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American Bully: Fear, Paradox, and the New Family Dog

Profile image of Rachel LevineRachel LevineProfile image of Justyna Poray-WybranowskaJustyna Poray-Wybranowska

Abstract

This article examines how fear of human Otherness affects the contemporary breeding and marketing of dogs in America. We trace the history of pit bull-type dogs in the United States along race and class lines (early 20th century - present), showing how the efforts to control and contain certain humans runs parallel to the profiling and elimination of certain domestic dogs. We argue that it is the prevalent American fear of disorder – and, in more recent decades, 'disorderly' racialized bodies – that has had the paradoxical effect of both vilifying the pit bull, and laying the groundwork for the emergence of a new breed of pit bull-type dog called the American Bully. Embodying exaggerated and "extreme" features of the pit bull that the American public has been conditioned to fear, the American Bully functions as a pointed retort to the socio-economic and political systems that have kept American 'Others' on the margins of society and made sense of this discrimination by way of the understood inherently violent capacities of the Other'd body. By studying the aesthetic and rhetorical paradigms used in the online sale of the American Bully, we show how, and why, the pit bull has been both physically redesigned and ideologically reconstructed as a vehicle by which its breeders and owners might now claim patriotic belonging and social normativity.

Figures (19)
Left: Fig. 1. An American Pit Bull Terrier (Nicolas 2006). Middle: Fig. 2. An American Staffordshire Terrier (Demon975 2012). Right: Fig. 3. A Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Sannse 2006). Note: these are public domain images from Wikipedia, so the genetic background of these dogs is not confirmed. We contacted both the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club for permission to feature their breed standards in this article, and both kennel clubs declined our request. Images of dogs that represent the standards for these three ‘pit bull’ breeds can be found online through http://www.akc.org/ and http://www.ukcdogs.com. the non-human, too, is culturally constructed.
Left: Fig. 1. An American Pit Bull Terrier (Nicolas 2006). Middle: Fig. 2. An American Staffordshire Terrier (Demon975 2012). Right: Fig. 3. A Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Sannse 2006). Note: these are public domain images from Wikipedia, so the genetic background of these dogs is not confirmed. We contacted both the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club for permission to feature their breed standards in this article, and both kennel clubs declined our request. Images of dogs that represent the standards for these three ‘pit bull’ breeds can be found online through http://www.akc.org/ and http://www.ukcdogs.com. the non-human, too, is culturally constructed.
Fig. 4. A series of American Bullies credited as foundational to the Kinneman Kennels American Bully breeding program (Kinneman 2014b, reproduced with permission). fate that this type of dog is likely to encounter?
Fig. 4. A series of American Bullies credited as foundational to the Kinneman Kennels American Bully breeding program (Kinneman 2014b, reproduced with permission). fate that this type of dog is likely to encounter?
Fig. 5. WWI propaganda poster (1915) (“War Dogs: Pit Bulls in the Military” 2012). as a stand-in to make the same claim of itself.
Fig. 5. WWI propaganda poster (1915) (“War Dogs: Pit Bulls in the Military” 2012). as a stand-in to make the same claim of itself.
Left: Fig. 6. Notorious Juan Gotty of West Side Kennels (Kinneman 2014a, reproduced with permission). Right: Fig. 7. A dog featured on the Razor’s Edge bloodline information page on KinnemanKennels.com. Kinneman Kennels owner Matthew Kinneman has provided a full history of the Gottiline and Razor’s Edge breeding programs that resonates with other online accounts (Kinneman 2014c, reproduced with permission). connected to or claimed by a ‘line. wherein dogs can be known by ever-expanding sub-types, each of which can be
