Introduction
A Dog’s Way Home is a 2019 American family adventure film directed by Charles Martin Smith and written by W. Bruce Cameron and Cathryn Michon, based on the 2017 novel of the same name by Cameron.[1] The film stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Ashley Judd, Edward James Olmos, Alexandra Shipp, Chris Bauer, Barry Watson, and Wes Studi. It was released in the United States on January 11, 2019, to mixed reviews from critics and grossed $80 million worldwide.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Dog%27s_Way_Home
About Bella
The dog named Bella is the main character in the 2019 family film A Dog’s Way Home. According to the synopsis on IMDb, “Bella becomes separated from her beloved human Lucas and embarks on an epic 400-mile journey to reunite with him” (source). Bella is played by a Pit Bull mix named Shelby in the film. Shelby was found in a Tennessee animal shelter and went on to star as mature Bella after training (source). The film chronicles Bella’s adventures and relationships as she tries to find her way back to Lucas.
Bella’s Breed
Bella is a mixed breed dog, specifically a Pit Bull Terrier mix. In A Dog’s Way Home, Bella is referred to as a “pit bull mix” and has the typical muscular, stocky appearance of a Pit Bull. The filmmakers intentionally chose a rescue dog for the role and wanted a Pit Bull mix to match the description in the original novel by W. Bruce Cameron.
According to I Heart Dogs, the filmmakers had two main requirements for casting the role of Bella – the dog had to be a Pit Bull mix and had to be a rescue dog. After an extensive search, they found the perfect dog at a shelter in Tennessee. The adult dog who played Bella is named Shelby and is a female Pit Bull mix rescued from a local shelter.
So in summary, Bella in A Dog’s Way Home is a mixed breed dog with Pit Bull Terrier as the predominant breed in her lineage. Shelby the rescue dog was chosen for her Pit Bull-like appearance and traits to authentically portray the character described in the novel.
Origin of Pit Bulls
The history of the Pit Bull breed can be traced back to the early 1800s in the United Kingdom. Pit Bulls were originally bred from Old English Bulldogs (these dogs are now extinct) and Old English Terriers for the popular spectator sports of bull baiting and bear baiting. The Pit Bull gets its name from being used to bait bulls in a fighting pit. When baiting sports were outlawed in 1835, the Pit Bull was then bred with other terriers and used for dog fighting, ratting, and as family companions.1
In the late 1800s, Pit Bulls were brought to the United States by Irish and English immigrants and became popular on family farms for their loyalty, obedience, and all-around working ability. The American Kennel Club recognized the American Pit Bull Terrier breed in 1936. While the Pit Bull largely originated in England, it was bred in America to be bigger with a more powerful head and jaw.2 Today’s Pit Bull is a descendant of the original English Pit Bull. The Pit Bull was historically bred to bait bulls and fight other dogs, but has been increasingly bred as a companion animal over the last 100 years.
Temperament
Pit bulls are typically known for their fun-loving, affectionate personalities and make excellent family companions. According to the American Temperament Test Society, pit bulls have been rated as one of the most gentle dog breeds, ranking higher in temperament tests than popular family dogs like Beagles and Collies. [1]
Pit bulls are energetic dogs that need regular exercise and mental stimulation. They are intelligent and eager to please, making them highly trainable. With proper socialization and handling, pit bulls are very friendly, loyal, and devoted companions. They crave human attention and love being around their family. Pit bulls are playful, goofy, and affectionate dogs that enjoy cuddling and giving “kisses”. [2]
Appearance
Pit Bulls are medium-sized, short-coated dogs with a solid, muscular build. They have a broad head with pronounced cheeks and a “blocky” muzzle. Their ears are typically cropped, though some have rose or half prick ears. Their eyes are round and their tails taper to a point.
These dogs come in a variety of colors like red, fawn, white, brindle, brown, black, blue, or some combination of these colors. Some Pit Bulls may also have small white markings on their chest, feet, or tail tip.
