Pit Bull Terminology?

loves-da-pits · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 2:09 am Post subject: Pit Bull Terminology?

Last Sunday I was walking my dogs. Down at the end of my street two guys were out front and was looking at Reese. They seem to admire him. They came up to us and ask if he was a Mastiff, which to me seemed odd since he doesn't even look like one. I told them that the breeder registered the pups as AmStaffs so he could show them at AKC shows. He said he had two P.B. but didn't elaborate. Then the one guy ask me if he was a "Shovel Head." Didn't have a clue what he was talking about. Try looking on the internet, briefly, but really didn't see anything. I kind of downplayed it because I didn't want to appear stupid and kept on walking. I just said he had a shovel tongue as a joke. But I keep thinking about it and was wondering if this a legit terminology, or was he insulting my dog?

Sara · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 2:24 pm Post subject:

It seems like people make up terminology among their own friends/breeders (I really hesitate to call them that because...they're BYB's most of the time)...

What the Hell is a shovel head??? I've NEVER heard that term before and it sounds bogus to me... Especially from someone who sees an APBT/Amstaff (an owner of the breed) and thinks it's a mastiff...

Even if the guy was insulting you... I doubt it meant much coming from such an idiot.

Sara · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 4:00 pm Post subject:

I asked on another board... This is what I got

"A shovel head is a pit bull with a head that is very wide, more like a spade then a shovel in shape. It is something that people think that makes the pit bull look more intimidating with a big head and powerful jaws."

Hmmmm...

loves-da-pits · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 9:53 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Sara, for asking. Hadn't much time to look into it. Been working all day. Still think it's a stupid terminology. Anyone who's ever seen Reese, intimidation is not what comes to mind. I guess those guys feel empowered or something by having P.Bs. and run in a whole different crowd. (POOR DOGS!!) I'll just start walking down the street in the other direction.

True_Pits · Super Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 1433

These people were idiots sounds like to me anyway. I'm not trying to insult people I don't know but it seems like most of the breeders and owners I know lack common sense and human intellegence. Asking if your dog is a mastiff? Asking if he is a shovel head? What Sara said is true and thats what the "terminology" means but it is something that these people made up and use to sell dogs with special names. You shuold have asked them though, sounds like they wouldn't have even been able to explain, they themselves may not even know what it means. They can see whether or not the dog has a very wide type of head. They can obviously see it isn't a mastiff. Never feel afraid to ask though and feel stupid, not everyone knows everything, if I used terms to someone walking or whatever I'd rather have them ask then play it off.

loves-da-pits · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 11:14 pm Post subject:

True: I agree, these guys were idiots. I just didn't want to carry on a conversation with two strangers I didn't know, especially in this city. I didn't play it off, I just felt uncomfortable. Besides, they had two dogs (Pits) beating at their screen door to get out. Reese and I just kept on going. I kept thinking about the terminology, and figured I would ask the people here to see if it had any merit.

JJ Luchiano · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 6:52 pm Post subject:

I've never heard of that term either. Yeah, best bet is to walk your pit somewhere else especially if you live in in PHX. I used to live in Tempe now relocated back to TX. People around the Austin area are always looking out to steal your pit.