History of American Pitbull Terrier in the Philippines

Pitbull Dogs of Philippines

The Askal – Native Dog of Philippines

Dogs have been a part of life for every Filipino family. The Askal (Asong Kalye or street dog) is the native and primitive dog of the Philippines; they are domesticated, but usually allowed by their owners to roam freely.


The image below may be the oldest recorded image of a domesticated dog in Philippines which was taken during execution of Dr. Jose P. Rizal on December 30, 1896. It has been documented that when Rizal was executed the dog ran circles around Rizal’s body. As a child, Rizal had a pet Askal named Usman according to the historian Zaide.

The original Philippine dogs, or dogs that are possibly close to the original, might still be found in the rural areas and possibly many of them have prick ears. The shape of the Askal is similar to the Australian dingo, the Indian pariah and the singing dog of New Guinea, but the Askal is not wild. It is more of a pariah dog, although there is no group worldwide that includes the Askal in this classification.

The Dingo

The Askal – Philippine Native Dog

In ancient Philippine mythology, it is believed that the dog was sacred and companion of many of the highest gods like Kadlakan who has a dog named Kimat (personification of lightning).

The Askal (Philippine Native Dog)

Among the Ifugao of the Northern Philippines, the deities Wigan, Kabigat and Balitok all have dogs. The Apayaos of Luzon have a malevolent god Anguan who hunts people with his dogs.

Southern Cordilleran (Philippines) Traders, Circa 1900. (Originally titled “Igorot carriers on the trail.”) Courtesy, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago. These merchants have likely just returned from lowlands, where they would have purchased the dogs commonly known now as the “Askal”.

The Arrival of “Fighting Pitbull” Dogs in the Philippines

Most Filipinos in the early 90’s are not well-aware of a breed called pitbull dogs except that they are used for fighting matches introduced by Americans. The Republic Act No. 8485 (An act to promote animal welfare in the Philippines, otherwise known as “The Animal Welfare Act of 1998”) was only made and enforced in February 1998 banning the act of dog fights in the country. Prior to such law, dog fighting from time to time has been conducted by some individuals and groups who are enthusiasts of the breed. It is a fact that dog fighting for some time became a betting game in the country, although it is not well conversed matter except to pitbull fanatics. To further give an awareness to readers regarding game bred pitbulls before the Republic Act No. 8485 was enforced in the country; images below were taken from DOG SPORTING JOURNAL PHILIPPINES for history and information reference of the breed.

CH. SOUTHERNMEN'S BAMA 4XW, 1XL (Bama is the first female pitbull winner in a Philippines pit fight dated December 1996)

GR. CH. SOUTHERNMEN'S FOX 7XW ROM (Fox is an undefeated male pitbull in Philippines pitbull matches, he earned the Register of Merit through the excellence of his offspring’s in the pit fight) 

Through years though dog fighting has been banned in Philippines, illegal operators still exist leading to dogfighting raid in Indang, Cavite province of Philippines seizing 216 pitbull dogs on December 2, 2011.

Discussions regarding the origin of game bred pitbulls in the Philippines will one way or another lead to American bases in the country; GI’s brought the strain of game bred pitbulls along with them. We cannot particularly specify which game bred line has been imported by GI’s because by that time pedigree is purposely kept secret unless the owner shares it.

Some of Kennel Club in the country have made document about the beginnings of APBT’s in the country particularly The Western Mindanao Pit Bull Terrier Club (Est. 2004) traced that game bred pitbull dogs were first brought to Philippines in the year 1988 when Danny Alano have imported his APBT’s straight from U.S.A. from Mr. Hammonds, a legendary dog man of his time. Danny Alano bred his dogs and kept his strains pure Alligator line and sells some of litter to Filipino enthusiasts of the breed that time paving the way to first pitbull dogs within Filipino community.

Mr. Gary J. Hammonds from Texas, U.S.A. is known as scientific breeder and is most famous for his Alligator line of pitbulls.