Left: Fig. 6. Notorious Juan Gotty of West Side Kennels (Kinneman 2014a, reproduced with permission). Right: Fig. 7. A dog featured on the Razor’s Edge bloodline information page on KinnemanKennels.com. Kinneman Kennels owner Matthew Kinneman has provided a full history of the Gottiline and Razor’s Edge breeding programs that resonates with other online accounts (Kinneman 2014c, reproduced with permission). connected to or claimed by a ‘line. wherein dogs can be known by ever-expanding sub-types, each of which can be
Fig. 8. Detailed genetic lineage for Strongside Kennels (Strongside Bullies 2016c, reproduced with permission).
Fig. 8. Detailed genetic lineage for Strongside Kennels (Strongside Bullies 2016c, reproduced with permission).
Fig. 9: Strongside Bullies’ Mini Duke, or Mini. Mini is a female “extreme pocket” bully. This is an extreme-type bully, but on a smaller scale (Strongside Bullies 2016b, reproduced with permission).
Fig. 9: Strongside Bullies’ Mini Duke, or Mini. Mini is a female “extreme pocket” bully. This is an extreme-type bully, but on a smaller scale (Strongside Bullies 2016b, reproduced with permission).
Left: Fig. 10 and Right: Fig. 11. Two sons of Dax, who is discussed below. These dogs display some of the ‘freakish’ characteristics that are so desirable to fanciers of the extreme type: extra-broad chest and wide shoulders, very large top-skull, tight eyelids with seemingly ‘intense’ gaze, visib y split chest muscles, extra-thick forelimbs and hind limbs, etc. Note that coat color and eye color are not considered a relevant determinant of dog quality in the Am muscle bulk (DaxLineBullies c2003, reproduced erican Bully world; the focus is on with permission).
Left: Fig. 10 and Right: Fig. 11. Two sons of Dax, who is discussed below. These dogs display some of the ‘freakish’ characteristics that are so desirable to fanciers of the extreme type: extra-broad chest and wide shoulders, very large top-skull, tight eyelids with seemingly ‘intense’ gaze, visib y split chest muscles, extra-thick forelimbs and hind limbs, etc. Note that coat color and eye color are not considered a relevant determinant of dog quality in the Am muscle bulk (DaxLineBullies c2003, reproduced erican Bully world; the focus is on with permission).
Fig. 12. A screen-shot of a breeder describing his recent litter of ‘extreme’ puppies (Battenroo c2014). A Couch Potato Called Al Capone
Fig. 12. A screen-shot of a breeder describing his recent litter of ‘extreme’ puppies (Battenroo c2014). A Couch Potato Called Al Capone
Left: Fig. 13. Richard Barajas with Westside’s Boogie (Kinneman 2014a, reproduced with permission). Right: Fig. 14. Ed Shepherd and an unidentified woman with 21 Blackjack (Kinneman 2014a, reproduced with permission). but is generally matched to any struggling demographic (Anderson 1999; Associated
Left: Fig. 13. Richard Barajas with Westside’s Boogie (Kinneman 2014a, reproduced with permission). Right: Fig. 14. Ed Shepherd and an unidentified woman with 21 Blackjack (Kinneman 2014a, reproduced with permission). but is generally matched to any struggling demographic (Anderson 1999; Associated
Left: Fig. 15. and Right: Fig. 16. A famous American Bully male named Dax, bred heavily from Gottiline dogs and credited as foundational to the DaxLine line of dogs (DaxLineBullies c2003, reproduced with permission). It is apparent that Dax is a widened and possibly shortened version of 21 Blackjack. Note that Dax is considered ‘extreme,’ though Gottiline dogs are typically considered to be a classic, or standard type of American Bully (ibid.).
Left: Fig. 15. and Right: Fig. 16. A famous American Bully male named Dax, bred heavily from Gottiline dogs and credited as foundational to the DaxLine line of dogs (DaxLineBullies c2003, reproduced with permission). It is apparent that Dax is a widened and possibly shortened version of 21 Blackjack. Note that Dax is considered ‘extreme,’ though Gottiline dogs are typically considered to be a classic, or standard type of American Bully (ibid.).
