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Uncovering the history of pit bulls: Why are their ancestors so closely associated with bloody battles?
The term bulldog covers several types of dog breeds that are thought to have originated from the mating of bulldogs and hounds. In the United States, the term usually includes American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, Staffordshire Terrier Bull Terrier), sometimes also includes the American Bulldog and any crossbreed that shares some of the physical characteristics of these breeds. In other countries, such as the United Kingdom, the term refers exclusively to the American Bulldog and does not include the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Pit bull type dogs have become controversial internationally due to their history in dog fighting, numerous prominent attacks documented in the media, and the nature of their bites.
In fact, pit bull-type dogs have higher rates of reported bite severity and aggression than other dogs.
Since the 19th century, the bloodline of bulldogs has been closely linked to dog fighting. After breeding, their ancestors were British bulldogs and terriers. At the time, these dogs were bred for bloody entertainment, such as dog fights and rat races. Bulldogs were bred specifically for physical strength and courage, but over time, to accommodate the demands of dog fighting, lighter, more agile breeds were introduced to produce suitable dogs.
As market demand changed, these dogs became victims of illegal dog fighting in the United States, although the activity had been gradually banned by states in 1874.
With the progress of society, the legal emphasis on animal rights has continued to increase. In 2007, the U.S. federal government implemented stricter laws on animal rights. However, pit bull-type dogs are still bred in the dark, used in illegal dog fights and as symbols of criminal organizations, and have even become symbols of street culture. The tenacity and perseverance displayed by these dogs have also earned them mixed reviews from society.
Many statistics on pit bulls reveal a complex relationship with aggression. Although research shows that it's not actually the breed itself that's responsible for aggression, pit bulls have played a role in several incidents. In response to this situation, psychologists and cannithologists have gradually begun to raise the debate of "nature versus nurture", which has made society's perception of this dog breed more complicated.
Some animal welfare organizations continue to rectify the image of pit bulls and promote them as "family dogs" in an attempt to change society's prejudice against pit bulls.
There is also a lot of concern about the fate of pit bulls in animal shelters. Due to society's widespread perception of pit bulls as "undesirable," resulting in their relatively low adoption rates, animal shelter staff often mislabel pit bull breeds in an effort to improve their adoption rates. Whether driven by industry necessity or misunderstanding of the breed, these practices increase the risk of euthanization.
Based on the bad reputation of pit bulls, many areas have enacted breed-specific legislation (BSL). The implementation of these laws is not effective in some areas, and many professionals have questioned their effectiveness. Enforcement of the law does not appear to significantly reduce the incidence of assaults, and some studies have suggested that such legislation may simply be masking the nature of the problem.
The issue of aggression in pit bulls and other dogs continues to be debated by policymakers and the legal community.
Pit bulls have certainly been a highly controversial topic over the past few decades. Whether it is the formulation of laws or public perception, these factors are affecting the future and survival of this dog breed. How will the responsibility of keeping a dog, social understanding, and the improvement of the legal system affect the fate of pit bulls?
