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Sgt. Stubby
"It is true that Pit Bulls grab and hold on.
But what they most often grab and refuse to let go of
is your heart, not your arm." - Vicki Hearne
WW1 Poster
"A breed of satin and steel. Pit bulls are a mixture of softness and strength, an uncanny canine combination of fun, foolishness, and serious business, all wrapped up in love."- D. Caroline Coile
Pete the Pup
"Pit Bulls are famous, in circles of knowledgeable dog people, for the love and loyalty they bestow on anyone who shows them a smidgen of kindness." - Linda Wilson-Fuoco
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Why Pit Bulls?
Click HERE
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What Is A Pit Bull - Diane Jessup
The purebred American pit bull terrier is America's greatest working dog. Mainland Europe has several noted working breeds - sheep dogs - whose main reason for being in the past 100 years has been "man work" or the ability and desire to attack humans. America's working dog - a bull dog - has its roots in "Olde England", where butchers specifically bred "gripping dogs" for use in controlling bulls and cattle. No other breed had (or has) the courage, grit and determination to stick to the dangerous task of controlling a mad bull. The dog's gameness, or desire to complete the task of holding the bull often saved his master and other humans. In the middle ages, there were no guns or easy means to control a bull - these dogs were highly prized and carefully bred heroes.
These bull dogs (not to be confused with the modern AKC show version "bulldog" who is a recently created show ring breed) were used in exhibition contests against bulls called "bull baiting". When bull baiting was outlawed in the 1800's, bulldogs were contested against each other, to determine which dog had the determination and drive to keep at the task in the face of pain, fatigue and even death.
Because two handlers and a referee were in the pit with the dogs, the breed was selected for amazing stability; a calm, friendly manner with people - even under extreme pressure. Dogs which lashed out at humans, even strangers, while fighting or in pain were not tolerated. Amicability is the well bred American pit bull's heritage.
The pit bulldog's athletic build and legendary determination to get the job done makes him the perfect working dog and candidate for detection work. Nothing deters him - not heat or cold, not fatigue, not the things that make lesser dogs quit. Drugs, explosives, or a missing child- if they are there, the pit bull will find them. It is his nature.
Todays American Pit Bull
In America, the pit bulldog of the British Isles has been perfected into a medium sized, athletic and physically tough animal possessing a very compliant nature (they are not "handler hard") endless energy, extreme toy drive and, when bred correctly, a boundlessly friendly nature with all people.
The pit bull enjoyed wide popularity during the period of 1840 - 1950 as a family pet and farm dog. At the turn of the last century, the pit bull was one of the most popular of dogs. A trusted "nanny dog", favorite with soldiers, and common mascot. Pete the Pup on the Little Rascals Our Gang comedies was a purebred, registered American pit bull terrier.
Like the German shepherd in the 1950's - 1960's and the Doberman in the 1970's, the pit bull is currently taking its turn as the "fad breed" with macho, high risk owners. Like the shepherd and the Doberman, the pit bull is being exploited by back yard breeders, criminals, dog fighters and others who abuse the breed's amazing strengths for their own selfish gain. The press encourages fear and hysteria - fear sells.
Independent thinkers who don't fall for "media hysteria", people whose mind set does not include prejudicial tendencies, professional dog trainers and those who know the breed, understand that the true American pit bull terrier is one of the sweetest of dogs with people - though most will not back down from a challenge from another dog.
Today's American pit bull terrier, when properly bred and raised, possesses heart, drive and a work ethic unlike ANY other breed. The true American pit bul lterrier loves people and is a silly, happy dog. Each person is a "new best friend"!
Kris Crawford, Dakota and The American Pit Bull Terrier
by Diane Jessup, author
"Dakota is a very special dog. At a time when owners of pit bulls were reeling after attack after attack - not attacks by dogs, but upon dogs - in the form of breed specific legislation (BSL), Dakota and handler Kris Crawford stepped forward to show the world the truth about the American pit bull. Dakota became the "poster girl" for what those who intimately know the breed had always known - that this rugged breed has a heart as strong as its muscular body.
