Pitbulls used to be America's favorite dog—now they're the breed we fear most"1921, director and film producer Hal Roach was staring absent-mindedly out of his office window, when he noticed a group of children playing in the lumber yard across the street ... the children in the lumber yard — that was real childhood. He wanted to make a series of shows about them and their pets. For the pet, the choice was obvious. The children would have a pit bull.
The turn of the 20th century was the pit bull’s reputational heydey. States wanted to use them in campaigns “because they were thought to be so friendly and appealing to the ‘average Joe’…. plucky, unfussy sidekicks,” Dickey writes. They were mascots during World War I. Helen Keller, who called her pit mix “the lord of my affection,” Dr. Seuss, and Jimmy Carter were all proud pit bull owners."Most decorated war dog in American history is Sergeant Stubby. Many pit bulls served as war dogs in 19th and early 20th century America.
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United Kennel Club breed standard says:
"The essential characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier are strength, confidence, and zest for life. This breed is eager to please and brimming over with enthusiasm. APBTs make excellent family companions and have always been noted for their love of children. Because most APBTs exhibit some level of dog aggression and because of its powerful physique, the APBT requires an owner who will carefully socialize and obedience train the dog. The breed’s natural agility makes it one of the most capable canine climbers so good fencing is a must for this breed. The APBT is not the best choice for a guard dog since they are extremely friendly, even with strangers. Aggressive behavior toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and highly undesirable. This breed does very well in performance events because of its high level of intelligence and its willingness to work."
