| Most modern Pit Bulls are believed to be descended | | | | and eventually died completely out after a few years. |
| from European bull dogs and different breeds of | | | | Dog fighting soon took the place of the previously |
| mastiffs that were once used in farm work. The | | | | banned bull and bear baiting sports. Breeders began |
| mastiffs were known for their strength and power, so | | | | trying to produce dogs that were geared to be |
| they were primarily used to help farmers with their | | | | excellent fighters. They tried to enhance the dog's |
| bulls when it was time to bring them in from the fields. | | | | agility, strength, and musculature to make them more |
| The mastiff became known as the bulldog. The dog's | | | | formidable opponents. Breeders also tried to breed the |
| main purpose was to protect the farmer from being | | | | most intelligent dogs, so they would be less likely to |
| gored by an enraged bull. The dog usually | | | | make mistakes in fighting, and also so they would only |
| accomplished this task by biting onto the bull and | | | | be aggressive toward other dogs, not humans they |
| hanging on until the bull relented. Since these dogs | | | | may encounter. One of the rules of dog fighting was |
| were used for protection from angry bulls, they had to | | | | that the owner of the dog had to be able to enter the |
| have tremendous strength in their jaws and bodies. | | | | ring during a fight, pick his dog up, and take it |
| They also had to be stubborn enough to hang onto a | | | | completely out of the fighting ring without the dog biting |
| stampeding bull, no matter what the bull did to them, to | | | | him. If the dog bit the owner during this time, the dog |
| protect the farmer they worked for. | | | | was immediately killed. |
| As time passed, these dogs started being used in bull | | | | Also in the 1800's Pit Bulls started becoming popular |
| and bear baiting. During this time it is believed some | | | | pets, not just for dog fighting and farming. The dog |
| bulldogs were also bred with terriers to help make | | | | became a mascot during World War 1 and could be |
| them better suited for these sports. By mixing with the | | | | seen on many war posters, which helped to increase |
| terrier breed, the dogs were smaller and a great deal | | | | its popularity. They were popular because of their high |
| more agile than the regular bulldog. They also had | | | | intelligence and devotion to their masters. In the early |
| more muscular bodies, which helped to enhance their | | | | 1900's pit bulls began being used in movies as well. |
| damage producing ability. These sports were most | | | | The Pit Bull is a dog with a very detailed history, and is |
| popular in England around the early nineteenth century. | | | | still quite popular today. The breed does receive a lot |
| In the year 1835, English Parliament banned the sports | | | | of negative criticism, but with the right owners, still |
| of bull and bear baiting, stating that it was much too | | | | make terrific pets. |
| cruel to the animals involved. The sport lost popularity, | | | | |