(or pit bull terrier), feisty breed of terrier known as the gladiator of the canine world because of its fierce courage, strength, and agility in the pit, or fighting ring; smooth, very short coat is either pure white or white with patches of black and/or tan, especially around the eyes and muzzle; very muscular neck; ears are small, thin, pointed, and placed close together on blunt, broad-nosed head; tail is thin, medium-length, and pointed at end; eyes are small, beady, triangular, and darkly glinting; adult stands 19–22 in. (48–56 cm) tall at shoulders and weighs 30–60 lbs (14–27 kg); although originally intolerant of other dogs and of cats, if properly disciplined it can tolerate other animals; enjoys playing ball and Frisbee; developed in Great Britain in about 1835, it was nicknamed the white cavalier because it was trained to fight in defense of its master and of itself,