The sign says "Pit Bull puppy for sale". Do you say, "Oh, boy!" or "Oh, no!"?
This dog is as controversial as any in the world of dogs. To some, a Pit Bull puppy means more people get to see what wonderful pets they are. To others, it's a sign of trouble.
The bottom line is this: dogs named pit bulls have gained a nasty reputation of late, and many municipalities would like nothing better than to have none inside their borders. True, in the past many a Pit Bull puppy has wound up in the hideously cruel sport of dog fighting. Such fighting has long since been outlawed, but today seeing a Pit Bull puppy reminds some folks of its dangers because a handful of owners have trained them to be vicious, going as far as to use them to protect illegal operations. Unfortunately, some are still used in illegal sport.
Leaving all that aside, the sight of a Pit Bull puppy is a good thing for many who appreciate this breed, and there are many. The United Kennel Club (U.K.C.), the second largest such breed organization in the U.S., recognizes the American Pit Bull Terrier as a breed. The American Kennel Club (A.K.C.) does not. However, the American Staffordshire Terrier, one of the breeds whose blood flows through the veins of the Pit Bull, is recognized by both the AKC and the UKC.
So the average Pit Bull puppy is born into controversy, especially because of one breed trait: "gameness". Breed aficionados claim the Pit Bull's elevated tenacity, drive and determination -- its "gameness" -- is to be preserved and celebrated. Breed detractors claim this trait is what makes them dangerous to humans and other dogs. Legendary are the stories of Pit Bulls who get something in their mouths and will not let go at any cost. In fact, even the breed's biggest supporters believe a responsible owner always keeps a "break stick" at hand to pry open a Pit Bull's jaws if necessary.
After all, these are strong, compact muscular dogs. See a new Pit Bull puppy and it is hard to imagine it will grow into a 35-60 lb. muscular working dog that can be used as a stock dog, for protection and even in war. 
Many a Pit Bull puppy may also be destined for sports such as "schutzhund", a competition that tests the obedience, training and protection skills of many breeds of dogs. But, more often than not, the fate of a Pit Bull puppy is to be a family pet and watchdog.
Some Pit Bull puppies went on to stardom. Breed supporters point to some famous representatives of the breed:
- Nipper, the RCA "his master's voice" dog;
- Tige, the dog inside Buster Brown brand shoes;
- Petey, the canine member of the Our Gang comedies;
- And Jack, the frontier dog from the Laura Ingles Wilder "Little House" books.
So, should you run the other way when you hear of a Pit Bull puppy in the neighborhood? Most likely not. One thing that most knowledgeable dog people agree on is that much of the bad press the American Pit Bull has received of late is due primarily to what their owners trained them to do.
