Pit Bull Terriers As Nanny Dogs - Separating Fact From Fiction

American Pit Bull Terriers are affectionate, cheerful and family-oriented dogs, although they are often sociable with strangers. The reason they used to be left alone with children is because this breed is especially attached to its family and is also patient with the little ones.

However, are Pit Bulls really Nanny Dogs? The answer is difficult. Some claim that the nickname or label of ‘Nanny Dog’ was first given to Pit Bull Terriers in the United States at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.

There is some controversy as the source for this is someone called Lillian Rant who was interviewed in a 1971 article. She told the story that Pit Bulls were kept as nanny dogs, but has been accused by anti-Pit Bull propagandists of fabricating this story to improve their public image. Since she was the leader of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier organization, it is believed she was trying to generate positive publicity.

There are many pictures of aristocratic or well-to-do families with photos of young children and Pit Bull type dogs. It is likely they were the children's pets, but it is not conclusive to determine from only a photo.

It is true there is little evidence to support how official the term nanny dog is when it is used in terms of Pit Bull type dogs. However, this is because being a nanny dog isn't an official thing. It isn't recognized by kennel clubs or governments as a dog type group, unlike the sporting dog or working dog groups which are recognized by the American Kennel Club[2].

This doesn't mean that Pit Bulls are not great with kids. While there is little evidence to support the terminology of Pit Bulls as nanny dogs, there is plenty to support them as being a wonderful family pet. Perhaps the belief in the origin of the term in the 19th Century is due to the many pictures of children with their pet Pit Bull (as can be seen above). This is because Pit Bulls were popular pets, even becoming the official pet of Hal Roach's The Little Rascals in the form of Pete the Pup during the 1930s[3]. In fact, according to the United Kennel Club, American Pit Bull Terriers are consider poor guard dogs thanks to their relative friendliness towards strangers[4].

Pit Bulls may not necessarily be officially considered nanny dogs, but this is because there is no official consideration of nanny dogs. Instead, they are loyal, protective and loving family pets which have garnered a bad reputation for the wrong reasons.