What is a "Bully Breed?"
A "Bully" kind of dog can be an American Bulldog, an American Pit Bull Terrier, an American Staffordshire Terrier, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a Bull Terrier, and a Bull Mastiff (to name a few.) All of these dogs share some common ancestors and some history. The interwoven breeds share names and characteristics very closely related. But many of these breeds are all called one thing - the "pit bull"—by the media, legislators and individuals who don't really know the difference in these types of pups. The term "pit bull" is a generic term—don't forget that.
![[photo: Petey from The Little Rascals]](images/petey.jpg)
We want to make sure you know that the American Pit Bull Terrier—a purebred dog—is the only bully breed with the term "pit bull" in its name. These dogs were once unfortunately bred for game purposes; both bull baiting and hog hunting, as well as the more widely known pit fighting—fighting other dogs. This purpose cannot be denied or ignored—and this is why it is crucial that the breed be placed into loving and non abusive homes. Understanding that these kinds of dogs have been bred as "gaming dogs" is important—as is the fact that they were also NEVER bred to be human aggressive. Quite contrary to many beliefs, they make excellent family pets for the right individuals. Did you know that Helen Keller and Theodore Roosevelt owned an American Pit Bull Terrier. And what about the Little Rascals? Remember Petey? What kind of dog do you think he was?
![[photo:Diesel]](images/diesel.jpg)
The bully mix is an amazing companion, one of undeniable loyalty. Bully breeds love to please by any means possible—which is certainly the reason they have been used for centuries in the pits as fighting dogs. Yet, bullies/pitbulls—whatever you want to call them—were not bred to fight humans. Those who wish to label these breeds as "dangerous" are often quick to insist that the dogfighting aspect of their history somehow means that they are inclined to "fight" humans. This is simply wrong.
"To date, every shred of empirical evidence we have suggests that pit bulls are the same as, if not better than, other breeds when it comes to human interaction. Each year, the American Temperament Testing Society holds evaluations across the country for dog breeds and gives a passing score for the entire breed based on the percentage of passed over failed within total number of the particular breed tested. As of 2008, pit bull breeds achieved a combined passing score of 85.5 percent. To put these figures into context, the combined passing rate of all breeds was 81.6 percent. The Collie, an icon of obedience, passed at a rate of 79.4 percent, and the beloved Golden Retriever scored at 84.2 percent. As you can see, by these measures, the pit bull breeds make fabulous family pets." Quoted from Pit Bull Rescue Central—www.pbrc.net
![[photo:Diesel]](images/capt_kirk.jpg)