Arrival to America
History has taught us that in previous century large amount of people form Europe migrated to America. Colonists from England, Ireland, Scotland brought their dogs, and among them were famous fighters. In new homeland tradition of dog fighting continued by the same rules like in England. In the period 1845 – 1851, whole Ireland was hit by great hunger. River of people set their course toward America. Any kind of money was good to feed hungry mouth, even the one earned in dog fighting. Earned money had been often sent to cousins in Ireland in exchange for good fighting dog. This is the main reason why many breeders believe that main role in shape of APBT and AST played so-called Irish Pit Terrier or fighting terrier. Those were small animals, average weight was only 10-15 kg. Except Irish Pit Terrier, in America arrived dogs from England and Scotland. Those dogs were rare, but it was certain that they were crossbreed of bulldog and terrier called “Bull and Terrier”.
Today there is historical evidence that fighting dogs came to America in two waves. First wave was from XVIII century until 1861. Most famous dog from that period was Spring which had been imported by McCaffrey in 1857. Spring was creator of great dogs bloodline. Nevertheless, civil war had destroyed almost whole population of fighting dogs and because of that main role in shape APBT and AST had dogs from second wave, which started in 1865. and lasted for 30 years. Dominant dogs from second wave were Irish origin. Two famous dogs from that period were Paddy and Pilot, which had been imported by Charlie Lloyd in 1880. Lloyd’s nickname was Cockney (a person from the East End of London), which implicated that his dogs were from England. Analyzing available data we can say for sure that AST was originally from British island. However, there are small chances to find out which dogs had been brought to America in XIX century.
Spreading and popularization
At the beginning, popularization of fighting dogs was mostly in area called New England. That was expected because New York, main harbor for immigrants, was near. For only couple of decades the dogs had been in every part of America, Canada and even in Mexico. Almost everything about period from 1865 until 1898 we know thanks to reports published in Police Gazette. From those reports, we could see that police did not restrict dog fighting. Americans called their dogs as Brits did Pit Bull Terrier or short Pit Bull. However, they used as well name Pit Bulldog (Bulldog for fighting). Using the name Bulldog was intricate and some authors were instigated to think that ancestors of American fighting dogs were bulldogs. Although they did not consider nowadays bulldogs, but their ancestors from end of XVIII century. We can ask a question: What is the main difference between American and Britain variation of Pit Bull Terrier? Collected photos, artistic paintings and drawings give us an answer. Principal difference is that American dogs have stronger skeleton, massive head and far stronger jaws. Is this difference is created by selection, or because American dogs had more of bulldogs blood, is going to be investigated.
First registers
In 1898 group of hunters founded register for dogs named United Kennel Club (UKC). Main motive for foundation was creating of books for genuine American dogs. Unusual thing was that other cynological organizations did not delighted in registering breeds created in America. Americans were blinded whit dogs imported from Europe, neglecting their own breeds. Group of cynologists, gathered with Chauncey Z. Bennett decided to end that, so they found UKC. UKC was first designated to be register for hunting dogs only, but Bennett signed up other breeds too. First breed signed up in UKC register was Pit Bull Terrier. Some people thought that name should be Pit Bull Terrier to emphases fighting heritage; on the other side were people who thought that name should be American Bull Terrier to emphases authentic of breed. Bennett makes a compromise – breed was called American (Pit) Bull Terrier. In 1909. Guy McCord from Chicago founded register for Pit Bull Terrier only, and gathered hard core fighting dog breeders. Register was called American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA), and dogs were named Pit Bull Terrier. Many dogs had double registration, both ADBA’s and UKC’s. It would be wrong to think that Pit Bulls were for fighting only, many of them were farm dogs for universal purpose, and thanks to great loyalty they were used as guard dogs and pets. In South America, they were used to drive cattle and hunting. First dog registered was “Lucenay Pete” who act in old comedy.
Probably no other dog gained that popularity as Pete, original “Our Gang” dog. He was the only dog which lived transition from silent to sound film. He was 9 years on film, and two in theater. Beside bad predictions this breed had grow and became popular worldwide. It was clear that so-called blood lust animal could be tender and loyal friend, and with own appearance attract attention in street as well as in dog shows.
Registration and origin of name
In 1930 numerous fans of APBT focused their work to registration of breed in AKC. AKC founded in 1881 in the meanwhile developed in biggest and the most influent American cynologist organization. APBT fans probably thought that registration in AKC would provide prosperity for breed. Most praiseworthy person for registration of breed was Wilfred T. Brandon. He managed tin proving that APBT have precisely documented past, and that there is sufficient number of members of breed, which have uniform physical constitution. His merit is creation of breed standard, which is still valid. Brandon and his friends wanted to register breed under the name “American Bull Terrier”. But, that couldn’t be possible because of antagonism of American Bullterrier Club. Members of that club, which had very large influence, announced that only they are entitled to name Bullterrier. Because of that obstruction whole process of registration in AKC was jeopardize. Interesting fact was that original version of Brandon’s standard did not include restriction regarding the white color, but in actual there is. Will Judi, publisher of “Dog World” magazine and big admirer of breed tries to make a compromise, so he suggested a name Yankee Terrier. Nevertheless, that name never had been accepted. In 1935 Kennel Club Of Great Britain (UK) registered English version of fighting dog named Staffordshire Bull Terrier (SBT). That induced AKC to register American version of fighting dog, in 1936., unfortunately named Staffordshire Terrier (ST). Similarity of those names caused misunderstanding for over 40 years, although they wanted to be registered as different breeds, AKC and UK were fighting about which one was original. A result of fighting was refusing to declare ST as a breed in England and SBT as breed in America. In most of handbooks in Great Britain even know emphasis that ST is bigger variant of SBT, but that they are the same breed. In 1950. that intrigued some breeders to crossbreed ST with SBT. That cause war between breeders of ST because many did not accept SBT as the same race. Howard Hadley, the one most popular and most influenced breeders of ST, manage to persuade AKC that there is two different breeds no matter similar origin and constitution. Then cynological administration realizes that in register they have two different breeds with similar name. Because of that in 1970. instead ST they offered name American Bull Terrier, but breeders refused – too much money and time were sacrificed in propaganda of name ST. As the compromise, they suggested a name
American Staffordshire Terrier (AST)
which was registered in 1972, and still is valid.
The American Staffordshire Terriers
Rade Dakic - Kica
Beograd, Serbia, 2005