American Pit Bull Terrier Facts

So I've composed a hub that features all of my Pit Bull articles. Check it out and let me know what you think.

I'd love some tips and feedback.

All About the American Pit Bull Terrier

All About the American Pit Bull Terrier

Here is a combination hub, that includes all of my hubs that are pertaining to the breed characteristics and history of the American Pit Bull Terrier. The article is pretty simple and straight forward. You should find tons of great information about the breed, hopefully enough to convince your leary friends that they can be great dogs.

Give it a look and see.

All About the American Pit Bull Terrier

Myths About Pit Bulls

Unfortunately, the most common dog to get the rap from the awful pit bull myths, is the American Pit Bull Terrer, but that doesn't mean that other bully breed dogs do not suffer the same myths.

I found it rather interesting, when research for the below article, that the myths that surround these poor dogs are so extreme. The myths, if all true, would create this super dog, sub-human- type creature. I mean a dog who can't feel pain, has disjointed jaws, and attacks like an alligator. It's like an experiment on a dog in a laboratory gone wrong.

It's a little funny if you know the truths, to sit back and read what people think and believe about "pit bulls."

The Truth About American Pit Bull Terriers

The picture at the top is of Wendy the Whippet, NOT a pit bull. She has genetic disorder that has resulted in an exceptionally muscular appearance. I just figured that if the super dog that people believe is a pit bull existed, it would look like Wendy.

MIA Plays with Bella

Sorry, the video is a little dark, but it's a video of my blue APBT playing with my mother's St. Bernard/ Collie mix.

It's just so funny about how so many people say that all dogs of t his breed is dog aggressive.

It's also pretty funny about how they say dogs of the same sex don't get along... If they're names didn't cue you in; MIA and Bella are both females.

The American Bully

There is some controversy as to whether or not the American Bully is a breed on its own or is it just a selectively breed APBT.

I have my personal opinions, but for the most part one can look at it deferently.


You can really look at it a few different ways.
1. It is a selectively breed APBT using the Gotti and Razor's Edge Bloodlines.
2. It is a purbred dog.
3. It is a mixbreed.

I have thought that the American Bully is nothing more than an APBT, but with further research into the situation, I have found it to be a mix-breed dog, similar to that of the labradoodle or goldendoodle. As poodle hybrids are not registerable by any reputable breeder, they are not considered purbred dogs. They do not have a set standard. The American Bully, is similar. It is the mix between an American Pit Bull Terrier and an American Staffordshire Terrier. Although, you can get this mix registered with the ABKC (American Bully Kennel Club), it is not registerable with any other kennel club.

Because the "breed" is not registerable with the UKC or the ADBA, it is not considered a breed with a set standard. Although, the ABKC does have its own standard for the "breed," which is as follows:

General Impression

Give the impression of strength for its size.

Medium size dog with a muscular body.

Agile and graceful in movement and keenly alert to his surroundings.

Stocky, not long-legged or racy in outline.

Head

Medium length

Broad skull with pronounced cheek muscles and high set ears

Ears: Natural or Cropped
Eyes: All colors except albinism; Shape would be round to oval; Set low down in skull and far apart.
Muzzle: Medium length; Rounded on upper side or slightly squared to fall away abruptly below eyes.
Jaws: Well defined; Under jaw to be strong and have biting power.
Lips: Close and even; Some looseness accepted, but not preferred.
Teeth: Upper teeth to meet tightly outside lower teeth in front or scissor bite accepted.
Nose: All colors acceptable.

Neck

Heavy

Slightly arched

Tapering from shoulders to back of skull

No looseness of skin.

Medium length.

Shoulders

Strong and muscular with blades wide and sloping.

Back

Fairly short.

Slight sloping from withers to rump or straight accepted with gentle short slope at rump to base of tail.

Slightly higher rears accepted, but not encouraged.

Body

Well-sprung ribs, deep in rear and all ribs close together.

Forelegs set wide apart to permit chest development.

Chest should be deep and broad.

Tail

Short in comparison to size

Low set

Tapering to a fine point

Not curled.

Not docked.

Legs
Front legs: should be straight a slight turning outwards of the feet is accepted but not desired

Large or round bones; Pastern upright; No resemblance of bend in front.
Hindquarters: Well-muscled; Let down at hocks, turning neither in nor out.
Feet: Moderate size; Well-arched and compact.
Gait: Should be springy with drive off the rear.

Coat

Short, Stiff to the touch, Glossy

Color

All colors and patterns are expect the color merle.

Size

Height and weight should be in proportion.

A height of about 18 to 21 inches at shoulders for the male and 17 to 20 inches for the female.

