Dive into the archives.
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Pit Bulls in Time
Once upon a time, the American Pit Bull Terrier was a highly revered war hero and respected family pet. In an effort to get back to the ‘glory days’ of these dogs, I have compiled an album of some great historical photos showing Pit Bulls of the past. Enjoy your trip and looking at these vintage Pit Bull photos. (more…)
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Breed Profile – Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
History:
The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog is a rare type of bulldog that originated in Georgia in the 1800s. This bulldog was bred to perform work on cattle ranches as well as guard plantations. They descend from the same line as the more popular American Bulldog and possess many of the same traits of intelligence and a strong bond with their owner. While they are classified as a working dog, they are more known for their companionship and the dedicated way in which they guard their master’s property. Between the years 1986 and 2001 there have only been 700 registered or pedigreed Alapahas on record. (more…)
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Breed Profile – Alano Espanol
History:
The Alano is a very ancient breed, and there are several theories concerning its origins. What is certain is that these dogs did not originate from any breed known today, but instead, was the ancestor of, many of the molosser breeds that are very popular today, such as Great Dane or the Dogue de Bordeaux. There used to be Alano dogs not only in Spain, but in other places across Europe invaded by the Alans, however, only in Spain have they survived for more than 1500 years until the present time. The breed, also called the Spanish Alano or Spanish Bulldog, was never in dog shows or bred for beauty.The Spanish Alano, in the past, has been used in four basic purposes:
- Wild or Half-wild Cattle handling
- Bullfights (this use was banned by the Spanish laws back in the 19th century)
- Big-game hunting
- Guard and defense
- War
Today it is used for cattle handling and hunting only. Some of the Alano’s talents include herding, hunting, tracking, watchdogging, guarding, police work, Schutzhund, weight pulling, competitive obedience and agility. (more…)
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Breed Profile – Japanese Tosa
History:
The Japanese Tosa, also known simply as the Tosa, Tosa-Inu or Tosa-Ken, is a very rare breed of dog that originated in Japan in the mid to late 1800s. The original Tosa bloodline was a cross between a Kochi, a local Japanese breed, and native Shikoku fighting dogs. The Japanese Tosas of today are crossed between the Great Dane, Mastiff, Bulldog, Bull Terrier and Saint Bernard, which was used to increase its size. These dogs have a history of dogfighting in Japan, and as a result they have been banned in many international locations. They have recently been introduced to the US, and while they are not a suitable dog for a first time owner, with the proper handling and training they make excellent family guardians. (more…)
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Breed Profile – Valley Bulldog
History:
The exact origins of this breed remain unknown, and the first records of their existence date back about 50 years to Nova Scotia, Canada. The Valley Bulldog is genetically a cross between the English Bulldog and Boxer, but no one is quite sure how long this breed has been bred or what they may have been used for in their early days. (more…)
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Breed Profile – Olde English Bulldogge
History:
Despite being called the Olde English Bulldogge, this is a relatively new breed that has been developed in the latter part of the 20th century by crossing half English Bulldog with half Bullmastiff, Pit Bull and American Bulldog. The goal of this crossbreeding was to create a more hearty, healthy bulldog free of the breathing issues and other ailments that today’s Engish Bulldogs are prone to. While this new breed will never be out running the fields like hounds do, they are able to breathe and can painlessly run for miles at a time. This new bulldog is being bred with the temperament to be able to serve people, instead of people serving him. (more…)
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Breed Profile – Dogo Argentino
History:
This breed was originally developed in Argentina, bred for the traits of pack hunting, guardianship and love for his family. Dogo Argentinos are a hybrid of as now extinct mastiff breed known as the Dog of Cordoba as well as Great Dane, Boxer, Spanish Mastiff, Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Great Pyrenees, Pointer, Irish Wolfhound and Dogue de Bordeaux. The resulting breed is a bullish and fearless hunter with great stamina and a coat capable of deflecting heat. Unfortunately these characteristics are also some which dog fighters prize heavily and Dogo Argentino were used in this violent “sport” tarnishing their reputation and causing them to be banned in some areas of the world. When in the proper hands Dogos are excellent family pets also capable of police work, military work, narcotics detection, competitive obedience and watchdogging. (more…)
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Breed Profile – Perro de Presa Canario
History:
The Perro de Presa Canario is a cross between Bulldogs, Mastiffs and Native dogs, in the 1800s English settlers brought over mastiffs and old-style bulldogs that bred with the Canario. This resulted in very powerful, muscular, large-boned dogs, which were used for fighting until 1940, when dog fighting was banned. The Presa Canario was not solely a fighting dog, however, and was quite often used as a herding dog, guard dog, and all-purpose farm dog. In the 1940s the breed started to diminish but was revived once again in the 1970s by Spaniards searching for the native dogs that were able to find pure blooded specimens of the species. Within ten years, the breed was back on its feet again, not in high numbers but in good bloodlines and back in the show ring. Today the breed is known in the U.S., unfortunately, as a threatening breed that has attacked people. Although these dogs can be aggressive, proper training and socialization are key in their development to produce a calm and responsible dog. (more…)
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Breed Profile – Cane Corso
History:
Cane Corsos originated in Italy with the Cane Corso Italiano, a direct ancestor of the Canis Pugnax, a dog historically used for hunting large, wild game and as an auxiliary fighter in battles. These dogs have been used as protectors of personal property, cattle and as a guardian for the family. They faced extinction as a breed in the mid 1900s, but were brought back by a group of enthusiasts and have been steadily gaining worldwide popularity since the 1980s. (more…)
