Hilltop Bulldog Kennels

A Brief History of the Pitbull

A powerful, intelligent, loyal, versatile breed he has in recent times been subjected to unfair stereotype as being overly aggressive and dangerous. The fact is the American Pit bull Terrier does posses a feisty and spirited nature, the history of the breed reveals a complex mix of temperament and other traits and the finer of these through intelligent breeding created a dog that is the envy of his world.

Despite the registration of this breed in kennel clubs his “show type” is still a subject for debate in both amateur and professional shares. No one knows for sure his exact origin but a simple study and research in history reveals a lot. Most people believe that Spain, Ireland and England gave birth to the breed but a dog of such diversified build and other characteristics goes far beyond the Victorian times. The molossian tribe of ancient Greece created a few “ types” of dogs for the use of hunting, protection, companionship etc. they favored the use of robust, agile, muscular dogs in warfare, used to intimidate and attack their enemies.

When the Roman Emperor Claudius defeated the Briton chief in 50AD dogs and animal matching captured his interest. He wasted no time in exporting the Molissian bred dogs back home to satisfy his country men appetite for entertainment in the arenas and Roman coliseums.

Once in Rome the British dogs were cross bred with their roman counter parts and between 50AD to 500 AD the cross bred dogs were widely used throughout the roman empire mainly in warfare and in fighting. As time passed the Romans bred other indigenous dog breeds into their prized crossbred dogs.

This created what I call a “genetic cocktail” Known now as the historical Bulldog (now extinct and not to be mistaken for today’s short legged extra short face British bulldog.). This now extinct breed is claimed to be bred to the old English Terrier ( also extinct) to create a unique twist to his abilities, this new breed of the two is believed to be the direct ancestor of today’s American Pit bull Terrier.

Blood Sports
Bull baiting in England began when in 1066 when the Normans people invaded England , and gained control of their main lands. The bulldogs of those times were used to wrestle down cattle and other live stock, but cattle was the main stay of his duty hence the name bulldog.

These dogs would literally clamp down on the shoulder, nose, and ears of the raging bull and exhaust it into submission in order for the butcher or farmer to gain control of it. Like most dog owners today the butchers were proud of their dogs and their undying willingness to take down much larger animals . Not long after, public displays of these dogs took place, the focus shifted from the farms and slaughter house, he became a source of entertainment for the locals which quickly gained popularity .

Each butcher/ breeder created his own type as most dogs in those days were not standard in look, their size and cosmetic features varied a bit, but function was the key. In 1866 bull baiting was banned and the people turned to a different type of entertainment They placed two dogs in a pit ( usually an eight × ten ft. wooden box ), filled that with as much rats as possible and see how many rats each dog can catch in a given time.  

This proved to be boring and at times the dogs would fight one another for space etc. this unfortunately caught on and in no time the matching of dog against dog took the stage light. The sad reality is that till this day dog fights continue in the underworld which is right under our noses in many parts of the world… the rest is a modern day nightmare.

For the critics of this breed out there who choose to see and speak of the few unfortunate incidents and the others who for the sake of selling a few thousand extra news papers per. day, who sees the breed in blurs but completely blind to the lives these dogs saved and loved, for their heroic roles in law enforcement and their ability to forgive and love again when thoughtless people betrayed his trust and loyalty.

I ask you who is the real monster ? For the dog is what we want him to be, before we judge every dog of his breed and type, before we pass judgment on him because of his history or the way he looks, let us take into account the history of humanity and judge ourselves first. When it comes to animal abuse and dog fighting the real monster is the one with two legs on the other end of the leash.

Having said that for those who fancy this breed please be responsible, there is a growing industry in k9 aggression training, this should only be done by trained professionals, not by back yard trainers. A dog properly trained in bite work is not an aggressive dog so look at what trainers and producing and use better judgment when employing the services of a trainer.

Our dogs are bred and built for function first appearance comes second. If you want a dog whose elbows are sticking out and paws that look like a duck’s webbed feet that gives the “ tough dog” look, you won’t find them here. If you want a dog that would give you his all for half hour to 45 minutes of fun then you have to send him to the vet for joint problems, then there is a lot of those out there.