There is no particular weight for the breed.

You can take this info as you will, and form you own opinions. I will stick by my opinion in that the American Bully by these standards set by the ABKC is a mix breed dog, as it is the breeding of an APBT and an AmStaff.

Pictures of American Bullies, ranging from Bullies, Gotti APBT, Razor's Edge APBT, and AmStaffs:

Zues- mandyp0221

Spirit- yomamasnastepits

Chamillionaire- BooBie Da Bully

Mija- BooBie Da Bully

Lil' Miss Porkchop- BooBie Da Bully

Uzi Clip- BooBie Da Bully

Deca- Sandi Marie

Hummer- shellbell44

Potty Training Update

So M.I.A. ia now 7 months old. She has her moments, I'll say that for sure. We started crate training her, but because she seemed to like the crate and have absolutely no idea what was going on, the crate training solution never really kicked into her mind. Then, we started tying her up, basically with the same sentiment of crate training but tie her leash to something stationary while she was still attached versus put her in the crate. This was the key... To start...

Once M.I.A. started to realized that if she went outside, and didn't potty, she had to stay leashed, she started pottying more outside. This was great. We were able to give her shorter times on the leash, when she wouldn't go. And things were really working...

Then, she had a step back... Deciding that my parents bedroom was a much nicer place to use the bathroom versus having to go outside. I assume she felt that this would solve the problem of being tied up. Who knows?



Now, all doors must be shut, and we know that as soon as she takes off down the hallway she has to go. We've been doing this for about 2 months, give or take. But, she still has her moments. She'll go days without pottying in the house, and then...

She'll start at the door and move her way to the living room, peeing as she walks. It's happened twice now, I believe. It's just not a pretty site or thing to clean up.

I just with that this poor pup was little enough to litter box train.. Yes, it's rather silly and amusing, but you can really Litter Box Train a dog..

Vick's Sentence Shows America's Racist Ways

New America Media, Commentary, Charles Jones, Posted: Dec
11, 2007

Editor's Note: Atlanta Falcon's quarterback Michael Vick was
sentenced to two years in prison for running a dogfighting ring out
of his home and some dog-lovers are up in arms over – what they say –
is not enough time. But New America Media commentator Charles Jones
says that the reaction of some Americans to the Vick case gives away
their contradictory views regarding black men.

Michael Vick doesn't deserve the almost two years the Feds slapped
on him this week for fighting and killing pit bulls. But he was
lucky to get 23 months – it's not the five or six years I thought he
would get. I'm sure that Michael Vick is as close to elated as
possible, under the circumstances.

With Vick's sentencing out of the way, maybe his critics can back
off and stop couch quarterbacking his legal proceedings. If there is
any good luck Vick has had over this past year, it's that the dog-
loving world isn't his judge and jury. If they were, he would have
been lucky to get off with the legal maximum.

When I checked out comments responding to an article about his
sentencing, I wasn't surprised to see the PETA (People for Ethical
Treatment of Animals) crowd disgruntled about how "short" his prison
term is. I wasn't even surprised to see the number of people who
actually equate the value of a dog's life to that of a human. People
who seriously feel that Vick should be executed or banned from pro-
football for life just rub me the wrong way – especially because a
lot of what I've heard in the media concerning this case has racist
undertones.

Black people have a history in this country of having our lives
valued at less than those of dogs. We were only 3/5th human after
all.

I know, some of you are thinking: "Race-card! Race-card! Out of
context!"

But, consider this contradiction: Vick and co. were fighting pit
bulls – a breed that has been deemed so vicious that mainstream
America is increasingly working toward eradicating them. Cities like
San Francisco have adopted strict neutering and euthanization laws
for these dogs. Mainstream America hates, fears and mistrusts pit
bulls damn near as much as they do young African Americans like
Michael Vick.

Maybe that's why the hood loves pit bulls so much. Maybe it's that
they are as feared and mistrusted by mainstream society as we are –
and they make people think twice about robbing your house.

My neighbor is a 10-year PETA member. This neighbor not only stays
away from pit bulls, but even complained (and exaggerated) to my
landlord that a "vicious dog" was roaming the complex when I allowed
my two-year-old daughter to play outside our apartment with a
friend's two-and-a-half- month-old pit bull puppy. My landlord
freaked, the puppy was banned from the property and I was threatened
with eviction if he was ever seen within our gates again. I have
personal experience with how people deal with pit bulls.