Adult male Pit Bulls typically stand 18-21 inches tall and weigh between 35-60 pounds. Females are slightly smaller at 17-20 inches tall and 30-50 pounds. Despite their muscular appearance, Pit Bulls are surprisingly nimble and athletic dogs.
According to the UKC breed standard, “The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized, solidly built, short-coated dog with smooth, well-defined musculature and athletic appearance.” Their physical characteristics enable these intelligent, energetic dogs to excel in a variety of roles and activities.
Popularity
Pit Bulls have become increasingly popular in the United States over the past few decades. According to the Human Society of Tampa Bay, Pit Bulls ranked as the number 1 most popular dog breed in 2023 [1]. The broader classification of “pit bull” includes breeds like the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Though distinct breeds, they are often grouped together under the “pit bull” label.
Back in 2013, Pit Bulls ranked 5th in popularity according to the American Kennel Club. Their popularity has steadily risen over the past decade. As of 2022, they ranked 2nd most popular breed in the United States according to the American Kennel Club rankings [2]. Their prevalence as family pets and popularity in general culture has been steadily growing.
Controversy
Pit bulls are one of the most controversial dog breeds due to concerns about their temperament and reputation as aggressive dogs. There has been much debate about whether pit bulls are inherently dangerous.
According to the ASPCA, “Pit bulls were created by cross-breeding bulldogs and terriers to produce a dog that combined the strength of the bulldog with the gameness and agility of the terrier”[1]. This breeding was done in England for the purpose of baiting bulls and bears. When that was banned in the 1800s, pit bulls were then bred for dog fighting. This bred-in tendency to be aggressive towards other animals has created controversy around pit bulls today.
Many locations have introduced legislation singling out pit bulls and banning ownership of the breed, including Denver, Miami-Dade County, the U.K., and parts of Canada. Advocacy groups like the ASPCA oppose such bans, arguing that a dog’s behavior depends on their owner and how they are trained and treated.
While some studies show pit bulls are not disproportionately dangerous compared to other breeds[2], their reputation continues to create concern. Responsible ownership and training is key to ensuring pit bulls become loving family pets instead of dangerous dogs.
In Pop Culture
The pit bull breed has appeared in many famous TV shows and movies. The dog who played Bella in A Dog’s Way Home was a mix of American Staffordshire terrier, American pit bull terrier, and Labrador retriever named Shelby (Chewy). Other famous pit bulls in pop culture include:
Petey from The Little Rascals was an American pit bull terrier who appeared in many of the Our Gang shorts between 1929 and 1931. Petey was well-trained and very gentle, helping establish a more positive reputation for the breed early on (Lilly the Hero Pit Bull).
More recently, pit bulls have appeared in shows like Pit Boss, Pit Bulls & Parolees, and The Dog Whisperer. Many celebrity owners like Jessica Biel, Katherine Heigl, and Jon Stewart have helped highlight good pit bull temperaments.
Movies like Hotel for Dogs, A Dog’s Purpose, and I Am Legend have cast pit bulls as sweet, loyal companions. Though the breed is sometimes still negatively stereotyped, their presence in pop culture has helped counter that with positive portrayals.
Conclusion
Bella, the star of the film A Dog’s Way Home, is a female American Pit Bull Terrier. Pit Bulls are medium-sized, loyal, people-oriented dogs that are known for their tenacity and determination. Bella embodies the resilient spirit of Pit Bulls through the adventures she takes to return home to her owner Lucas over 400 miles. Though Pit Bulls have an unfair reputation by some as aggressive, Bella shows the gentle, loving nature of the breed towards those they care for. Like all dogs, with proper socialization, care and responsible ownership, Pit Bulls make wonderful family pets.
Bella’s journey in A Dog’s Way Home reminds us that the bond between dogs and humans can overcome great challenges. Her undying dedication to get back to Lucas shows the strong love Pit Bulls have for their owners. Though misjudged by some, Pit Bulls just yearn to be loyal and loving members of families. Bella is an inspiration for what makes Pit Bulls great dogs.