Most modern pit bulls are believed to be descended from European bulldogs and different breeds of mastiffs once used in farm work. Mastiffs were known for their strength and power, so they were mainly used to help farmers with their bulls when it was time to bring them in from the fields.
The mastiff became known as the bulldog. The main purpose of the dog was to protect the farmer from being gored by an enraged bull. The dog usually accomplished this task by biting the bull and holding on until the bull gave way. Since these dogs were used to ward off angry bulls, they had to have tremendous strength in their jaws and bodies. They also had to be stubborn enough to hang on to a stampeding bull, no matter what the bull did to them, to protect the farmer they worked for.
Over time, these dogs began to be used in baiting bulls and bears. During this time, it is believed that some bulldogs were also crossed with terriers to help them better adapt to these sports. When mixed with the terrier breed, the dogs were smaller and much more agile than the normal bulldog. They also had more muscular bodies, which helped improve their ability to deal damage. These sports were most popular in England in the early 19th century. In the year 1835, the English Parliament banned the sport of bull and bear baiting, stating that it was too cruel for the animals involved. The sport lost popularity and eventually disappeared completely after a few years.
Dog fighting soon took the place of the previously banned bull and bear baiting sports. Breeders began to try to produce dogs prepared to be excellent fighters. They attempted to improve the dog’s agility, strength, and musculature to make them more formidable opponents. Breeders also tried to breed smarter dogs, so that they would be less likely to make mistakes in fights, and also so that they would only be aggressive towards other dogs, not humans they might encounter. One of the rules of dog fighting was that the owner of the dog had to be able to enter the ring during a fight, lift the dog off of him, and get him completely out of the ring without being bitten by the dog. If the dog bit the owner during this time, the dog died immediately.
Also in the 1800s, pit bulls began to become popular pets, not just for dog fighting and farming. The dog became a mascot during World War I and could be seen on many war posters, helping to increase its popularity. They were popular due to their high intelligence and devotion to their masters. In the early 1900s, pit bulls also began to be used in movies.
The Pit Bull is a dog with a very detailed history, and is still quite popular today. The breed gets a lot of negative reviews, but with the right owners, it still makes a great pet.