asked to describe their dogs will use words like happy, loving, sensitive, intelligent, cuddly, expressive, and sweet. Pitbulls are eager to please, athletically capable, and will gladly participate in activities from dock-diving, to agility, to champion couch-lounging. Their versatility also makes them a popular choice for therapy, police and military work, search-and-rescue, and service dog programs like this one that help veterans in need.

Fact: Pitbulls should receive equal treatment.

The truth is, Pitbulls are amazing dogs capable of amazing things. Many rescuers are passionate about pitbull advocacy, and the dogs are beginning to regain their footing. Twenty states have banned breed-specific legislation, though it continues to be a problem in some places. Insurance companies that refuse to house “dangerous” breeds and make renting nearly impossible for Pitbull owners are another problem.

We still have a long way to go to reduce the Pitbull shelter population and ensure these dogs are treated equally. To learn more about Pitbulls and start making a difference, check out The American Pitbull Foundation, Love-a-Bull, and pitbullinfo.org.