Discover the intensity and legacy of the 1973 Southwest American Pit Bull Terrier Game Dog Convention—an event that forever altered the world of game breeds—in this feature from APBT Info. On the windswept cliffs of the Red River, over 400 spectators bore witness to twelve non-stop game dog matches that pitted the era’s most tenacious APBT bloodlines against each other. When a well-intended offer to treat an injured dog spiraled into a heated confrontation, a single .357 Magnum round rang out, wounding longtime handler Jim Huselton and sending the crowd into a frantic scramble. Veteran dogmen like Don Mayfield and Bobby Hall stepped in amid the chaos, ensuring the show endured and proving the unbreakable spirit that defines true game-bred Pit Bulls.

This incident became a watershed moment for APBT event safety, prompting sweeping changes to how game dog gatherings are managed: stringent firearm bans at match sites, tighter alcohol controls, and the introduction of on-site medical teams now stand as standard practice. More than just a tale of rivalry and crisis, this story illuminates the values of loyalty, resilience, and respect that have shaped the modern American Pit Bull Terrier community. Whether you’re a breeder tracing the evolution of gameness, a historian chronicling Pit Bull heritage, or an enthusiast of working-dog culture, our in-depth account offers fresh insight into the people, dogs, and decisions that forged a new era for game dog events and solidified the APBT’s enduring legacy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OvygpRa7bQ

From Matches to Mayhem | Carver, Tudor & Mayfield Inside the 1973 American Pit Bull Terrier Game Dog Convention