Pit Bull.

Pit Bull. Pit Bull, name applied to any of several crossbreeds of dog that result from the crossing of bulldogs with terriers. In the United States, the most common breed of pit bull is the American pit bull terrier. Pit bulls were originally bred for the sports of bullbaiting and bearbaiting, and for the purpose of developing a brave, swift dog with a powerful bite to be used in the now illegal sport of dogfighting. Some breeders have crossed the American Staffordshire terrier with other breeds, especially the English bull terrier, yielding especially aggressive animals that are also called pit bulls. Pit bulls are athletic, well-muscled animals with a short, smooth coat. They may be any color. Despite their fierce reputation, pit bulls are not large dogs, ranging from 46 to 56 cm (18 to 22 in) tall and weighing from 20 to 40 kg (50 to 80 lb). Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.