With National Pit Bull Awareness Day celebrated this year on Oct. 23, we wanted to share some facts about this often misunderstood but beloved breed by those who welcome them into their families.

• The name “pit bull” is not an actual breed but is a label often given based on a dog’s appearance – blocky head, muscular build, short snout.
• Pit bulls may have pedigree such as American Staffordshire terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American pit bull terriers or American bullies, or they may be a mixed breed.
• One of the most famous pit bulls was Sergeant Stubby, a military dog celebrated for saving many lives during World War I.
• Pit bulls were first bred in the UK in the 1800s by crossing the Olde English bulldog with terriers.
• Immigrants brought the dogs to America, where they became valued as homestead protectors and hunting dogs.
• Famous people and characters, including Helen Keller, Theodore Roosevelt, and the "Our Gang" Little Rascals all owned pit bulls.
• Pit bulls can range in size from 25 to 75 pounds.
• Pit bulls do not make good guard dogs, as they are quite affectionate and friendly, even with strangers, when properly socialized.
• The American pit bull terrier receives an 87.4 percent passing score from the American Temperament Test Society, better than a golden retriever or Lhasa apso.
• There are at least 18 rescue groups in the U.S. that focus on saving pit bulls.

Source: Bad Rap

Related: Get some advice from someone who has owned and rescued several pit bulls.