Attack dog

War and fighting dogs

In ancient Rome, was allowed in the arena dogs against bears, lions and even gladiators fight. According to figures on Trajan's Column attack dogs were used by the Molossertyp by soldiers of the Roman legions against the enemy.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, dog fighting had their heyday. In the arenas all sorts of races competed and warred against not only dogs, but also against other animals such as badgers, wolves, wild boars, bears, lions and bulls. Since the fight, the Bulldogs, quickly and without bloodshed to bite into the enemy and not let go, let miss the thrill of a bloody biting for viewers Terriers were bred. Hence the so-called " Bull -and- Terrier" developed. The result was a body and bite energetic dogs with the temperament and the rapidity of terriers, insensitive to pain in the fight, with great perseverance, courage (English " courage" ) and unconditional " bravery ", also known as " fighting spirit " or " fighting spirit " means ( engl. " gameness " ), optionally doggedly fought to the own death. When fighting in the arena (English pit, hence the name Pit Bull and American Pit Bull Terrier) was the owner of the winner easily win a monthly salary or more.

The dogs were allowed during a dog fight any aggression towards people show ( " reliability " ), as in a regular fight three people were (one referee and two seconds Danten ) with in the battle arena and had to be touched and uplifted during the fighting dogs.

A special feature are the dog fights in Japan dar. The breed was produced in the early 19th century, especially for those fights. Here the dogs did not fight with Fang and his teeth, special, it was the opponent as with the sumo wrestlers gets physical down to wrestle. Biting and growling even led to the disqualification.

On September 9, 1835 dog fighting was banned in England and Wales, the late 19th and early 20th century in most other industrialized countries. Since there is no legal breeding of dogs for use in dog fights more. The term attack dog for the mentioned breeds therefore generally reflects historical realities of the 18th and 19th centuries, which is currently available only in the illegal environment.