While American pit bull owners knew their dogs were special, they had a hard time proving it. After all, the American pit bull was not seen strutting their stuff at American Kennel Club shows, they did not lead the blind, nor ride on fire trucks.
What Dakota did - when her breed and its owners needed it most - was showcase the utility, trainability and gentleness of the American pit bull. She became not only a certified Search and Rescue dog, she became one of the best - of any breed. She was the living proof of the old quote about the breed attributed to long time breeder of the early 1900's, J.P. Colby, "The American pit bull can do anything any other breed of dog can do - and can do it better!"
Click on the following links to learn more about the "Pit Bull":
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"My Best Friend"
Fatty Arbuckle and Luke - The Pit Bull
Before there was such a thing as a "bad breed" there was Luke, a pit bull terrier who appeared in many films with his master, Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle (1887-1933), from 1915 to 1920, along with Buster Keaton and Al St. John.
Born in 1913, he became one of the first canine film stars, earned $150 a week for his master and was very popular with audiences. A high energy companion to the slapstick antics of his human costars, he was a natural for early comedy shorts. Very people oriented, friendly and agreeable to the oddities that came with working in comedy pictures at the time.
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Pete the Pup
The Pit Bull in Our Gang/Little Rascals
Pete the Pup, also known as "Petey" was the dog character in Our Gang comedies (later known as The Little Rascals) during the 1920s and 1930s. The original Petey (sired by Earl Tudor's "Black Jack") named Pal the Wonder Dog had a natural ring almost completely around his eye; dye was used to finish it off. Pal first started out as "Tige" in the Buster Brown series in the 1920s, It was during this time that he obtained the circled eye, and when he was recruited to appear in the Our Gang comedies later that year, they simply left it on, creating one of the most recognized dogs in film history.
Trainer and owner Lt. Harry Lucenay used one of Pal's offspring as Pete in the series after Pal passed away. This dog, named "Lucenay's Peter", was dual-registered as an AKC American Staffordshire Terrier and as a UKC American Pit Bull Terrier.
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"What a Wonderful World"
Pit Bulls Cheyenne, Dakota & Tahoe
The For Pits' Sake pit bulls making a difference, for seven years, to hundreds of disabled children.
Cheyenne, Dakota and Tahoe are pit bulls that have received numerous awards for their work in the community. As a result, they have been featured in magazines, newspapers, documentaries, and in television shows on Animal Planet, National Geographic, A & E, and The History Channel.
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What Animal Do I Speak Of?
By Patty Letawsky
Their love is like no other, their heart as pure as gold.
Yet while going on a friendly walk, they're faced with stares of cold.
They're so very close to human, in how they act and what they do,
Unless you've known their devoted love, it's impossible to explain to you.
They are greatly more misunderstood, than any other breed.
We tend to punish this loyal dog, instead of mankind's deeds.
They are always and forever clowns, with a wish for center stage.
Yet while displaying this sense of humor, most people disengage.
They, oh, so want to make new friends, and run and jump and play.
Yet when they happily approach, most people shy away.
Often I've seen children poke, or hop on for a ride.
And when I felt thay might get mad, they've only beamed with pride.
I've seen there children yank and pull, with nary a reaction.
Yet media's not interested, unless they've put someone in traction.
When other dog's have made the news, this breed's name they affix.
But when this brave dog saves the day, they call him "boxer mix".
They love to snuggle up real close, to give lots of loves and kisses,
Yet they suffer more than any, from unfair prejudices.
Their tails wag hard and hips twist, too, more so than other mutts.
So those of us who know the breed, we call them "wiggle butts".
What animal do I speak of, Whose love is so unique?
If you've truly known one, you know of whom I speak.
There is no creature on this Earth who will ever make you merrier.
The animal I do speak of, it's the American Pit Bull Terrier.
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