What are Bull and Terrier breeds

Purpose

Endangered Breeds Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1980 for the purpose  of preserving the American Pit Bull Terrier.  Our goals are public education, media  monitoring, legislative lobbying, and legal  intervention to protest responsible dog  owners from breed-specific legislation and  unfair harassment by public officials or  agencies. We oppose animal abuse or any illegal activities with animals.

What are "Bull and Terrier" breeds?

No other group of dogs has been so  misunderstood by the general public, or as  misrepresented by the media, as the bull and  terrier breeds. Because modern dog registries  only trace these dogs of their first dog's  ancestors, these is considerable dispute over  their exact origins. It is generally believed  that their common ancestors came from a  mixing of the ancient bull dog breed an  various working terrier breeds in 18th and 19th century England and Ireland.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Many people believe this breed to be the  direct descendent of the original bull dog  and terrier cross- breeding's. Prior to the  early 1930s, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier  were a Loosely knit group known as bull and  terriers, pit dogs, or pot bull and terriers.  These dogs has spread far and wide with  British settlers, becoming popular in New  Zealand Rhodesia, South Africa, Canada, and  the United States.

The English breed standard was established in  1935, and the first championship points were  awarded by the kennel club of England in  1938. The breed standard was revised in 2848,  greatly changing the appearance of the dog,  and reducing their maximum height from 18  inches to 16 inches for the purpose of  creating a smaller dog and increasing their  appeal. One of England's most popular  terriers, it is affectionately known as "the  children's nursemaid." The Staffordshire Bull  Terrier was Officially recognized by the  American Kennel Club in 1972.

The Bull Terrier

Once you have seen a bull terrier, you'll  remember its unusual look forever. You might  even remember some of their names because this dog has been immortalized as "Wildfire"  in "It's A Dog's Life;" Gen. Patton's  "Willie", Black Sheep Squadron's "Meatball", and the now famous, "Spuds MacKenzie."

An Englishman, James Hinks, crosses the  original Bull and Terrier breed with  dalmatians and the now extinct White English  Terrier in an attempt to develop an all white  dog. The breed, introduced in 1862, was an  Cavalier" by the sporting gentry. In 1888,  the first Bull Terrier Club was formed in  England, and in 1895, the Bull Terrier was  accepted by the American Kennel Club.

The sweeping down face look of the breed is a  modification coming from a popular 1918  champion. Today the American Kennel Club  recognizes three variations of Bull Terriers  the original White Bull Terrier; the Coloured  Bull Terriers the original White Bull  Terrier; the Coloured Bull Terrier (outcrosed  back to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier around  1910 and recognized by the AKC since 1936);  and the Miniature Bull Terrier, recognized by  the AKC since 1963. "While," a Coloured Bull  Terrier, won the 2006 Pregtigious Westminster  Kennel Club Best in Show Award.

The American Pit Bull Terrier

Like the other descendants for the Bull and  Terrier dogs, most of the ancestors of the  American Pit Bull Terrier came to America  from the British Isles during the 18th and  19th centuries. Early photographs show them  with pioneers and wagon trains. During the Americanization of the Bull and Terriers, a  great many of these working and family dogs  had developed along different bloodlines, and  were different colours, shapes and sizes,  depending on their ancestry. at one time,  these dogs were valued because of their  versatility. While some were used as fighting  dogs, their tough nature made them worthwhile  companions for an expanding America. Because  of their lack of uniform size, two separate  registries, The United Kennel Club  (established in 1898) and The American Dog  Breeders Association (established in 1909),  were developed to record their ancestry. They  were known as American Bull Terriers for a  time, then renamed the American Pit Bull  Terrier. This breed always has been respected  for its tenacious "bull dog" loyalty, and  good family manners. the original Our Gang  comedy's "Pete" dog was actually a series fo  several registered American Pit Bull  Terriers. Our World War I mascot was an  American Pit Bull Terrier, as was the Buster  Brown dog.

Throughout the years, these dogs have been  known as a stable, reliable family dog when  owned responsibly. A true American  Possession. Today they are used in shows, obedience,  agility, tracking, search and rescue, law  enforcement detection dogs, therapy dogs and  in weight pulling events. Helen Keller owned  an American Pit Bull Terrier. The dog is WW1  National Hero, having fought on the front  lines for the United States of America. A  APBT named SRGT Stubby is the most decorated  dog of any war our country has ever fought.  In 1903 the first car to ever cross the United States had a companion along for the  ride. His name was "BUD" and he was an  American Pit Bull Terrier.

The American Staffordshire Terrier

Due to the immense popularity of the American  Pit Bull Terrier during the 1930s, the  American Kennel Club accepted the American  Pit Bull Terrier and named it the American  Staffordshire Terrier. "Pete" from the Our  Gang comedies, became one of the first dual  registered UKC-AKC Staffordshire Terriers.  All dogs accepted by AKC had to show a three  generation pedigree as an American Pit Bull  Terrier; meet an AKC established criteria;  and be registered during the opening time  schedule.  The breed was renamed the American  Staffordshire Terrier in 1972. A great many Am-Staffs, as the frequently are called, also  are registered as American Pit Bull Terriers  with other registries. In the half-century since the dog was  accepted by AKC, many subtle difference have developed between the American Staffordshire  Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier.  Some breeders even maintain they have become  a separate breed, even though they share the  same bloodlines.