Just Want To Know....

I want to know why the APBT got stuck with the PIT part. Pit is referred to any dog with the characteristics of a bull dog. The Bull Terrier don't have pit in his name. Nor the Amstaff or other breeds. How come the APBT has it? That's what makes everyone Histerical!!! Why can't he just be called the American Bull Terrier??? Any answers to this?
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Because the actual Bull Terrier people threw a fit when the AKC was going to register them as that. And they would again if it was attempted, from my understanding.

 

this breed was engineered to do its duty inside of a 'pit' ....an area designated for battle. when americans were conducting fights down in the basements of pubs and shops...they constructed 'pits' which the dogs fought eachother in. these dogs stemmed from a stock of dogs known and the 'bull and terriers' due to a supposed breed outcross. the dogs who were used to fight or 'bait' bulls were called 'bull dogs.' history leads to the idea that in order to gain more agility and tenacity, these dogs were crossed with the best terriers around...being known as the 'bull & terrier' dog. when the breed was finally recognized, it was recognized for where it came from and what it did. it was a bulldog/terrier-bred dog who fought others in a 'pit' this is where we get 'American Pit Bull Terrier' from. hope this helps...although, there is a debate umongst alot of people as to the accuracy of bulldogs (not the bulldogs you know of today ie: englsh bulldogs with huge underbites) being crossed with terriers. opponents of the bull/terrier theory will be quick to point out the the breed was already where it needed to be and that an outcross to the terriers wouldn't have kept the game gene in the blood and that they did not need any more agility.

 

I have read so much about where this breed came from...one stating that it was a cross between the extinct bulldog and the stafforshire terreir. Who knows, I don't think we ever will, just think it's a shame that this breed and the ones that love it have to live with the stigma that causes so much fear in those that don't understand it.

 

that is the only correct answer you will get. Good post Ivy.

 

these dogs were crossed with the best terriers around...being known as the 'bull & terrier' dog.

Exactly what I was saying. Why not an American Bull Terrier?

 

Why should it change? Why do we need to re-write what was clearly the perfect name for this dog? The dog was givin a name for a reason. It should keep that name as if you take it from them you have taken everything. They have takin the sport, the rights, the freedom and now you want to take its name? We dont need change in name, just owners.

 

Here it goes again. This started as a simple ? Society is scarred to death of the pit in pit terrier. Would it be the same way if pit was in another dogs name? How about the Staffordshire Pit Terrier or the Airdale Pit Terrier?

 

Or how bout the Shitsu pit toy. or the Blood pit hound. Did they work in the pit? No, why would you give a name that had no meening to the breed? Im not trying to come off as an a#@ hole. Im trying to show you that changing a name meens changing history. We dont need to change names or history. If people fear them, good. People fear what they dont know. Let them stay away. Less idiots running the streets with the breed.JMO. Take it with a grain of salt.

 

I did not suggest changing their name but asked why the name. The dogs I mentioned were terriers by the way and have everything to do with the breed. If not for them, we would not have the breed. And as I stated, just wondering. Don't get your pants in a wad.

 

The reason that "pit" is a reference to any dog wich carries some of the characteristics of bulldogs is because the media, polaticians and the animal rights activists who are opposed to the breads very existance changed the original meaning of the word to fit the purposes of their propaganda campaigns. The word pit was used to describe a certain type of dog before they ever came along. Originaly, in england, there were two types of dogs used in dog on dog fighting, after Bullbaiting was made illegal, terriers and bulldogs. Whether or not these two breeds were crossed to produce a better fighting dog is a matter of some controversy, but, The name "American Pit Bull Terrier" is intended to describe a cross between these two breeds that are intended to fight in a pit. Technically the word pit doesn't describe anything about the dog other than it's use as an animal which fights in a "pit" (the designated area for two dogs to be matched in a contest of gamness). The "bull" and "terrier" part of the name describe the dogs breeding and appearance. Because the essence of APBT's quality is the fact that the dog is purpose bred and not bred for show, the part of the dogs name that describes the TYPE OF WORK the dog was BRED FOR is most important. To drop the "pit" in the name of the breed is to deny the breeds rich history and all of the efforts to preserve the functionality of the APBT by working dog breeders, it's also submitting to the propaganda created by opponents of the breed in order to defame and dishonor it.

My two cents.

 

Granted, but not all dogs have their work tittle in their name.

 

Do you know why "pit" has such a terrible ring to it? Because every idiot with a 2'' dick and a 120 lb blue dog that snarls at people has a "ya, he's purebread pitt man!".

The dogs are called "pitbulls" for a reason-they fought in both the pit, and bulls. In the early days there were sometimes called "pit and bulls", its just been shortened.

There is 100 percent nothing wrong with the name, the problem is the idiots who exploit that name for their own personal gains (be it money from studs/litters, reputation boost, street cred, whatever).

AMERICAN PITBULL TERRIER - now and forever. I refuse to change the name because some bad apples want it. I would much rather die fighting to disassociate myself with these fools and educate people that these are not "pits".

 

Do you know why "pit" has such a terrible ring to it? Because every idiot with a 2'' dick and a 120 lb blue dog that snarls at people has a "ya, he's purebread pitt man!".

I totally agree with this. Again, I'm not saying we should rename him. Please! just asked why he carried the word pit in his name. I think that has been answered with " because of his work in a pit." Thanks.

 

And not all dogs are the American Pit Bull Terrier.

I'm not trying to be argumentative. I apologize if it comes across that way. I'm just giving my opinion. I think it's a good topic worthy of discussion.