"Pit Bulls" & Advertising

"Pit Bulls" have been a popular breed for advertising for many centuries. They are considered symbols of courage, freedom, strength and dependability. It is their trustworthy and tenacious nature that has earned them this great reputation. Many companies want these good qualities to be linked to their product because they feel "Pit Bulls" represent all the things you would want in a trusted brand name.

These are some of the many "Pit Bull" type dogs used for advertising in America:

Tige was the black and white APBT seen with Buster, aka Buster Brown. Together they were the mascot for Buster Brown children's shoe company. Buster and Tige were used as merchandising attention getters and also in comics. Tige is believed to be the first speaking pet in American comics. (Bully Breed Magazine)

Willie Faithful friend mourns American hero. Along with the many millions to mourn the passing of American hero, General George S. Patton, Jr., is his dog "Willie," the late general's companion Bull Terrier. Bad Nauheim, Germany January 1946.

Fire Dept. Mascot 1924

"Handsome Dan"1889-Present The tradition of the Yale mascot was established by a young gentleman from Victorian England, who attended Yale in the 1890's. The line now numbers 16, and the original successors have been the intimates of deans, directors, and coaches. One was tended by a head cheerleader who went on to become the Secretary of State. Another was featured on the cover of a national magazine. Yale was the first university in the United States to adopt a mascot, and to this date, none is better known than Handsome Dan.

Meaty is the lovable Bulldog staring in the MTV show Rob & Big since they adopted him in the first episode in 2006. In this reality buddy comedy, professional street skater Rob Dyrdek and his best friend and bodyguard, Christopher "Big Black" Boykin, share a house in the Hollywood Hills, bouncing from one ridiculous moment to the next. Along with their mischievous little Bulldog, "Meaty," the unlikely trio make the world their playground and hit the streets on a constant quest for adventure and laughs. Rob & Big has been one of the top rated tv shows in MTV history. One television review stated that MTV was at its best and that this show was on the top three-list of best shows in the television channel. They, also, said that it was as fun as "The Real World: Sydney," giving it 3 out of 5 stars, which is a high score for a reality television.

Meaty from the Rob and Big Show becomes Dick Van Pattens Natural Balance-Dog food Rolls mascot in 2008.

Ariela Miracle Girl has been the Targets mascot since 1999. The Target dog makes cover of Fortune magazine March 2008.

UGA The Georgetown mascot UGAs history actually began in 1920 when a writer from The Atlanta Journal printed a piece about school nicknames - The Georgia Bulldogs would sound good because there is a certain dignity about a bulldog, as well as ferocity. The name caught on and has been used ever since. The current UGA is UGA VI. He is descended from a line of white bulldogs bred by Frank W Seiler since 1956. He dons a spiked collar and his own team jersey. UGA is even issued a school ID at the beginning of every academic year. UGA V seemed to be the most famous of his clan; he made an appearance in the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Past UGAs are buried in a mausoleum on the schools campus. He is also the only mascot to attend the Heisman Award ceremonies. Hershel Walker said UGA looked better in 5a tux than he did. Sport Illustrated number 1 mascot. Bonus points for attacking an Auburn Football player during a game.

Bully the bulldog Mississippi state mascot In 1961 they officially became Bulldogs. However use of a bulldog as a live mascot started in 1935. When the first Bully died as a result of an accident with a campus bus, the University went into mourning. The dog lay in state in a glass coffin and was viewed by a funeral procession over 1/2 mile long. LIFE magazine covered the sad event as well. Since that time there have been many Bullys. The dogs previously lived in fraternity houses or roamed the campus (one even lived in an old oak barrel), but now reside in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Blitz Wofford college mascot Wofford Colleges sports teams are known as The Terriers. In 2003 they inducted an official live mascot named Blitz, a Boston terrier. Blitz enjoys roaming the sidelines at games and hasnt missed a game since she took the position. This mascot takes her job very seriously. Historically, the Boston terrier was originally imported from England in 1865. Like the American Pit Bull Terrier, they were initially bred to fight other animals. These two breeds had extremely similar qualities including weight which was 35lbs on average. They also shared the same name which in early times was American Bull Terrier.

Spuds Mackenzie 1987-1989 made his debut in a Bud Light beer commercial during the Super Bowl in 1987. Spuds Budweiser ads aired until 1989, during which time Bull Terriers popularity grew along with their breeding and prices. Ironically this dog was a female named Honey Tree Evil Eye that played the role of a male character for TV.

Pit bulls are frequently seen on tv! Channels like Animal Planet & Nation Geographic feature Pit bull-type breeds every day!