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| History of the APBT |
Much of dog history is speculation, and quite akin to the piecing
together of puzzles. Because of this, opinions vary about exact details
of breed origin. We are fortunate in that the American Pit Bull Terrier,
and its chief ancestor the bulldog, have a fairly well-documented
history. Even so, debate occurs when trying to establish something as
simple as whether or not the Pit Bull is the original bulldog, or whether
it is, as popular short-histories insist, a 50/50 cross between the
brachycephalic bulldog of England (the ancestor of the modern day AKC
Bulldog) and now-extinct hunting terriers. Part of the reason for the
confusion lies in the fact that until very recently, many dogs were
classified and named according to general appearance and job function,
not so much by "breed". Historically, the words "terrier" and "bulldog"
were used quite frequently, but had ambiguous meanings. This makes it
especially difficult to trace the Pit Bull's exact ancestry. Bulldogs and
terriers are mentioned in the breed's history, but WHICH bulldogs and
terriers should we be considering?
Presented here is a well-researched document on the history of the
breed, along with bibliography to enable easy research for the
interested reader. The reader is encouraged to further study the history
of this most fascinating breed, for in its history lies the essence of the
animal--an understanding of its history will give one an understanding
of the breed.
_______________________________________________________
As far back as one cares to go in recorded history, one will find
reference in both word and art of molossoid dogs that were used for
fighting, hunting, and war. There were different "types" of molossi,
spread about the world, used for similar functions and these dogs
evolved into our modern day mastiff and bulldog breeds. It is unknown
if these types sprang up individually, or from one main ancestor. Some
believe that this type of dog originally came from an area close to China.
British Chief Caractacus was defeated by Emperor Claudius of the
Roman Empire in 50 AD. The Romans were so impressed by the fierce
fighting dogs they met when they landed in Britain that they began
importing the dogs back to Rome for use in the great arena, alongside
the other dogs they already possessed for such uses. It seems
reasonable to assume that the British dogs were at some points
crossed into the Roman dogs. Ancestors of these dogs were exported
to all parts of the continent, including France and to Spain where they
became renowned fighting dogs. Later some of these dogs found their
way back to Britain. A variety of breeds of mastiff/bulldog type were
scattered about, and most likely contributed to the creation of the
bulldog that was to be one of the main ingredients used in the
development of the Pit Bull.
Circa 1406 Edmond de Langley, Duke of York, wrote a treatise entitled
"The Mayster of the Game and of Hawks" in which he described the
"Alaunt" or "Allen" dog (a descendant of the ancient molossoid dogs),
which was the popular baiting dog of the time because of its
tenaciousness and strength. In a 1585 painting, dogs described as
Alaunts that look very similar to modern day Pit Bulls, only of a larger
size, are shown hunting wild hogs.
The name "bulldog" was first mentioned in print in 1631. Later, dogs
described as bulldogs were used to bait bull and bear. These bulldogs
are most assuredly the descendants of the Alaunt. A letter written in
Spain in 1632 by an Englishman named Prestwich Eaton to his friend
George Wellingham who was in London, asked for a "good mastiff dog
and two bulldogs." This gives indication that a split had occurred and
the bulldog had already formed into a distinct type by this time.
By viewing art, we can see two distinct types of bulldog-like dogs. Some
are more low-slung, with undershot jaws, heavier-boned, and broader.
It is to be assumed that this is the prototype from which the
modern-day AKC Bulldog was drawn upon, having been created by the
crossing of the Alaunt with a Chinese brachycephalic breed Pai Dog.
However, also to be noted are bulldogs in art that are strikingly similar
to modern day Pit Bulls, with less-exaggerated features, normal bites,
and longer legs. Might these be the main ancestors of the current day
Pit Bull? It would seem likely. It must be noted that "bulldogs" at this
time were not dogs of any particular strain or breed, but rather a type
of dog with certain traits that was used for certain things. Dogs which
possessed more Pit Bull-like features went on to become the Pit Bull
breed, while the more "bulldoggy" bulldogs were used in creation of the
brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, etc).
Bulldogs were used for all manner of work, including baiting, fighting,
stock work, hunting, and farm dog, as well as companion animal. They
were an agreeable dog, capable of extreme ferociousness towards
other animals but unwavering loyalty and gentleness towards humans.
They were a breed which was required to demonstrate a certain level of
animal-directed aggression, but were routinely used in pairs to bait
animals and hunt, so overt aggression towards others of their same
species was not an extreme trait.
