Is a Pit Bull Really a Staffordshire Terrier?
May 6, 2004
Julia asks, “I had always thought that American Staffordshire Terriers and pit
bulls were the same. My friend disagrees; she says they're different breeds. No
doubt the pit bulls we see in our urban environment differ from what the AKC
[American Kennel Club] sees in the show ring, but I just assumed it was a
variation on the standard and not a completely different breed. Who's right, me
or my friend?”
In spirit, you are both correct. England recognizes these
two breeds as the same and the United States does not. If you look at pictures
of the three bull-terrier type of breeds – American Staffordshire Terrier,
American Pit Bull Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers – you’ll see a
difference in size. The tallest is the American Staffordshire version followed
by the British version with the Pit Bull being the smallest. Although modern
American Pit Bulls are being bred as much larger dogs.
Terrier-type dogs
were bred with bull dogs in the 1700’s to create the commonly called “pit dog,”
a term used to describe a variety of breeds that were used to bait bulls or
bears in England. Much like the hog-dog rodeos currently being held in
Louisiana, bull-type dogs were released to grab, hold, and take down a bull or
bear before spectators. The sport was widely popular before England outlawed it
in 1835. It was then that dog fighting emerged.
The miners of
Staffordshire, England created the Staffordshire Bull Terrier specifically to
fight in the pit. All of the bull-terrier type dogs today originated from the
Staffordshire dogs. Consequently, the American Staffordshire Terrier and the
American Pit Bull Terrier come from the same stock.
Over time, the
American Staffordshire Terrier strain has been bred for show quality, not
fighting ability, whereas the Pit Bull has been bred for fighting versus show
traits. Because they are being bred for different standards, some say they are
different breeds.
All of the bull-terrier types of dogs have fighting
ancestry. They were also bred to be loving and loyal to humans. They’ve been an
American favorite for decades. When looking at old photos, you’ll invariably see
a Pit Bull (or Staffordshire) as the family pet.
Bull-terrier types of
dogs are athletic and will do nearly anything asked of them. They are loving and
loyal. Although hard-wired to be animal aggressive, they are wonderful
companions that need owners mindful of their heritage.
- Laura Maloney
Complete list of Tail Talk articles
|
