| The history of the American Pit Bull Terrier varies | | | | were made illegal under English Law. However, due to |
| depending on what source you choose to cite. Some | | | | the ease of concealing Dog Fights, it is believed that |
| believe that it dates back to the time of the Roman's | | | | Dog Fighting continued for the most part |
| and the Molossian family of Dog. The Molossus as it | | | | un-restricted in many parts of England. This increased |
| was commonly called is believed to be the direct | | | | the Popularity of the Ratting sport. |
| relative of today's Mastiff breeds of dogs. | | | | When the English and Irish immigrants came to |
| Most sources seem to agree that the Pit bull can | | | | America, they brought there dogs with them. One of |
| trace its relatives to the English and Scottish Bull dog | | | | the most popular being the close relative of the |
| types used in the sport of Bull Baiting. Bull Baiting | | | | Modern day American Pit Bull Terrier. Unfortunately |
| became a popular sport in England during the 15th | | | | dog fighting continued to be popular in America |
| and 16th century. Bull Baiting was effectively a sport | | | | through the 19th century. In addition to dog fighting |
| where dogs were sent in to immobilize a bull, some | | | | the Pit Bull continued to get a name for itself by |
| even believed the sport caused the meat of the bull | | | | being a very versatile all-purpose dog. Known to be |
| to be more tender. By the 16th Century just about | | | | able to Herd sheep and Cattle, the pit bull found a |
| every town in England had a Bull Baiting ring. At one | | | | home with many early settlers of America. |
| time in England, it was even illegal to sell the meat of | | | | In 1884 the American Kennel Club was formed for |
| Bull that was not Baited in the Ring. | | | | the purpose of promoting purebred dogs and their |
| Due to the popularity of Dog Sporting events | | | | owners. Unfortunately, due to the illegal nature of |
| (however, cruel) during this time, the sport of Ratting | | | | Dog Fighting, the American Kennel Club, refused to |
| and Dog fighting was started. It is presumed that the | | | | accept the Pit Bull Terrier as a full blood breed. This is |
| sport was popular because it gave people of low | | | | why in 1898 the United Kennel Club was formed, with |
| means another possible way of providing for there | | | | the goal to certify dogs that were uncertifiable by |
| families. The sport of ratting was where a Dog was | | | | the AKC, the first breed of dogs recognized by the |
| placed in a Pit with Rats, the dog would kill as many | | | | UKC was the "American Pit Bull Terrier". |
| as possible during a set period of time. The dog who | | | | To add to the confusion of the breed the AKC |
| killed the most won. It is this sport that is believed to | | | | decided in 1936 to recognize the American Pit Bull |
| be the reason why the Bull dogs and terriers of | | | | Terrier but under a different name, the Staffordshire |
| England were mixed, attempting to combine the | | | | Terrier, named after the area in England where they |
| strength of the bull dog with the gameness of the | | | | suspected the original crossbreeding took place. Later |
| terrier. It is believed that the "pit" in pit bull comes | | | | the term American was added to the Staffordshire |
| from the ratting pit. | | | | Terrier in order to avoid confusion with the smaller |
| In 1835 the sport of Bull Baiting and Dog Fighting, | | | | cousin being raised in England. |