If you want a dog that will go all out on a run, jump a full 10 to 15 minutes, use the spring pole until you get tired of watching, decoy for a full 1 and a half hours plus without fatigue, and you can keep your vet money for another time.

Then we may have something that would interest you. But remember responsible ownership is top priority lets keep a positive pit bull society.

Learn more about pit bull history at www.WorkingPitbull.com

Help fight BSL - visit the PitBullRegistry

Report dog fighting now and help bring criminals to justice.

1. Introduction
2. Bloodlines
3. Available Pups
4. Contact Us

Welcome to Our Site!

This site is dedicated to all American Pit bull Terriers and all pit bull lovers. A breed loved by many, misunderstood by most and hated by some the APBT has come a long way in the past centuries. A majestic breed indeed one of strength, loyalty, tenacity, agility, forgiveness, he brings joy to his loving owners. We at Hill Top Bulldog Kennels hold a 15 year testament to this breed. Our kennel is small and family managed.

Our breeding program is not an ongoing process we breed dogs mainly to carry on the next generation, to improve and to preserve our bloodline, most times we may have only one litter per year. All our dogs are tested twice per year for skin, hip, joint, cancer etc to ensure that when we do a breeding we produce dogs of sound health.

Past and Current Bloodlines

Bloodlines we had in the past include: Bolt, Psycho, Wharf, Kalibus, Mack all gone but never forgotten. Our current dogs are of true working stock and includes Camelot and sorrels bloodline. Our dogs being of preserved game type is performance breed not show bred ( show bred dog are bred to look as standard as possible while performance or game bred dogs vary in dimensions and general appearance but clearly has more drive and functional ability) having said that firm handling is a must, they may look like the pit bull you may know but boy o boy they can be a handful.

My aim is to create a dog that gives merit to his ancestors, a dog which can easily give you a 5 mile of jogging without showing any sign of exhaustion, one that embodies all the traits he was historically known for, a loving family member and every intruders worst nightmare, highly intelligent, easy to train and more than willing to please his masters, a dog with no history of heart, skin, joint, hip, and eye problems one of sound temperament, bred for living a full healthy life.  

 Available Puppies

Please read: Our dogs carry an unreal drive, they are very powerful and all game, they make very good family pets. Ours are hand raised and demand love whenever they are awake ( which is most times) They love sweet talk, wink eye, kisses and hugs. Please don’t laugh!! But they give you all that in return too. I expect that those wishing to buy any dog off my yard gives the same level of respect, care, love and exercise as my family and myself do.

  

Females

Miss Phoenix "Sire = Jeep, Boomerang Dam = Camelot" Phoenix Sire is a Jeep son out of a Boomerang daughter. Phoenix Dam is old Camelot blood. Average weight : 85lbs	The Red Gremlin aka Jewel "Joseph’s Tyson X Joseph’s Tyra" Jewel’s bloodline is of Mozart’s blood which comes from sorrells blood. She is a 5th generation game bred dog . Average weight : 56 lbs

Males

The Bronx " Joseph’s Tyson X Joseph’s Tyra " ( 5 months old in photo) Bronx is the littermate of  The Red Gremlin aka Jewel He is very  powerful and athletic he carries that classic “V” shape body  that the guys from the old school  knows about, one tough and loving dog. Average weight : 80 lbs

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Some Common Pit Bull Myths

• The pit bull has a locking jaw

       Fact.  There is nothing unique about a pit bull’s jaw, this has been proven many times by veterinarians, and other scientist. Pit bulls were bred with a lot of drive and gameness. Bred to never give up they are one of the last true gripping dogs so really it’s a mental state which drives his bite. 

• I heard if you don’t feed them on time they can turn on its owner 

       Fact.  I have owned pitbulls for the past 15 years and have tried this theory myself on many occasions. I must say I am healthy, very much alive and have never been bitten or growled at by any of my dogs. I had 13 adult pitbulls all at one time and did this … all is well. Also I allow them to lick the blood off my cuts just to see how far they’ll go, all I got was affection. I hope that answers this question. 

