Do Pit Bulls Have Locking Jaws?
If you compare the skull of a Pit Bull skull to a skull of any other dog breed, they don’t have any unique locking mechanism or bone structure that allows them to “lock” their jaws. They are determined, so if they bite onto something, it may seem that they have locked jaws, but in reality, it’s just their nature.
American Bulldog vs Pitbull Terrier – Protectiveness
Both American Bulldogs and Pitbull Terriers are known for being loyal and protective of their family.
American Bulldogs tend to be more laid back, while Pitbull Terriers are more high-energy. American Bulldogs are also known for being patient with children, while Pitbull Terriers can be too much for small children.
When it comes to loyalty and guardianship, both American Bulldogs and Pitbull Terriers are excellent choices. These breeds are both known for their protective instincts.
However, American Bulldogs are typically more reserved with strangers than Pitbull Terriers.
American Bulldog vs Pitbull History
One way to tell the differences between a Pit Bull and Bulldog is by looking at its history and origins.
The American Bulldog (AB) can trace its roots to the English Bulldog. Working-class immigrants brought their old English Bulldogs to the United States in the 1800s to help with many tasks, including farm guardians, herding dogs, and hunting dogs.
This breed’s original purpose was personal and property protection and to be a useful tool for the small farmers and ranchers in handling (catching) large animals such as cattle and hogs.
By the end of World War II, the breed was almost extinct. Still, some dedicated breeders, particularly in the southern states, decided to keep the breed alive as family companion dogs rather than farm dogs.
The breed was not called a Bulldog because of its looks but because they were part of the English sport known as bull-baiting, which involved tethering a bull to a stake in the ground and encouraging dogs to try to bite the bull’s nose.
According to the United Kennel Club, The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) was created by crossbreeding Old English Bulldogs and terriers to produce a dog that combined the strength of the Bulldog with the gameness and agility of the Terrier.1
The Pit Bull Terrier also gained popularity in the British Isles for the sport of bull-baiting. Once bull-baiting was outlawed, the APBT was used for dogfighting and ratting, a betting sport where people bet to see whose Pit Bull could kill the most rats in the least amount of time.
Immigrants brought these bull-and-terrier crosses to the United States. As these cruel sports became less popular, the APBT talents did not go unnoticed. Pit Bull Terriers became farm dogs and family companions.
The “Pit” in Pit Bull comes from ratting, as the rats were placed into a pit so they could not escape.
Bulldog VS Pitbull- Which Breed is Best For You?
Are you wondering if the American Bulldog is the same as a Pitbull? It’s easy to mistaken American Bulldogs for Pitbulls. While both share some similarities on the surface, they are completely different breeds. However, most people don’t know how to tell them apart.
But don’t worry, below we cover the main differences between the Pitbull and American Bulldog so you can finally tell them apart and help you decide which breed is a better fit for your family.
We teach you everything about the American Bulldog and Pit Bull, including a side-by-side comparison of their main characteristics, including temperament, personality, history, size, strength, and more so you can decide who would win your heart. Let’s dive right in!