Pit bull

American Pit Bull Terrier

Pitbull

Pit bull is a word used to describe several breeds of dog. This includes the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and dogs with a mix of these breeds. In some locations, the modern American Bulldog and Bull Terrier are described as a "pit bull-type dog". Pit bull can also mean dogs that were known as "bull terriers" before the development of the modern Bull Terrier in the early 20th century.

These dogs were bred by crossing bulldog breeds and terriers. Pit bulls are very strong and can pull many times their weight. They were also bred for dog fighting. The place where such dogs fought was called a pit. As such dogs can be dangerous, very often a special permit is needed to breed or to own them. Some places or countries may have forbidden their use.

Best Friends Animal Society says pit bulls are good family pets if raised in a loving home and trained well. They say that then they are loyal, intelligent, loving, playful and very obedient pets.

Pediatric trauma experts differ. They say pit bulls should not be around children. Pit bulls cause the most serious dog attack injuries and the most deaths from dog attacks Over 30 countries have varying degrees of laws regulating pit bull ownership. Insurance companies often charge higher premiums for owners of pit bulls.

Pit Bull Media

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  Early 19th century bull-and-terrier

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  AmericanPitBullTerrier

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  Black labrador retriever. Best dual labrador of Italy year 2016 (RCI-ENCI-FCI)

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  American Pit Bull Terrier dog

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  Sallie Ann Jarrett, the Civil War mascot of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry; detail of monument at Gettysburg National Military Park

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  World War I propaganda poster

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  A Staffordshire Bull Terrier (right) is easy to tell apart from a Bull Terrier.

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  An AKC registered American Staffordshire Terrier (left) and a UKC registered American Pit Bull Terrier (right).

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  Staffordshire Bull Terriers are small to medium sized.

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  The American Bully shares phenotypic traits with other pit bull breeds.

Medical Studies, Ordered by Date

Patterson et al., 2022 study, "Pediatric dog bite injuries in the USA: a systematic review" Refer to this with:

• Patterson, Kelli Nicole. Pediatric dog bite injuries in the USA: a systematic review. World Journal of Pediatric Surgery 5 (2) (2022). p. e000281. doi:10.1136/wjps-2021-000281.

Essig 2019 study, "Dog bite injuries to the face: Is there risk with breed ownership? A systematic review with meta-analysis"

• Essig, Garth F.. Dog bite injuries to the face: Is there risk with breed ownership? A systematic review with meta-analysis. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology 117 (2019). p. 182–188. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2018.11.028.

Golinko's 2016 study, "Characteristics of 1616 Consecutive Dog Bite Injuries at a Single Institution"

• Golinko, Michael. Characteristics of 1616 Consecutive Dog Bite Injuries at a Single Institution. Clinical Pediatrics 56 (4) (2016-07-10). p. 316–325. doi:10.1177/0009922816657153.

O'Brien et al., 2015 study, "Dog bites of the head and neck: an evaluation of a common pediatric trauma and associated treatment"

• O'Brien, Daniel C.. Dog bites of the head and neck: an evaluation of a common pediatric trauma and associated treatment. American Journal of Otolaryngology 36 (1) (2015). p. 32–38. doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2014.09.001.

Bini's 2011 study, "Mortality, mauling, and maiming by vicious dogs", Annals of Surgery

• Bini, John K.. Mortality, mauling, and maiming by vicious dogs. Annals of Surgery 253 (4) (2011). p. 791–797. doi:10.1097/SLA.0b013e318211cd68.

Kaye et al.'s 2009 study, "Pediatric Dog Bite Injuries: A 5-Year Review of the Experience at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia"

• Kaye, Alison E.. Pediatric Dog Bite Injuries: A 5-Year Review of the Experience at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 124 (2) (2009). p. 551–558. doi:10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181addad9. Retrieved 2023-08-11.

Books

D. Caroline Coile 2020 book, Pit Bulls For Dummies

• Coile, D. Caroline. Pit Bulls For Dummies (2020-10-23)For Dummies. ISBN 978-1-119-72090-4.

Opinion Articles

• Opinion article from Dr. David Billmire, who has 30 years of practice in pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Billmire, M.D., David. Opinion: There is no need for pit bulls. Cincinatti Enquirer (2014-06-29). Retrieved 2023-07-27.