• I gave away my pit bull because my wife and I are expecting a baby

       Fact. Pit bulls are very intelligent, hence an intelligent answer would be to seek professional k9 consultation and training if needed to introduce your baby to the dog.  In this way your pet would recognize the baby as the dominant one.

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Breeding

Hilltop Bulldogs  Miss Phoenix	Hilltop Bulldog Kennels The Bronx
Male Puppies	Male Puppies
Female Puppies	Female Puppies
Female Puppies	Hilltop's Red Gremlin
Female Puppies	Hilltop's Red Gremlin

Prospects of puppies: Both two breeding would produce exceptional dogs that would complement any worthy family and for working competition, ideally my preference would be individuals who would train and compete these dogs to excel in sporting events as those traits are testament to the parents, they possess high drive, strength, toughness, functional working build, intelligence, stable temperament and athletic abilities only serious individuals need to inquire on sale. Other information, pictures and video of the dogs of these two breeding and others would be done in an updated version of this site which takes place from time to time.

• Important Note from Hilltop Bulldog Kennels
  We are interested in producing and maintaining our stock and preserving our type.  We in no way condone dog fighting and animal abuse all together, if  you want a fighting dog see a psychiatrist and get help.  None of our dogs are used or sold for any illegal purposes.
• Our Puppies go to loving homes at $3000  and we do have adults for sale at times. What to expect from these bad boys:  If you’re looking for a correctly built American Pit Bull Terrier  then this is where performance, size  and conformation meets. These litters show lots of determination, prey drive and athleticism even at 4 weeks old ! 

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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.

Even though the APBT has historically been bred to excel in combat with other dogs, a well-bred APBT has a rock-steady temperament and, contrary to popular belief, is NOT inherently aggressive towards humans. However, as adults, some APBTs may show aggression towards other dogs. This fact, along with the APBT's strength and determination, should be taken into account when considering if the APBT is the right breed for you. As with any companion dog, socialization and consistent fair-minded training is a must from a very early age

There are several types of dogs that are commonly called "Pit Bulls." Primarily, these are the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AST), and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (SBT). All three of these dogs share common ancestry but have been subsequently bred emphasizing different breeding criteria. Due to this divergence, some people feel that they are now different breeds. Others choose to view them as different "strains" of the same breed. Neither view is wrong, as it comes down to how one defines what a "breed" is. This FAQ is primarily about the American Pit Bull Terrier, specifically those dogs of relatively recent game-bred ancestry.

Although the precise origin of the APBT is not known, we can reliably trace its roots back at least one hundred and fifty years or so [1] to England. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries the sport of bull-baiting was very much alive and dogs were bred to excel in this endeavor. The same type of dog was also used by hunters to catch game and by butchers and farmers to bring down unruly cattle. These dogs were called "bulldogs." Historically, the word "Bulldog" did not mean a specific breed of dog per say, but rather it was applied to descendants of the ancient Mastiff- type dogs that excelled in the task of bull-baiting.

The "bulldogs" of yester century were much different from it’s descendants , and should not be confused with, the loveable clowns of the show ring today. The old, performance-bred, working bulldog was closer in phenotype and spirit to the APBT and/or the modern American Bulldog. The use of the word "bulldog" applied to APBT's persists even today among APBT fanciers.

When bull-baiting was outlawed in England in 1835 the sport of matching two dogs against one another in combat rose in popularity to fill the void. One point of contention about the history of the APBT is whether these pit fighting dogs were essentially a new breed of dog specially created for this popular pastime. Some authors, notably Richard Stratton, have theorized that the APBT is essentially the same breed as the Renaissance bull-baiting dogs, largely unmixed with any other kind of dog, specifically terriers. These authors consider the present name, American Pit Bull Terrier, a double misnomer, since, in their view, the breed is not of American origin and is not a terrier.

