Which dogs created the APBT?

Look, a breed standaed for the Yankee Terrier, circa 1932

Dog World: Dec 1932
“Yankee Standard”

Herewith is the latest revised standard as of November 1, 1932, for the Yankee Terrier. This standard has been written by Will Judy, editor of Dog World.

General Impression * that of a well put together dog, not long legged or racy in outline, tight skinned, muscular but graceful, strong in spirit and in body, keenly alive to his surroundings.

Head * medium length, bricklike in shape, skull flat, ears rather high set, prominent cheeks, no wrinkles. Stop prominent but not abrupt.

Ears * cropped or uncropped, the latter preferred. Uncropped ears should be short, set high, and free from excessive wrinkling.

Eyes * dark and round. Low down in skull, set far apart, corners in a line at right angles with stop.

Muzzle * square, wide and deep, somewhat rounded on upper side. Jaws well defined, under jaw strong and of biting power. Lips closed and even, no looseness. Upper teeth to meet tightly outside lower teeth in front. Nose black with wide and open nostrils.

Neck * heavy, slightly arched and with taper from shoulders to back of skull. No looseness of skin.

Shoulders * strong, muscular, with blades wide and sloping.

Back * fairly short, slightly sloping from withers to rump, with gentle slope at rump to base of tail. Loins slightly tucked.

Body * well spring ribs, deep in rear ribs, all ribs close together. Chest deep but not too broad. Tail, short in comparison to size, low set, tapering to a fine point, not curled or held over the back, not docked.

Legs * large, or round bone; pasterns upright; no semblance of bend in front. Long thighs. Hocks well let down, turning neither in nor out. Feet of moderate size, well arched and compact. Gait must be springy but without roll or pace.

Coat * short, close, stiff to the touch, glossy.

Color * any color is permissible except all white, all black or more than 90% white or black.

Weight * for males from 45 to 60 pounds, for bitches 40 to 55 pounds.

 

"They are serviceable against the fox and the badger, to drive tame and wild swine out of the meadows, pastures and places planted with fruit, to bait and take the bull by the ear, when occasion so require. One dog or two at the utmost, sufficient for that purpose to be bull never so furious, never so stern, never so untameable. For it is this kind of dog capable of courage, violent and valiant, striking cold fear into the hearts of men, but standing in fear of no man, in so much that no weapons will make his shrink, nor abridge his boldness.

Or English men to the intent that their dogs might be the more fell and fierce assist nature with arte, use and custom, for they teach their dogs to bait the bear, to bait the bull and other such like cruel and bloody beasts without any collar to defend their throats, and sometimes they train them in fighting and wrestling with a man having for the safeguard of his life, either a pikestaff a club or a sword and by using them to such exercises as these, their dogs become more sturdy and strong. The force which is in them surmounts all belief, the fast hold which they take with their teeth exceeds all credit, three of them against a bear, four against a lion are sufficient, both to master them or utterly to outmatch them. And thus much concerning English dogs."

(written around 1570)

 

I have to believe there's a lot more decent and poignant input to be had on this particular thread than for it to just die. Someone step up.

 

I'd say there's little to no doubt it's ever evolving at least some.