Fig. 17. Famous R&B singer Mario holding his HQ Bullies female puppy on adoption day, accompanied by HQ Bullies’ Epidemic Virus (HQ Bullies 2016a, reproduced with permission). lot about how varied is the demographic that is drawn to the American Bully. breeders to show pictures of their dogs in happy new homes. These images reveal ; lot about how varied is the demographic that is drawn to the American Bully. breeders to show pictures of their dogs in happy new homes. These images reveal a
Fig. 17. Famous R&B singer Mario holding his HQ Bullies female puppy on adoption day, accompanied by HQ Bullies’ Epidemic Virus (HQ Bullies 2016a, reproduced with permission). lot about how varied is the demographic that is drawn to the American Bully. breeders to show pictures of their dogs in happy new homes. These images reveal ; lot about how varied is the demographic that is drawn to the American Bully. breeders to show pictures of their dogs in happy new homes. These images reveal a
Left: Fig. 18. Young girl with adult American Bully bred by HQ Bullies. (Paul Au, e-mail message to Rachel Levine, 6 July 2016, reproduced with permission). Right: Fig. 19. A little boy and young American Bully use each other for cushioning while relaxing together (ibid.).
Left: Fig. 18. Young girl with adult American Bully bred by HQ Bullies. (Paul Au, e-mail message to Rachel Levine, 6 July 2016, reproduced with permission). Right: Fig. 19. A little boy and young American Bully use each other for cushioning while relaxing together (ibid.).
Fig. 20. Jaycel and family from Palm Springs, CA, featured with their two puppies from HQ Bullies (HQ Bullies 2016d, reproduced with permission).
Fig. 20. Jaycel and family from Palm Springs, CA, featured with their two puppies from HQ Bullies (HQ Bullies 2016d, reproduced with permission).
Left: Fig. 21. ManMade Kennels’ Optimus Prime, with breeders Edward and Sarah Perez’ daughter, EmmaLisa. This picture was sent in correspondence to one of the authors, but is also featured on the kennel’s public Instagram photo sharing page, with the note, “this boy is a super lover!!!” (Edward Perez, e-mail message to Rachel Levine, 6 July 2016, reproduced with permission). Right: Fig. 22. A young son of DaxLine’s famous Dax, pictured with little girl (DaxLineBullies c2003, reproduced with permission). extended possibility of what might be considered an all-American dog.
Left: Fig. 21. ManMade Kennels’ Optimus Prime, with breeders Edward and Sarah Perez’ daughter, EmmaLisa. This picture was sent in correspondence to one of the authors, but is also featured on the kennel’s public Instagram photo sharing page, with the note, “this boy is a super lover!!!” (Edward Perez, e-mail message to Rachel Levine, 6 July 2016, reproduced with permission). Right: Fig. 22. A young son of DaxLine’s famous Dax, pictured with little girl (DaxLineBullies c2003, reproduced with permission). extended possibility of what might be considered an all-American dog.
Left: Fig. 23. Four boys smile for portrait with their young American Bully (Paul Au, e-mail message to Rachel Levine, 6 July 2016, reproduced with permission). Right: Fig. 24. The same American Bully plays babysitter to baby boy (ibid.).
Left: Fig. 23. Four boys smile for portrait with their young American Bully (Paul Au, e-mail message to Rachel Levine, 6 July 2016, reproduced with permission). Right: Fig. 24. The same American Bully plays babysitter to baby boy (ibid.).
Left: Fig. 25. American Bully Rose from ManMade Kennels, pulling her human “sister” by a harness (Manmadekennelsi1 c2015, reproduced with permission). Right: Fig. 26. ManMade Kennels’ Zombie demonstrating her athleticism with an unidentified adolescent boy (Manmadekennels1 c2016, reproduced with permission). It is unusual to see children presented with their American Bullies doing sports or working. These images demonstrate that not all families seek out the American Bully for a ‘couch potato,’ but may instead consider it to be a valuable family member for reasons more closely aligned with typical American Pit Bull Terrier working traits.
