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This breed of dog, also fondly called as APBT, is known for its loyalty and intelligence. The dogs with this breed make excellent companions since they are very aggressive because of their protective nature.

How, then, are they different from the Staffies? For the UKC or the United Kennel Club, Staffies and APBT are of the same breed but many disapprove of this suggestion. For instance, if the American Kennel Club has an American Staffordshire terrier, it will be registered as an American pit bull terrier by the United Kennel Club. Furthermore, many breeders noted that their lineages have been separate for a long time already for these dogs to be still considered as having the same variety.

Meanwhile, the American Kennel Club does not register a UKC-listed American pit as an American Staffie. In order to gain dual-registry, the dog must initially be recorded as an AKC American Staffie before it can be listed with the UKC as an American pit bull, and not the other way around.

The following are some of the basic facts breeders would really love to know about APTBs:

Category: Terrier

Living Environment: either outdoor or indoor

Coat: smooth, shiny, thick, and short

Colors: color varies

Height: between 18 and 22 inches

Weight: between 30 and 60 pounds

Temperament: courageous, full of energy, and loyal; should be socialized early on with other animals especially with children

Health Issues: heart murmurs and mange

Care and Exercise:
•    Bathe when necessary.
•    Brush their coat only occasionally using a brush with firm bristles.
•    Rub down their coat with a towel or a chamois to remove hairs that are loose.
•    Their physique requires a regular exercise routine which includes a daily play time and/or running along a bicycle while on a leash.
•    They should be on leash while walking in public places.

Origin/History:

The ancestors of APBT came to the US in the mid-1800s with some Irish-Boston immigrants. Like the Staffie, they were originally bred from bulldogs and terriers. Since APBT is a forerunner to the Staffie, it was also molded to be a fighting dog. However, the Americans made their variety some pounds heavier and trained them to have a more powerful head.

Bull baiting and dog baiting were prohibited in England so bull terriers were no longer bred for bouts. It is in America where the pit bull also gained its popularity for many uses and reasons like:

1.    It was used to embody the country in one WW1 artwork.
2.    Well-known companies like the Buster Brown Shoe Company and even RCA used the breed as mascots.
3.    Petie, a pitbull, was one of the stars in, “Our Gang”, a well sought children’s TV series.
4.    A mix breed called Stubby was transformed into a popular and decorated WW1 hero.
5.    Pits became good companies of pioneer families on their journeys.
6.    Jack, a working pit bulldog was owned by Laura Wilder of lines of books called “Little House”.
7.    Popular people like Helen Keller and US President Theodore Roosevelt owned the variety.

Here is some history about the cause of dilemma regarding the registries of APBTs.

In 1898, the United Kennel Club or UKC was structured to provide fighting guidelines and registration for APBT as fighting dogs. Later, there were breeders who shun away from dog fighting so they asked the AKC to recognize their pits so they would be fit for performance events like dog shows.

In 1935, the AKC approved of their petitions but the dogs were registered as Staffordshire Terriers, naming them after the little province in England that the breed was known to have originated from. Thus, many breeders have dogs that have dual-registry.

It is interesting to note that Petie, which was one of the stars in the, “Our Gang” TV series was the first breed that was dual-registered to be Staffordshire Terrier/Pit Bull. However, the UKC later started registering other performing-type varieties and they also began holding dog shows comparable to those of the American Kennel Club.

The AKC soon sealed its studbooks to APBTs. They allocated registration to those pit breeds with lineages that are listed as Staffies. For a little time during the 1970s, the AKC disclosed the American pits to their studbooks.

In 1973, the American KC decided to add the word “American” with the pit’s name to discriminate it from a Staffie. At present, those dogs with mixed APTB-StaffIe parents are recognized by UKC and even the American Dog Breeders’ Association as “American pits or American pit bull terriers”.

Nowadays, the pit has employed as search and rescuers, police/armed service dogs, livestock workers, and even as therapy animals because they are good as companions and working dogs.

Moreover, the variety can even compete in dog sports such as herding, obedience, and conformation, French Ring, and Schutzhund. Breeds of this type can be very loving as pets for everyone. The physical demands and harshness of various activities developed a healthy, strong, and stable animal.

If you want to have an APBT as a pet, be sure that the puppy is handled well and properly socialized. A solid and good training will surely produce an obedient, tranquil, and good companion or even a working dog!

By Jasmine Beaupre, author

As I sit here, crying in my coffee, I wipe the tears from my eyes and ponder.

Is it fair ? I wasn’t against Obama, nor was I for McCain for presidency, I’m just the average U.S. working “stiff” who wants somebody in the presidency to care whether I get a chance at the “brass ring”, so to speak.

I mean, I too, want the “American Dream”, a slice of the all “American Apple Pie”, the “chance to make good”, Ok, enough with all the catch-phrases, I just want somebody as president to do what’s in the best interest for all of us.

Big Bushiness, Small Business, Joe-the plumber, etc. and I really believed McCain could do the job. I tried real hard NOT to buy into all the “hype” of both party campaigns, and tried to muddle through the economic, foreign affair issues and the like and thought I had made the right choice with McCain coming out on top.

McCains’ background impressed the hell out of me, because my dad was a P.O.W. too, during WWII, and I saw in McCain, what I saw in my dad, I guess I was a little biased, but anyone who could go through life after the ordeal of being a P.O.W. and succeed was, to me, a very determined guy, and could tackle the hardships awaiting the U.S. in the near future.

I could go on but I’ll leave it at that, and concede to the fact that Obama is our 44th President-Elect.

My trust and loyalty will be with the President-Elect for the next four years. And maybe, just maybe, McCain will consider running for U.S. President again.  I can dream can’t I ?

Jasmine Beaupre is an autodidact on a variety of subjects and due to her extensive research into all of her interests she gives an in depth, informative and easy to read approach throughout her articles for all her

By Jasmine Beaupre, author

I knew, I just KNEW someone was going to bring the words ‘uncle tom’ into this election, I just knew it, and I am OUTRAGED!

I am surprised though that Nader was the person who was the one to invoke this against Obama.

What the [bleep] does he think his comment is going to accomplish ?

I tried so hard to instill in my children that the CHARACTER of a person is THE most important trait in humanity, that the color of a person’s skin doesn’t matter, that wealth, nationality, religion, ethnicity, disability or educational background is irrelevant, that as long as that person has a good heart, good morals, kindness and compassion, that person is just as good as you or me , period !

Barack Obama has every right to run for presidency, as does any other U.S. Citizen, as defined in our U.S. Constitution, and for Nader to make the Uncle Tom statement is wrong, no where in the U.S. Constitution does it dictate how a person should speak.

I can see Naders’ point about not wanting to upset the status quo regarding our last 43 presidents, but I believe if you want to win their game, you have to play by their rules.

I for one am satisfied Obama won, I didn’t vote for him, but I have that right as a U.S. Citizen. And even though I didn’t vote for Obama, because he is the U.S. President Elect, I will put my trust & loyalty into him and honor his position for the next 4 years.

All U.S. Citizens should realize that if “WE” don’t give the respect, bestowed upon Barack Obama, President-Elect why would other nations ? So please be respectful.

Jasmine Beaupre is an autodidact on a variety of subjects and due to her extensive research into all of her interests she gives an indepth, informative and easy to read approach throughout her articles for all her readers to enjoy.