Nature Vs. Nurture: The American Pit Bull Terrier

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Erica Wheeler

Dr. Jones

ENC 1101

29 September 2007

Nature vs. Nurture: The American Pit Bull Terrier

Imagine you have a three year old little girl who loves to play out in the front yard. One day she is outside playing in her sandbox and she, like all little girls, lets out a squeal. All of a sudden the neighbors' dog hears it, runs as fast as he can and jumps over your fence. He then proceeds to attack your precious little girl. Horrified, you end up getting the dog off of her just in time so only a small bite mark on her fore-arm remains as evidence. Later you find out this dog was an abused pit bull. He was whipped, stunned, electrocuted and had painful acidic substances poured on its back just so the owner could feel like he had the most powerful dog around. How would you feel? This dog although rightfully so was an incredibly aggressive dog, attacked your little girl. Would you blame it on the owner or on the breed? Would you blame it on the way it was raised or would you blame it on the fact that it was a pit bull? That is the question many are asking themselves these days. Today, the American Pit Bull Terrier, who was once beloved by America, has now developed a violent and untrustworthy reputation.

In order to form your own opinion about these dogs you must know their history. The American Pit Bull Terrier was originally bred between a White English Terrier and an English bulldog (American 345). They were bred in England in the early 1800's for their bull baiting potential and their athletic gameness. Bull baiting was first brought to England by the Normans. Bull baiting involved over 27 breeds including Staffordshire Terriers, Mastiffs, Boston Terriers, Shar Pei's, and even the English bulldog (Morris 342). The English bulldog became the loving

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