Continue on to part 2--->
together of puzzles. Because of this, opinions vary about exact details
of breed origin. We are fortunate in that the American Pit Bull Terrier,
and its chief ancestor the bulldog, have a fairly well-documented
history. Even so, debate occurs when trying to establish something as
simple as whether or not the Pit Bull is the original bulldog, or whether
it is, as popular short-histories insist, a 50/50 cross between the
brachycephalic bulldog of England (the ancestor of the modern day AKC
Bulldog) and now-extinct hunting terriers. Part of the reason for the
confusion lies in the fact that until very recently, many dogs were
classified and named according to general appearance and job function,
not so much by "breed". Historically, the words "terrier" and "bulldog"
were used quite frequently, but had ambiguous meanings. This makes it
especially difficult to trace the Pit Bull's exact ancestry. Bulldogs and
terriers are mentioned in the breed's history, but WHICH bulldogs and
terriers should we be considering?
Presented here is a well-researched document on the history of the
breed, along with bibliography to enable easy research for the
interested reader. The reader is encouraged to further study the history
of this most fascinating breed, for in its history lies the essence of the
animal--an understanding of its history will give one an understanding
of the breed.
_______________________________________________________
As far back as one cares to go in recorded history, one will find
reference in both word and art of molossoid dogs that were used for
fighting, hunting, and war. There were different "types" of molossi,
spread about the world, used for similar functions and these dogs
evolved into our modern day mastiff and bulldog breeds. It is unknown
if these types sprang up individually, or from one main ancestor. Some
believe that this type of dog originally came from an area close to China.
British Chief Caractacus was defeated by Emperor Claudius of the
Roman Empire in 50 AD. The Romans were so impressed by the fierce
fighting dogs they met when they landed in Britain that they began
importing the dogs back to Rome for use in the great arena, alongside
the other dogs they already possessed for such uses. It seems
reasonable to assume that the British dogs were at some points
crossed into the Roman dogs. Ancestors of these dogs were exported
to all parts of the continent, including France and to Spain where they
became renowned fighting dogs. Later some of these dogs found their
way back to Britain. A variety of breeds of mastiff/bulldog type were
scattered about, and most likely contributed to the creation of the
bulldog that was to be one of the main ingredients used in the
development of the Pit Bull.
Circa 1406 Edmond de Langley, Duke of York, wrote a treatise entitled
"The Mayster of the Game and of Hawks" in which he described the
"Alaunt" or "Allen" dog (a descendant of the ancient molossoid dogs),
which was the popular baiting dog of the time because of its
tenaciousness and strength. In a 1585 painting, dogs described as
Alaunts that look very similar to modern day Pit Bulls, only of a larger
size, are shown hunting wild hogs.
The name "bulldog" was first mentioned in print in 1631. Later, dogs
described as bulldogs were used to bait bull and bear. These bulldogs
are most assuredly the descendants of the Alaunt. A letter written in
Spain in 1632 by an Englishman named Prestwich Eaton to his friend
George Wellingham who was in London, asked for a "good mastiff dog
and two bulldogs." This gives indication that a split had occurred and
the bulldog had already formed into a distinct type by this time.
By viewing art, we can see two distinct types of bulldog-like dogs. Some
are more low-slung, with undershot jaws, heavier-boned, and broader.
It is to be assumed that this is the prototype from which the
modern-day AKC Bulldog was drawn upon, having been created by the
crossing of the Alaunt with a Chinese brachycephalic breed Pai Dog.
However, also to be noted are bulldogs in art that are strikingly similar
to modern day Pit Bulls, with less-exaggerated features, normal bites,
and longer legs. Might these be the main ancestors of the current day
Pit Bull? It would seem likely. It must be noted that "bulldogs" at this
time were not dogs of any particular strain or breed, but rather a type
of dog with certain traits that was used for certain things. Dogs which
possessed more Pit Bull-like features went on to become the Pit Bull
breed, while the more "bulldoggy" bulldogs were used in creation of the
brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, etc).
Bulldogs were used for all manner of work, including baiting, fighting,
stock work, hunting, and farm dog, as well as companion animal. They
were an agreeable dog, capable of extreme ferociousness towards
other animals but unwavering loyalty and gentleness towards humans.
They were a breed which was required to demonstrate a certain level of
animal-directed aggression, but were routinely used in pairs to bait
animals and hunt, so overt aggression towards others of their same
species was not an extreme trait.
Continue on to part 2--->
From Homan's A
Complete History
of Fighting
Dogs...a gladiator
with a molossoid
dog, an early
mastiff.
Complete History
of Fighting
Dogs...a gladiator
with a molossoid
dog, an early
mastiff.
the close
resemblance of this
resemblance of this
dog to our modern
Pit Bulls.Pit Bulls.
resemblance of this
resemblance of this
dog to our modern
Pit Bulls.Pit Bulls.
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