Another famous dog man in Philippines APBT history is Mr. Jovince Arce, he probably owned the biggest yard of game bred line of dogs in the 90’s. Mr. Arce imports his game bred line pitbulls straight from U.S.A. and made the breeding in the country and sells his litter to pitbull fanatics. Arce’s Bulldog Hill Dozer born on April 25, 1991 is a very famous stud dog of his time because of his build as a big and bulky pitbull which is not common that time. Having the Dozer line back in day was like a gem and pride to pitbull fanatics; most probably Dozer was the foundation stud to “Show-Type Pitbulls” or the show bred pitbulls in the country.

Arce’s Bulldog Hill Dozer - Nevada’s (Snyder’s) Knowlwood Kid Otto x Fitz Pit’s Mako

The “Show-Type Pitbulls”

In late-90’s, pitbulls in the country by the time were classified between “Fighting Pitbulls” which are very lean and “Show-Type Pitbulls” which are bulkier in size. The term Bully was later adapted placing American to depict where supposedly the new breed was created calling it “American Bully” prior to inception of American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) in year 2004.

Philippines played a key role in developing and promoting pitbull dogs either it is “Fighting Pitbull” or “Show-Type Pitbull”; one of the early organization and perhaps the first that conducted conformation show for pitbull dogs in the country is the Philippine Pitbull Club (PPC). The organization was founded in December 1999 by Dr. Jay Geronimo, Mr. Regie Policarpio and Mr. Rev Lobarbio.

PPC-PBKC Logo/ Banner (image taken from the internet)

The first Pitbull Dog Show conducted by the PPC in the country having the venue at Rainforest Park, Pasig City Philippines is on April 15, 2000. Events conducted for the pitbulls that time includes Weight Pulling, Hang Time, Buko (Coconut) Shredding and the Conformation Show. It was the time when ADB Caishot and Janel’s AJ Gotti became famous in the Show-Type Pitbull scene when they were introduced to public. Sometime in year 2005 the organization was extended to Philippine Pitbull Club – Philippine Bully Kennel Club (PPC-PBKC) to give recognition to the bullier type of pitbull as natural extension to a game bred pitbulls.

Another organization in the country is the National Pitbull Terrier Club, Inc. (NPTC) initiated by Mr. Bong Masangkay in August 2000. Later the organization was reformed to National Pitbull Terrier Club, Inc. – Philippine Bully League (NPTC-PBL) to give recognition to the bullier type of pitbulls.

NPTC Logo (Image taken from NPTC Facebook Page)

PBL Logo (Image taken for the PBL Facebook Page)

Through the efforts of pitbull organizations and the dog owners in the country constantly exposing their dogs in conformation shows, events and to the public, Filipinos gets more aware of the breed.

Sometime in the early 21^st century a new strain of “Show-Type Pitbulls” arrived in the country through the Filipino breeders in U.S.A. named Mr. Arlon Dexter Berberabe (ADB Kennels, Las Vegas). The Philippine Bully Kennel Club (PBKC), an extension to Philippine Pitbull Club (PPC) was established in 2005 acknowledging the new breed called the “American Bully”. PBKC was established through the effort of Dr. Jay Geronimo and Dr. Edward Menor with supports of ADB Kennels and Toy Soldiers Kennels (Jim & Hannah Aba from Chicago, U.S.A.). The Bullier Pitbulls became a big hit in the country although critics will always be there by the time.

Some of critics back in early days of these “Show-Type Pitbulls” states that it is a mix of pitbulls and of other bulky dog breeds creating the bulkier body of the show-type pitbulls and claims that it is prone to heat stroke due to its size. As time goes the “Show-Type Pitbulls” were officially called the American Bully breed separating from the APBT breed; Filipino APBT enthusiasts are well-aware of the bloodlines what they have on hand and how they developed the breed on their breeding program. Transforming the APBT breed to American Bully breed is controversial and confusing nonetheless; this document may somehow guide you regarding the progression of the breed in the Philippines.