PITBULL
pit bull, also called American Pit Bull Terrier or Pit Bull Terrier, fighting dog developed in 19th-century England, Scotland, and Ireland from bulldog and terrier ancestry for hunting, specifically capturing and restraining semi-feral livestock. The name has been applied historically to several breeds of dogs—including the bull terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier—but it is not recognized as a distinct breed by the American Kennel Club. The United Kennel Club, however, first recognized the breed, which it calls the American Pit Bull Terrier, in 1898. The American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA)—whose primary focus is fostering the positive features of the American Pit Bull Terrier, such as its loyalty, dedication, and athleticism—also recognizes the breed.