Dogs that looked like today's American Bulldog were used in the 1800's British Isles to 'bait' bulls. These brutal matches were a source of entertainment for poorer classes. Finally in 1835 bull baiting became illegal, but that only led to the rise of dog fighting. As dog fighting rose in popularity, people began breeding Old English bulldogs to be more agile by crossing them with terriers. The best fighting dogs were celebrated for their abilities.

 

     Although dog on dog violence was encouraged, dog on human aggression was combated via selective breeding, allowing handlers to better control their dogs. Due to the emphasis on a positive dog-human relationship, pit bulls began to have a reputation for being fiercely loyal with their humans. Although I find the origins of this loyalty to be unsettling, I think it makes more of a comment on human treatment of animals than on the behavior of the animal.

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     When people immigrated to the United States, they brought their dogs along just like any other family member. The dogs were more than mere fighters in young America; they protected their families and homes as well as helped with manual labor for farming families. Many depended on them for their hunting abilities, specifically catching hogs. They were also adored for their gentle nature with children, for whom they cared for and accompanied everywhere.

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