The Pit Bull does not actually exist, because the word “Pit Bull” is an umbrella term for a few dog breeds. When you say “Pit Bull” or “Pittie,” you’re referring to a group of five dog breeds: The American Pit Bull Terrier or APBT, American Staffordshire Terrier or Staffy, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, and American Bully.
Neither the American Kennel Club (AKC) nor the United Kennel Club (UKC) have recognized “Pit Bull” as a breed, because there just… isn’t one. Both groups have recognized certain “Pit Bull” dogs. Let’s break them down.
American Pit Bull Terrier
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a muscular dog with a keen ability to form the strongest of bonds with their owners. They weigh 30 to 65 pounds. They have a high prey drive–if they see a squirrel or rabbit, they’re sure to go after it, and they love movement. Their short coats can sport black, white, tan, brown, or gray. Loyal and affectionate, the APBT is recognized by the UKC (United Kennel Club) but not the AKC.
American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier is quite similar to the APBT, but they’re actually slightly larger, ranging from 40 to 70 pounds. They’re highly intelligent and adept at learning commands, so they’re great candidates for training. Confident dogs, although slightly mellow, these dogs are playful. The Staffy is recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club) but not the UKC, to contrast the APBT.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is smaller than the others on this list, from 24 to 38 pounds. This small dog’s head looks too big for their body. They are super loyal, gentle, and affectionate, not at all dangerous to family members and really anyone in general. Their coats are short yet smooth. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is recognized by both clubs– the AKC and UKC.
American Bulldog
When you think of “Pit Bull,” the word Bulldog doesn’t come to mind. There are French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and American Bulldogs. The American Bulldog is only one of the official Pit Bulls. They descend from the English Bulldog, and they’re super cuddly. The American Bulldog tries to be a lapdog despite their huge size. They’re prone to allergies and very affectionate, like every other dog on this list. They’re also recognized by both clubs.
American Bully
The American Bully is stocky and muscular, the heaviest dogs on this list coming in at 65 to 85 pounds. Severe inbreeding has given them so many health issues that their lifespan expectancies are low, from 8 to 13 years. (Most purebred dogs are inbred really badly, a topic for another post). Their coat is short yet smooth, and they can come in pretty much any color. This pit bull type is growing in popularity, yet the UKC is the only club that recognizes it.
So, what is, exactly, a pit bull? What would define one?
Technically, a pit bull is a dog that descended from bull and terrier mixes.
More pit bull posts will be coming soon, so stay tuned for another post. And if you’re looking for a post in particular, a comment or vote on my poll would be appreciated.
What would you like my next post to be?
0%Debunking pitbull myths - What is true about pitbulls?
0%How badly inbred purebred dogs are - Dog Ancestry
0%Why the animal shelter is so full - Empty it within seconds
Credits to the information I got:
I always love reading the stuff on your blog <3 And it was very interesting to learn about the different pittie breeds <3
Also, if you're into reading, How I Became A Dog Called Midnight is really funny and would be perfect for you <3