For more than a century, the Pit Bull has been praised by some people as an excellent multi-purpose dog: companion dog, fighting dog, watchdog, climbing dog, weight-pulling dog, working dog, athletic dog, and even tracking dog. Its patience with humans and strong desire for human contact are often cited as the reasons it can also serve as a good companion. At the same time, its unyielding willpower and remarkable endurance are what made it famous as a working, competitive, and fighting dog. The breed originated in the nineteenth century and was mainly developed from dogs such as the American Staffordshire-type dog and the American Bulldog. It is often described as a valuable breed with a balanced body, strong muscles, a very clever mind, firm willpower, astonishing endurance, and good cleanliness habits.
Pit Bulls are often described as being smarter than average dogs, which is presented as one reason they can dominate in canine confrontations. For a dog, strength and courage alone are not enough. The Pit Bull is only a medium-sized dog. If it wants to defeat dogs many times larger than itself, what matters most is a thinking brain and high sensitivity. Because of that, many owners say it is easy to train a Pit Bull to be obedient.
The Pit Bull's emotional expression is also considered subtle by supporters of the breed. Its gentle eyes can soften human sadness, disappointment, and loneliness. A thinking mind and an expressive face are sometimes said to make it one of the most human-like dog breeds in the world. A Pit Bull can clearly show happiness, anger, sorrow, and joy. When dissatisfied, it may turn away from people and refuse to cooperate. Its high intelligence also makes it difficult for others to trick it into giving up a favorite toy. That is one reason some people find the breed so appealing.
The Pit Bull's friendly and loyal attitude toward humans is also something its admirers emphasize. In their view, few breeds can replace it in this regard. They believe its delicate emotional connection to people and gentle personality are part of what makes it special.