10.2. What Is A “Pit Bull Terrier”?
At http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/pit+bull, the United Kingdom (England) Free Dictionary defines a Pit Bull Terrier as
“a dog resembling the Staffordshire Bull Terrier but somewhat larger: developed for dog-fighting; it is not recognized by kennel clubs and is regarded as dangerous. It is not allowed in some countries, including the UK.”
At http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10888705.2014.895904#, it is stated that
“In the United Kingdom (“UK”), the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 prohibits the purchase, adoption, or ownership of Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, and Fila Brasilieros (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [DEFRA], 2013). According to the UK government, Pit Bull-type dogs are distinct from Staffordshire Bull Terriers (which are not banned) and are sometimes called American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Irish Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Irish Blues, or Irish Red Noses (DEFRA, 2013). Although the UK Kennel Club does not recognize the Pit Bull or American Pit Bull Terrier as a breed and therefore has no breed standard for it (Kennel Club, 2006), dogs are considered “Pit Bull type” if they meet a substantial number of 15 physical features outlined by the DEFRA and copied directly from a 1977 issue of the American periodical Pit Bull Gazette [published by the American Dog Breeders Association] (DEFRA, 2009).”
At http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Pit-bull, the American Free Dictionary defines a “Pit Bull” as,
“A dog of any of various breeds having a muscular body, broad powerful head, and short coat, especially an American Pit Bull Terrier, an American Staffordshire Terrier, or a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Also called Pit Bull Terrier.”
At http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/american_english/pit-bull, the Oxford Dictionaries define a Pit Bull Terrier as
“A dog of an American variety of Bull Terrier, noted for its muscular build and often associated with ferocity.”
At http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/pit-bull, the MacMillan Dictionary defines a Pit Bull Terrier as,
“a type of small very strong dog, originally trained to fight other dogs.”
At http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pit%20bull, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a “Pit Bull” as,
1. a type of dog that is known for its strength and its ability to fight
2. a dog (as an American Staffordshire terrier) of any of several breeds or a real or apparent hybrid with one or more of these breeds that was developed and is now often trained for fighting and is noted for strength and stamina
3. an aggressive and tenacious person.
An examination and analysis of the definitions of a terrier are consistent with each other, i.e., a small dog for hunting small game: however, the definitions of a “Pit Bull” or Pit Bull Terrier are not, and begin to define the issues.
The following are analyses of some of the preceding definitions.
