History of our Loyal Friends
The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is a descendent of the original English bull-baiting Bulldog and has historically been bred with working/performance goals in mind. The challenge of describing the American Pit Bull Terrier inevitably invites a long sequence of superlatives. The APBT is a supremely athletic, highly versatile, adaptive, gushingly affectionate, eager-to-please, all-around family dog. In courage, resolve, indefatigableness, indifference to pain, and stubborn perseverance in overcoming any challenge, the APBT has no equal in the canine world. Although the APBT was once used as a national symbol of courage and pride, the breed is largely misunderstood today.
American Staffordshire
The American Staffordshire terrier is a breed of dog. The breed is a second cousin of the American pit bull terrier. Early bulldog–terrier crosses were brought to the US by British and Irish settlers, especially after the American Civil War, where they were mainly used as fighting dogs, but also as hunting dogs, farm dogs, and guard dogs. The American Staffordshire Terrier is a medium-sized dog that ranges from a height of about 18 to 19 inches (45.7 cm-48.3 cm) at shoulders for the male and 17 to 18 inches (43.2 cm- 45.7 cm) for the female, and weighs from 44- 77 lbs (22 to 40 kg). These dogs are generally courageous, tenacious, friendly, extremely attentive, and extraordinarily devoted.
Razor’s Edge
A man of great influence once said: “What the mind of a man can conceive and believe, it can achieve." True to those words, Dave Wilson of Razor’s Edge Kennels set out to develop a line of dogs that many today believe to be one of the most significant undertakings in the history of our beloved breed, the American Pit Bull Terrier. When Young Dave Wilson began breeding dogs, the name Razor Edge was one of anonymity. Dave was determined however to put the name Razors Edge on the map. How could he accomplish that? Well it wouldn’t be easy. You see when Dave first started breeding Pit Bulls; there were already a number of various well established Pitbull “Bloodlines”, each with its own uniqueness, with its own qualities and characteristics. To the untrained eye, they looked much the same. Yet to the experienced breeder such as Dave Wilson, it was not the similarities, but the differences that caught Dave’s eye. And it was in these differences that Dave saw an opportunity. Dave toured the country going from one breeder to the next. Looking for certain characteristics, certain features that he would use in time to create a breed of Pit Bull that would carry the Razor Edge banner. The process was long and arduous. But yet, with carefully planned, well chosen breedings, Dave Wilson was able to create in a period of seven generations the model by which Razor’s Edge Pitbulls are measured today. Will a Pit Bull that Shows Aggression towards other Animals go After People Next? No. Aggression towards other animals and human aggression are two totally different things. We've heard this frightened quote, "He went after a dog (or cat) and our kids might be next"! This is one big MONSTER of a myth that has generated a host of damaging anti-Pit Bull hysteria. It is perfectly "normal" for a Pit Bull to be wonderfully affectionate and friendly with people, while at the same time not 100% trustworthy around other dogs. Like any breed of dog that we see in family homes today, a properly raised, well socialized, responsibly owned Pit Bull should never be human aggressive. Pit Bulls that do show aggressive behavior towards humans are not typical of the breed and should be humanely euthanized. Many people like to throw around the terms "good" and "bad" temperaments, but these labels are meaningless. A dog of so-called "good" temperament could easily become aggressive if abused or neglected. Dogs labeled as having "bad" temperaments are routinely rehabilitated by experienced, successful trainers. Labels like "good" and "bad" truly are meaningless, in that they are wholly relative to the environment in which the dog is kept. Myth - Pit Bulls are Mean and Vicious. No more vicious than Golden Retrievers, Beagles or other popular dogs! In a recent study of 122 dog breeds by the American Temperament Testing Association, Inc. (ATT), APBTs achieved a passing rate of 85.3%. That's as good or better than Beagles (81.0%), and Golden Retrievers (84.6%). In these tests, a dog is put through a series of confrontational situations. Any sign of panic or aggression leads to failure of the test. The achievement of the APBTs in this study disproves once and for all the old tired belief that Pit Bulls are inherently aggressive to people. American Temperament Testing Society, Inc. | Amstaffs learn quickly from the subtlest of our behaviors. Another breed spawned from this The American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier are cousins, who derived from the same stock in Britain. Frequent questions arise regarding the two breeds, "Are they the same?" "How are they different?" In the eyes of the UKC, they are the same breed, but many disagree. Some AKC-registered Amstaff are dual-registered as APBT with the UKC; however, this draws criticism from many, who point out that the bloodlines have been separate for too long for these two breeds to be considered the same. The AKC does not allow a UKC-registered APBT to be registered as an Amstaff. To be dual-registered, the dog must first be an AKC-registered American Staffordshire Terrier and then it can be registered with the UKC as an APBT but not vice versa. Despite their similarities there are some distinct differences between the two breeds, they have different builds. The Amstaff has a different bone structure particularly in regards to the shape of its robust head and more prominent fore legs. The Amstaff also has a more solid build and is slightly lower to the ground. The APBT generally speaking is lighter, leaner, and has more emphasis on the hind legs. Sometimes distinguishing the difference between the two breeds can be confusing, especially with crosses and hybrids that are advertised as Pit Bulls. http://www.bulldogbreeds.com/americanstaffordshireterrier.html
Facts Fact - Pit Bulls serve as therapy/service dogs. The Chako Rescue Association has Pit Bull therapy dogs in Texas, Utah and California. Helen Keller even had a Pit Bull as her canine companion and helper. Cheyenne and Dakota are a team of hard - working Search - and - Rescue Pit Bulls in Sacramento, California. They play an important role in their community by locating missing people in conjunction with the local Sheriff. In their off-duty hours, they do charity work as therapy dogs. Fact - Pit Bulls are heroes! America's first war dog was a Pit Bull named Stubby. He earned several medals during World War I and was honored at the White House. The Ken-L-Ration dog hero of 1993 was a Pit Bull named Weela. She saved 30 people, 29 dogs, 13 horses and a cat during a flood in Southern California. A Pit Bull named Bogart saved a four year old child from drowning in a swimming pool in Florida. Dixie, the Pit Bull, was inducted into the Georgia Animal Hall of Fame after she saved some children from a Cottonmouth snake.
Myth - "Pit Bulls have locking jaws."
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What is Purple Ribbon
UKC'S PURPLE RIBBON "PR" PEDIGREE |  |