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Is Your Pup a Pit Bull? 5 SHOCKING Pitbull Variants You Didn't Know Existed!

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Abhijeet

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7 min read

10 Jul, 2024

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It's not quite clear what constitutes a "Pit Bull" exactly. At first, the UK Kennel Club only recognised the American Pit Bull Terrier as a breed in 1927. It took several years for the American Kennel Club to officially recognise this breed. The American Kennel Club chose to rename the breed the American Staffordshire Terrier after adding the Pit Bull to its list of approved breeds.


The American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier were the same breed of dog for a while. But over the years, they drifted apart, and it's now completely unclear if they are of the same breed. Depending on who you ask, yes! From there, the Pit Bull breed division becomes even more intricate. The specifics of what constitutes a Pit Bull and what does not largely depend on your geographical location. 


Pit Bulls can be classified into five different breeds. Below, we'll examine each of them.


1. American Pit Bull Terrier


The American Pit Bull Terrier is the only breed on this list that is universally accepted as a Pit Bull. It is, after all, in their name! These dogs are not from America; they are from the United Kingdom, despite their name. The breed was brought to the United Kingdom after being developed in the United States. The UK Kennel Club added the word "American" to the breed's name in recognition that it originated in America. But it took some time for the American Kennel Club to recognise this breed. And they renamed it after they had done so. The main purpose of this breed's development was for dogfighting. Throughout the 19th century, this sport was permitted in the US but prohibited in the UK. Bans were not easily enforced where they were against the law. Having said that, most of their aggression has been bred out of them. They were brought into the UK and developed into companion animals. They are very affectionate and develop close relationships with their families. They need a lot of mental and physical stimulation because they can be a little exuberant.


Image by wirestock on Freepik



2. American Staffordshire Terrier


For many years, the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier were considered to be the same breed. The UK Kennel Club's designation of the breed as the "American Pit Bull Terrier" was changed to the "American Staffordshire Terrier" when the American Kennel Club decided to recognise it. In an effort to distance the breed from its history of dog fighting, the name was changed. It was predicated on the widely believed myth of the time that these dogs originated in the British Isles' Staffordshire region. Naturally, this breed was also utilised in dog fighting. That was their development. Breeders have been diligent in eliminating a large portion of the breed's aggression, though. With the right socialisation, these dogs are now frequently calm and incredibly amiable. They have strong bonds and are devoted to their families. Aggression between dogs is present in some. But socialisation can help a lot to keep this from happening. They are frequently characterised as jovial and kind. Like most Pit Bulls, they have a lot of energy and are fairly lively. They are best suited for households with active members.


Image by Susanne from Pixabay



3. Staffordshire Bull Terrier


British breeds include Staffordshire Bull Terriers. This breed is the offspring of dogs that were abandoned in the UK, whereas the other two breeds mentioned above evolved in the US. This breed, like the majority of the other Pit Bulls on this list, descended from the Old English Bulldog and the Old English Terrier. In the UK, dog fighting was prohibited in 1835 and 1911, and most of these dogs were kept as pets. A portion of their ancestors were brought to the US, where the American Staffordshire Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier originated. The dogs that were not exported gave rise to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The main purpose of these dogs is as companions. Many of them were kept purely as companions, even in cases where they were used for dog fighting. They have a reputation for being incredibly loving and devoted. Because this breed is kind and makes excellent playmates, it is a good choice for households with kids.


Image by bestline from Pixabay



4. American Bulldog


The English Bulldog is the ancestor of the American Bulldog. These dogs were mostly employed as companions and working dogs on farms in America. But the English Bulldog was originally bred for blood sports like bull-baiting. These dogs frequently have a strong focus on people. They might experience anxiety related to parting. On the other hand, families searching for a loyal, loving dog will find them ideal. They need to be socialised because they may be overly protective of their families. They are a fantastic choice for households with kids. They can, however, be fairly gregarious. They can easily topple kids due to their bigger size, especially when they're giddy. Training and socialisation are both crucial.


Image by Sven Lachmann from Pixabay



5. American Bully


The breed of American Bully is relatively new. They are not recognised by the American Kennel Club. Nonetheless, the United Kennel Club recognises them. The 1980s saw the first appearance of this breed. Having said that, there is a lot of misinformation surrounding their past, so it's unclear when exactly the breed originated. The American Bully is significantly more compact and muscular than the other dogs on this list. They are designed with functionality in mind and are extremely athletic. Their heads are enormous, and they resemble other Pit Bulls in appearance. This is the reason they are very active. They are only advised for busy families. If not, they might get bored and engage in harmful activities.


Image by dillondygert from Pixabay

Conclusion

There are a lot of false beliefs about pit bulls. They are thought to be more aggressive than other dogs, or at least dangerous by nature, by many people. But temperament testing has revealed that, compared to other breeds, Pit Bulls are generally less aggressive. There are numerous varieties of Pit Bulls available. Depending on who you ask, different breeds may or may not qualify as Pit Bulls. The American Pit Bull Terrier is generally accepted as a Pit Bull. They are, after all, the breed that coined the phrase originally. Since the American Staffordshire Terrier was originally just another name for the American Pit Bull Terrier, they are typically counted as Pit Bulls. Having said that, other breeds are also frequently included. Despite not even being recognised by the American Kennel Club, the American Bully is frequently mistaken for a Pit Bull in the United Kingdom.

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