You’ve seen the memes: a vintage photo of a kid and a pit bull with the caption, “Pit bulls were called ‘nanny dogs’ in the 1800s.” It’s a super wholesome idea, but... plot twist: it’s almost completely false. I know, right? The real story is way more interesting and complicated.
First, let's get the timeline straight. The American Kennel Club (AKC) didn’t recognize pit bulls in 1898. It was actually the United Kennel Club (UKC), a brand new organization at the time, that first registered the American Pit Bull Terrier. The AKC waited until 1936, and even then, they insisted on calling them “Staffordshire Terriers” to distance them from their fighting past.
These dogs, originally bred in the UK for the brutal sports of bull-baiting and dog fighting, were bred to be tough and fearless with other animals. But here’s the key: they were also bred to be incredibly friendly with people. Handlers had to be able to get into the pit and manage their dogs without getting bitten, so human aggression was a major no-go.
When immigrants brought these dogs to America, they became the ultimate all-purpose farm dogs. They guarded livestock, helped on hunts, and were loyal family companions. They were so beloved they literally became an American icon. 🇺🇸
They were America’s mascot in WWI posters, and a pit bull named Sergeant Stubby became a decorated war hero. They starred in movies and TV shows, most famously as Petey the dog in The Little Rascals. Famous figures like Theodore Roosevelt, Helen Keller, and Mark Twain all owned and loved them. They were, for a time, the all-American dog.
So where did the “nanny dog” thing come from? The term is actually super recent. The first time anything like it appeared in print was a 1971 New York Times article that called Staffordshire Bull Terriers (a related but different breed) “nursemaid dogs.” The idea that Victorians left their babies with pit bulls is a modern myth, likely started by well-meaning advocates trying to fight the breed’s negative stigma.
The truth is, while these dogs were trusted and loved family members, no one in the 1800s was using *any* dog as a “nanny.” That’s just not a thing. The danger of the myth is that it suggests you can leave any dog alone with a child, which is never safe. All dog and kid interactions need supervision, period. 💯
So, were they loving family pets? Absolutely. Were they literally called “nanny dogs”? Nope. The real history is that they were celebrated as heroes and companions, a far cry from the stereotypes we see today. And that’s a story worth sharing. ✨
The History of Pit Bulls - Love-A-Bull
The ‘Nanny Dog’ Myth: Separating Fact from Fiction - Medium
American Staffordshire Terrier History - American Kennel Club
