Breeds known as fighting dogs, such as pit bulls and bull terriers, are feared by many people. After all, they are generally considered to be aggressive and biting, which is regularly confirmed by news reports of attacks on humans.
In the following, we will explain where the term fighting dog came from and whether so-called fighting dog breeds are actually particularly dangerous.
In the past, dog fighting has long been a popular form of entertainment. The four-legged friends had to fight against each other as well as against other animals such as wild boars or bulls. At some point, people began to specifically develop breeds that were ideally suited for use as fighting dogs. The animals had to be combative and insensitive to pain. At the same time, they were not meant to be aggressive towards humans.
The breeds originally bred as fighting dogs include, for example, the bull terrier from England or the American pit bull terrier, which emerged from crosses between bulldogs and terriers. Another fighting dog breed is the Japanese Tosa Inu. However, these were not bred for dog fighting in the traditional sense. Instead, the animals competed against each other in a kind of wrestling match in which they had to wrestle their opponent to the ground. They were not allowed to bite or growl.
Dog fighting was banned in Britain in 1835. The other industrialised nations gradually followed suit, so that since the early 20th century it has been illegal in most countries to have dog fights.
The term “fighting dog” is still widespread for some of the breeds that were created at that time and is often used as a synonym for supposedly dangerous dogs.
For so-called fighting dogs, which are classified as dangerous by the authorities, there are a number of restrictions by law. For example, certain breeds may not be imported into Germany, or only under very specific conditions.
Apart from that, almost all federal states have their own breeds lists, in which further dog breeds that are considered dangerous are listed. These include the Dogo Argentino, the Mastiff, the American Bulldog, the Rottweiler and the Bullmastiff.
The keeping of these four-legged friends can be tied to various conditions that include, for example, passing an exam, the dog wearing a muzzle and leash in public and the obligation to castrate the dog. In addition, many municipalities charge a significantly higher dog tax for fighting dogs, which prospective owners should definitely keep in mind when thinking of acquiring such a dog.
So-called fighting dog breeds such as pit bulls and bull terriers generally have a very bad reputation. This is primarily due to the fact that biting attacks have repeatedly occurred in recent years, which are often accompanied by very serious injuries.
With this in mind, it is perfectly understandable that breeds known as fighting dogs are considered aggressive and dangerous by the general public. However, the animals do not generally pose a danger. In fact, breeds like the Bull Terrier turn out to be very peaceful creatures that are usually friendly towards people.
Of course, this only applies if the animals are treated well, brought up sensibly and occupied according to their needs. An under-challenged fighting dog that is neglected and perhaps even beaten will inevitably develop behavioural problems that can sooner or later turn into aggression.
This does not only apply to fighting dogs, but to all breeds, even if the consequences of a dog bite are of course all the more serious the stronger the animal in question is.
Although dogs are not generally prone to aggression just because they belong to a so-called fighting dog breed, they differ quite significantly from other dogs in terms of their nature. Training certain dog breeds requires a bit more consistency and experience to avoid undesirable behaviours.
Especially newcomers to dog ownership should therefore refrain from these breeds and instead opt for the purchase of a dog that is suitable for beginners. After all, it is always the owner's responsibility to ensure that the four-legged friend does not pose a danger to other dogs or even people.
As you can see, just because a dog is a fighting dog it is not necessarily dangerous. If you facilitate the right dog training from an early age and treat the animal well, even a four-legged friend like a pit bull will become a peaceful and loyal friend for life.
However, when purchasing a listed dog, you should consider that special conditions may apply to the keeping of such an animal and that the dog tax is often significantly higher than for other dogs.
