This breed's origin goes back to the days of bull baiting, where one or more dogs would be released on a bull. These dogs had to be extremely quick, strong and athletic in order to grab the bull without being gored or stomped to death. Even if they did grab the bull that still would keep them from being thrown as high as 30 to 50 feet in the air. Needless to say a great many dogs lost their lives or were maimed. This sport would sometimes also use lions or bears. The point of the sport was to pin the animal down this often meant several attempts. People needed to breed a dog that would go back at the animal no matter how injured they were, a dog that will continue to battle until death. Today we call this trait GAMENESS, "Game is the dog that won't quit fighting, the dog that'll die in the ring, the dog that'll fight with two broken legs." Whether it's fighting, hunting, cart pulling or defending his human the APBT has a do or die attitude.

These large bait animals were not always accessible to the common man, so the dogs were also baited with smaller animals such as rats, badgers, monkeys, and other dogs. This takes us to the very first breed we know now as the AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER. There are several theories of the foundation of the modern APBT. The most common theory is these dogs derived from breeding the bulldog with terrier crosses. The terrier most likely to be used is the now extinct English White Terrier. This breeding between the two created a dog that was not only fast and agile but was strong with gameness. These dogs became very popular in ratting contest. And also in dog fighting in England and Ireland. Dog fighting was easy to hide and was a sport the common man could afford. This sport grew even greater when bull baiting was outlawed in 1835. Dog fighting made it's way into America before the time of the Civil war and quickly became popular in the States. The United Kennel Club was the first registry to recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier, founded by Mr. C. Z. Bennett in 1898. This club still exists today and now registers many other breeds.   Guy McCord founded the American Dog Breeders Association in 1909. This club also exists today and the ADBA sanctions conformations shows as well as weight pull events. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1936, but there was much debate over what to call this breed. The AKC wouldn't associate itself with any breed with the word "pit" in its name. In an effort to reflect the breed's early ties to Bulldogs and terriers the name Staffordshire Terrier was agreed upon.

This breed became very popular as the chosen family pet in the earl 1900s. Owned by Theodore Roosevelt, and given the honor of representing the United States in a World War I poster. "I'm neutral, but not afraid of any of them", a true statement of the APBT character. This breed also appeared in Little Rascal's as Pete, and as Buster Brown's dog Tighe. This breed has been loved and owned by many famous people of our past; Charlie Chaplin, Helen Keller, Fred Ataire, General George Patton just to name a few.

Today this breed is portrayed as being anything but the friendly dog that the APBT actually is. Illegal pit fighting has been going on since the early days of the foundation of the breed. Pit fighting has since become illegal since 1976, before this dog fighting was only a misdemeanor. Since it has become illegal it is now a felony in almost every state in America. This illegal fighting still continues today but only with great risk to the owner as well as the breed. No other aspect of history is as important as a loyal companion. These dogs against all that has been thrown at them still always remained extremely loyal to people. Whether it was holding them back in a fight or making them fight an animal 10x their size they did all for us. There unquestionable bravery goes back to the beginning of the breed. Those of us, who are lucky enough to be loved by an APBT, have no greater love in the world. They are our companion, guardian, playmate, and snuggle buddy. This breed is becoming increasingly popular in recent years and is being bread by many backyard breeders who don't have a clue about the breed and care even less. They sell these dogs cheap and without registration papers or screening homes. The sad part is they call these dogs "pit bulls" with out even a clue of what the APBT really is. Only recently have you heard of the "pit bulls" as the viscous dog in America but APBT have been in this country for so years. If the APBT was so viscous why was it owned by so many famous throughout history? Back then there wasn't a problem even in the fighting rings.   Today we have the problem of uneducated people breeding unstable dogs and calling them "pit bulls". This could be the down turn and eventually the end of the breed if responsible breeders and owners don't take back this magnificent breed we call the AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER.