What is it about Pitbulls?

Question

Why are Pitbulls always used for fighting? I don't mean that they are ONLY used for fighting purposes, but what I'm saying is howcome they are the only breed chosen for this sick game? There are many other strong and aggressive dogs, so why is it that people pick pitbulls?

Answer 1

It isn't actually "pitbulls" (proper spelling is pit bull) that are used but the American Pit Bull Terrier. And, it is a misconception to say they are bred FOR fighting. The are actually bred for gameness, which is a trait only APBTs (and not even all of them) possess. Fighting is the only way to show the level of gameness a dog has. Gameness is the will to continue on regardless of what happens.
Also, they have been bred for years to be non-human aggressive. They will let someone handle them, even if they are injured, without biting.

Answer 2

I'm not sure but when I volunteered with a no-kill humane society, I picked up several stray Pitbulls/AmStaffs and they are the sweetest dogs!

As far as why used for fighting:
- They are a terrier which means many will be tenacious once aroused
- They are the only breed with a scissors jaw that can continue causing damage once in a lock
- Although the breed was not developed as a fighting dog, the dog fighting crowd noticed that they had the tools and started breeding them for this purpose many years ago
- They were good at it and soon got a reputation as the premier fighting breed
- Human aggressiveness is a negative point to the dog fighters so was mostly bred out of the breed but current use by intercity youths as a "bad" dog (which I guess they think is cool) is reversing their heritage
- Bigger equates to less quick so medium-sized dogs were favored and did better in the pit then large breeds plus many of the large breeds were too hard to handle when aroused and could thus hurt their cowardly owner

Answer 3

They were orginally bred for fighting and bull baiting back in the 1800's .But Bull Baiting and Dog fighting eventually became illegal in early 1900's . And also there are stronger breeds out there like Tosa Inu , Dogo , Dogue and another breed that i cannot remember but as far as i knjow these breeds have wayy stronger prey drives and more aggression in them than pit bulls . But most people cannot afford these strong breeds because of there so high prices and all breeders will not allow there dogs to fight .

Answer 4

First off they have the 4th strongest bite force not the 1st. There the 17th strongest dog breed. The reason they use them is because they were bred to do it ( And control bulls and other things ). Also their only small to medium, the ones you here about being 110 pounds are mixes, and the average is 22 - 65 pounds sometimes ( VERY RARE ) They get 80 pounds. The orininal size was only 20 - 40 pounds. But since there small to medium there easy to get around.

EDIT: They were bred to fight and control cattle and bulls and other things. They do NOT Have lock jaws. MANY Breeds, such as border collies, german shepherds, rottweilers, and many others do Infact have scissors bite. All my statements are 100 % true. You guys need to learn a little more about dogs and breeds.

Answer 5

yes this is a totally sick practice but one of the reasons a pit bull is used is cause that is what they are bred to do. They have a bite that is unlike anyother breed of dog they have more pressure per inch and they dont give up. These dogs are victims.....they are only bad when the owner is bad. Hate the deed NOT the breed.

Answer 6

They were bred over many years for fighting, and so now they have the ideal shape and muscular frame. And in case you haven't noticed, they have really big teeth. But another quality was bred into them. Since a dog that bit a referee was automatically disqualified, breeders chose only the friendliest dogs. That's how the pit got to be this way.

Answer 7

Pit bulls have characteristics that make them suitable for fighting other dogs:

- gameness or the ability to get into a fight easily (low threshold for fighting) and willingness to stay in the fight (high threshold for stopping) even when injured.

- inability or reluctance or indifference to another dog's social signals to not fight or to stop fighting.

- large head, large jaws, strong relative to overall size.

- docility and low aggression towards humans so while dogs were (are) hurt the people who fought them could be safe. Apparently people who fight pit bulls are not very brave themselves.

Not all pit bulls are fighters and not all pit bulls have low aggression towards humans regardless of human efforts to make them so.

Answer 8

This is a very informative article about the history of pit bulls and fighting.
http://www.workingpitbull.com/dogfighting.htm
Pit bulls are very strong, they are naturally muscular.Their jaws don't lock like you hear about, they just have powerful jaws. Unfortunately some loosers use that to their advantage for sick sadistic pleasure.

Answer 9

To cut a long explanation it's just because it has higher a predator instinct compared with other dogs combined with it's elastic skin which makes it more vulnerable against cuts, and bruises. I'm also against those who practice dog fighting with the hope that certain breeders should stop tolerating this.

Answer 10

Because Pit Bulls were originally bred for for the pit and some people feel they should carry on that horrible legacy. Plus, Pit Bulls are alot easier for the scum bags to get their hands on.