They explain the popular attribution of the breed's origin to a cross between bull-baiters and terriers as a retrospective confusion with the breeding history of the English Bull Terrier, which is a totally distinct breed that was never successful at pit fighting but whose origin is well-documented. Other authors who have researched the topic, such as Dr. Carl Semencic, argue that the APBT is indeed the product of a cross between bull-baiting dogs and terriers and that the breed simply did not exist in its current form during the Renaissance.

They would argue that when we think of the terriers in the APBT's ancestry, we should not envision modern-day show dogs like Yorkshire Terriers, but instead working terriers (probably now extinct) that were bred for great tenacity in hunting. The problem of proof, which hangs over the discussion of any early breed history, is compounded in this case by the extreme secrecy of the breeders of pit dogs.In the 19th century pedigrees, if committed to paper at all, were not divulged, since every breeder feared letting his rivals in on the secrets of his success and replicating it. In any case, by no later than the mid-19th century, the breed had acquired all of the essential characteristics for which it is still prized today: its awesome athletic abilities, its peerless gameness, and its easy-going temperament.

But now that the vast majority of APBTs are no longer performance-bred to the traditional pit standard (understandably, since the traditional performance test, the pit contest itself, is now a felony), the American axiom of "Bigger is Better" has taken over in the breeding practices of the many neophyte breeders who joined the bandwagon of the dog's popularity in the 1980s. This has resulted in a ballooning of the average size of APBTs in the last 15 years--a harmful phenomenon for the breed, in our opinion. Another, less visible modification of the breed since the 19th century was the selective intensification of genetically programmed fighting styles (such as front-end specialists, stifle specialists, etc.), as performance breeding became more sophisticated under competitive pressures. In spite of these changes, there has been a remarkable continuity in the breed for more than a century.

Photos from a century ago show dogs indistinguishable from the dogs being bred today. Although, as in any performance breed, you will find a certain lateral (synchronic) variability in phenotype across different lines, you will nevertheless find uncanny chronological continuity in these types across decades. There are photos of pit dogs from the 1860s that are phenotypic ally (and, to judge by contemporary descriptions of pit matches, constitutionally) identical to the APBTs of today.

Throughout the 19th century, these dogs were known by a variety of names. "Pit Terriers", "Pit Bull Terriers", "Half and Half's", "Staffordshire Fighting Dogs", "Old Family Dogs" (the Irish name), "Yankee Terriers" (the Northern name), and "Rebel Terriers" (the Southern name) to name a few. In 1898, a man by the name of Chauncy Bennet formed the United Kennel Club (UKC) for the sole purpose of registering "Pit Bull Terriers" as the American Kennel Club wanted nothing to do with them. Originally, he added the word "American" to the name and dropped "Pit". This didn't please all of the people so later the word "Pit" was added back to the name in parentheses as a compromise. The parentheses were then removed from the name about 15 years ago. All other breeds that are registered with UKC were accepted into the UKC after the APBT. Another registry of APBTs is the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA) which was started in September, 1909 by Guy McCord.

Now under the stewardship of the Greenwood family, the ADBA continues to register only APBTs and is more in tune with the APBT as a breed than the UKC. The ADBA does sponsor conformations shows, but more importantly, it sponsors weight pulling competitions which test a dogs strength, stamina, and heart. It also publishes a quarterly magazine dedicated to the APBT called the American Pit Bull Terrier. A fun-loving, forgiving temperament, the breed was rightly considered an excellent dog for families with small children. Even if most of them couldn't identify the breed by name, kids of the Lil Rascals generation wanted a companion just like "Pete the Pup". During the First World War, there was an American propaganda poster that represented the rival European nations with their national dogs dressed in military uniforms; and in the center representing the United States was an APBT declaring in a caption below: "I'm neutral, but not afraid of any of them."

Since 1936, due to different breeding goals, the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier have diverged in both phenotype and spirit/temperament, although both, ideally, continue to have in common an easy-going, friendly disposition. [2] Some folks in the fancy feel that after 60 years of breeding for different goals, these two dogs are now entirely different breeds. Other people choose to view them as two different strains of the same breed (working and show). Either way, the gap continues to widen as breeders from both sides of the fence consider it undesirable to interbreed the two. To the untrained eye, ASTs may look more impressive and fearsome, with a larger and more blocky head, with bulging jaw muscles, a wider chest and thicker neck. In general, however, they aren't nearly as "game" or athletic as game-bred APBTs.

