I dont know why I bother even entering this thread, but I will put my 2 cents in anyway. Before I get jumped on for being pro-fighting, I am not, I just understand where they come from. I may sound somewhat for the practice of fighting dogs, but I am just trying to put some information across.
Amazonian, Im with you most of the way, I have owned propper Pitty's, not the big pretty red-noses and such you see around, but a propper game bred pitty, and have had a fair bit to do with them, and can tell you that they are only called "American Pit Bull Terriers" because that is the place that first registered them as a breed. The linage of the Pitbull is deeply seeded in the UK, although the yanks are largely responsible for the larger frame we associate with the breed today, they were originally a much smaller dog.
Anyone who believes that Pittys were bred for pigging or bull-baiting are slightly confused. The pit-bull is a purpose built fighting dog, it may have been partially derived from bull-baiters, but a few breeds were added to the mix at that point, to align stamina and build to the lock-jaw of the baiters. Most dont realise that the staffy is nothing more than a domestic quality pitty... and that the Amstaff was just a re-build of a pitty ( not a perfect re-build, as the Irish white terrier had become extinct by that point in time, and is proven via the throwback of rottie colours in some pups which are supposed to be euthanased.... the rottie plays no part in the pit-bulls make-up), both of these breeds are supposed to be safe when it comes to the BSL in regards to pittys. I could keep going....
Fighting dogs like was shown in the show is nothing more than barbaric. There is actually a set of rules to fighting dogs, that seems to have been thrown by the wayside at some point. A real dogman, be it fighting dogs, or hunting dogs, loves their animals, in some cases more than their own child, and would not risk the life of their dogs unnecessarily, but it seems the hillbillys have taken over the game, and the animals suffer for the humans neglect. I could go on and on about the rules, why do you think the pit walls are only 3ft ? so they can bail if not up for it.... if a dog turns 3 times, it is also automatic disqualification, as it is a sign of lack of game..... owners can pull a dog that isnt up for the match at any time..... the list goes on. It seems that the real dogmen have gone the way of the dodo though.
I have never rolled a dog i have owned, although I have bought from good stock, and pups that had won kennel scraps before weaning ( not pitted but normal highrachy stuff ). My Pittys were the most loyal dogs i have ever known, good with kids, good with people, and if another dog was in the frame he would just walk up, lean forward, sniff, turn their heads to show their lack of fear.... if the other dog didnt take the opportunity or show agression then it all disolved and they were sweet.
I dont usually post this long, but I have no time for the ignorant. Anyone who hunts with dogs will tell you, a pitty has no place on a pig, they let go and try to fight them, not a good thing when you face up to a set of hooks, bacon doesnt discriminate. Fighting dogs are fighting dogs, and there is no breed in the world that has had as much effort put into kurbing man biting as the pit-bull has. BSL is crap, when i know that the pitty is almost gone here, I promise I will get good lines, and keep them going. All the anti-pitty posse, do your homework, and do some research into temprement testing, and post the list for us.... lets see how your safe labrador scratches up againts a pitty.
Herpies.