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Breed Profile – Bull Terrier
History:
Bull Terriers were developed at the height of dog fighting in the 1830s, fanciers of this sport wanted to breed a dog that was able to attack in a more agile fashion than the typical Bulldog. This breed is a cross between Bulldog and Old English White Terrier (now extinct) with a bit of Spanish Pointer. It turned out that the Bull Terriers were not actually very skilled or agile fighters and around the mid to late 1800s they became a fashionable pet for the upper class. They have been used for guarding, herding, ratting and show competitions. (more…)
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Breed Profile – Bull Mastiff, Bullmastiff
History:
Bull Mastiffs are originally from England and were obtained by crossing dogs in a 60:40 ratio of Mastiff to Bulldog. The original purpose for this cross was to breed a dog with power, speed and a keen sense of smell combined with the aggression of a bulldog. While these dogs were quite fierce and threatening, they were trained to not bite intruders, instead to rely on their mass to scare unwanted visitors away. These dogs have been prized as hunting guards, police work assistants and all around watch dogs. The Bullmastiffs of today are reliable family companions and guardians, preferring to live inside with their family, with whom they feel most comfortable. (more…)
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Breed Profile – Boxer
History:
Boxers are descendants of two German Mastiff-type dogs the Bullenbeizer and Barenbieszer, which were later crossed with Mastiffs and Bulldogs. Historically Boxers have been involved in a variety of activities including hunting, bull baiting, pulling carts, circus dogs and tending to livestock as cattle dogs. The breed standard was established in the early 1900s and the name Boxer is derived from their “punchy” fighting style. Today’s Boxer is a gentle and loving family companion that make excellent guard dogs. Boxers can be found working in search and rescue as well as in the military, they also participate in obedience and trick competitions. (more…)
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Breed Profile – Banter Bulldogge
History:
The Banter Bulldogge represents a very new breed of bulldog. Developed in the late 1990s by Todd Tripp these dogs are created upon of dogs that were Boxer and of a working bull breed like Pit Bulls, Am Staff and American Bulldog. Tripp’s breeding focused on consistency by using a high percentage of Boxer in the brood stock, being very selective in choosing dogs to be in his foundation and the use of selective breeding to reach the final goal. The name Banter Bulldogge is a play on words in that the definition of the word banter, to address in a witty and teasing manner, matches the temperament of this breed. (more…)
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Breed Profile – American Staffordshire Terrier
History:
The Staffordshire Terrier traces its origins back to the English region of Staffordshire in the 1800s during which time there was various cross breeding among the Bulldog and various terriers. Once brought to the United States the large, muscular head and increased girth exhibited by these dogs was preferred by American breeders and as a result the Am Staff is much larger and heavier than its British cousin, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. After the banning of dog fighting in the US around 1900 two strains of this type of dog resulted, a show strain called the American Staffordshire and less stocky breed known as the Pit Bull Terrier. Under the right ownership these are wonderful family dogs and they can be seen in various roles such as police work, weight pulling and agility. (more…)
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Breed Profile – American Pit Bull Terrier
History:
The American Pit Bull Terrier was introduced to the US in the early 1800s by Boston-Irish immigrants. In America the Pit Bull flourished and was used in various WWI era war artwork, the Buster Brown Shoe Company and RCA used the breed as their mascot. A Pit Bull named Petie starred in Our Gang and a Pit mixed named Stubby became a decorated WWI hero. During this time the Pit Bull was loved and adored by the masses becoming America’s sweetheart. Since this time the Pit Bull has evolved into a marvelous working and companion dog; Pits are employed as therapy dogs, search and rescuers, police/armed services dogs, and livestock workers. They also compete in a variety of agility and organized dog sports including herding, conformation and obedience. This is one of the most versatile breeds on the planet, due in part to the harshness and physical demands of their early history. (more…)
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Breed Profile – American Bulldog
History:
Bulldogs originated in England where they were working dogs in charge of catching cattle and guarding their masters’ property. This breed was also, at one time, used in the grueling and violent sport of bull baiting. The original bulldog was preserved by immigrants from Great Britain that brought their dogs along with them to the American South. This breed almost became extinct by the end of WWII due to their decreasing numbers after bull baiting was outlawed, but thanks to breeding programs sponsored by John D. Johnson and Allen Scott the breed was brought back from the brink of extinction. (more…)
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Is a Pit Bull the Right Dog For Me?
There are way too many Pit Bulls that end up in shelters because of ill-prepared and careless owners not knowing what to do once their cute little Pit Bull puppy grows up and starts asserting his personality. Properly trained, exercised and socialized Pit Bulls are wonderful family pets, but there are certain breed characteristics that Pit Bulls often possess which can make them a troublesome breed to deal with for an inexperienced or inattentive owner. You can never do too much research when considering raising a Pit Bull, or any bully breed dog for that manner. While this article is a good place to start, you will want to explore other resources and talk to other owners about their experiences before making any sort of commitment you may not be able to keep. (more…)
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Pit Bull Myths
Aren’t Pit Bulls mean? Well so-and-so told me they have a special enzyme in their mouth that lets their jaws lock together! My cousin said to NEVER adopt a pit from the shelter because of their unknown history – they will just turn on you in an instant. Those are just a few of my favorite Pit Bull myths I have come across when people find out I own a Pit Bull. Now for the truth: (more…)