Because of the standardization of their conformation for show purposes, ASTs tend to look alike, to a much greater degree than APBTs do. APBTs have a much wider phenotypical range, since the primary breeding goal, until fairly recently, has been not to produce a dog with a certain "look" but to produce one capable of winning pit contests, in which the looks of a dog counted for nothing. There are some game-bred APBTs that are practically indistinguishable from typical ASTs, but in general they are leaner, leggier, and lighter on their toes and have more stamina, agility, speed, and explosive power.

Today, the APBT is still used (underground and illegally) as a fighting dog in the United States; pit matches also take place in other countries where there are no laws or where the existing laws are not enforced. However, the vast majority of APBT's--even within the kennels of breeders who breed for fighting ability--never see any action in the pit. Instead they are loyal, loving, companion dogs and family pets. One activity that has really grown in popularity among APBT fanciers is weight pulling contests. Weight-pulls retain something of the spirit of competition of the pit fighting world, but without the blood or sorrow. The APBT is ideally suited for these contests, in which the refusal to quit counts for as much as brute strength.

Currently, APBTs hold world records in several weight classes. I have seen one 60-lb. APBT pull a mini-van! Even my dogs at home drag along a near 300 lb half barrel oil drum filled with water and concrete weight (no wheels) Another activity that the APBT is ideally suited for is agility competition, where its athleticism and determination can be widely appreciated. Some APBTs have been trained and done well in Schutzhund sport; these dogs excel in every arena in dog sports.

The Historical "Bulldog". A far cry from the breed called "bulldog" today by kennel clubs. He is believed to be the direct ancestor of the American Pit bull Terrier and many strains of Apbts today may show signs of his physical makeup." This is one of the original baiting dogs. Look at his physical make up he’s not too heavy and not too light, a perfectly bred bull baiter. ( this is an original drawing by Victorian artist back in those days).

This ancient breed is commonly considered to be the ancestor of today's Mastiff-type dogs and of many other modern breeds. Mastiff-type dogs are often referred to as Molossus dogs or Molossers. It is one of the best-known breeds of Greco-Roman antiquity; however, its physical characteristics and function are debated. Though the Molossus breed no longer exists in its original form, it is noted as being instrumental in the development of modern breeds such as the St. Bernard, Rottweiler, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, and Bernese Mountain Dog.

Some scholars contend that the Molossus was a dog used by the Greeks for fighting. They describe it as having a wide, short muzzle and a heavy dewlap (similar to modern Mastiff breeds) that was used to fight tigers, lions, elephants, and men in battle. They consider the Molossus a forefather of the Neapolitan Mastiff, even though this Italian mastiff breed is only around 50 years old.

Others argue that it was primarily a lightweight dog used for hunting and herding with physical characteristics more akin to Greyhounds or possibly the versatile Catahoula Leopard Dog.

Most scholars agree the Molossus originated with the Molossis people in the mountainous regions of northwest Greece and Southern Albania before the Common Era. The Molossians, an ancient Hellenic tribe, were renowned for their vicious hounds, which were used by Molossian shepherds of Epirus in the mountains of northwestern Greece to guard their flocks. The poet Grattius, a contemporary of Ovid, writes "...when serious work has come, when bravery must be shown, and the impetuous War-god calls in the utmost hazard, then you could not but admire the renowned Molossians so much."

The breed was a native to Greece and the rest of the Balkans, it later migrated to Italy and other places of the Greek World by Hellenic tribes who started to colonize in various regions of the world. Virgil says that in ancient Greece the heavier Molossian dogs were often used by the Greeks and Romans for hunting (canis venaticus) and to watch over the house and livestock (canis pastoralis). "Never, with them on guard," says Virgil, "need you fear for your stalls a midnight thief, or onslaught of wolves, or Iberian brigands at your back"...

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Email: sieunarinemaharaj@yahoo.com

Tel: (868) 360-7397

Country: Trinidad and Tobago