American Pit Bull Terrier

The American Pit Bull Terrier is one of several breeds who can trace their origin all the way back to the now-extinct Old English Bulldog and Old English Terriers. They were crossbred to create the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, who was trained to fight in the awful sport of bull baiting in the pits of England.

In the late 19th century, European immigrants brought this breed to the US. While all these types of dogs fall under the umbrella term of “pitbull,” the American Kennel Club does not recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier. In an attempt to separate the breed from their negative past as a fighter, the AKC decided to acknowledge a highly genetically similar breed instead, called the American Staffordshire Terrier.

While the AKC doesn’t register them, two breed clubs do: the United Kennel Club, which recognized the breed in 1898, and the American Dog Breeders Association, which recognized them in 1909.

After this terrier breed came to the US, they were used to hunt hogs, drive livestock and act as family companions. Because of the Pittie’s clownish temperament, Hollywood loved casting them as comic sidekick dogs, and they can be seen in such cult classics as Our Gang/Little Rascals comedies and Buster Keaton and Fatty Arbuckle films. Sadly, some people continued to use these sweet dogs as fighters until 1976 when doing so was outlawed in all 50 states.

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Are you looking to add an American Pit Bull Terrier to your home as a pet? You can find a list of reputable breeders on the United Kennel Club website. The average American Pit Bull Terrier cost is anywhere from $1,300 to $2,500 for a pup who’s been screened for health and temperament issues and may even come with pedigree papers. You can also reach out to American Pit Bull Terrier rescue organizations or your local animal shelter to adopt one.