So to feign this care for all dogs and fake like the fact that
Vick is black has nothing to do with the public vitriol that
surrounds him is just dog doo-doo. Michael Vick is in prison where
men and women all over this country are beaten, raped and stabbed
daily. And he'll be there for at least two years. To say that he
deserves a murder sentence because he abused or even killed a few
dogs belonging to a breed that the powers that be would like to kill
off, is ludicrous and shows how very little a young black male's
life means to America at the subconscious core of her being.

Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys - Defending Dog - Bull Breed Alliance of
Tennessee

San Antonio City Council Approves Controversial Ordinance (Texas)

New Pet Ordinance Approved San Antonio City Council Approves Controversial Ordinance

SAN ANTONIO -- Local pet owners take notice – the city of San Antonio has a new ordinance with many new rules.

City Council members spent most of Thursday discussing the ordinance before unanimously passing it.

The ordinance includes new definitions defining dangerous animals, fines for animal cruelty, licensing for breeders and other fees.

Thirty residents – both for and against the ordinance – spoke before the council voted.

Effective immediately, animals deemed dangerous will have to wear a special collar, be kept in an enclosure, be muzzled when outside the enclosure and will have a microchip implanted by the city.

Owners will also have to post warning signs alerting of the dangerous animal.

Jef Hale, the director of Animal Care Services, said his staff will do their best to balance public safety as well as the rights of pet owners.

Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys - Defending Dog - Bull Breed Alliance of Tennessee

American Pit Bull Terrier Forums

APBT lovers may want to converse with others with the same love... Their dog... Well, I found a wonerful forum that allows just that.

You can talk about bloodlines, share pictures, share information, ask questions, and MORE!

Go Pitbull

American Pit Bull Terriers Suffering BSL

If we don't stand up for our dogs, our so called vicious beasts, no one will. The government will punish our well bred American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, Bull Terriers, and Staffordshire bull terriers.



Then they'll move towards taking the German shepherds, chow chows, akitas, huskies, malamutes, rottweilers, and dobermans, too.

After that, they'll resort to labs, retrievers, terriers, poodles, dalmatians, chihuahuas, shih tzus, great danes, schnauzers, and virtually every other breed left.

If we don't fight for our breed. Our AMERICAN pit bull terriers, and other bully breed dogs, we'll loose our American RIGHT to care and raise any dog, not approved by someone else.

Is that right? Is it fair?

I don't think so, which is why I'll be there fighting for my dogs.

Will you be there fighting for yours?

Demons (APBTs that is)

A Demon Sleeps In My Bed, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

APBT's have great personalities and even better temperaments. I just wish that the ignorant people that have never spent more than two seconds looking at an APBT and walking away would see that. You can't judge a dog by its history. You can't judge a dog by the actions of another dog in the same breed.

You wouldn't jude a human that way, and we're animals just like them. We just have a higher sense of intelligence and awareness.

Dog Fighting

Dog Fighting is a large portion of how APBT became the loving, strong, and loyal breed that they are today. What is not understood about pit fighting, is that dog agression and human aggression is completely different. Human agression was strongly frowned upon. Even right before a fight, owners would switch dogs and was the opponent; if any signs of human aggression was seen, the dogs were not allowed to fight. In many cases the dogs did not make it home. Human aggression in pit bulls has never been bred into the dogs. That should be known in today's society. Just becuase a dog fighting past is in their breed, in no way does that mean they are prone to human agression.

More Dog Training Thoughts

As training in any dog is important, training an American pit bull terrier, is even more. You should train the dog with Reinforcement Training.

Basic obedience is a must!

But what about the other problems that your dog has that you haven't quite gotten a grip on? Try using Problem Solving tools and techniques. You may, also, want to try Untraining Your Dog's Behaviors. Untraining is the opposite of training, as with training you are hoping to enforce that a behavior will occur again, with untraining you are hoping to enforce that a behavior will not occur again.

But, at the same time, not all American pit bull terriers are the strong and illusive type dog. Some, like any other dog and any other breed, will succumb Fears and Phobias. How do you overcome those fears? You don't want a dominant dog, but you do want a confident dog.

Famous American Pit Bull Terriers

When people think pit bull, the tend to forget that they are very noted in history for the good that they've done. Pit bulls are found throughout movies, history, and celebrity lifestyles.

Many people don't realize the the American pit bull terrier is the only breed that has been on the cover of Life for three issues.



The pit bull was, also, the poster image for the U.S. during the 1900's. The American pit bull was the image people saw on various war posters, representing the country's strength and dignity.



