Some people find Pitbulls intimidating. This might be due to some of their history, the bad reputation they have, or perhaps because of their large stature.
Despite their height, Pitbulls are large dogs with stocky frames and a lot of muscle. But how did this come about?
What is it about the history of this type of dog that has caused them to have so much muscle?
If you’re wondering about this question, then you’ve arrived at the right article! We’re going to be breaking down the history of Pitbulls and why they have so much muscle.
We’ve also made sure to include a short FAQ section to answer any other questions you might have around this issue!
Selective Breeding
First thing’s first – the term ‘Pitbull’ isn’t actually a breed. This is the first thing you need to understand as it’s a common misconception.
This is because dogs have been selectively bred historically, meaning that humans have intervened in their breeding to create animals that hold certain traits.
Humans have selectively bred animals (especially dogs) for a very long time.
Generally, it involves selecting parents with characteristics that are favorable for a specific purpose and breeding them together to create puppies that also have those traits.
Because dogs are such great pets, it makes sense that humans would do this in order to get dogs to look a certain way, or to perform certain tasks.
Unfortunately, selective breeding is also the reason why a lot of breeds have health defects.
For example, a Labrador Retriever is likely to have problems with its joints which can cause many problems later in its life.
This is a result of selective breeding. This takes us to our initial question about Pitbulls and why they’re so muscular.
So What Kind Of Breed Is A Pitbull?
Pitbull is a name used to describe many different kinds of bull terrier breeds. We will outline these for you here:
American Bully
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier.
All of these dogs come from a similar line, and many of them look quite similar, but it’s very important to note that they’re all quite different and can not be grouped together, especially if you’re thinking about buying one.
Selective Breeding And Pitbulls
Pitbulls have a bit of a sad origin story. Their origins can be found in the early 19th century in the united kingdom, where they were originally bred from Old English Bulldogs.
Unfortunately, they were mainly bred for dog fights, bull-baiting, and rat-catching.
This meant that certain physical characteristics were favored when breeding these dogs.
In fact, the selective breeding of Pitbulls was fast and lucrative, as dog fights had a lot of people betting on them and trying to make money.
This meant that the stronger dog you had, the more powerful and aggressive, the more likely you were to make money.
So Pitbulls were bred to have a lot of muscle, and this increased over the years until they became the types of breeds we know and love today.
Thankfully, the British Parliament eventually passed the Cruelty To Animals Act, which stopped some dog fights and bull baiting.
Although blood sports involving pit bulls are mostly illegal everywhere in the world, there are some places where it still goes on, be it illegally or legally.
In the modern-day, Pitbulls are usually kept as faithful and loyal pets who are commonly seen as easy to train and energetic.
Because of their history, they have a bad reputation, and whilst it is true that Pitbulls can be dangerous if not properly trained or when encouraged to be aggressive, they have inherited any innate aggression as a result of their past.
This is because dogs are individuals with unique personalities, often determined by their experiences and training.
Some of the negative side effects of Pitbulls and selective breeding have caused problems such as hip dysplasia, kneecap dislocation, degenerative myelopathy, and skin allergies.
These problems actually go hand in hand with the traits that they were originally bred for.
More muscle and stocky frames mean more weight to carry around, and more problems that bones and joints can run into.
Final Thoughts
So in conclusion, Pitbulls are very muscular dogs because of how they were selectively bred.
They have their origins in various bloodsports, which meant that muscle had a lot of importance when it came to owners winning money off of them.
In the modern-day, they are mostly happy and calm dogs who bring a lot of joy to the life of their owners.
We hope that this article has cleared up why Pitbulls are so muscular and that you’re not a bit more comfortable with their breeding history.
If you still have some questions, make sure you keep reading for our short Frequently Asked Questions Section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Pitbulls A Healthy Breed?
Whilst there are a few health problems that Pitbulls can have later in life, Pitbulls are generally considered to be a healthy breed.
If you’re worried about any of these issues, it’s best to have regular trips to the vet so that anything negative can be diagnosed early.
An American Staffordshire Terrier has a slightly longer lifespan at 12-16 years of age. And a standard Staffordshire Bull Terrier has an average lifespan of 11-14 years of age.
Are Pitbulls Aggressive?
Pitbulls are not genetically predisposed to aggressive behavior. It’s important to realize here that a dog is only as aggressive as it is taught to be.
They are genetically large and powerful and can be dangerous if not trained properly.
As long as you socialize and train your Pitbull it isn’t going to have any more aggressive tendencies than another dog.
Hi everyone, I’m Emily Andrews and I can’t wait to explain why Bullypaw.org means so much to me.
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a veterinarian. I loved every dog, horse, bird, and squirrel. But from an early age, I noticed that bully dogs like Pitbulls and Staffordshire Terriers were given a different treatment than their friends.
Everyone said they were prone to aggression, but I didn’t believe it. They seemed just as friendly as my family Labrador. Turns out I was right. These dogs are loyal and were once considered the perfect nanny dogs.
My love for animals wasn’t just a childhood fantasy. In 2002 I graduated from my veterinary school in New Zealand with a BVSc. I wanted to travel the world and help rejected animals as I went, but to do that I needed to pass the American Exams. It didn’t take long for me to earn a DVM, and soon I was heading to Florida.
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