Left: Fig. 25. American Bully Rose from ManMade Kennels, pulling her human “sister” by a harness (Manmadekennelsi1 c2015, reproduced with permission). Right: Fig. 26. ManMade Kennels’ Zombie demonstrating her athleticism with an unidentified adolescent boy (Manmadekennels1 c2016, reproduced with permission). It is unusual to see children presented with their American Bullies doing sports or working. These images demonstrate that not all families seek out the American Bully for a ‘couch potato,’ but may instead consider it to be a valuable family member for reasons more closely aligned with typical American Pit Bull Terrier working traits.
Right: Fig. 27. ManMade Kennels’ Zombie out for a family walk with kennel co- owner Sarah Perez, and children Saraya, Eddie, and EmmaLisa, and American Bully puppy (Edward Perez, e-mail message to Rachel Levine, 6 July 2016, reproduced with permission). Left: Fig. 28. Zombie with young neighbours of kennel owners Edward and Sarah Perez (Manmadekennels1 c2015, reproduced with permission).
Right: Fig. 27. ManMade Kennels’ Zombie out for a family walk with kennel co- owner Sarah Perez, and children Saraya, Eddie, and EmmaLisa, and American Bully puppy (Edward Perez, e-mail message to Rachel Levine, 6 July 2016, reproduced with permission). Left: Fig. 28. Zombie with young neighbours of kennel owners Edward and Sarah Perez (Manmadekennels1 c2015, reproduced with permission).
Fig. 29. Litter announcement for Strongside Kennels’ breeding of Trunks (sire) and Dolce (dam). This litter announcement combines the ‘barren ground’ aesthetic that is popular in breeder website main banners with some of the other visual imagery common to website designs, e.g. flashy lights, prison-style tattoo font, no other humans or animals, concrete or otherwise bare ground, etc. (Strongside Bullies 2016a, reproduced with permission). This image has now been removed from the site. wire detailing; a top banner or opening page graphic featuring muscular dogs stacked
Fig. 29. Litter announcement for Strongside Kennels’ breeding of Trunks (sire) and Dolce (dam). This litter announcement combines the ‘barren ground’ aesthetic that is popular in breeder website main banners with some of the other visual imagery common to website designs, e.g. flashy lights, prison-style tattoo font, no other humans or animals, concrete or otherwise bare ground, etc. (Strongside Bullies 2016a, reproduced with permission). This image has now been removed from the site. wire detailing; a top banner or opening page graphic featuring muscular dogs stacked
Top to bottom: Fig. 30. ManMade Bullies’ Facebook page header (Manmade Kennelz c2016, reproduced with permission). Fig. 31. DaxLine Bullies kennel website header (DaxlineBullies c2003, reproduced with permission). Fig. 32. HQ Bullies’ breeder website header (HQ Bullies 2016e, reproduced with permission).
Top to bottom: Fig. 30. ManMade Bullies’ Facebook page header (Manmade Kennelz c2016, reproduced with permission). Fig. 31. DaxLine Bullies kennel website header (DaxlineBullies c2003, reproduced with permission). Fig. 32. HQ Bullies’ breeder website header (HQ Bullies 2016e, reproduced with permission).

Key takeaways

  • American Bully breeders use registers of home and family to draw the pit bull into American social order.
  • Vague definitions of the pit bull have material consequences for dogs and their owners (see Irwin 2012 for an extended discussion of this).
  • It is impossible to know what the precise breed makeup of the dogs involved in these attacks actually was; however, it was in the same timeframe when dog attacks were connected to racialized violence that 'pit bull' entered the popular vernacular as a term to organize a very genetically diverse grouping of dogs.
  • In the late 1990s, a focused group of pit bull breeders began tailoring their dogs to what has ultimately become accepted as a new 'breed': the American Bully.
  • Junod (2014) argued that the American pit bull "is not like other dogs but rather something less and at the same time something more: something Other."

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  • War Studies
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  • Political Uses of Fear
  • War on Drugs
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