The Pit Bulls bad rep is because they are probably one of the most misunderstood breeds of dog in the world. A short history of the breed known today as the American Pit bull started in the 1800′s in Scotland, Ireland, and England. In those early times different breeds of bull dogs and terriers had been interbred resulting in a “bull terrier mix.” These animals migrated to the US as the “Staffordshire bull terrier” around the later 1800′s, and at the time were a very different animal than we see today. The bull terrier was known as “pit dog” or “catch dog” in the US, and was used to control hogs, cattle, and to drive live stock while also being a great friend for families.

Many stories have been told about the early beginnings of the American Pit Bull, but because of their strength, awareness, and fighting prowess that was used in the pits to corral other animals, the trainers and breeders had something else in mind for the bull terrier. The worker dog was now being bread for fighting; these animals were now being pit against each other in matches for profit. Because of the big industry changes and the declining need for work dogs, these animals were now being used for house pets or in other cases to fight other breads of bull terrier. At some point breeders had gone as far as trying to create that special bread of terrier that could never lose a match in the ring.

So why do pit bulls have a bad reputation?
What we see today is the result of years and years of interbreeding many different breeds of terrier to get an animal that no longer has a purpose in a non violent society. The Pit Bull of today is a direct result of our own making and because of this; these animals have been outlawed in many countries as well as many states here in the US. What we’ve done is completely stereotype a creation of our own making, and as a result, we blame all of the wrong doing on the animal and take absolutely no blame for ourselves. The Pit Bull terrier is not born a fighter; they are born as any other breed of animal and trained to be either a family companion or to follow in the footsteps of the Pit Bull of the past.

Because of the complete irresponsible exploitation of this animal, the Pit Bull terrier has suffered at its own expense for what we have done to them. We have classified these animals as threats to society because of our own inability to correct a wrong and make it right. The reason the Pit Bull terrier has a bad reputation is because we are the ones that have given it to them. Because of our own ignorance we have put these animals through years of senseless breeding and pit fighting, and when we no longer had use for them we turned them loose on society and let others deal with the issue. The American Pit Bull is an animal that we created and if there is anyone to blame for Pit Bulls having a bad reputation it’s us.

If you want to learn more about pit bulls, check out this incredible lens on the subject. With much helpful information and links or tools, you can brush up on your pit bull knowledge easily.