Famous American Pit Bull Terriers

Pit bulls were once a sign of dignity and strength to the United States and for the people therein. The never-quit attitude that they held was a statement towards the United States. They were once posted in advertisements, on magazines, and in movies.

Today, people fear the breed. They fear the myths surrounding the breed. They fear the bad reputation surrounding the breed.

They were once, highly dignified and loved.

Popsicle is the number one US customs dog. She was found in a freezer during a drug raid by Buffalo police in 1997. They found Popsicle as a 5 month old puppy, who quickly became a favorite. He graduated his training at the Canine Enforcement Training Center in Front Royal, Virginia, and went to work with his handler, J.J., in Texas.

RCA is a certified hearing dog in Alaska

Tahoe, Cheyenne, and Dakota are all search and rescue dogs in Sacramento, California. The three pit bulls worked none stop at the World Trade Center and Pentagon after 9/11.

Bud was the first dog to travel cross country in 1903.

Sergeant Stubby died on March 16, 1926, as a hero, yet today, many people do not know who he is. Sergeant Stubby is the most decorated dog in military history, and the only dog to have been promoted during battle. He fought for 18 months in the trenches for France during WW1 for 17 battles. Stubby warned his fellow soldiers of gas attacks, located wounded soldiers in No Man's Land, and listened for oncoming artillery rounds. He was also responsible for the capture of a German spy at Argonne. After his time in the war, Stubby met Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren G. Harding. He was, also, made a life member of the American Legion, the Red Cross, and the YMCA.

Jack Brutus was another famous military dog. Although, he did not get nearly the publicity as Stubby, Jack Brutus was the the official mascot of Company K, First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was much larger than Stubby and was never smuggled anywhere with his troops (as Stubby had been). Jack Brutus died in 1898 of spinal troubles and constipation. He was much larger than the famous Sergeant Stubby but was definitely a pit bull type dog.

• Theodore Roosevelt
• Woodrow Wilson
• General George Patton
• Helen Keller
• Jamie Foxx
• Rachael Ray
• Jon Stewart
• Ken Howard
• Jessica Biel
• Jessica Alba
• Kevin Federline
• Pink
• And a few other celebrities

Pit bulls have come across the big screen as well as printed material with a BAM...

• Petey from The Little Rascals
• Tige- Buster Brown Shoe advertisements
• Life magazine- Many people don't realize the the American pit bull terrier is the only breed that has been on the cover of Times for three issues.
• Poster image for the U.S. during the 1900's. The American pit bull was the image people saw on various war posters, representing the country's strength and dignity

I just hope that the future of the great American pit bull terrier is as good as that before it. I hope that one day, we will again see the pit bull in advertisments not promoting BSL. I would like to see the pit bull in advertisments of strength, dignity, and loyalty, versus fury, terror, and rage.

Why can't we remember being kids and watching the "Little Rascals" and thinking how cute Petey is, and wanting a dog just like him? Versus run at the sight of a child playing with a pit bull...

Pictures can be found at flickr.com and Yahoo.