History of the American Pit Bull Terrier

[milos_mommy]

So I'm still working on that paper on pit bulls in rap culture. It's coming out pretty well, but I need to talk about the transformation they made from beloved family companion (Petey in the Little Rascals, St. Stumpy, etc.) into "monsters". My theory is that until dog fighting became illegal and seen as a cruel sport, pit bulls were just another dog breed bred to do a specific job.

I know they were bred for fighting, but anything on them used for other purposes, such as hunting dogs, carting dogs, tracking dogs, etc., and what breeds went into them, when the first records of the breed are, and so on is what I need now.

If anyone has links to good websites on the history of them, or of them portrayed positively before 1966 (or after that), or articles from the time dog fighting was outlawed, anything that might help, could you please post it?

Or just discuss, thanks

 

[Renee750il]

You need to talk to Miakoda And Breeze.

 

[Romy]

I can't help with all the history stuff, but Norman Rockwell included bully type dogs in his paintings.

I can't tell from the size whether this is more of an english bulldog or a pittie type.

 

[milos_mommy]

Thanks Romy! I will mention that in the paper...

 

[workingterriers]

Here are some sites to check out...

www.understand-a-bull.com - Breed Specific Legislation (BSL)

Untitled Document

Official Pit Bull Site of Diane Jessup

Fun Facts: Famous Pit Bulls | www.cesarsway.com

Pit Bull Rescue Central

http://www.trupitbull.com/

http://americanpitbullregistry.com/

http://www.adbadog.com/

On my website, index, I have my guys' accomplishments. It is mostly updated. It will give you an idea of breed's versatility, even in just a single dog.

 

[oc_spirit]

I'm not sure when your paper is due but if you can try to get your hands on a copy of Colby's Book of the American pit Bull Terrier. Gives a nice indepth look at their history and their purpose back in the day. Basically Colby's aim and what he got.

For a "behind the scenes" look at dog fighting as a gentleman's sport look up the book The Sporting Bull Terrier (it actually talks about pitties though). I actually do believe I have a PDF version still on this computer. PM if you would be interested in it.

 

[Zoom]

Doesn't Jessup have some huge controversy surrounding her and some of her stances towards the breed right now?

 

[milos_mommy]

I don't know anything about Jessup but the articles on that site from the 30s-50s are a goldmine for my paper. Thank you all.

 

[elegy]

Doesn't Jessup have some huge controversy surrounding her and some of her stances towards the breed right now?

yeah, mostly regarding breeding and hypocrisy afaik. but her historical information is solid.

 

[Renee750il]

Wish you had a travel budget, lol. We'd go tramping around Cocke County and across into the mountains of western NC and let you interview people who go back multiple human generations with the breed Tallulah is a great little "pass."

 

[Zoom]

yeah, mostly regarding breeding and hypocrisy afaik. but her historical information is solid.

Awesome. I just had that little *ding* that went "Wait, didn't I hear something about her?"

 

[milos_mommy]

Renee, maybe if I ever get around to making a documentary

 

[milos_mommy]

I'm bumping this for Breeze and Staci and anyone else who missed it/can help, maybe Chewbecca?

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

You've gotten some excellent links and books, what else in particular are you desiring for?

 

[Miakoda]

Richard Stratton.....wrote some grrrrrreat books.

 

[stafinois]

This is an old site, but it's still one of my favorites: The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) FAQ

 

[milos_mommy]

You've gotten some excellent links and books, what else in particular are you desiring for?

Nothing specific, I just know a lot of people here are knowledgable about the topic and was wondering if they had anything to add.

 

[milos_mommy]

Does anyone have any information about when the first breed bans in the US came about? Who came up with the idea, what incited it, etc?

 

[Renee750il]

Not sure, but a local community here, White Pine, has had one within the town limits since the 70s. I suspect it had something to do with the rivalry with neighboring Cocke County, although they'd never admit it.

 

[milos_mommy]

Not sure, but a local community here, White Pine, has had one within the town limits since the 70s. I suspect it had something to do with the rivalry with neighboring Cocke County, although they'd never admit it.

Interesting, since dog fighting was outlawed in '66. I wonder if that *does* have something to do with outlawing them in order to keep people from fighting them and not to keep them from being a danger to society? Because back then, I'm pretty sure pits were still a good 'ol family dog, and Dobermans were the unstable man-eating machines....