10/13/2026
NOPE! I LOVE PIT BULLS BUT THIS IS ROMANTICIZED FOLKLORE MASQUERADING AS HISTORICAL FACT. Nothing but a persistent historical myth.
No dog should be entrusted with unsupervised childcare, regardless of the breed.
~ People really should check their facts. Takes 30 second! ~ 🤬
Now let's be clear Pit Bulls are extremely affectionate, loyal (and often goofy) family dogs. I have worked with a lot of them and as I said, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!
But, here's what the research shows:
1. Pit bulls were never historically established as “nanny dogs.”
There is no credible historical evidence that American Pit Bull
Terriers were bred or routinely employed to supervise children.
2. The nickname originated elsewhere. A frequently cited early
reference comes from 1971, when Lilian Rant of the Staffordshire
Bull Terrier Club of America described Staffordshire Bull Terriers
as nursemaid dogs. That's a different breed, and the historical
claim itself remains unsubstantiated.
3. The distinction matters. Pit bulls have a documented history
involving bull-baiting and dog-fighting -to no fault of their own-
alongside a history as affectionate family companions. Both are
true. (American Kennel Club)
4. Even pit bull advocates reject the myth. The Pit Bull Federation of
South Africa explicitly debunks the claim and emphasizes that no
dog should be entrusted with unsupervised childcare.