Sergeant Stubby, has been a poster dog for the pit bull breed for years, but many people have NO clue who he is. Stubby is the most decorated dog in military history, much less the only dog promoted to sergeant. He was in combat during WW1 with John Robert Conroy, who snuck him aboard the USS Minesota after finding him on the Yale campus. Stubby fought beside the 102nd Infantry of the 26th Yankee Division in the trenches of France. He fought for 18 months and through 17 battles, even being wounded in his front leg. After receiving proper care, like a brave soldier, Stubby returned to the battle field to warn his fellow soldiers of gas attacks, located wounded soldiers in "No Man's Land," and being a 'listen out' instead of a look out to warn his men of incoming artillery. Stubby was solely responsible for capturing a German spy when at Argonne. When returning home, Stubby met with three presidents- Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, Warren G. Harding. Stubby was made a life member of the American Legion, the Red Cross, and the YMCA. Sergeant Stubby died on March 16, 1926, a hero.



Bud was the first dog to travel cross country (1903).


Pit Bulls in Movies:

Petey from the Little Racals

Blue Walter's Blitz from Cheaper By the Dozen

Other Famous Pit Bulls

Popsicle- Number 1 US customs dog. Popsicle was found in a freezer during a drug raid.

RCA- Certified hearing dog in Alaska
Tahoe, Cheyenne, and Dakota- Search and rescue dogs in Sacramento; working none stop at the World Trade Center and Pentagon after 9/11

Famous People Who Have Pit Bulls

Helen Keller's pit bull Sir Thomas.

Theodore Roosevelt

Woodrow Wilson

General George Patton

Jamie Foxx

Rachael Ray

Jon Stewart of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Ken Howard from 'Crossing Jordan' was saved by his pit bull during a medical crisis

Alicia Silverstone

Jessica Biel

Jessica Alba

Kevin Federline

Pink

And a few other celebrities

"Pit bulls get a bad rap because of irresponsible owners. Many people consider the look or popularity of a breed before thinking about whether the dog works for their lifestyle. Please evaluate your lifestyle before taking on the responsibility of a pit bull." Cesar Millan

Famous Pit Bulls

The great AMERICAN pit bull terrier

Did you know that at one time people were trying to get the name changed to American pit bulldog in order to better classify the breed. A great dog needs a great name.

Pit Bulls are BSL

I strongly disagree with breed specific legislations. Many just plain and simple ban the specific breed(s), but some do add grandfather clauses to the legislation, saying that if a pet parent has owned the breed in question for a certain time frame before the law has been passed, they CAN keep the dog... Usually these clauses include many restrictions towards keeping the dog(s) such as muzzles in public and outdoor kennels.

BSL and Pit Bull Terriers

Vick NFL Cards- Chewed and Crumpled by Dogs

Michael Vick Cards

Mickael Vick NFL cards chewed on by dogs. For auction on ebay!

Winning bids will go to the humane society.

Ebay Auctions for Michael Vick Dog Chewed Cards

Hero Dogs

Pit bulls that have made a mark in someone's eye.

Pitbulls in today's society

In today's society the American Pit Bull Terrier, is known as the derogatory pit bull. 'Pit bull' emmits a bad aroma, leaves a bad taste in one's mouth. It's just not a good thing... For what reason? Becuase they're strong dog with a stronger will. Because they're stubborn. Because they're silly. Nope...

Pit bulls in today's society is a bad thing. To say, 'I think I'm going to get a pit bull,' leads to stares and disbelief.

Pitbulls like any other dog breed is nothing more than a group of dogs with the same historical background and similar appearance. This group of dogs just happens to have a bad reputation due to bad owners.

Some people see their historical background of bull bates and dog fights. They see their strong will, stubborness, and powerful musculature. Those people turn the gorgeous pit bull breed into monsters. They have ruined the loving image of Petey from the Little Rascals.

What's not understood in today's society is that this breed of dog was tailored for dog aggression. Not people agression. These dogs have always been nothing more than family pets, even in historical dog fights. Historical dog fighters were family pets first. If any signs of people aggression were shown, the dog was put down, not prized.

Today's society sees 'pit bull mauls woman,' but they don't see the other side of the story in which the same pit bull plays with the other neighbor's children. Why isn't that side of the dog portrayed? Why is the only side of the dog seen, the one that portrays the bad? Is there not enough bad in today's world, that we have to find something bad in our dogs? Yes the dog did something wrong, but isn't it only fair to show both sides?

In a human trial, don't we see the good and the bad. She was an active volunteer for the Salvation Army, but she aided 3 major bank robberies. He raped 5 women, but did you know that he volunteered with the homeless? We hear those stories. Why don't we hear about the dog's sweet side?

In any sense, pit bulls are only what they're made. You must make a bad dog. You can make ANY dog bad. It just so happens we only hear about bad pit bulls.