18.4.2. American Dog Breeders Association (“ADBA”)
At http://www.adbadog.com/p_pdetails.asp?fsid=6&pg=6, the American Dog Breeders Association (“ADBA”) states,
“About The ADBA
It is our belief that we have been handed a great legacy. From the originators of the breed in England and Ireland to the earliest Americans who brought the dogs here and called them Staffordshire Terrier, then Yankee Terriers and finally settled on the name, American Pit Bull Terriers. The A.D.B.A. does not condone any illegal activity, but will never deny the history of our breed. Hundred of years of breeding and selection have developed the dogs of today. Without the past, we could not have our present and certainly not our future. We salute the contributors to our breed. The many breeders, competitors, trainers, handlers and fanciers whose love for the breed developed one of the finest canine athletes ever known to man.”
[The “breed that originated in England” is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier which is a breed recognized and accepted by the AKC and all major international kennel clubs.
The “Pit Bulls” were a group of dogs that engaged in dogfighting in England in the 1800s after bull-baiting was outlawed. Their pedigrees are unknown, and therefore, they have no pedigree. The Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a legitimate pedigree.
I have been unable to find the breeds registered by the ADBA, and thus, I don’t know what they call the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The UKC has a listing of breeds, but it is unclear whether they are registered as Staffordshire Bull Terriers or “Pit Bulls”.
American Pit Bull Terrier is a name created by the founder of the American Dog Breeders Association and given to his dog in 1898.]
“This is a true athlete, the American Pit Bull Terrier. Within this athletic package, we have been given the spirit, loyalty, dedication, and heart of the dog that we love today. It is the never give up, always give 110% attitude, the gameness, that keeps us connected to the breed. The A.D.B.A. and the A.D.B.S.I. are here to stay.
It is our responsibility to protect and preserve the APBT in its original form. We do this in a number of ways: Register the dogs and guarantee purebred status. This is dependent on the honesty of our breeders and the paperwork they submit to the office; Holding A.D.B.S.I. Conformation shows judged according to the ADBA standard, that is based on the original purpose of the breed. No other registry can say that.”
[How can the ADBA “protect and preserve the APBT in its original form” if the “Pit Bulls” original form is UNKNOWN or of a FIGHTING DOG?
How can the ADBA “guarantee purebred status” of so-called “American Pit Bulls” if it does NOT comply with the meaning of a “purebred”?
Is dependency on the paperwork submitted by breeders without scientific verification worthless?
The original purpose of “Pit Bulls” was for fighting. Is this the standard that is used to judge today’s so-called “Pit Bulls”?
Isn’t the ADBA conformation “standard” for the so-called “Pit Bull” that of a “mutt”?]
“The A.D.B.A. believes in responsible ownership of the A.P.B.T. and has promoted responsible ownership through the GAZETTE and information provided to clubs. It is our goal to answer questions about the breed and to promote the positive aspects of the American Pit BuIl Terrier.
Over the years, the American Dog Breeders Association, Inc. has held fast to traditional values. Although current trends reflect innovations within the breed, we are firm in our resolve to stay the course of fundamentals. Some things do not need to change. To those who pledge to preserve the unique qualities of the APBT, we dedicate and re-affirm that our tradition of class continues.
Our association continues to grow in the U.S.A. and other countries overseas. The American Dog Breeders Association Inc. is the largest registration office of the American “Pit Bull” Terrier. The A.D.B.A. registered American Pit Bull Terrier is the #1 breed of dog exhibited in the U.S.A. today, through conformation dog shows and weight pulling events sponsored by the American Dog Breeders Show Inc.”
The so-called “American Pit Bull Terrier” may well be the #1 dog exhibited in the USA since it seems that every mutt called a “Pit Bull” can be registered with the ADBA and UKC and shown.
Obviously, the largest single population of dogs are the “mutts”, and therefore, it would follow that it has the potential to be the largest number of dogs that are registered and shown by the ADBA, UKC and others. However, the fact that it is exhibited in large numbers and called a “breed” does NOT make it a “breed”: in fact, it is still a “mutt”. However, it does demonstrate why the ADBA, UKC and others promote the dogs as a “breed”, i.e., money, since it seems there is a fee for everything they do.
