
The history of Pit Bull goes back to the nineteenth century in England when breeders began to mix bulldogs and terriers. The result of these crosses were brought into the US by the immigrants. They were used as working dogs to guard and catch cattle, and also for companion.
Nowadays, the term Pit Bull is used to describe several dog breeds that were historically used for dog fighting. The breeds most often placed in this category are the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Pit Bull dogs are medium in size, very muscular, and have large, powerful head, with broad and deep muzzle. They are very confident, strong, and known to have a zest for life. Although their appearance can be intimidating, they actually are friendly to their family and even to children. However, caution must be taken if there are other dogs in the family as the Pit Bull tend to be aggressive.
Many attacks by other dog breeds are misclassified as "Pit Bulls" by media reports. And this is one of the cause why Pit Bulls comprise a large portion of the dog shelter's population.
Dog owner needs to give proper socialization and strong training to avoid the breed's aggressive tendencies. Pit Bulls can become very dangerous dogs if owned by an uneducated or irresponsible owner.
There are those who believe that the Pit Bull is a breed should not be freely available to novice owners.
Due to their strength and courage, Pit Bulls are often used for dog fights. Although dog fighting is illegal in the United States, it is still practiced, and is sometimes accompanied by gambling. In the United States, laws vary from state to state, but most states have some laws to address dogfighting.
Pit Bulls dogs have high energy level and it needs to be directed in a positive way. Some people train their Pit Bulls for dog agility, weight pulling competitions, or obedience competitions or other dog sports. This breed requires an experienced owner or family, and can adapt well living in urban setting or in the country.